When you’re involved in a car accident in Texas, your medical bills can add up quickly, especially if your injuries keep you from working. This situation warrants filing a car accident injury claim. But how much money are you entitled to? Knowing what to expect from a car accident settlement is crucial for planning your next steps.
What’s included in a Car Accident Settlement?
A settlement may include economic damages for monetary losses, including:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Property damage
Car accident settlements may also include non-economic damages for intangible losses, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Disability and disfigurement
- Emotional hardship
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Factors Influencing Your Settlement Amount
Several factors affect car accident settlements in Texas, including:
- The severity of your injuries: Minor injuries like cuts and bruises fetch lower settlements, whereas life-altering injuries like spinal cord damage or traumatic brain injuries can lead to much higher compensation.
- Treatment consistency: Seeking medical treatment post-accident is crucial. After all, insurance companies may doubt the legitimacy of your claim if there are treatment gaps or delays.
- The number of at-fault parties: The more parties mixed up in the accident, the more complex the settlement process. A collision with a single driver typically involves a claim against their insurance. However, accidents involving commercial vehicles or multiple cars can open additional channels for compensation.
- Your degree of fault: Texas is a tort state, meaning the at-fault party is primarily responsible for paying damages. You may be entitled to a settlement if you are found to be 50% or less at fault for the accident. However, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
- Insurance policy limits: Settlement amounts are influenced by the at-fault party’s insurance. If they only carry the minimum coverage required in Texas, this might impact the compensation available, especially if your damages exceed the policy limits.
- Statute of limitations: In Texas, you have two years from the date of the car accident to file a claim. Missing this deadline could mean forfeiting your right to any settlement.
- Legal fees: Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means they receive a portion of your settlement as payment, typically discussed upfront. Understanding these fees is important as they will be deducted from your final settlement amount.
Typical Settlement Amounts
In Texas, typical car accident settlements cover verifiable economic losses plus an additional amount for pain and suffering. For instance, a moderate injury case may accumulate $15,000 in medical bills and lost wages. A multiplier of 2 could lead to a pain-and-suffering calculation of $30,000 for a total settlement amount of $45,000. However, exact amounts vary significantly based on the specifics outlined above. In short, settlements range from a few hundred to millions of dollars.
Start Your Car Accident Claim
To increase the chances of a fair car accident settlement in Texas, partner with Nava Law Group. We bring over 150 years of combined legal experience to your case, with over $1 billion in compensation recovered for our clients to date. We’ll fight tirelessly to win your case, whether in or out of the courtroom. Call us today at 713.661.9900 for a free consultation at one of our personal injury law offices in Houston, Bellaire, Edinburg, or Austin, TX.
