California Personal Injury Settlement Amounts Examples [2024 Updated]

Not everyone has the knowledge to understand how much their personal injury claim could actually be worth. There are so many elements of a claim that could affect settlement amounts, making it impossible to state the value of a specific personal injury claim without looking into the details of the case. It is important to understand that settlement amounts can vary widely based on circumstances as we explore California personal injury settlement amount examples.

Settlements for Different Types of Personal Injuries

Different types of personal injuries often have different settlement amounts on average. This is because of the complexities of a case that can result in higher or lower settlements. Despite the personal injury case, the severity of injuries can either greatly increase or decrease a settlement amount.

Understanding the differences in how settlements are determined for personal injury cases is important. Working with a lawyer who is familiar with personal injury cases and can evaluate your claim will give you a more accurate depiction of what you could potentially receive in compensation.

Factors That Influence Settlement Amounts

Settlement amounts can be influenced by many different factors related to the incident. So, it is essential that you consider all of the following factors when reviewing a settlement offer to make sure you are getting a fair settlement for your damages.

The severity and extent of your damages play an important part in the calculation of the settlement amount. Often, injuries that are more severe will result in more medical expenses, increased pain and suffering, and a longer period of recovery. In turn, your claim can increase in value. Your claim may also increase in value if you have property that was damaged in the incident, such as a car, motorcycle or bike.

Consider the financial burden you may have suffered because of your injuries, outside of medical expenses and repairs. More severe injuries may cause a person to be temporarily or permanently disabled and, therefore, unable to work. This can cause significant financial strain because of lost wages, lost employee benefits, and diminished earning capacity. It is vital that these damages are factored into your personal injury claim to be sure they are addressed in a settlement.

Noneconomic damages are usually more difficult to calculate because there is no basis for how much compensation a person should receive if they suffer emotional trauma or psychological damage. This does not mean they should not be considered when determining an appropriate settlement. If your overall quality of life was negatively affected by the incident that caused your injuries, your settlement amount can increase depending on just how much you were affected.

In all personal injury cases in California, liability is crucial to determining the settlement amount. Since California goes by the pure comparative negligence rule, a personal injury victim can have their settlement reduced based on the amount of fault they have in the events that caused their injuries. This is why it is important that you discuss the details of the incident with a lawyer to determine if you hold any liability that would greatly affect you.

Insurance companies can sometimes be a big issue in personal injury claims as they don’t always give victims the compensation they deserve. If the responsible party is a single individual, the amount of available insurance they have can potentially limit your settlement amount. If they have a limited coverage plan, this can also impact your overall compensation.

FAQs

Q. What Is the Average Personal Injury Settlement in California?

A. The average personal injury settlement in California is different for each personal injury type. For example, workers’ compensation injuries have a different average than car crash injuries, which in turn has a different average than motorcycle accident injuries. These differences arise because of the unique aspects that come into play with each case. It’s important to consider the details of your own personal injury case and consult with an attorney to understand the value.

Q. What Is a Good Settlement Figure?

A. A good settlement figure can be determined by examining the factors of your case. A good settlement will fairly compensate the injured individual for all of their damages. Medical-related expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property repair costs, and any other related damages should be covered by the settlement. A good settlement should address the victim’s economic and noneconomic damages. They should have proper financial resources to move forward.

Q. How Much Is Pain and Suffering in California?

A. Pain and suffering settlement amounts in California vary on a case-by-case basis. It is mostly dependent on the victim and how severely their life has been affected by the incident and their injuries. This can include psychological damages, such as developing mental illnesses from the incident, losing enjoyment of life, or even loss of consortium with a spouse.

If the personal injury was the result of a medical malpractice case, there is currently a cap on how much a victim can recover for noneconomic damages.

Q. Should I Accept the Insurance Company’s Settlement Offer?

A. Before you accept an insurance company’s settlement offer, you must make sure it is a fair offer. Having an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side can be a great benefit in this case. You will have someone who can go over the settlement offer with you and make sure you understand how the settlement accounts for specific costs and how your legal rights will be impacted. The initial offer may not be a good one, but your lawyer can negotiate a fair one.

Consult With an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer

Not every personal injury victim will receive the same settlement even if they have the same injuries and their accidents are similar. It is essential to consider all of the factors that could impact your settlement when you are assessing your claim and consult with an experienced lawyer at Corrales Law Group to ensure a fair settlement. If you need help recovering compensation for a personal injury caused by another party, contact us today.