What Is the Average Settlement Amount for Car Accidents in Virginia?

There are no two ways about it: car accidents are painful. They aren’t just physically painful either. Car accidents often also cause mental pain and anguish and can hurt our financial situation as well.

Despite our best efforts as drivers, car accidents are sometimes unavoidable. In Virginia, a fault state, you typically seek compensation for car accidents through the at-fault party’s insurance provider.

When clients come to Lantz & Robins for help with their car accident claim, we often find ourselves answering similar questions.

One of the most common questions we get from our clients is, what do you think my case is worth?  The question seems like a relatively simple one, but the answer is not.

Unfortunately, there are no typical car accident settlement amounts.

Thus, without looking at your case specifically, including how the crash happened, what injuries you had, whether the other driver was properly or adequately insured, what medical treatment you get or may need in the future, we can’t provide an accurate estimate of your claim’s worth. 

Why Is There No Average Car Accident Settlement?

There is no typical or average car accident settlement because there is no typical car accident.

Every car accident has numerous factors that impact what any final settlement will look like. 

Even if the exact same accident occurs between the same people, a different settlement may arise in different circumstances.

Add to that the fact that non economic damages, such as those for pain and suffering, can depend upon the factors that make each human being and case unique, and you can see how the same accident might produce different results.

Different judges, attorneys, insurance providers, and jurors can also have an impact on a final settlement amount. In sum, there are simply too many different factors that go into car accidents to come up with any sort of average car accident claim.

What Factors Impact the Amount of a Car Accident Settlement?

One of the biggest factors that impacts a given car accident settlement is the damages that arise. The severity of each type of damage also impacts final settlement amounts. The following list shows some of the types of damages that can arise out of a car accident:

• Emergency medical transport,
• Emergency medical care,
• Surgery,
• Rehabilitation,
• The loss of the use of a bodily function,
• The loss of a loved one,
• Physical pain and anguish,
• Mental pain and anguish,
• Treatment for psychological issues arising from the accident,
• Property damage (usually damage to your vehicle),
• Requiring in-home care permanently or temporarily, and
• Permanent or temporary disability.

Essentially, the more of these damages that apply to your specific case, the greater your eventual settlement will be. Furthermore, the more severe each of these damages are, the more it will amplify your settlement.

Please note, however, that this is not an exhaustive list. There are many other relevant damages that may apply to your case. While there are other factors that may come into play, the type and severity of damages is often the most consequential.

How Can I Make an Estimate of My Virginia Car Accident Settlement’s Worth?

Some websites offer car accident settlement calculators. These tools cannot factor everything relevant into their calculations and you can bet your bottom dollar that these tools are not trial experienced attorneys who practice in the jurisdiction where your case would be filed. 

Thus, instead of using such a calculator for your estimate, it’s best to consult with a personal injury attorney who is familiar with judges and juries in your area. 

To help your attorney estimate your damages, you will first need a record of any economic damage that you suffered. You can estimate these damages by looking at the applicable bills, payments, or invoices.

Once you have that information, add it up, and you have the value of your economic damages. 

Unfortunately, because they are intangible and subjective, non economic damages like mental anguish and physical pain and suffering are far more difficult to place a value on. But an experienced attorney can help you do so.

Better than any settlement calculator, your attorney knows how to take the numerous relevant factors into account. Things like future medical bills and the cost of non economic damages are difficult to place a value on yourself.

However, drawing on their experience from previous cases, your car accident attorney can help you make an accurate estimate.

Ready to File a Virginia Car Accident Claim?

If you are ready to file your Virginia car accident claim, Lantz & Robins is here to help you. Our team of car accident attorneys has the experience necessary to get you the settlement you deserve.

We are proud to say that we limit our attorneys’ caseloads so that we can give your case the attention it deserves. In doing so, we get better results for our clients than some of the other law firms that take on any case that comes their way. 

Lantz & Robins is proud to be a member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association, The American Association for Justice, and Super Lawyers. Our consultations are always free, so there is no risk in giving us a call. Let us take care of your Virginia car accident claim. Call Lantz & Robins today!

W. RANDOLPH ROBINS, JR.

Mr. Robins is an active member of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and the American Association for Justice, groups that are dedicated to making transportation, healthcare, and workplaces safer for average people. Born and raised in Richmond, Mr. Robins graduated from the University of North Carolina and earned his law degree from the Washington College of Law at American University.

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