According to a well-known insurance firm, Arizona is one of the most risky states for car accidents. There are many worse cities for traffic, but rush hour in the wild, wild west is still rush hour, and tailgating, construction, and speed demons all contribute to Arizona vehicle accidents. It is beneficial to grasp the fundamentals of car accident settlements, what to do following a car accident, and the procedure and dates utilized to compute them. 

If you have been injured in a car accident in Arizona, you may be wondering how to calculate the settlement amount for your case. Car accidents can result in serious injuries that can impact your quality of life and your ability to work. In this article, we will explore the factors that affect the settlement amount for a car accident case in Arizona, and how previous cases can inform your understanding of how these cases are evaluated.

Factors that Affect the Settlement Amount

The value of a car accident settlement case in Arizona is impacted by a variety of factors. These include the severity of your injuries, the extent of your financial damages, and the level of liability that the other driver or any other party involved has for the accident. Liability is a complex issue that can be influenced by factors such as the actions of the other driver leading up to the accident, the condition of the road, and other external factors.

Legal Precedents

There have been a number of legal cases involving car accidents in Arizona and across the United States that have informed the way that these cases are evaluated. One such case is Perez v. Brown, in which the plaintiff sued the other driver after being involved in a rear-end collision. The court found in favor of the plaintiff, noting that the other driver had been negligent in failing to maintain a safe distance from the plaintiff’s vehicle.

Another important legal precedent is the case of Faieta v. Mims, in which the plaintiff sued the other driver after being involved in a head-on collision. The court ultimately found in favor of the plaintiff, noting that the other driver had been negligent in crossing the centerline of the road.

Average Settlement Amounts

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car accident fatalities have decreased in recent years. The average settlement amount for car accident cases in the United States is around $20,000. However, this figure can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including the severity of the injuries and the level of liability.

In Arizona specifically, the average settlement amount for car accident cases is more difficult to estimate. However, recent cases suggest that settlements in Arizona can range from a few thousand dollars to several hundred thousand dollars, depending on the circumstances of the accident.

What is Minimum Liability Coverage?

The minimum liability coverage in Arizona is the payment for injuries or damage to which you are entitled if you are involved in an accident. Drivers must have the following minimum levels of coverage in order to lawfully operate an automobile:

Liability for bodily injury is $25,000 per person.
$15,000 for property damage and $50,000 per accident where multiple people are
injured.

These Arizona coverages pay for your damages if you are in an accident. Another component of a car liability insurance policy is legal defense coverage. If you have to sue the driver who caused the accident, this will help pay for his or her legal defense.

The settlement is what you will attempt to get for your damages if you have been involved in an accident and experienced damages. The settlement is a remedy for damages negotiated and voluntarily agreed upon by the parties involved. The calculation of the settlement can be difficult.

How is a Car Accident Settlement Calculated in Arizona?

In Arizona, the breadth and cost of a car accident might vary greatly. Damages vary greatly based on hundreds of factors that may or may not have been involved in your accident. Among the considerations examined for determining a starting point for a settlement include, but are not limited to, five major factors:

Insurance protection
Suffering and Pain
Medical Expenses
Auto Repairs
Lost Wages

Pain and Suffering and Medical Bills are also subjective factors; how they are calculated depends on the severity of the accident. When considering a prospective payment, insurance adjusters frequently use calculators to help them arrive at figures. For medical bills, the adjustor may sum up all current medical bills and use a 1 or 1.5 multiplier if the injury was small. For example, if your bills amount $2500, the insurance company may offer $2500 with a 1 factor or $3750 with a 1.5 factor. If the injury is severe, the multiplier may be increased to 4 or 4.5.
However, if your physician determines that your wounds need ongoing care, you must provide a computation of the additional medical care you anticipate need to maintain your good health after the accident.
Remember that the insurance company will only make one settlement or payout to you. Your right to any further compensation is forfeited if your claim is submitted and settled before all necessary treatments have been carried out. You cannot then approach the insurance company and demand additional funds after you have agreed to a settlement. Working with an experienced personal injury lawyer is crucial to ensuring that the suggested settlement amount is reasonable and accurate and that no errors are made.

No matter which side of the accident you are on, keep in mind that any settlement formula is just the beginning. A competent, seasoned lawyer can negotiate these sums. Numerous knowledgeable, experienced lawyers who are prepared to offer the least amount of money during each settlement negotiation work for insurance companies as their protection. Having legal representation that is willing to fight for you can make the difference between a settlement that is just and one that is much too low.

Book a Free Consultation With Our Arizona accident Attorneys
As an Arizona auto accident victim, our legal team at Lebovitz Law Group can help you get maximum compensation from the negligent party. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay us until we win your case. Contact us today for a free case review.

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