Car accidents happen every day across Pennsylvania, and many of these accidents leave victims suffering from devastating injuries. If you have been hurt in an accident because of another driver’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your injuries through a personal injury claim.
Keep reading below to learn everything you need to know about Pennsylvania car accident claims and lawsuit settlements.
How Many Car Accidents Happen in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania sees tens of thousands of car accidents every year. In a recent year, there were 110,765 reported car accidents across the state.
This means that a car accident happens somewhere in Pennsylvania about every 5 minutes, and these accidents result in approximately 1,127 fatalities. Thousands of these accidents result in injuries to drivers, passengers, and even pedestrians.
What Is the Average Pennsylvania Car Accident Settlement?
Lawsuit settlements after a car accident vary widely in value. Some claims may settle for just a few thousand dollars, while others can settle for more than $1 million.
According to the most recent data from the Insurance Information Institute, the average auto liability claim for bodily injury was $28,278. There are many factors that will affect the value of your claim, and you should always evaluate your case on its specific circumstances instead of comparing your case to other settlements.
How Much Is My Car Accident Claim Worth?
The value of your claim is greatly dependent on the severity of your injuries. Cases involving more severe injuries are usually worth more, and these types of cases usually have higher settlements than those involving only minor injuries.
There are many factors that can affect the final settlement in your claim, including:
- The severity of your injuries
- The cost of your medical treatments
- How much time you missed from work
- Whether you will be able to return to work
- How your relationships with friends and family were affected
- Whether you are left with any permanent disabilities
- The amount of insurance coverage available
An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you put an accurate value on your claim. Getting help from a lawyer as soon after your car accident as possible can help you navigate insurance settlement offers with confidence and maximize the value of your claim.
What Types of Damages Are Available After a Car Accident in Pennsylvania?
Car accident victims in Pennsylvania are entitled to recover compensation for many types of losses. This includes both economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages provide compensation for your financial losses, such as:
- Medical bills (current and future)
- Current and future lost wages
- Lost benefits
- Future reduced earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses
- Physical therapy
- Rehabilitation
On the other hand, the intangible losses suffered after an accident are considered non-economic damages, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Diminished quality of life
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Loss of consortium
- PTSD
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent scarring
- Disfigurement
- Permanent disability
The value of the non-economic damages in a car accident claim is often worth well more than the value of the financial losses. This is why pain and suffering damages often make up a large portion of car accident lawsuit settlements.
Maximizing Your Car Accident Lawsuit Settlement
If you have been hurt in an accident, you may already be thinking about getting a settlement. This is understandable since you likely have outstanding medical bills and other expenses. However, there are some things you should do to increase the odds of winning your case and maximizing your settlement.
Get Immediate Medical Treatment
You should always get medical treatment for your injuries right away. This is true even if your injuries seem minor. Failure to do so could give the insurance company a reason to minimize your injuries and your claim.
Gather Evidence at the Scene
If you are able, you should get as much evidence at the scene as possible.
This includes:
- Photos of all the vehicles
- Photos of your injuries
- Names and contact information of any witnesses
This evidence can prove to be very valuable later during the claims process.
Talk to a Personal Injury Lawyer
Injured victims who hire a lawyer typically receive much more compensation than those who do not. An experienced lawyer can help you prove your claim and put a proper value on all your damages. This also shows the insurance company that you mean business.
Don’t Accept the First Offer
An insurance company’s first settlement offer is usually far less than the actual value of your claim. Plus, quick settlements can often fail to properly account for future medical expenses, reduced earning capacity, and the full extent of your pain and suffering.
Contact Our Harrisburg Car Accident Lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates for a Free Consultation
If you have been hurt in a car accident, the team at Marzzacco Niven & Associates can help you through every detail of your claim. We have recovered tens of millions of dollars in compensation for our clients, and we have the knowledge and experience to help you maximize your settlement.
Call us today at 717-231-1640 to schedule a free consultation with a Harrisburg car accident attorney and put our experience to work for you.