Anderson Injury Lawyers | February 19, 2025 | Personal Injury
After an accident caused by someone else’s negligence or reckless behavior, it’s natural to wonder how much you may recover in a settlement. While each case is unique, personal injury settlements often range from $3,000 to $75,000. However, some cases can be worth hundreds of thousands or even millions.
Many factors, such as total financial damages, physical and emotional suffering, evidence, and the injuries you suffered, all play a role in determining the value of your case.
Most personal injury cases end in a settlement, with only around 4% going to trial. Unlike jury awards, which are public records, settlements are private. Only the parties involved typically know the terms and settlement amount.
This means there is no way to provide an “average” personal injury settlement amount. However, we can provide typical ranges and information about jury awards. Just keep in mind that what your case is worth is highly dependent upon the unique circumstances. Settlements and awards achieved in other cases may not be an accurate reflection of what you may recover.
What Is the Average Personal Injury Settlement Amount?
A large survey by Martindale-Nolo Research found an average settlement amount of $52,900. About two out of every three respondents successfully recovered compensation, and more than 50% received between $3,000 and $25,000. Only 15% recovered more than $75,000.
The survey found a higher average recovery among people who:
- Hired a lawyer: $77,600 compared to $17,600 without representation
- Negotiated for a better offer: $42,500 compared to $11,800 by accepting the first offer
- Filed a lawsuit or gave notice of their intent: $45,500 compared to $23,000 without taking these steps
In general, you are likely to recover more money if you are willing to be patient and hire a personal injury attorney in Dallas to make the strongest case on your behalf.
What Is the Average Jury Award for Personal Injury?
A Civil Justice Survey of State Courts analyzed jury awards for personal injury cases and the number of times plaintiffs won their cases at trial. Overall, injury victims win a little over half of their cases in court, but some cases are more likely to be successful than others.
Overall, the median jury award was $24,000. Over 60% of successful plaintiffs received a final award of $50,000 or less, and nearly 33% received less than $10,000. Just 5% of plaintiffs were awarded over $1 million by a jury.
Median personal injury awards, including financial, non-economic, and punitive damages, were:
- Product liability (excluding asbestos cases): $500,000
- Medical malpractice: $400,000
- Premises liability: $98,000
- Intentional tort such as assault: $38,000
- Dog bites and other animal attacks: $21,000
- Car accidents and other motor vehicle accidents: $15,000
More than two out of every five trials won by plaintiffs involved motor vehicle collisions, and 40% received an award of $10,000 or less. By comparison, medical malpractice cases usually involved a very high jury award, although they had one of the lowest success rates for plaintiffs. Injury victims won just 23% of these cases. The disproportionate amount awarded is also because most successful medical malpractice cases involve wrongful death.
Factors That Influence Personal Injury Settlements
If you’re wondering whether your settlement will fall on the higher or lower end of these ranges, it may help to understand the factors that determine what your case may be worth. Here are some of the most crucial factors to keep in mind.
Injury Type and Severity
In general, the more serious the injuries, the higher the settlement offer is likely to go. Very high-value cases usually involve severe or catastrophic injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and amputation. Injuries moderately serious, such as broken bones, are more likely to fall in the middle of the range. If you suffered soft tissue injuries and recovered fully or with minimal long-term effects, your case may be worth less than average.
While car crash settlements can be worth more than $100,000, the average settlement is usually higher for truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, and pedestrian accidents. These types of crashes are more likely to cause very serious injuries.
Liability and Evidence
Strong evidence proving the other party’s fault can increase the likelihood of a higher settlement. When liability is unclear, the insurance company may be less likely to make a fair offer and more likely to take their chances at trial. It’s also important to have evidence demonstrating your actual damages and the effect your injuries have on your life to justify a higher offer.
If you share some blame for your accident, it can reduce the value of your claim. In Texas, you can only recover damages if you are 50% or less to blame for your accident. You will not be entitled to money for the share of damages caused by your own negligence. If you are more than half at fault, you are barred from any financial recovery under the state’s comparative negligence doctrine.
Pain and Suffering and Other Personal Losses
Your physical pain, mental and emotional suffering, reduced enjoyment of life, and other losses without financial value can be challenging to calculate. One method of estimating the value of these damages is the multiplier method. A factor of 1.5 to 5 is assigned based on the overall severity of your injuries. Your total financial losses are then multiplied by the factor to determine a general value for non-economic losses.
For injuries that are less serious and have a clear point of recovery, a per diem method may be used instead. This method assigns a dollar figure to each day of your recovery period.
Steps To Maximize Your Settlement
If you want to increase your chances of getting the highest settlement possible, consider taking these important steps:
- Seek medical attention immediately. Proper medical documentation is crucial for proving the extent of your injuries and the cause.
- Gather evidence. Collect photos, witness statements, and police reports to support your claim. Keep a journal to document your recovery process and the daily effects your injuries have on your life.
- Work with an experienced lawyer. An attorney will negotiate with insurance companies and ensure you don’t accept a lowball offer or make other mistakes that can harm your case.
- Avoid speaking to insurance adjusters without legal advice. Insurance companies may try to minimize your payout in many ways. They may use your statements against you, blame you, or claim your injuries are not as serious as you say.
- Be patient. Rushing to settle may result in lower compensation than you deserve. The first offer the insurance company makes is often a lowball offer, and it may not even cover your immediate financial expenses fully.
There is no way to guarantee a specific settlement amount or even that the settlement will fully compensate you. For example, the insurance company will only pay a settlement up to the at-fault party’s coverage limits. However, these steps may put you in the best position to recover fair compensation for the expenses, pain, and anguish you have endured.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Dallas,Texas
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth or Dallas and need legal help, contact our personal injury lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve Tarrant County, Dallas County, and throughout Texas. Our legal team will go up against the insurance company on your behalf while you focus on your health and recovery.
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office
1310 W El Paso St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 294-1900
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office (Secondary)
6618 Fossil Bluff Dr # 108, Fort Worth, TX 76137
(817) 631-4113
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office
408 W Eighth St Suite 202, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 327-8000
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office (Secondary)
6301 Gaston Ave suite 820, Dallas, TX 75214
(469) 457-4711
