This question is raised all the time. People want to know what they can expect to get from their accident settlement. Though there are definite patterns and averages for settlements, there are many variables within those patterns that will determine the value of your specific claim. Here are a list of things that can have an influence on the value of your specific claim:

1. What adjuster do you have working on your claim? Every adjuster evaluates claims slightly different. You may get an adjuster that is extremely tight with their evaluation or you might get an adjuster that is a little loose with their evaluation. Every person will see your claim slightly differently.

2. What kind of treatment did you receive for your injuries? Different forms of therapy are worth different amounts to insurance companies. Picking the right type of therapy will increase your chances of getting a little bit more in your settlement.

3. How severe was the impact to your car? The larger the impact, the more believable your injuries to an adjuster.

4. How well have you documented the impact the car accident has had on your life? Pain and suffering is all about documentation. If you inform your doctors how the auto accident has impacted your life, they will put it in their records. If you keep a journal of your troubles since the accident and activities that have been negatively affected by the accident, you can present this to the adjuster to help them understand exactly the impact on your life. The better the evidence you have, the more likely you will get a little more for your settlement.

5. How well do you negotiate? Even if you have all your ducks in a row, if you lack good negotiating skills, you will never get what you deserve out of your auto accident injury settlement. Adjusters are highly trained to make you frustrated and very good at putting pressure on you to settle for less than your injury claim might be worth.

Currently, we are seeing average settlements of 2.10 the amount of the total medical bills. Depending on what type of car accident you have and what variables are in play with your injury claim, you may end up with more or less money than the “average”. To try and build the strongest claim possible in an attempt to get more than the average settlement, consider buying our Personal Injury Settlement Booklet™.