If you have suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be wondering how much compensation you can expect to receive. Personal injury cases can vary widely, so it is difficult to predict precisely how much your case may be worth. However, looking at national statistics on personal injury claims can give you a general idea of potential compensation amounts.
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The Frequency and Impact of a Personal Injury
It is helpful to understand just how common personal injuries are in the United States. The National Center for Health Statistics reports that around 31 million Americans suffer injuries each year that require medical treatment. Given the significant number of individuals affected, it’s no wonder so many turn to a personal injury lawyer to help them pursue compensation for their damages.
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reveals that there are around 5.5 million car accidents annually in the U.S. These accidents result in 3 million injuries and 40,000 fatalities. Given the high rate of motor vehicle crashes, it is understandable that many personal injury claims arise from car accidents.
Beyond motor vehicle accidents, other types of personal injury claims are also common. The U.S. Department of Justice found that 60% of the 26,928 property, contract and tort trials surveyed in 2005 were related to some form of personal injury. With over 16,000 personal injury trials nationally in just one year, it is clear these lawsuits are a frequent occurrence.
Settlements Versus Trials in Personal Injury Law
However, it is important to understand that most personal injury cases settle out of court rather than going to trial. The Justice Department estimated there were about 409,925 tort claims filed based on a sample of state courts across the country. Yet only 4% of personal injury cases go to trial nationally. This means the actual number of personal injury claims is far higher than the number of trials.
So, while data on trial awards can provide some indication of potential compensation, most cases will settle for an amount agreed upon outside of court. Factors like the severity of injury, insurance coverage, and liability will impact settlement amounts. Accepting a reasonable settlement offer with the help of a personal injury lawyer is often faster and easier than taking a case to trial.
Compensation by Injury Type
Looking at average awards by injury type for cases that do go to trial can provide a general benchmark. However, every case has unique circumstances, so your compensation could end up higher or lower than these averages.
For motor vehicle accident cases that go to trial, the median injury award is $16,000. Since car accidents are a common cause of personal injury, this median provides a good starting point for estimating compensation. However, more severe crashes resulting in long-term health issues would likely result in higher awards.
In premises liability cases that go to trial, the median injury award is $90,000. Premises liability refers to property owners being liable for injuries occurring on their property due to unsafe conditions. Slip and fall claims are among the most frequent types of premises liability cases. Since these often involve injuries like broken bones, the median award is higher than for auto accident claims.
Consult a Local Personal Injury Attorney
These statistics can give you a general sense of potential compensation amounts other plaintiffs have received. However, every personal injury case is unique, so the value of your claim could differ significantly. Consulting an experienced personal injury attorney is the best way to understand what your case may be worth and maximize your compensation. An attorney can review the details of your injury and build the strongest argument for fair compensation. While there are no guarantees, having skilled legal representation can increase your chances of securing full and fair compensation for your injuries.
