We’ve all seen the ads on TVs and the billboards on the side of the highway telling us to contact a lawyer if we get injured in a car accident. “You could be entitled to compensation,” they proclaim. To many, it may seem like a racket. Even so, some likely still wonder how much money car accident victims can get.
If you are one such person, you’re in the right place to get some answers. The attorneys at Wiseman Law Firm, PLLC, have delved into the data to deliver a report on the average settlement for a car accident in West Virginia.
How much do personal injury claims pay?
According to data analytics on motor vehicle accident personal injury cases in West Virginia and nationwide, the overall median payout from a personal injury claim is $55,000. 36% receive between $5,000 and $50,000 in compensation, the median award being about $20,000. 21% of victims receive compensation in the $100,000 to $500,000 range. The median award in this range is $225,000.
The overwhelming majority of compensation in personal injury cases comes from settlements agreed to outside of court or court-ordered compensatory damages. A settlement usually comes in the form of a check from an insurance company. Compensatory damages is another form of payment to an accident victim for the losses they suffered, both economic (ex. medical bills) and noneconomic (ex. pain and suffering).
Is it worth it to pursue a personal injury claim?
The most important thing for those considering legal action after a crash to know is that Wiseman Law Firm, PLLC, and many others offer services on a contingency basis. This means that we don’t charge our clients unless we achieve a successful outcome for them, at which point we deduct our fees from the compensation they receive. We also offer free initial consultations, so our clients pay nothing to us out of their own pocket.
With the stakes this low, it never hurts to consult with an attorney after a car accident and explore the available legal options.