Low-impact collisions may not seem serious initially, but you shouldn’t accept a settlement without a careful assessment.
Damage to your car may appear minimal, but that doesn’t mean you walk away unscathed. Injuries such as whiplash, soft tissue damage, or back pain can show up later, even if you don’t experience symptoms right away.
So, what’s the payout for a low-impact car accident settlement in Texas?
Well, it depends, as each case is different.
We’ll share the typical settlement amount for low-impact car accidents, key factors that influence your payout, and how an experienced attorney can help you maximize compensation.
But if you really want to know your claim’s actual value, your best bet is to have a car accident lawyer from a reputed firm like No Bull Law review your case. We’ll ensure you get the compensation and the support you need to recover fast.
You can book a free consultation here.
How Much Can You Get in a Low-Impact Car Accident Settlement in Texas?
What you receive for your settlement will ultimately depend on the damage and severity of your injuries, among other things.
In Texas, settlements for low-impact car accidents involving a minor bodily injury like whiplash, bruises, or small cuts could range from $5,000 to $25,000.
For major injuries, the settlement amount can rise to six or seven figures, but those cases are rare for low-impact collisions.
Insurance adjusters often try to undervalue your car accident claim. For instance, they may argue that an injury couldn’t have resulted from the impact. We know this isn’t necessarily true, but if you take their word for it, you’ll get a lower car accident settlement amount.
That’s why you need a lawyer who has experience dealing with their tactics, like No Bull Law. We’ll help you minimize the risk of adjusters undervaluing your damages.
While getting legal advice is a great step, it’s only one of the many “other things” that influence your final settlement amount. Let’s take a closer look at these factors.
Insurers and attorneys will assess the settlement value for your car accident case based on these factors:
- Severity of Injuries: Although a low-impact driving accident is usually not life-threatening, it can still cause a long-lasting and severe injury. For example, whiplash may start as a minor injury but can lead to chronic pain over time, which requires medication and impacts your ability to work.
- Lost income: If your injuries impact your ability to work, you may receive compensation for lost wages or a decrease in earning capacity.
- Property damage: This includes the cost of repairing your vehicle and compensation for any personal belongings damaged in the accident. Even if the damage seems small, hidden issues like frame misalignment or internal mechanical problems could mean higher repair costs, which should be factored into your claim.
- Liability: Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means both drivers can share responsibility for an accident based on fault. If you’re found to be more than 51% at fault, you won’t be eligible for compensation. If you are 50% or less at fault, your payout will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your settlement is $20,000 and you’re 10% at fault, you would receive $18,000.
- Legal Representation: The skills and experience of your personal injury lawyer can potentially increase the payout from your settlement by 3 - 3.5x, according to the Insurance Research Council. Having a knowledgeable car accident lawyer on your side could be invaluable when insurance companies attempt to devalue and brush off your claim because it was “low-impact.”
Speaking of lawyers, let’s go over the paths your attorney can take to help pursue your settlement.
There are usually two ways to recover compensation for non-economic and economic damages after any traffic accident:
- File a car accident claim against the at-fault driver
- File a car accident lawsuit against the at-fault driver
Most low-impact auto accident cases settle through an insurance claim with the responsible party’s insurance carrier. This settlement process requires your attorney to:
- Investigate the incident.
- Collect proof to establish fault and liability.
- Document the extent of your losses.
- Demand compensation supported by the evidence.
- Negotiate with the insurer to secure a fair settlement.
Here are some types of damages an accident victim may qualify for compensation:
- Medical expenses: Covers doctor visits, physical therapy, medication, and any necessary treatments related to your injuries.
- Lost wages: Compensation for income lost.
- Pain and suffering: Covers non-economic damages, like physical pain, emotional distress, and the overall impact of the accident on your quality of life.
- Property damage: Reimbursement for repairs or replacement of your vehicle and any other damaged belongings.
- Punitive damages: May be awarded when the at-fault party has been particularly negligent, such as in a drunk driving accident. Punitive damages are meant to penalize the responsible party and discourage future misconduct. (However, this is rare, as minor collisions typically settle out of court.)
While it’s possible for you to put a number on some of these damages yourself, an experienced car accident attorney would have seen multiple similar cases to yours. They’d have a better idea of the value of your claim, and assessing damages isn’t the only way their services benefit you.
From guiding an accident victim through compensation options to advocating for them in court, a personal injury lawyer can make a low-impact car accident injury settlement process much easier.
Here’s how:
- Assess the full extent of damages: In low-impact accidents, injuries may not be immediately obvious but can still have lasting effects. A personal injury lawyer can help assess not just immediate medical costs but also long-term expenses and help you receive a fair settlement.
- Deal with insurance companies: Insurance companies often downplay injuries in low-impact accidents to reduce payouts. An expert car accident attorney negotiates on your behalf, ensures you meet all deadlines, and avoids common mistakes that could hurt your settlement.
- Represent you in court: Although not common in the case of low-impact accidents, if the insurance company doesn’t offer a fair settlement, your lawyer can take legal action and represent you in court. With their knowledge of legal procedures, evidence handling, and courtroom strategy, they can fight for a better payout or verdict.
So, choose a firm experienced in personal injury cases, like No Bull Law. It’ll do you better in the long run to have a skilled professional fighting for your rights and maximizing your compensation.
Secure Your Low-Impact Car Accident Settlement with No Bull Law
Even a low-impact auto accident can lead to medical expenses, lost income, and lingering pain.
Without a car accident lawyer, you risk having your low-impact car accident claim undervalued or denied by insurance companies that downplay injuries.
That’s where No Bull Law comes in. Our experienced attorneys handle everything from negotiating with insurers to taking legal action if needed. Even better, you only have to pay us if you win.
Contact No Bull Law today for a free case review and fight for what you’re truly owed!
