What is the average settlement for a car accident in Indiana?

September 23, 2022 / Car Accidents

It would be great if there were an average settlement for a car accident in Indiana, but unfortunately, there isn’t.  That’s because each case is so different.  The dollar amount of a settlement depends on several factors, including the severity of injuries, number of defendants, amount of medical bills, impact on your future ability to earn a living, and many other variables.  Generally, as a rule of thumb, the more catastrophic the injury, the higher the payout.

If you’re wondering “what is the average settlement for a car accident in Indiana?”, the best thing to do is talk to a skilled and experienced car accident lawyer who can assess the facts in your case and give you an estimate of what your case might be worth.  At Stephenson Rife, we would be glad to help.

Why Choose Us

Stephenson Rife has an outstanding reputation for winning injury lawsuits and securing the largest payouts possible.  Attorney Mike Stephenson has 40 years of legal experience and has won many large personal injury claims totaling millions of dollars.  Recently named a Super Lawyer in Indiana, Attorney Mike Stephenson is one of the most experienced trial lawyers in the state.  He has served as lead trial counsel in more than 100 civil jury trials and has handled litigation in 18 states around the country.  State and local polls by peers have listed Mike as one of Indiana’s top lawyers, including a poll of 14,000 attorneys in which he was chosen to be among the top 5% of the attorneys in his area of practice.

The legal team at Stephenson Rife also includes Attorney Brady Rife, who takes case preparation seriously and prepares each case as though it may be tried in court.  Some of the firm’s most successful cases include winning a $48 million settlement against a large corporation in a fatal vehicle crash in New Mexico and a $14 million settlement against a national trucking company in Illinois.  We have achieved outstanding case results, and we have many satisfied clients.  We also offer an attractive attorney referral program.

How much can someone sue for a car accident in Indiana?

A plaintiff can sue for any amount in a car accident case, but it’s best to have facts and legal analysis to back up the dollar amount you demand.  If the dollar amount you ask for is wildly high, the defendant’s attorney may disregard your claim outright and assume you don’t know what you’re doing.  On the other hand, if the dollar amount you ask for is too low, then you can be taken advantage of by insurance companies and get less than you deserve.

That’s why choosing the right Indiana car accident attorney to represent you is so important.  You want an attorney with a winning track record and someone who has enough years of experience to know what your individual case is worth.  The legal system can be overwhelming and is complicated by claims adjusters, insurance companies, and legal wrangling.  A skilled, no-nonsense attorney can cut through the rhetoric and get down to dollars and cents.

Damages You May Be Entitled To

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Indiana, you may be entitled to a variety of compensation, including economic and non-economic damages.  Some of these include:

• Medical and rehabilitative costs (current and future)
• Lost wages and future lost earnings
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Mental anguish and emotional distress
• Disability
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Wrongful death.

The amount of damages you could be awarded will depend on the severity of harm and the skill of your attorney in negotiating or litigating your claim.

Limitation on Damages in Indiana

Indiana places caps on some kinds of damages.  For example, in a personal injury claim, there’s a $700,000 cap on most claims against the state (Indiana Code Title 34. Civil Law and Procedure § 34-13-3-4).  Also, punitive damages are disallowed in almost all cases.  And when an unmarried adult, aged 23 or older, with no dependents, is killed in an accident, the most in damages their estate can receive in a wrongful death case is $300,000, which includes attorney’s fees.

Indiana Negligence Laws

Indiana applies the legal theory of modified comparative negligence when determining fault in a car accident claim.  Also known as the “51% fault” rule, you must be less than 51% at fault for a car collision to file an injury claim.  If you are awarded damages for your injuries, the court will reduce your recovery by the percentage of fault that is yours.  For example, if it is determined that you are 20% at fault for a collision and the other party is 80% at fault and the total award is $400,000, then you will receive $320,000 (the total less 20%).  The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in Indiana is two years.

Call Stephenson Rife to get the justice you deserve

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a car accident in Indiana, you may be entitled to financial compensation.  This is especially true if the accident was due to someone else’s negligence.  You may be facing mounting medical bills, time off work, and a lot of uncertainty about your future.  You don’t have to face this alone.  The skilled and experienced Indianapolis personal injury attorneys at Stephenson Rife have helped hundreds of injured clients get the compensation they deserve.  While this may not put an end to your suffering or bring back a loved one who has died, it can help pay medical expenses and provide financially for your family in the future.

When you’re in the hospital or spending hours at the doctor’s office, the last thing you want to worry about is making legal filings and gathering evidence for your claim.  Let us do the legal heavy lifting while you focus on getting better.  To find out more about how we can help, call Stephenson Rife for a free consultation at (317) 680-2501.