What Is the Average Missouri Auto Accident Settlement?
Ryan Bradley | July 13, 2023 | Car Accident
Did you know that most auto accident cases never make it to trial? Instead, most car accident victims settle their cases with insurance companies long before a trial is necessary. And although they may not get as much compensation as they would have at trial, victims are usually satisfied with the compensation they are paid in settlements.
But what is the average Missouri auto accident settlement? How much money, on average, do victims of auto accidents recover in these cases? The answer is that settlement payouts differ from case to case. No two auto accident victims receive the same payout.
Hence, it is practically impossible to speak of an average automobile accident settlement. However, some indicators can help give car accident victims a ballpark idea as to the extent of compensation they deserve.
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Missouri Auto Accident Payouts
Car accidents often lead to significant losses and setbacks. Fortunately, the law allows certain victims of auto accidents to seek valuable compensation for the harm they have suffered.
In Missouri, as in other states, the compensation comes in the form of economic and non-economic damages. The extent of the losses these damages are meant to cover ultimately determines how much compensation a victim will get.
Basic economic and non-economic damages available to auto accident victims include compensation for:
- Medical treatment and care
- Lost income and lost future earnings
- Costs associated with hiring domestic workers to help around the home
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of capacity to enjoy life
- Physical impairment
- Disfigurement
And if the liable driver behaved in a particularly egregious fashion when they caused the accident, they may also be made to pay punitive damages.
Factors That Increase Missouri Auto Accident Payouts
Many factors affect the amount of compensation an auto accident victim might receive.
The Seriousness of the Injury
First and foremost, the more serious an injury, the more compensation you are likely to get. For example, if you experience a minor break in your arm in a car accident, you will likely get far less overall compensation than a person who loses a limb altogether in a car crash.
Additionally, the more serious the injury, the more believable your claims are for non-economic damages, such as pain, suffering, and loss of capacity to enjoy life.
The Parties Involved
The compensation a victim gets after an accident also heavily depends on the parties involved in the crash and subsequent action for compensation. For example, if the liable driver was on the clock and working for a company, the victim could sue the driver as well as the driver’s employer. With the employer attached, more money is likely available.
On the other hand, if the liable driver is an uninsured motorist, the amount of compensation you actually recover may be zero, at least initially. Attorneys can pursue the assets of uninsured motorists, but this takes time.
Type of Employment
The type of job you have can play a significant role in the amount of compensation you receive after a car accident. If you are working in a high-paying role, you will likely get much more compensation than an injury victim working in a job that pays less than yours.
This means that two victims with the same injuries but different paying jobs will get compensated differently for lost wages.
Increase Your Settlement by Working With an Experienced Missouri Auto Accident Attorney
The services of an experienced Missouri car accident lawyer will heavily influence the amount of compensation you receive. A seasoned advocate can get their clients multiple times more money than the clients could get on their own.
It is also important to seek legal guidance early in your quest for an auto settlement. The sooner you get an attorney onboard, the sooner they can work to get you the maximum compensation available.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm For Help Today
For more information, please contact Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free case evaluation today.
St. Louis Office
1430 Washington Ave Suite #226 St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 400-0000
Kansas City Office
1509 NE Parvin Rd, Suite A., Kansas City, MO 64116
(816) 408-3448
Or if you would prefer to reach out to us online, please visit our contact us page.