Personal Injury Lawyer New Orleans, Louisiana
(504) 486-0300
(504) 486-0300

What To Ask For In A Car Accident Settlement

Attorney John S. Williams helps you recover the compensation you deserve

A car accident can happen anywhere in New Orleans – on I-610, on Harrison Avenue, or on a side street in the 9th Ward. People’s lives can be disrupted in seconds. They are left with serious injuries and may not be able to work. Medical expenses keep adding up and they’re not sure how they are going to pay the bills.

If you were hurt in a collision caused by a negligent driver, you deserve financial compensation. But the legal process for a car accident claim can be complicated. The Law Offices of John S. Williams, LLC can guide you through the process and fight for your rights. Many claims are resolved through a car accident settlement.

There is a lot of confusion about car accident injury settlement amounts. Many people aren’t sure how to ask for more money from the insurance company. Whether you were in a rear-end collision, an Uber accident, or a drunk-driving crash, a lawyer can help you reach a car accident settlement that covers your losses.

When a settlement is accepted, that is considered the end of the legal matter. The negligent driver and their insurance company agree to pay you a certain amount of compensation for the damages you suffered. You agree not to take any further legal action against the at-fault party in the future. So it’s important to carefully consider any settlement offer before accepting.

What kind of damages does a car accident settlement cover?

Your settlement should cover all the damages you suffered as a result of the crash. This includes damages incurred immediately after the accident as well as damages that you will suffer in the future as a result. These include all medical expenses related to your injury, whether you were treated at Tulane Medical Center, another local hospital, or your doctor’s office.

Current and future expenses related to your injury may include:

  • Ambulance fees to transport you to a hospital
  • Medical treatment in an emergency room
  • Diagnostic tests
  • Surgery
  • Hospital fees
  • Prescription medications
  • Physical, occupational or other types of therapy
  • Home medical care
  • Follow-up appointments with doctors
  • Lost wages if you were unable to work
  • Lost future income
  • The cost of repairing or replacing your car
  • Pain and suffering

You can get money for being hurt in a car accident. But each case is unique, and you may not receive compensation for all the expenses listed above. A lawyer can review the details of your case and determine the damages that you suffered.

How much can I expect from a car accident settlement?

It depends on many different factors. It’s usually the insurance company for the at-fault driver that will make the first offer. Insurance companies typically use formulas to determine how much your case is worth and the amount they should offer. They’ll consider the severity of your injuries, the length of your recovery, and other factors.

Once an amount is offered, the insurance company won’t explain how they arrived at that figure. But it’s important to remember that the initial settlement offer from insurance companies will be less than the total damages you suffered – sometimes far less. They may underestimate the seriousness of your injuries or fail to take into account future expenses.

Can I ask for more money for my car accident?

Yes. You are under no obligation to accept a lowball insurance settlement offer from the insurance company. You have the right to ask for more money to cover all of your damages. How do you get more money from a car accident settlement? There are usually negotiations that go on between both sides before a final settlement is reached.

However, you are far more likely to get a fair settlement if you have an experienced attorney on your side. Insurance companies have lawyers who help them try to find ways to minimize compensation claims and pay injury victims less. It’s important to have a lawyer on your side who knows how the settlement process works and can help you determine how much to ask for in a car accident settlement.

What is a good settlement offer for a car accident?

Every case is different, so there’s no simple way to answer that question. What’s the average car accident settlement? A 2017 study from Martindale-Nolo Research found the average settlement for injury victims was $52,900. But the settlement amounts varied widely. For example, among the plaintiffs who settled in that study:

  • 16 percent received less than $3,000
  • 37 percent received $3,001 to $10,000
  • 21 percent received $10,001 to $25,000
  • 10 percent received $25,001 to $75,000
  • 16 percent received more than $75,000

The average car accident settlement amount may not apply to your situation. A lawyer can give you a better idea of how much money you can reasonably expect in a settlement of your particular case.

What happens if I don’t accept a settlement offer?

If you turn down a settlement offer from the other party’s insurance company, there are several options. You could ask for more compensation. Your attorney could negotiate with the insurance company for a better offer. Or, if an agreement can’t be reached, you can file a lawsuit against the other party.

In a lawsuit, you need to be able to prove that the other party caused the accident that left you injured. Under Louisiana law, a lawsuit generally must be filed within one year of the date of the accident. That’s not much time, and it can take months to build a strong case. That’s why it’s so important to get legal advice as soon as possible.

You need a lawyer who knows how to get the most money from a car accident. Attorney John S. Williams is an experienced New Orleans car accident lawyer who knows how to get results. He knows the tactics that insurance companies use to minimize compensation. He builds strong cases and negotiates settlements for the compensation his clients need and deserve.

You only get one shot at car accident compensation. If you were hurt in a New Orleans car crash, learn more about how our firm can help. Schedule a free consultation by contacting us today.

Office Location

1500 Baronne St
Suite B
New Orleans, LA 70113

Free Case
Consultation Click Here