How Much is a Rear-End Car Accident Worth?

Rear-end collisions are far too common and can be difficult to avoid. Even if you see the other driver speeding toward you in your rear-view mirror, there may not be a way to dodge them without hitting someone else. Rear-end accidents, like all car crashes, can cause injuries and bills that the victim had not planned for. Before accepting any settlement offered by an insurance company or the at-fault driver, victims should be sure they understand the value of their case.

Michigan No-Fault Benefits

 

Regardless of who caused it, all parties should submit a claim to their own auto-insurer after a rear-end accident occurs. Michigan No-Fault insurance, which every driver is required to have, includes Personal Injury Protection (PIP), Property Protection (PPI), and Residual Liability Insurance. This coverage can help you pay for medical bills, lost wages, and damage done to another person’s property as well as pay damages if another driver sues you. No-Fault claims typically must be made within one year of the accident, though some insurance companies may allow for less time in certain circumstances. The amount that you receive from your No-Fault insurer will depend on your policy and the extent of your injuries.

Suing the Driver That Hit You

 

Injured rear-end accident victims may be able to recover further compensation by suing the driver that caused the accident. In order to do so, they need to be able to prove that the other party is responsible for their injuries.

Luckily, in rear-end accidents, liability is generally easy to prove. The rear driver is almost always at fault for not slowing down or stopping when the car in front of them did so. An NHTSA study found that around 87% of rear-end accidents are caused by distracted drivers paying inadequate attention to the road ahead of them. Speeding and tailgating can also lead to this type of crash.

To read more about suing another driver after a rear-end accident, check out this article.

Possible Damages

 

Medical bills are often top of mind for those injured in a rear-end crash. Injuries are often as expensive as they are painful and No-Fault benefits may not be enough to cover victims’ expenses. Suing the party that caused the accident may allow a victim to recover damages for their past and future medical bills.

Accident victims may also be able to receive compensation for their lost wages. While No-Fault insurance provides coverage of lost wages at 85% for up to 3 years, this may be insufficient. If the victim was a particularly high earner or the injuries will leave them unable to work for longer than 3 years, a lawsuit may be able to help them recover these economic losses.

Michigan mini tort provisions may also allow drivers with damaged cars to sue the at-fault party for up to $3,000 to help cover their vehicle repair costs.

Injured parties may also be able to sue for non-economic losses such as disfigurement or loss of enjoyment of life. Those who have suffered a “serious impairment of a bodily function” for their mental and physical anguish may also qualify for pain and suffering damages.

Factors That Can Affect Your Settlement

 

Rear-end crash settlements, like all car accident settlements, range in amounts quite widely. Some factors that may influence the size of your check include:

• The extent and nature of your injuries
• Your existing and future medical needs
• Whether you will require ongoing care
• Your prognosis
• Whether your injuries prevent you from working
• How long your injuries may prevent you from working
• How your injuries have impacted your ability to perform other normal and necessary activities
• The insurance companies involved
• The defense attorney and insurance adjuster
• Whether you have uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage
• Your lawyer and their reputation

Find Your Predicted Value

 

If you have suffered an injury from a rear-end accident, you may be wondering how much your case is worth. Because every case is so unique, average settlement amounts can be rather unhelpful for estimating how much you could win. Check out our settlement calculator to get a prediction tailored to your specific accident and injuries.

Injured in a Rear-End Accident? Call 855-MIKE-WINS

 

At the Mike Morse Law Firm, we work hard to make sure our clients get the compensation that they deserve so they can get their lives back on track. Rear-end accidents can come out of nowhere and upend a victim’s life for months or even years. Hospital bills, lost wages, and replacement services are costly and stressful. Victims should not have to suffer any more than they already have. Call 855-MIKE-WINS (855-645-3946) today or contact us through our website to set up a free consultation to discuss your case.