Car Accident Lawsuit Settlements

Economic damages are the financial losses you can document after a crash—things with clear dollar values. These typically include:

• Emergency room visits and hospital stays

• Follow-up treatment and rehab

• Prescription medications

• Future medical care

• Lost wages and job opportunities

• Long-term reduction in earning potential

• Vehicle and property damage

• Costs for in-home help or accessibility changes

Keep all receipts, bills, and pay stubs. If the expense was caused by the accident, it likely counts.

Noneconomic damages compensate for the physical and emotional toll of an accident—things that don’t come with a receipt. You may be eligible to recover for:

• Pain and suffering

• Anxiety or trauma

• Sleep loss

• Loss of enjoyment of life

• Relationship strain

• Disfigurement or disability

In most car accident cases, California does not cap these damages. Medical records, witness statements, and expert opinions help support this part of the claim.

California uses a comparative fault system. That means if you're partially to blame, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.

For example, if your case is worth $100,000 and you're found 30% at fault, you’ll receive $70,000. Insurance companies often try to shift blame—an attorney can help push back with the evidence needed to prove what really happened.

Some cases wrap up in a few months. Others take a year or more. Factors that affect your timeline include:

• Severity and duration of your medical treatment

• Disputes over who caused the crash

• The amount of insurance coverage available

• Willingness of the other party to negotiate fairly

You shouldn’t settle until your condition stabilizes—but don’t wait too long. In California, you generally have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Every case is different. Insurance adjusters and courts consider:

• Cost of your medical care

• How the injury affects your work and future earnings

• The nature and seriousness of your injury

• Emotional trauma or PTSD

• The strength of your documentation and credibility

Even location can matter. Some counties are known for larger jury awards than others.

Online calculators can’t assess pain, long-term recovery, or how an insurance company will behave. They’re usually based on oversimplified formulas and don’t reflect the full story of your case.

We've seen cases double in value after better evidence or legal pressure. Only a thorough legal review can give you real insight into your claim's worth.

There’s no useful “average.” Settlement amounts vary widely based on injuries, insurance coverage, and fault. A minor crash may settle for a few thousand dollars. A catastrophic injury could result in hundreds of thousands—or more.

Your best bet? Talk to a lawyer who can assess your injuries, income loss, and documentation to estimate a fair case value.

Probably not. Early offers often leave out future care, pain and suffering, or full wage loss. Once you accept, you can’t reopen the claim.

Silva Injury Law helps clients understand the full impact of the crash—physical, emotional, and financial—and fights for compensation that reflects the true cost of what you’ve been through.