Car accidents can be devastating. Depending on the circumstances around the crash, crashes can lead to lifelong injuries, costly medical expenses and extensive property damage.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a Missouri car accident, you might be wondering: What’s the typical car accident settlement amount?
The answer is that it depends on a few things, including who is at fault for the accident and the extent of the damages incurred. We’ll explain the details below.
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How are car accident settlements handled in the state of Missouri?
The statute of limitations for filing a car accident lawsuit in Missouri is five years. This means that you have five years from the date of the crash to pursue a personal injury claim.
Once the claim is filed, Missouri is a comparative fault state, which means that fault is shared among the parties involved in an accident.
For example, if you are involved in an auto accident with another driver and it’s determined that you were partially at fault for the accident because you were speeding, any damages you recover will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
So, if you’re awarded $10,000 in damages and it’s determined that you were 20 percent at fault, you would only receive $8,000.
What type of damages can I be compensated for?
With the exception of cases involving uninsured drivers, Missouri does not cap the total amount of damages that you can seek in car accident cases, so you can be compensated for any economic and non-economic damages you incur.
Economic damages are those that have a specific monetary value, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages
Non-economic damages are more difficult to quantify. These can include things like:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
In Missouri, there is also something called punitive damages. These are designed to punish the at-fault party for their negligence and are only awarded in extreme cases.
As we mentioned above, state law does limit the amount of damages that a plaintiff can request if they did not have the minimum amount of insurance coverage at the time of the crash. In these cases, if the the plaintiff was uninsured, they can only seek compensation equal to the amount of medical bills they incurred.
Factors that affect the amounts of car accident settlements in Missouri
The average amount of a car accident settlement in Missouri will depend on a number of factors, including:
- The severity of the injuries sustained
- The amount of economic damages incurred
- The percentage of fault attributed to each party
In general, the more severe the injuries, the higher the settlement amount will be. This is because serious injuries often result in high medical bills, lost wages and a long recovery period. They can also have a significant impact on your quality of life.
If the other driver doesn’t have insurance or doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your damages, you might have to file a claim with your own insurance company to recover compensation. In these cases, you might be able to recover some of your damages through your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Average car accident settlement amounts for crashes with no injuries
For the reasons we mentioned above, the value of a car accident settlement in Missouri can vary based on the facts of the case.
That said, typical car accident claims in the St. Louis area without personal injuries (otherwise known as “fender benders”) are generally worth anywhere between $3,000 and $15,000.
Average car accident settlement amounts for crashes with injuries
Car accidents that involve physical injuries can be much more costly. These claims are often worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, or more.
Depending on the severity of physical injuries, the total amount of medical bills, lost time from work and more, a fair settlement can range anywhere between $15,000 to more than $1 million.
How long until I receive my settlement?
The amount of time it takes to receive a settlement in a Missouri car accident case can vary depending on the severity of the injuries and the insurance companies involved.
In general, most cases settle within six months to a year. But if the case goes to trial, it could take much longer to resolve.
It’s important to keep in mind that each case is different, so there’s no way to know for sure how long it will take to settle your case. The best thing you can do is work with an experienced car accident attorney who can help you understand your options and guide you through the process.
Work with experienced St. Louis car crash attorneys
At NGK Law, our experienced St. Louis car accident attorneys have a proven track record of success. We’ve helped thousands of people recover the compensation they deserve after being injured in a car crash.
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, we can help. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We’ll review your case and help you understand your legal options – 314-241-1919.
