Non-Injury Car Accident Average Settlement Calculator

Have you ever been involved in a car accident but not hurt? 

In that case, you might still need money to cover the cost of fixing your car. 

The fact is that even in cases where no one is hurt, parties can still seek settlement for the damages caused by the accident.

But how much money can you claim for these instances? 

This article will discuss the average non-injury car accident settlement.

We’ll also cover specific factors that come into play during the calculation.

Average Non-Injury Settlement Amounts

Car crashes without anyone being injured are more common than you think.

Around 1.19 million people die annually from car accidents, according to the World Health Organization.  

However, that doesn’t mean you should just write off the accident without exploring your legal option.

The truth is, while you did not suffer injuries, but you may have lost something.

Settlement amounts for non-injury car accidents typically refer to damage or loss of property. The amount itself can vary from several hundred to several thousand dollars.

Why such a big difference?

Well, it’s because every car crash is unique. 

If your car only escaped with a dent, the settlement value may be less than if your car is a total wreck. 

Non-Injury Car Accident Settlement Calculation

When figuring out how much money to you are entitled to after a non-injury car accident, the damage will play a significant role. 

For starters, there are two types of damages for legal purposes: special and general.

Let’s quickly go over each damage.

Special Damages

Special damages have a specific monetary value. 

For example, if you had to change your tires because of an accident, then the special damage is the value of the tire.

The same applies if you had your car repainted or fixed in any way due to the accident. 

This type of damage is usually covered by settlement in accidents without injury.

General Damages

General damages are the opposite of special damages. 

They refer to costs that have no specific monetary value. 

A good example would be emotional damage, pain, suffering, or reduced quality of life.

 This amount is harder to calculate, so insurance companies usually use a standard formula. 

To calculate the settlement amount, the damages are usually given a value of 1 to 5 with 5 as the most severe. 

From there, the number is multiplied by general damages.

General damages are usually claimed in personal injury suits where a person suffered emotional trauma. 

But what if there is no personal injury involved?

If the damage is only to your property, then, in most cases, any claim for general damages must be conclusively proven. 

This means that your evidence showing trauma, stress, or anxiety must be very strong. 

More importantly, you have to show that stress or anxiety is the direct result of the car accident.

Factors Influencing the Settlement Amount

So let’s say you’re ready to file a claim with the insurance company after the car accident.

Several key factors can influence how much money you might receive from the settlement. 

Let’s break them down:

Extent of Vehicle Damage

The more damage to your car, the higher the potential for settlement. 

A significant damage often means a bigger payout. 

However, keep in mind that the payout is limited to the amount needed to repair the car.

Even with an invoice at hand, however, some insurance companies will dispute the amount. 

They may argue that some parts or labor can be purchased at a cheaper price. 

That’s also because insurance companies are in the business of minimizing costs by denying or disputing claims.

Insurance Company Policies

Every insurance company has its way of calculating settlements. 

While there are common methods that apply to most scenarios, your insurance company may have additional set of rules. These are allowed as long as the insurance company is not acting in bad faith.

Degree of Fault

If you were partly at fault, the settlement could be reduced by your percentage of fault. 

The more the accident was your fault, the less money you might get. 

This is called pure comparative negligence rule and states like New York follow this principle. 

For example, if you were found to be 30% at fault for the accident, then your settlement may be reduced by that amount.

Note, though, that some states, such as Florida, Hawaii, Kentucky, and Kansas, follow a “no-fault” system. 

If your State follows this rule, you’ll need to file a claim with your own insurance company, even if the accident was your fault.

However, there is usually a cap (or limit) to the amount of settlement you may be entitled to. For example, if the limit is $5,000, then the insurance company will only pay $5,000 worth of damages or less. 

If the damage is more than that, other remedies may apply.

Understanding these factors can help you get a clearer picture of what to expect from your car accident settlement. 

Remember, every case is unique and these factors work together to determine the final amount.

Proving Your Legal Claim

If the insurance companies contest your claim amount, showing evidence is the best way to prove your claim. However, these pieces of evidence should be secured as early as possible to maintain their integrity. 

Here are examples of pieces of evidence that could be instrumental in proving the validity of your claim.

Documentation

Part of gathering evidence includes taking pictures and videos right after the incident. 

If possible, take pictures of your car and the location where the crash happened. 

Also, if there were witnesses at the scene, obtain their contact information.

Their testimonies can help add more weight to your case. 

A collection of evidence coming from impartial third parties is more convincing than your own narration of the events.

Second, keep a paper trail of everything, including expenses, related to the accident.

Also, if able, get a copy of the incident report from the police. 

This report often shows exactly when the accident happened and identifies the parties that may have been at fault. 

This also indicates their addresses and the vehicles involved. You will be able to use all this information later when making a claim.

Keeping Receipts

For the damages themselves, ask for an estimate of the cost of the car repair. 

This is the special damage that needs to be paid for by the insurance company. 

In many cases, the receipt is enough proof to show the amount of property damage that needs to be paid.

Reporting the Incident

Another important step is to inform your insurance company about the crash as soon as possible. 

However, while at it, avoid saying anything that can be seen as admitting fault. 

You only need to mention that you were involved in a car accident, when it happened, and where it happened.  

Testimonies

Testimony from friends and family is necessary if you want to claim general damages. 

These statements will show just how badly the accident affected you emotionally. 

A good lawyer should be able to prepare these testimonies so that they can properly present your case. 

You can also get testimonies from witnesses to emphasize the traumatic nature of the accident. 

Role of Car Accident Settlement Calculators

Settlement calculators are tools that help estimate how much money you might get after a car crash. 

Remember when we talked about different ways to figure out the money for car repairs? 

That’s a part of what these calculators do.

They utilize different information, such as the cost of fixing your car and how you were impacted by the crash. The calculator then works out the formula to come up with an estimated settlement amount. 

This calculator gives you an idea of how much money you or yoru attorney should demand from the insurance company.

Keep in mind that these calculators aren’t always accurate. 

The best they can do is run an estimate of the numbers because they don’t know everything about the accident.

The number they come up with is usually just a good starting point. It helps you understand what you might be entitled to. However, the final amount may be different.  

This is where the input of a car accident lawyer comes in. 

A good lawyer can help calculate the exact amount you may be entitled to as compensation for your injuries and losses. 

Other than car repair costs, your lawyer will also factor in general damages if applicable. All of these will be added together before filing a claim.

Important Deadlines in Car Accident Claims

When it comes to car accident insurance claims, you need to consider several deadlines.

Insurance Deadline

The insurance company’s timeframe for filing a claim is often short. It could be anywhere from a few days or weeks after the accident happened. 

This means that from the day the accident happened, you should be able to file a claim within the insurance company’s timeframe. If you fail to do this, then your claim may be dismissed.

The timeframe varies depending on the insurance company. This is why it’s important to check the insurance policy and understand its terms when signing up. 

Statute of Limitations

In most cases, in minor accidents, insurance companies often cover the damage without issues. 

However, some collisions can be serious.

In such cases, the policy usually only covers a portion of the damages. If this happens to you, then your next option is often go after the other person involved in the accident. 

For this, you will need to take legal action before your state’s statute of limitations expire.

Negotiation and Payment

How long does it take to get compensation after a car accident? It can take several months and sometimes even years.

The length of time depends on the complexity of the accident. 

Chances are, insurance company will dispute the amount claim.

Such disputes are especially common in accidents that lead to severe injuries.

For this reason, you or your legal representative must prove why you deserve to receive the amount you want.

Remember that the goal of insurance companies is to minimize the payout. 

To achieve this, they may try to convince you to accept their offer. 

If you believe that the offer is less than what you deserve, you have the right to decline it.

When to Consult a Lawyer

Non-injury car accident settlements can be straightforward when all parties cooperate. 

However, disagreements between yourself, the other party, and the insurance company can complicate the process. 

A lawyer can help fight for you and ensure you receive the compensation you need and deserve.