What can I expect from my car accident (personal injury) settlement??

Question

Hi there!!
I was in a head on collision in Italy in July (I was a passenger, both drivers were said to be at fault)...I'm an American who's been living in the U.K the past few years..Though this settlement is being handled in Italy, I wanted to know would occur settlement-wise had it happened in the US (partly to show my Italian lawyer)...I had a broken sternum (was only hospitalized one day) torn ligament in my toe and whiplash (the doctor said there was arthritis in my neck, not sure if that was bad translation or if it is the case)...I had to miss two weeks of work (since I'm a government contactor, am paid by the hour and have no sick leave or anything like that)...I have had severe anxiety driving sine then....My sternum is still sore and I am still experiencing shortness of breath but it has healed somewhat...Okay, that's all!! I just really have no experience with anything like this and was wondering what an outcome would be in a similar case in the U.S. Thanks much!!

Answer 1

usually medical bills x3
(any other expenses are just paid)
1/3 for medical bills
1/3 goes to attorney
1/3 goes to you

*edit* Insurance Liability Coverage Definitions
http://www.carinsurance.com/CoverageDefinitions.aspx

Answer 2

Fractured Sternum Injury Settlement

Answer 3

Oh, this is impossible to answer as it depends on where in the US the accident happened, how long you treated, how much the arthritis figures in- a bunch of stuff. So really, you won't get a good value on a hypothetical situation. Even in one state you could have several areas of the state where claims may be worth more due to various issues. The fractured sternum is the most severe injury and the most pain is felt from it. I would be very careful about the anxiety when driving issue. Insurance companies in the states do not put a lot of stock in those claims, not sure how they'll be seen in Italy. But even with the fractured sternum, the value of the claim isn't astronomical. A fractured sternum itself is worth maybe $5,000 or so depending on the severity and of course the other previously mentioned issues.

And I agree, anyone who tells you 3x your special damages is setting you up for disappointment. There is no formula. You could get more, you could get less.

Answer 4

A typical settlement for an injury with no permanent injury is an amount equal to your medical bills, about $10,000 in your case. That's typical or average. Only you and your lawyer can decide if what the insurance company offers is a fair amount for your injuries. You can ask for as much as you want to but it might take five or more years for your case to go to court and you get nothing during that time and you might get nothing more than what the insurance company offered to begin with. You are entitled to any lost wages as a result of the accident and that should be separate from any amount for pain and suffering.

Answer 5

Woo! Compensation culture...
Accidents are just that: Accidents!


Get your expenses & loss of earnings reimbursed - fine.

If you have long term injuries that mean you're unable to work in your previous capacity - fine, get something towards that.

"Severe anxiety driving since then"
If you're that worked up, sorry to tell you this, but you'll be unable to react to situations as required, and will have a limited awareness of your surroundings because you're too busy fretting. You would be a liability on the roads - both to yourself and others.

Once again, if this is really the case, make sure your expenses include some form of counselling to restore you to your previous ability to concentrate on your surroundings.



**** I don't fault you for wanting to recover the above ****

Anything else is just plain greed, and profiteering from others mistakes...

I know I'll get a chunk of negative votes for this - who cares ? Society has gone to hell in hand basket..

Besides, I'm sick of inflated insurance premiums because of others's greed.

Answer 6

I suggest you to visit this web page where you can get rates from the best companies: http://INSUREFOREVERYBODY.INFO/index.html?src=5YAwkrcuQT001

RE :What can I expect from my car accident (personal injury) settlement??
Hi there!!
I was in a head on collision in Italy in July (I was a passenger, both drivers were said to be at fault)...I'm an American who's been living in the U.K the past few years..Though this settlement is being handled in Italy, I wanted to know would occur settlement-wise had it happened in the US (partly to show my Italian lawyer)...I had a broken sternum (was only hospitalized one day) torn ligament in my toe and whiplash (the doctor said there was arthritis in my neck, not sure if that was bad translation or if it is the case)...I had to miss two weeks of work (since I'm a government contactor, am paid by the hour and have no sick leave or anything like that)...I have had severe anxiety driving sine then....My sternum is still sore and I am still experiencing shortness of breath but it has healed somewhat...Okay, that's all!! I just really have no experience with anything like this and was wondering what an outcome would be in a similar case in the U.S. Thanks much!!
Follow 7 answers

Answer 7

First of all, Kimandchr doesn't know what he/she is talking about. medical bills are usually FULLY reimbursed (compensatory damage). Pay you lost from work is usually FULLY reimbursed (also compensation damage). Your pain and suffering are worth money, as is any FUTURE or permanent pain and suffering you have. If you couldn't do things at home with your wife/family, you could get money for loss of consortium. If Italy allows it and one of the drivers was drunk or purposely careless, you could get punitive damages. If you have to hire an attorney, you could get attorney's fees and costs reimbursed, plus the losing party would have to reimburse the juror's fees. But I have no idea how Italian law works.

Answer 8

It's good