What Is the Average Settlement for a Personal Injury Claim in Greenville, SC?

November 21, 2019

If you suffer a serious personal injury in Greenville, South Carolina, you could face expensive medical bills, future health care costs and damages related to a temporary disability, such as lost income. The civil justice system may entitle you to monetary recovery for these damages, among others. If you are curious as to what you may be able to receive in a personal injury settlement, contact an attorney for a case review. Most personal injury lawyers offer free initial consultations so you can receive an honest evaluation at no financial risk. Do not accept a settlement from an insurance company until you have spoken to an attorney.

Calculating a Settlement Award

You or your attorney must prove the validity of your case to obtain a settlement award during a personal injury claim in Greenville. This involves proving that the defendant caused your losses through a breach of duty of care and that you suffered specific damages as a result. If you have a valid claim, an insurance company should offer you a fair and reasonable settlement. A settlement is an amount you are willing to accept from the insurance company to avoid going to court. The majority of personal injury claims settle successfully without requiring trials. It could take a few months to one year or longer to reach a settlement agreement.

It is difficult to estimate an average settlement award since each case is unique. Some personal injury plaintiffs receive $10,000 to $25,000, while others could earn settlements upwards of $1 million or more. The greatest factor affecting a settlement amount is the severity of your injuries. Victims with catastrophic injuries or those who lost loved ones will generally be eligible for higher settlements than those with minor injuries or only property damages. Other factors that could affect a settlement amount include the victim’s age, income, personal trauma and the specifics of the incident.

Recoverable Damages in Greenville

Although each claimant’s settlement amount will be unique, most share many of the same types of recoverable damages in South Carolina. The state’s civil courts permit accident victims to seek recovery for both economic (out of pocket) and noneconomic (intangible) compensatory damages. Some claimants may also receive additional punitive damages from a judge for a defendant’s particularly egregious behaviors.

  • Medical bills. Your past and future accident-related health care costs.
  • Disability costs. The losses you will suffer due to a temporary or long-term disability.
  • Property damages. The price to repair or replace damaged property, such as a vehicle.
  • Lost wages. The pay cuts you experience from having to miss time at work.
  • Pain and suffering. The physical and emotional tolls the accident takes on you and your loved ones.

Doctor’s appointments, medications, surgeries, lost future earning capacity, emotional distress and mental anguish are all compensable damages in South Carolina. If you lost a loved one, you may also qualify for additional wrongful death damages, such as the costs of burying your loved one or having a funeral. You could be eligible for many different types of damages after a serious personal injury accident.

Maximize Your Personal Injury Settlement

It may not suit your best interests to agree to a settlement from an insurance company before you have gotten an accurate evaluation from an attorney. Insurance companies in South Carolina may try to protect their bottom lines by downplaying your damages and offering a low settlement amount. The best way to prevent this from interfering with your recovery is with help from a lawyer. A lawyer will want to maximize, not minimize, your compensatory award.

A Greenville personal injury attorney can give you an accurate portrayal of what your case could be worth based on a calculation of your damages. Then, a lawyer could help you negotiate a better personal injury settlement from an insurance provider. A lawyer can also enable you to take the defendant to court for fair compensation if an insurance company fails to offer a reasonable amount to settle. Discover the value of your personal injury claim today by contacting an attorney.