What Is a Rear-End Collision Settlement Worth?
If you were injured when another driver hit your vehicle from behind, you may be entitled to a rear-ended settlement. Most rear-end collisions are the fault of the trailing driver. If this is the case, compensation may be recovered through a claim against the at-fault driver’s auto insurance.
But how much is a rear-ended settlement worth, and how do you know if the offer is fair? As the victim of a rear-end collision, your legal rights depend on the facts of your case. You should speak with a lawyer promptly.
The Whitley Law Firm has decades of experience representing clients in car accident claims, with rear-end collisions accounting for a substantial portion of the cases we handle. Call (919) 785-5000 today. It won’t cost anything to see if we can help.
How Much Can You Recover for a Rear-End Collision?
The amount of compensation you are entitled to after any car accident depends on your individual circumstances. Just as no two crashes are exactly the same, your losses are unique to you as well.
In determining the value of a rear-ended settlement, your lawyer will examine three major factors to determine how much compensation you are entitled to recover:
- Your direct financial costs (economic damages)
- Your pain and suffering
- Any other non-economic damages
When you have a car accident claim, you are entitled to fair compensation not only for your losses to date, but also the losses you will incur in the future. For many rear-end collision victims, these future losses may account for a significant share of the settlement.
1. Your Direct Financial Costs
Economic damages are costs and losses that impact your bank account. This includes both payments going out and lack of payments going in.
In a typical case, a car accident lawyer may be able to seek just compensation for current and future economic damages such as:
- Medical expenses
- Prescription costs
- Transportation costs
- Other out-of-pocket costs
- Loss of income and benefits
2. Your Pain and Suffering
Car accident victims in North Carolina are also entitled to compensation for their pain and suffering. Pain and suffering refers to issues such as physical pain and discomfort and psychological trauma associated with the injuries sustained in an accident.
After rear-end collisions, injured drivers and passengers may experience pain and suffering for months (if not years). Injuries such as whiplash, head trauma, and more can have long-term effects on your health and well-being.
There are various methods of calculating compensation for pain and suffering. Your attorney will use the method that makes the most sense for your individual circumstances.
3. Your Other Non-Financial Losses
Along with compensation for pain and suffering, victims of rear-end collisions in North Carolina can recover non-economic damages as well. For example, the victims of rear-end collisions may be entitled to compensation for issues such as:
- Emotional distress
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of consortium and companionship
- Loss of services and support
- Loss of enjoyment of life
5 Tips for Maximizing Your Rear-End Collision Settlement
If you think you may be entitled to a rear-ended settlement, there are some steps you can take to improve your chances of recovering maximum compensation. These include:
- Follow Your Doctor’s Advice – One of the most important ways you can help maximize your rear-end collision settlement is to abide by any and all recommendations from your doctor. Prioritize your physical and psychological recovery and do what you can to make sure you get better as soon as possible.
- Keep All Records Related to the Accident – While your lawyer can collect medical records from your healthcare providers and obtain a copy of the accident report on your behalf, it is important for you to keep any bills, insurance documents, and other records related to the crash.
- Take Detailed Notes – As you work through your recovery, you should get in the habit of taking notes on a daily basis. How bad is your pain? Did you have to miss work for a doctor’s appointment or because of your injuries? Did you miss out on spending time with your friends or family? These are all factors that may impact the value of your settlement.
- Work Closely with Your Lawyer – Your lawyer can’t handle your rear-end collision claim without you. As you move forward, you should be prepared to work with your lawyer to determine what constitutes fair compensation for your accident-related losses.
- Be Patient – You also need to be prepared to have patience as your case progresses. Negotiating a rear-ended settlement takes time. If you settle or give up on your claim too soon, you won’t receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Get Help with Your Rear-Ended Settlement
The majority of accident claims are resolved through settlement negotiations. It is crucial to have a knowledgeable car accident attorney handle these negotiations for you. Trying to negotiate a settlement yourself is usually a mistake.
Most rear-end collisions are the fault of the driver in back. However, if the insurance company disputes liability, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit and potentially go to trial. Attorneys at the Whitley Law Firm are seasoned negotiators and experienced trial lawyers who can handle all aspects of your case.
Contact the Whitley Law Firm for FREE today. Our lawyers handle rear-end collision claims throughout North Carolina from offices in Raleigh, Kinston, and New Bern.
