Average Car Accident Settlement in Los Angeles, CA

Car accidents in Los Angeles and surrounding areas can lead to significant injuries, lost income, and emotional trauma, with ever-increasing medical bills. Overwhelmed by car accident costs, many victims are curious to know how much they can expect for their settlement, so they look at the average car accident settlement in Los Angeles, CA, to better understand.

By grasping the different factors that can influence settlement amounts, you can work to optimally navigate the claims process, getting the compensation you’re entitled to for your car accident.

Understanding the Factors That Impact Car Accident Settlement Amounts

There is no general data highlighting the average car accident settlement in Los Angeles, California. Settlement amounts can vary dramatically depending on the specific details involved with the car crash.

By working with an experienced attorney, you can understand how the following factors could impact your final amount:

• Injury severity: If the injuries associated with the car accident are more serious, this can lead to significant medical costs and greater pain and suffering. More severe car accident or personal injuries, such as spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and fractures, typically tend to yield greater settlement amounts.
• Medical costs: The current and future medical expenses associated with your injuries can significantly influence your overall settlement amount. Settlement amounts can be adjusted to reflect associated expenses with injuries, such as prescription medications, surgery fees, physical therapy, hospital bills, and physical rehabilitation, among others.
• Lost income: If your injuries are severe and keep you out of work, you may be able to recover compensation for lost income. If these injuries lead to reduced earning capacity or long-term disability, you may also be entitled to recover compensation for the lost earning potential.
• Property damage: If the property damage involved in a case is significant, such as if a car is completely totaled, this can increase the price of a final settlement.
• Pain and suffering: Damages for pain and suffering can compensate for expenses like diminished quality of life, emotional distress, and physical pain. Depending on the severity of a car accident victim’s pain and trauma, settlements for pain and suffering can significantly increase.
• Wrongful death: If a life was lost to a car accident, this can significantly increase the final settlement amount. For example, according to a recent Los Angeles report on damages awarded in court cases, in 2018, $6,500,000 in damages were awarded for a fatal car accident that killed the plaintiff’s 16-year-old son.

Understanding How California’s Comparative Negligence Rule Could Impact Your Settlement

California operates on a pure comparative negligence system. This means you can receive compensation for an accident for which you were partially at fault. As a result, however, your final settlement amount may be reduced proportionally to the degree to which you were at fault for the accident. An experienced attorney can help you understand how comparative negligence laws may impact your final settlement.

Car Accident Settlement FAQs

Q: What Is the Average Car Accident Settlement in Los Angeles, CA?

A: The average car accident settlement in Los Angeles, California, is dependent on various factors, including the severity of associated damages and injuries, the skill and reputation of the attorney involved, and the degree to which the accident victim was at fault for causing the crash.

While cases that involve more minor injuries, such as concussions or sprains, may have lower settlement amounts, more severe crashes that involve life-altering injuries may involve hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Q: What Factors Affect the Amount of a Car Accident Settlement?

A: Factors that can impact the amount of a car accident settlement include whether the severity of the injuries was minor, moderate, or life-altering, whether there was any loss of income or earning capacity, and all of the current and future medical costs to treat subsequent injuries. Initial factors at play can include the extent of property damage, the degree of fault of the accident victim, and any policy limits of the at-fault driver’s insurance.

Q: How Is Pain and Suffering Calculated in a Car Accident Settlement?

A: Pain and suffering is calculated in a car accident settlement using various complex methods, such as the multiplier method. This includes multiplying all of the medical expenses incurred by an accident victim by a specific number, which can vary depending on case severity. A knowledgeable and experienced car accident attorney can help you understand an optimal and fair approach to calculating pain and suffering for your case.

Q: Can I Receive a Settlement if I Was Partially at Fault?

A: Yes, even if you were partially at fault for your car accident, you may still be entitled to recover compensation. It’s important to note, however, that your settlement will be reduced proportionally to the degree to which you were at fault for the crash. For example, if you had $100,000 in damages and were found to be 20% at fault, the maximum compensation you may be entitled to is $80,000.

Q: How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Accident Case?

A: The amount of time it may take to settle a car accident case is dependent on various factors, including the complexity of your case, the property damage and injuries involved, and the clarity of liability. While complex cases that involve significant injuries and disputes over fault could take years to settle, more straightforward cases may only take months. An experienced attorney can help you understand specific timelines for your car accident case.

Navigate Your Car Accident Settlement Process With a Compassionate Attorney

If you’ve been in a car accident in Los Angeles or surrounding areas, you are likely realizing the significant financial, emotional, and physical damages you sustained. The last thing you may want to do right now is navigate the car accident settlement process. Fortunately, a detail-oriented Los Angeles car accident lawyer from Shaffer Law is here to help you from start to finish, advocating for an optimal compensation amount on your behalf.

Contact an empathetic attorney from our team today to learn more about your legal options and how we can be of service.

About The Author

Douglas D. Shaffer

Douglas D. Shaffer is a seasoned attorney based in California, specializing in personal injury and complex litigation. With an impressive career marked by significant case wins and a strong dedication to his clients, his professional background and expertise are noteworthy. Education: Graduated magna cum laude from Pepperdine Law School; holds a Bachelor of Science from Ohio State University. Experience: Over three decades of legal practice, focusing on catastrophic injury cases. Recognition: Repeatedly recognized as a Super Lawyer; named a top lawyer by US News and World Reports. Community Involvement: Actively contributes to community services and coaches youth sports. Bar Admissions: Admitted to the State Bar of California, U.S. District Court Northern District of California, and U.S. District Court Central District of California since 1984.

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