There is no single average car accident settlement in Massachusetts. Every case is different. The value of your claim depends on your specific injuries, your medical bills, time missed from work, and many other factors. Some cases settle for a few thousand dollars. Others result in hundreds of thousands or more.
For instance, million-dollar settlements may arise in severe cases involving traumatic brain injuries or multiple fractures requiring extensive, life-long medical care. In contrast, $100,000.00 settlements may result from injuries requiring one or two surgeries and rehabilitation with significant financial losses.
Why There Is No Single 'Average'
You may see websites that claim the average car accident settlement is $20,000-$500,000 or some other number. Be careful with those figures. They often mix together very different kinds of cases.
A minor fender-bender with no injuries is very different from a serious crash that requires surgery and months of recovery. Grouping them together does not give you a useful picture of what your case might be worth. The best way to figure out what your case is worth is to discuss it with an experienced car accident lawyer.
What Factors Affect Your Settlement?
The value of a car accident claim in Massachusetts depends on several things:
- Severity of your injuries: Broken bones, herniated discs, and traumatic brain injuries lead to higher settlements than soft tissue injuries.
- Medical expenses: The total cost of your treatment, both past and future, is a key factor.
- Lost wages: If you missed work because of your injuries, you may be able to recover that income.
- Pain and suffering: Massachusetts allows victims to seek compensation for physical and emotional pain, but there are limits in some cases.
- Fault: The Commonwealth follows a modified comparative negligence rule. If you are found to be partly at fault, your compensation may be reduced. If you are more than 50% at fault, you may not be able to recover anything.
- Insurance coverage: The amount of coverage the at-fault driver has matters. If their policy limits are low, that can cap your recovery.
Compensation typically covers medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering. While most cases settle out of court, some may proceed to trial if negotiations stall. A successful settlement concludes with fund distribution and a release of liability for the at-fault party.
Real Examples from DiBella Law Cases
To give you a sense of the range, here are a few examples of results from past DiBella Law cases:
- $20,000 for a client rear-ended on Route 93 in Boston who suffered neck and shoulder injuries and a detached retina.
- $50,000 for a client in Plaistow, NH, whose car was overturned in a collision, resulting in multiple rib fractures.
- $130,000 for a rear-end collision client who required surgery after being hit in stopped traffic.
- Confidential settlement for a Cambridge client who suffered extensive nerve damage and could no longer work as a scientist.
Past results do not guarantee the same outcome in your case. But they show the range of what is possible when you have experienced legal help.
Find Out What Your Case May Be Worth
The best way to get a realistic sense of your claim’s value is to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Call DiBella Law Injury and Accident Lawyers at 855-342-3552 for a free consultation. There is no fee unless we win.
Related Video: Everything You Need To Know About Receiving Your Settlement or Award for Your Injuries