Every month at McMullin Injury Law, we help people throughout Southern Utah navigate the aftermath of car accidents and injury claims. One of the most common questions we hear is, “How much is my case worth?”

The truth is that every case is different. Factors such as the severity of the injuries, the amount of medical treatment required, available insurance coverage, and how the accident occurred all play a role in determining the value of a claim.

To help illustrate that point, attorney Andrew Spainhower recently shared the largest and smallest settlements our firm resolved during May 2026. While the outcomes were very different, both cases demonstrate the importance of understanding your rights after an accident.

Largest Settlement of May 2026: $425,000 After a Serious Riverside Drive Crash

The largest settlement our firm resolved in May involved a 60-year-old man who was seriously injured in a crash at one of St. George’s busiest intersections: Riverside Drive and River Road.

According to the facts of the case, the man was traveling eastbound on Riverside Drive and had stopped at a red light. When the light turned green, he proceeded through the intersection as expected.

Unfortunately, a commercial truck traveling southbound on River Road failed to stop for its red light and slammed directly into the driver’s side of the victim’s vehicle.

Severe Injuries Required Surgery

The collision caused significant injuries to the victim’s ankle. In addition to a broken ankle, he suffered extensive damage to the surrounding ligaments and tendons.

His injuries were serious enough to require surgery, extensive medical treatment, and a lengthy recovery process. By the time treatment was completed, his medical expenses totaled approximately $70,000.

Because of the severity of the injuries and the circumstances surrounding the crash, the claim ultimately resolved for $425,000 through the commercial trucking company’s insurance carrier.

This case serves as a reminder that serious intersection crashes can have life-changing consequences, especially when large commercial vehicles are involved.

Smallest Settlement of May 2026: $5,000 Following a Rear-End Collision

At the opposite end of the spectrum was the smallest injury settlement resolved by our firm during May.

This case involved a 33-year-old woman who was stopped in traffic on Brigham Road near the Little Caesars and Port-of-Subs intersection when another driver rear-ended her vehicle.

Unlike the Riverside Drive crash, this collision resulted in relatively minor injuries.

Minor Injuries Can Still Result in a Valid Claim

The woman experienced pain following the accident and sought treatment from a chiropractic clinic. Fortunately, her injuries improved relatively quickly, and her medical expenses remained modest.

Because her injuries were not severe and her recovery was relatively straightforward, the injury portion of her claim resolved for $5,000.

Some people are surprised to learn that smaller cases still deserve attention and assistance. Even when injuries are minor, injured drivers often have questions about insurance, medical bills, vehicle repairs, and what steps they should take next.

What Factors Determine the Value of a Personal Injury Claim?

One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is that the value of a case is determined solely by how the accident happened. In reality, insurance companies look at a variety of factors when evaluating a claim.

Some of the most important factors include the severity of the injuries, the amount of medical treatment required, medical expenses, lost income, future medical needs, and how the injuries impact a person’s daily life. Insurance companies also evaluate who was at fault, whether liability is disputed, and how much insurance coverage is available.

That’s why two crashes that may seem similar on the surface can result in very different settlement amounts. A person who requires surgery and months of recovery will generally have a very different claim than someone who experiences temporary soreness and recovers after a few chiropractic visits.

Every case is unique, which is why it’s important to have someone evaluate the specific facts of your situation rather than relying on what happened in another person’s case.

Sometimes the Biggest Fight Is Over Vehicle Damage

While the injury claim in this case was relatively small, the property damage portion of the claim became a significant issue.

The client owned a well-maintained 1997 Honda Civic that included numerous upgrades. Like many older enthusiast vehicles, its true value wasn’t accurately reflected by the insurance company’s initial offer.

After reviewing the circumstances, our team worked with the insurance company to demonstrate the vehicle’s actual value.

As a result, we were able to increase the property damage settlement by an additional $3,000 beyond the insurance company’s original offer.

We Help Clients With Property Damage Issues Too

One thing many people don’t realize is that personal injury attorneys generally do not earn fees on property damage claims.

At McMullin Injury Law, we routinely assist clients with property damage issues simply because we know how stressful the process can be after a crash. Helping clients navigate vehicle valuations, repair disputes, and insurance negotiations can remove a significant burden while they focus on recovering from their injuries.

What These Two Cases Teach About Personal Injury Claims

These two settlements highlight an important reality about personal injury law: no two cases are alike.

One case involved a devastating commercial truck collision that caused serious injuries, surgery, and substantial medical expenses. The other involved a relatively minor rear-end accident where the primary challenge became obtaining fair compensation for a unique vehicle.

Yet both clients benefited from having someone advocate for them during the claims process.

Insurance companies evaluate claims based on facts, documentation, medical records, liability, and available coverage—not simply on the type of accident that occurred. Understanding those factors can make a significant difference when it comes time to resolve a claim.

Call McMullin Injury Law

If you’ve been injured in a car accident in St. George, Cedar City, Hurricane, Santa Clara, Washington, Ivins, or elsewhere in Southern Utah, it’s important to understand your rights and options as early as possible. Whether your injuries are severe or relatively minor, having the right information can help you make informed decisions and focus on what matters most—your recovery.