Many South Carolinians are lucky enough not to have any idea what a typical car settlement might be, as they haven’t had the misfortune of being in a crash. You might have heard people mention settlement amounts, like that they got $10,000 for their wreck. You might have also seen law firm billboards along the highway advertising huge, million-plus dollar settlements recovered for clients.

Each car accident case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts. Generally, a $10,000 settlement will involve relatively minor injuries and minimal time off of work. A $100,000 settlement may involve more serious injuries that require ongoing medical care but no permanent disability. A $1,000,000 settlement usually involves life-changing catastrophic injuries. In other words, while the idea of a multi-million dollar settlement may sound great, the reality is that no one wants to suffer that level of injury and permanent disability.

Based in Simpsonville, the Derrick Law Office works tirelessly to help our clients get maximum compensation for their injuries. We offer free initial consultations and never charge a fee unless we recover money for you. To learn more or to schedule an appointment with a South Carolina personal injury attorney, contact our law firm today.

Breaking Down Typical Car Accident Settlements

Each car accident case is unique. A variety of factors impact the value of a car accident settlement, including the severity of injuries, the amount of property damage, who was at fault, the evidence in the case, and the at-fault party’s insurance coverage. 

There are some things that car accident settlements have in common. Below, we break down three different settlement “boxes” – a $10,000 settlement, a $100,000 settlement, and a $1,000,000 settlement – to help you get a general idea of what a car accident settlement might look like in your case.

What a $10,000 Car Accident Settlement May Look Like

A $10,000 car accident settlement is a fairly run-of-the-mill case. For example, imagine a scenario where you’re sitting at a red light when a car behind you strikes your car at a relatively low speed. Your neck is a bit sore, so you go to the hospital to get checked out. You take the following day off of work but don’t receive any follow-up care (like physical therapy).

In this case, your settlement might be around $10,000. This would cover perhaps $3,000 to $4,000 in medical bills and any property damage to your car. This kind of car accident case is more of an inconvenience than anything else – you have minimal lost wages and property damage and no ongoing medical treatment. 

Of course, this type of car accident could result in a larger settlement. If you were diagnosed with whiplash and required physical therapy and other treatment, then your settlement will likely be larger.  Ultimately, though, this type of claim is for comparatively minor car accidents that are more inconvenient than anything else.

What a $100,000 Car Accident Settlement May Look Like

The next box is for a much larger car accident settlement of $100,000, which includes a more serious injury. Picture the same scenario as above, but the car that hit you was going much faster – and absolutely crushed your vehicle. You suffer a more serious injury, like a herniated disk, that requires surgery and months of physical therapy.

For this type of settlement, you might spend 6 to 8 months recovering from your physical injuries. At the end of treatment, you are 92 to 100% better. You might have a little “hitch in your giddy up,” but you are almost completely better without any permanent disability.

This type of case might result in a $100,000 settlement. Your medical bills and lost wages will likely be much more substantial because of your spine injury and you may also have pain and suffering damages. This is a more serious accident that is more than an inconvenience, but it usually won’t involve a life-changing injury.

What a $1,000,000 Car Accident Settlement May Look Like

The final box is for incredibly serious car accidents that can result in a $1,000,000 or more settlement. These cases are substantially different from the other two settlement boxes. You absolutely do not want to be in this type of car accident.

For example, consider a case where another car drifts across the center line and smashes into your car in a head-on collision. You may need to have surgery to have part of your intestines removed, lose a limb, or have a permanent injury to your arm that will never fully resolve. These types of settlements are catastrophically different from smaller-value settlements because they result in permanent impairment.  

When you see billboards that advertise these massive settlements, it is important to remember that these amounts are for catastrophic injuries – not typical car accident cases. These settlements do not represent a typical personal injury claim. Instead, they are the type of claim where a person’s life is forever altered due to the severity of their injuries.

Do I Need a Lawyer to Settle My Car Accident Claim?

If you were in a relatively minor car accident – the $10,000 settlement type – then you may not need to hire a South Carolina car accident attorney to resolve the case. If you don’t want to handle the claim yourself or want to make sure that you are getting a fair settlement, it’s a good idea to reach out to a lawyer for a free consultation. They can offer you advice and give you a ballpark estimate of the value of your case.

For $100,000 and $1,000,000 cases, you should absolutely have legal representation. Remember: insurance companies do not have your best interests at heart. Their goal is to resolve your claim for as little money as possible. Particularly in cases where you have suffered a serious injury and require ongoing treatment, it is important to have an advocate who can fight for your rights and help you get full compensation for your injuries.

Of course, even smaller claims can benefit from the assistance of a lawyer. They can help you negotiate fair compensation for your claim and help to make sure that you aren’t giving up any important rights in the process.

How Our Law Firm Can Help

When law firms advertise car accident settlement amounts, it may be a bit misleading. Huge settlements are generally reserved for the most serious cases – not a typical car accident with fairly minimal injuries. For any type of car accident, the best way to get maximum compensation is by working with a South Carolina car accident attorney.

The Derrick Law Office is committed to helping accident victims get the compensation that they deserve for their injuries. We handle all cases on a contingency fee basis so you never pay a fee unless we recover money for you. To learn more or to schedule a free initial consultation with a Simpsonville car accident lawyer, give us a call at 864-501-5241 or fill out our online contact form.