Although minor car accidents may be treated as everyday occurrences by police and insurance companies, victims of these accidents often face medical issues and financial struggles.
If you’ve been in a minor car accident that resulted in injuries, you might be wondering how much compensation you may be entitled to. Here we’ll discuss what to expect from an average car accident settlement and how a car crash lawyer can support and advocate for you to receive the maximum compensation possible.
Factors that Affect Minor Car Accident Settlements
As with more serious car accidents, minor car accident settlements are typically determined by two main factors — the severity of your injuries and how much the insurance company is willing to pay for the accident. That said, the average settlement for a minor car accident will vary based on factors unique to each case.
If your injuries are minor and temporary, you’re less likely to get a significant settlement than if you had major injuries that have an ongoing impact on your life. However, even minor car accidents can result in injuries, pain, and suffering, so it’s important to consult with an auto accident lawyer to see if you are eligible for compensation.
In the aftermath of a minor car accident, victims should remember that insurance companies will often try to offer low-ball settlements or deny the claim altogether. The best way to get the most out of your settlement is to work with an experienced car crash lawyer who can prove that the at-fault party is responsible and help compile extensive documentation of your injuries, costs, and their impact on your life.
The following tips can help victims get the most out of their car accident settlements.
Document Medical Treatment & Expenses
Even if a car accident is minor, the injuries and expenses caused by the crash can still be significant. Victims in minor car accidents must get medical treatment as soon as possible after the accident to ensure they’re taken care of and properly evaluated. Although medical expenses may vary, they typically include:
- Emergency medical expenses: ER visit, hospital stay, emergency surgery, etc.
- Ongoing medical expenses: physical therapy, medication, long-term medical treatment and care
The more serious your injuries, the higher your medical expenses will be. As a result, your settlement could be higher. It’s essential for victims to keep all of the documents related to their medical expenses, including prescriptions, office visits, and medical devices or equipment.
Document Lost Earnings
If you suffered injuries due to a minor car accident and were out of work for any length of time, you could be eligible to receive damages for your lost earnings. In addition, if your injuries resulted in a lowered working capacity, your car accident settlement could include compensation to make up for the earnings you could have made over time had your injury not occurred.
An auto accident lawyer can help prove to the insurance company the negative effects your minor car accident had on your earning ability.
Prove Pain and Suffering
Although pain and suffering is often associated with serious car accidents, minor crashes can also cause ongoing emotional damage, particularly if the crash resulted in serious injuries. Pain and suffering compensation is tricky to prove in minor car accident crashes, and it’s hard to calculate. That’s why victims who have experienced emotional trauma due to a minor crash should work with a car crash lawyer who knows how to navigate the complexities of these types of cases.
The Lopez Law Group — Here for Texans
The Lopez Law Group understands that navigating the aftermath of even a minor car accident can be confusing and overwhelming. Our Texas-based auto accident lawyers have been helping clients navigate the legal process associated with car accidents for decades. We are experts in handling car accident cases of all kinds, including minor accidents. Our goal is to help clients understand their legal rights and potential for compensation by offering free, no-obligation consultations.
The Texas car crash lawyers at The Lopez Law Group are proud to serve Weslaco, Mission, McAllen, Laredo, Edinburg, Corpus Christi, Brownsville, Harlingen, Houston, Tyler, Spring, and other locations throughout the state and the US. Contact us online or call (956) 968-7800 to schedule your free case evaluation.
