Even if you weren’t injured during a car accident, you are still entitled to compensation if the other driver was at fault.
In fact, you may be due more than you would think. Many think the only damages you can get reimbursed for are those incurred to repair your car.
The actual amount for a car accident settlement with no injuries may factor in property damage, emotional distress, lost wages, and more.
We’ll explain how to assess these below, but we highly recommend consulting a personal injury lawyer to assess your case. You can book a free consultation with our experienced legal team right now.
Note: Injuries from driving accidents don’t always show up immediately, and you might not even realize you’re hurt. A lawyer can help you determine if you need further medical exams and ensure they are done fairly. All the more reason to book a free consultation with the lawyers at No Bull Law to explore your options.
How Much Can You Get for No-Injury Car Accident Settlement?
When you’re uninjured, the average car accident settlement amount can range anywhere from $500 to $25,000. This is usually lower than in cases where you obtain a severe injury.
As you can see, there’s a wide range. This is why a trustworthy lawyer won’t set expectations until they have been fully immersed in your case and made a complete assessment.
So, remember that the averages below may not give an accurate idea of what you can expect from your specific personal injury case.
For car accidents that only caused property damage and no psychological harm, the average settlement is around $5,000.
Given that this is an average, some cases get much higher or lower settlement amounts, depending on several factors.
One of those, of course, is the extent of your damages. However, the experience of your attorney can be a huge factor in your payout as well.
How a Personal Injury Lawyer Could Triple Your Payout (on Average)
Studies have shown that a lawyer can help you get 3-3.5 times the settlement amount than if you were to represent yourself.
To be specific, that’s 3-3.5 times higher after deducting their own fees.
So, what’s their secret?
Well, they have a ton of experience handling auto accident cases and dealing with insurance companies. They make sure to:
- Collect essential documentation, such as medical records, repair estimates, witness statements, etc., which prevents you from receiving a low offer due to insufficient evidence.
- Prevent you from accepting a low settlement offer under pressure from the insurance company and from making statements that could later be used to undermine your personal injury claim.
- Pressure the insurance company to act fast and offer a reasonable settlement in order to avoid a car accident lawsuit.
- Determine the exact value of your settlement by expertly calculating economic/non-economic losses and examining payouts of similar cases.
And here’s the best part: most lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay anything upfront. They only get paid if they win the car accident case, typically collecting 30-40% of the settlement amounts. This ensures they’re motivated to maximize your compensation.
The total settlement amount usually depends on the various losses you’ve suffered and their impact on your life. A lawyer can help you determine if you are entitled to certain damages.
What Can You Claim In a No-Injury Car Accident Settlement in Texas?
Let’s break down the different types of compensation you can seek as part of a no-injury settlement.
We’ll also give you an idea of how a Texas car accident lawyer would calculate these damages.
1. Property Damage
A car accident victim can make a property claim that covers damage to both the vehicle and personal property, such as laptops, cellphones, child safety seats, watches, etc.
The other driver's car insurance company must pay to repair the property.
But what if the vehicle can’t be repaired?
In that case, the insurance provider must pay you its fair market value when it was destroyed.
How to Determine Property Damage
The at-fault driver’s insurance company will likely request that you take your car to their repair shop(s) so they can estimate the damages.
That said, a car accident lawyer can remind you of your right to choose another repair shop rather than using an insurance company-approved shop.
But why?
Their recommended shops may minimize repair costs to satisfy the insurance company.
After consulting your choice of repair shop, you get an idea of how much you can claim to repair your vehicle. If the cost of repairs exceeds your car’s value, it’s considered a total loss according to Texas law. In this case, the insurance company will pay you only what they deem your car’s current market value.
2. Emotional Distress
While you may not have a catastrophic injury, the incident may have affected your mental well-being. Emotional distress can be just as damaging to your health as a car accident injury.
You might have trouble sleeping, eating, driving, and living a normal life. In some cases, it can even result in severe panic attacks, which cause trembling, shaking, shortness of breath, or choking sensations. These attacks can happen often and limit your ability to work.
If this happens to you, you should get it diagnosed by a therapist or psychiatrist. They can establish your right to compensation by giving testimony that the auto accident harmed your emotional well-being.
Additionally, if you have any pre-existing conditions, such as anxiety or depression, your past medical records can establish your right to a personal injury claim for emotional distress. This is especially important if your mental health has worsened as a result of the trauma from the accident.
How To Determine Emotional Distress Damages
Add up all your therapy bills and prescription costs for any medications that help you cope with your mental health conditions. Remember to keep a copy of these bills as proof.
You would then have to calculate a special kind of damage called ‘pain and suffering.’ This compensates for emotional distress and loss of enjoyment in life (inability to enjoy hobbies, relationships, or daily activities) caused by the accident.
You can determine pain and suffering damages in two ways:
- Multiply your total medical bills and vehicle repair costs by a specific number ranging from 1 to 5 (depending on the severity of emotional distress).
- Assign a monetary value to each day. Multiply the daily amount by the number of days you’ve endured emotional distress due to the accident.
Sounds confusing, right?
Calculating pain and suffering damages can be difficult because it is subjective. That’s why you need a lawyer well-versed in personal injury law to come up with this figure. They know how much pain and suffering damages for similar cases have been awarded in the past, so they can ensure that your car accident claim is in the same ballpark.
3. Lost Wages
After the accident, you may have missed days of work because you were dealing with:
- Vehicle repairs or buying a replacement vehicle
- Anxiety that prevented you from focusing on your work.
- PTSD that made it difficult to go to work or drive.
While you aren’t entitled to 100% of your lost wages, you can recover a portion of it through settlement. A lawyer may help you determine the amount.
Note: In the case of anxiety and PTSD, you need a diagnosis from a licensed mental health professional.
How To Determine Lost Wages
Add up all the work days you missed because of the accident and multiply it with your wages.
You’ll also need to account for the days you might miss because of emotional suffering. A personal injury lawyer can collaborate with mental health specialists to ensure an accurate estimate.
4. Other Costs
Make sure you don’t miss out on calculating additional expenses you’ve incurred after the accident, such as towing fees, travel costs from the scene of the accident, and rental car costs.
You can also seek compensation for related claims such as defamation, where the at-fault driver makes a false statement to damage your reputation. This could happen if they accuse you of being at fault when there’s plenty of evidence to suggest otherwise.
If you feel this might have happened to you, get a free consultation call from No Bull Law to see if you have a case.
5 Factors That Impact Settlement Value in No-Injury Cases in Texas
Earlier, we mentioned that the car accident settlement amount could range anywhere from $500 to $25,000 based on a number of factors.
Some of these factors are the types of damages you claim, as we just covered, but a few additional factors can influence your final payout as a car accident victim.
1. Value of Vehicle
Newer or luxury vehicles tend to have higher repair costs than older, less valuable cars. Even moderate damage to these may result in a larger repair bill and a higher settlement.
For older cars, the repair costs may exceed the car’s value, which means you could receive a settlement amount limited to the vehicle's cost. You can use sources like the Kelley Blue Book to determine the fair market value.
2. Severity of Damages
The more significant the damage, the higher the potential settlement amount. Here are some estimates for different types of damages:
- Cosmetic damages (small dents, scratches, etc.): Around $500 - $3000
- Structural damages (broken windshield, busted fender, suspension issues, etc.): $3,000 to $10,000
- Damages beyond repair: Market value of the vehicle at the time of the accident
3. Liability
According to Texas law, drivers can be compensated for driving accidents even if they are partially at fault (less than 50%).
So, in a Texas car accident settlement, the amount will be reduced proportionally to your percentage of the fault. For example, if you’re 25% at fault and your settlement amount is $10,000, you are only eligible for $7,500.
Keep in mind that this percentage is determined by insurance companies. They would look for reasons to increase the percentage of your fault so they can reduce the payout.
This is where a lawyer comes especially in handy. They can gather the right evidence and build a stronger case to show you were less at fault, ensuring you get the best possible settlement.
4. Insurance Limits and Policy Coverage
Ultimately, the insurance coverage limits of the other driver involved can limit the maximum settlement you might receive.
In Texas, all drivers are required to carry minimum liability insurance. This coverage includes $25,000 for property damage and $60,000 in total compensation per accident to cover damages when the driver is at fault.
Suppose you get in an accident with someone with minimum liability insurance; the highest possible settlement would be $60,000. If this coverage isn’t enough to cover all the damages, a lawyer can offer several alternative solutions.
That said, most non-injury cases don’t reach the average settlement amount of $5,000.
5. Legal Representation
An experienced personal injury lawyer can increase your chances of getting the highest possible settlement amount for your car accident case. As we’ve mentioned before, they can help you get 3-3.5 times the amount compared to doing it yourself.
The car accident lawyers at No Bull Law have thousands of hours of experience dealing with cases like yours and getting settlement agreements. We’ll help you gather crucial evidence and build a compelling case against the insurance company.
Hire No Bull Law as Your Lawyer to Get the Accident Claim You Deserve
At No Bull Law, we take your personal injury case by the horns and fight for every dollar you’re entitled to.
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, our law firm specializes in personal injury law and works on a contingency basis.
That means we only recoup our fees when you get the final settlement. So you don’t pay, ‘less we win!
Working with us is easy. After a free consultation, we’ll start investigating your car accident claim. If we take your case, we’ll be dedicated to securing a fair settlement.
We can also help you file a personal injury lawsuit if you think the settlement amount is too low.
So, take charge and consult a Texas car accident lawyer today!
3 FAQs About No-Injury Car Settlements
1. Do I Need a Lawyer for a No-Injury Car Settlement?
Even for minor car accidents, you should consult a lawyer immediately. They’ll give you legal guidance to navigate any immediate concerns or potential issues down the line.
Having a car accident lawyer becomes even more crucial if there are disagreements about who was at fault in the accident or if you feel that the insurance company’s settlement offer is too low.
A skilled attorney can evaluate your case, advocate on your behalf, and negotiate to ensure you get a fair settlement.
2. How Long Does it Take To Receive a Settlement in Texas?
A simple no-injury accident case can settle in a few months if it's determined who’s liable for the accident.
Since the amount for no-injury settlements is typically low, car insurance companies don’t have to negotiate intensely to protect their bottom line. This means you can receive the settlement quicker than in cases with injuries.
3. How Much Compensation Can I Get for Anxiety After a Car Accident?
There’s no set amount for compensation for anxiety and emotional distress. The damages can vary based on several factors, such as:
- The severity of anxiety (intensity and frequency of symptoms.)
- Cost of medication, therapy, and hospitalizations.
- Lost wages from being unable to work.
Speak to a Texas car accident lawyer to determine how much compensation you can seek for anxiety.
