If you’ve been hurt in a car accident in Utah, you’re probably wondering: “What’s my case worth?” and “What’s the average settlement for a car crash in Utah?
After dealing with insurance adjusters who take forever to get back to you and don’t offer enough money to really solve your problems—like getting your car fixed, covering the medical care you need, or paying out a fair settlement for the impact the crash had on your life—you deserve to know what you can expect.
As the top rated and most experienced personal injury firm in Southern Utah, our team at McMullin Injury Law has recovered over 100 million dollars for people just like you right here in St. George over the last decade. With over a century of combined experience, we’ve guided thousands of Southern Utah residents through their insurance claims after an accident, and we want to help you understand what factors affect settlement amounts in Utah.
Understanding Car Accident Settlement Ranges in Utah
The truth is, every case is very different. Settlement amounts can vary dramatically based on several key factors, but here’s what we typically see:
Minor Injury Cases: $3,000 – $25,000
- Soft tissue injuries (whiplash, minor sprains)
- Limited medical treatment
- Minimal time off work
- Full recovery within a few months
Moderate Injury Cases: $25,000 – $100,000
- Broken bones, herniated discs
- Surgery or extensive physical therapy
- Several weeks to months off work
- Some permanent limitations
Severe Injury Cases: $100,000 – $1,000,000+
- Traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries
- Multiple surgeries and long-term care
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Significant impact on quality of life
What Factors Affect Average Settlement for a Car Crash in Utah?
Here are 6 key factors that determine your insurance settlement.
- Medical Expenses
This includes all your medical bills—emergency room visits, doctor appointments, physical therapy, prescription medications, and any future medical care you’ll need. In Utah, you’re entitled to compensation for both past and future medical expenses.
- Lost Wages and Earning Capacity
If your injuries caused you to miss work or affected your ability to earn income in the future, you can recover compensation for these losses.
- Pain and Suffering
Utah law allows you to recover damages for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by your injuries. This is often the largest component of a settlement.
- Property Damage
The cost to repair or replace your vehicle and any personal property damaged in the crash.
- Severity and Permanence of Injuries
More serious injuries that result in permanent disability or disfigurement typically result in higher settlements.
- Insurance Policy Limits
Unfortunately, your settlement may be limited by the at-fault driver’s insurance coverage limits.
Important Insurance Payout Information
Why Insurance Companies Often Don’t Offer Fair Settlements
Here’s what we see every day in St. George and Cedar City: insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. They’ll often make lowball offers that don’t truly cover everything you need, including:
- Getting your car properly fixed or replaced
- All the medical care you need
- Fair compensation for the impact the crash had on your life
Utah’s No-Fault Insurance Laws
Utah is a “no-fault” state, which means your own insurance company pays for your medical expenses and lost wages up to your policy limits, regardless of who caused the accident. However, if your injuries meet certain thresholds, you can still pursue a claim against the at-fault driver for additional compensation.
Don’t Accept the First Offer
Insurance companies often make quick, low settlement offers hoping you’ll accept before you understand the full extent of your injuries and damages. Don’t do it. Many injuries, especially soft tissue injuries and traumatic brain injuries, don’t show their full impact immediately, but can be quite serious over time. A personal injury lawyer can work with insurance to ensure you receive a fair payout.
Why McMullin Injury Law
That’s where we come in. Personal injury law is all that we do, all day, every day. We deal with the stress, medical bills, and paperwork so that you can focus on your health and getting life back to normal.
How McMullin Injury Law Maximizes Your Settlement
Our dedicated team of 8 attorneys and 25 staff members proudly call St. George, Utah, home. Most of our attorneys grew up right here in Southern Utah, and we take great pride in helping each client navigate their way through the unique aftermath of their injuries.
Here’s how we fight for you:
- We thoroughly investigate your case to build the strongest possible claim
- We work with medical experts to document the full extent of your injuries
- We calculate all your damages, including future medical expenses and lost earning capacity
- We negotiate aggressively with insurance companies
- We’re prepared to take your case to trial if necessary
Remember: We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay us unless we win your case. We’re happy to take the time to meet with you, free of charge, to walk you through all your options so that you can make an informed decision about what’s best for you and your family.
Call Us Today for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been hurt in a car accident anywhere in Southern Utah, don’t wait. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can start fighting for the fair settlement you deserve.
