What to Know About the Average Settlement for a Rear-End Car Accident
Almost all rear-end collision settlements differ in some way.
Even the safest and most cautious of drivers may still end up in a car crash. For example, you could do everything right and still get hit from behind.
There are a number of accident types, with a rear-end collision being one of the most common.
According to data collected and published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), around half of all two-vehicle accidents in the United States are rear-end collisions.
As such, our law firm receives questions about the average rear-end settlement in Mississippi. Our answer is always the same, it depends. The extent of damages that a person suffers determines the amount of damages and payout for a rear-end collision. The type of accident alone doesn’t.
Although it is not the most satisfying answer, there simply is no true ‘average settlement for rear-end collision’ in Mississippi.
Your rear-end accident settlement should include compensation for the full value of your damages. After a rear-end collision, we encourage you to schedule a free consultation with our Mississippi car accident lawyers. We can review your claim, and provide you with an estimate of what your claim may be worth. In the meantime, here are some things that will affect your settlement:
What Will Affect the Average Payout for a Rear-End Collision
1. Property Damage from Rear-End Collision
Some rear-end collisions cause virtually no property damage. with Slight scrapes and scratches to paint, or minor dents might be the worst of it.
On the other hand, rear-end collisions that occur when a vehicle is traveling at a high speed can be catastrophic. In fact, this type of accident might total the vehicle. The amount that you can recover in property damage depends on the extent of the damage.
Regardless of the extent of the rear-end collision, you deserve compensation for the full value of the loss. How much that will be will depend entirely on the specific nature of your case. It might cost as little as a few hundred or $1,000 to repair your vehicle. Of course, it could also easily cost $10,000 or more.
2. Injuries from Rear-End Collisions
Again, some people involved in a rear-end collision walk away with relatively minor injuries. They may have stiffness or soreness, but nothing more. Others are severely harmed. All rear-end accident victims need immediate medical attention.
In addition, after a car accident, you should always be cautious about monitoring your condition. In many cases, it can take days or even longer for a person’s injuries to fully develop. Certain conditions, such as concussions, are well-known to come with a delayed onset.
Other common injuries include:
- Back Injuries
- Airbag injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken or sprained wrist
- Broken nose
- Broken cheek bone
- Internal bleeding;
- Internal organ damage;
- Spinal cord injuries; and
- Partial or total paralysis.
All rear-end collision injuries require medical attention. Do not assume that your injuries are simply “not that serious”. In fact, even whiplash, one of the most common injuries in a rear-end crash, can be serious.
The injury could require thousands of dollars in medical treatment. While rare, rear-end crashes can cause injuries that leave a claimant with a permanent disability, or can even be fatal.
When a person suffers serious injuries that have greater economic expenses, including costs of future medical care, lost wages, therapy, etc., the rear-end collision settlement will typically be larger.
3. Non-economic Losses Suffered in Rear-End Collisions
Finally, injured victims have the legal right to recover financial support for the full value of their intangible damages. Non-economic losses, which are losses for things like the value of a claimant’s pain, suffering, and emotional distress, are also factored into settlement evaluations. If there aren’t serious injuries, it will be difficult to argue for significant damages.
However, some people suffer life-long disabilities. They might face scarring, disfigurement, traumatic brain injury, or spinal cord injury.
A good lawyer will ensure they receive compensation for their non-economic harm, like pain and suffering.
Ready to Speak to a Mississippi Auto Accident Attorney?
If you recently been involved in a car accident and have suffered injuries, you shouldn’t face it alone. We want to hear from you, simply fill out the form below and we will contact you to set up a consultation. We just need some brief information:
Mississippi is a Fault-Based Accident State — What You Need to Know About Liability
As stated above, the value of a rear-end collision case is dependent upon the extent of damages suffered. Therefore it is impossible to say what your case may be worth without first evaluating it. Every rear-end crash in the Mississippi Delta region should be reviewed by an experienced attorney.
Your lawyer will be able to determine exactly how much compensation should be offered in settlement negotiations. Remember, a settlement that you are offered should cover the complete value of your property damage, medical damages, out-of-pocket financial losses, and non-economic damages.
At Harris Law Firm, PLLC, our Mississippi rear-end accident lawyers know how to help our clients recover the maximum available financial relief. Among other things, this means that you are owed compensation for:
- Vehicle repairs or vehicle replacement;
- Ambulance fees;
- Emergency room treatment;
- Medical expenses;
- Physical therapy;
- Psychological counseling;
- Lost wages;
- Diminished earning capacity;
- Pain and suffering;
- Mental anguish
- Scarring or disfigurement;
- Long-term disability;
- Permanent impairment;
- Reduced quality of life; and
- Wrongful death of a family member.
If the insurance company does not offer a rear-end settlement amount that adequately compensates you for the actual damages that you suffered in the crash, you are under no obligation to accept the agreement.
The average settlement for rear-end collisions is irrelevant. Your complete damages must be covered.
Settlement Comes After
Negotiation — Insurance Companies Undervalue Damages
One of the most important things to know about rear-end collision settlements in Mississippi is that the large insurance companies do not offer them out of their own goodwill.
Fundamentally, insurers are interested in making money and protecting their profits. A settlement is just that — its an agreement reached between the two parties to the case. The insurance company agrees to offer financial compensation, and, in return, the injured victim agrees not to file a car accident lawsuit.
Insurance companies want to settle Mississippi rear-end accident claims for the smallest amount of financial compensation that they can. If the insurer can get away with settling your rear-end collision claim for less, they will try to do so.
For injured victims, this can be deeply frustrating: insurance companies sometimes offer claimants as little as ten percent of the true value of their claim. The good news is that an experienced Greenville, MS car accident injury lawyer can help you get you the full and fair settlement that you are owed under the law.
Only when insurance companies recognize that they will eventually be held liable in personal injury litigation should your rear-end accident claim go to court will they actually offer you a fair settlement.
This is the most important thing that you need to know about rear-end accident claims: Do not focus on the average settlement for a rear-end collision — make sure that you get the maximum settlement offer.
Get the Best Settlement for Your Rear-End Collision – Contact Harris Law Firm
At Harris Law Firm, PLLC, our top-rated Mississippi auto accident attorneys have the skills and experience needed to handle the full range of rear-end collisions claims. If you or your loved one was involved in a rear-end crash in Mississippi, we will help you obtain the maximum rear-end settlement amount.
To set up a free, no-obligation consultation with our caring Mississippi car accident lawyers, please do not hesitate to contact us through our website or to give us a call at 877-714-4171.
We will give you an honest answer regarding what we think your case is worth. With an office in Greenville, we represent clients in rear-end accidents claims throughout the wider Mississippi Delta region.
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