Every crash incident is unique, making it nearly impossible to estimate how much you can get after a rear-end collision without assessing your specific situation. The outcome of your claim will depend on the individual facts and circumstances.

The compensation you can obtain will depend on the value of your economic and non-economic losses. The value of your settlement will also depend on several factors, including the strength of your evidence and who was to blame.

If you’re looking to maximize the value of your claim, a trusted personal injury attorney in Kansas City, MO, can evaluate the evidence and seek the full compensation you deserve.

How Much Should I Settle For in a Rear-End Accident in Missouri?

There is no “average” value to expect in a rear-end personal injury claim, as each claim is different. However, the following factors can influence the settlement value of rear-end accidents:

Severity of the Injury

Victims of truck accidents who sustained severe injuries are more likely to obtain hefty settlement values than those with minor injuries. Examples of severe injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and back injuries.

Your settlement should cover all medical expenses associated with your treatment. Medical expenses may also cover future costs associated with ongoing care.

A healthcare professional can assess the injury and determine its severity and recovery timelines. Medical records, such as doctor’s notes or diagnostic tests, provide the information required to prove a severe injury.

Impact on Daily Life

Injuries associated with rear-end accidents can have an impact on the ability to lead a normal life. If the events leading to the accident were traumatic, the injured victim may also endure emotional trauma. As a result, they may become socially isolated, which may hinder their ability to maintain meaningful relationships.

If an injury causes permanent disability, the victim often deserves a greater settlement to cover the cost of alterations to their cars or homes, and the effects of the disability on their future.

Contribution of Fault

Your contribution to the accident impacts the settlement value after a rear-end accident. Missouri applies pure comparative negligence rules, which means the injured party is entitled to receive damages even when partially at fault for the accident.

However, their value of damages is reduced by their contribution to fault. Similarly, if there is clear evidence that the other party acted negligently or recklessly, you may be entitled to a higher settlement award.

Insurance Coverage

You’ll likely obtain a lower settlement value if involved in a crash with an uninsured or underinsured driver. Your insurer can cover accident-related losses if the at-fault party has insufficient coverage.

Alternatively, you can file a lawsuit to obtain a settlement from the at-fault party.

What Damages Will We Consider When Pursuing a Settlement?

You can obtain three types of damages in a rear-end accident: economic, non-economic, and punitive. Your accident’s unique aspects will determine the applicable damages in your personal injury claim.

Here’s a list of possible damages in your claim:

Medical Expenses

You’ll incur medical expenses associated with the treatment plan for your injury. Most importantly, the at-fault party should cover medical expenses.

Here’s a list of healthcare expenses that might be covered:

• Medical bills
• Hospitalization charges
• Emergency room charges
• Medication
• Diagnostic tests
• Surgical charges

Lost Wages

Your productivity will decrease if you are injured in a truck accident caused by someone else’s fault. You may have to take sick leave, miss work, or quit your job, leading to the discontinuation of your wages.

You deserve compensation for financial losses you incur due to missed work or having to work at a reduced capacity.

Pain and Suffering

Different injuries, including burns and bone fractures, trigger devastating pain. You may endure severe pain for weeks, months, years, or the rest of your life after the accident. You can pursue compensation for the discomfort and physical pain you feel as a result of accident-related injuries.

Loss of Enjoyment of Life

If the injury prevents you from enjoying life as much, it is a significant loss that deserves compensation. For example, if you used to love ice skating but a broken ankle prevents you from continuing with the passion.

You, therefore, deserve compensation for the loss of your hobby.

Will Insurance Cover Losses from Your Rear-End Accident?

In most rear-end accidents, the driver that causes the impact from behind covers the accident-related losses. Your insurer will pay for the losses depending on the extent of your contribution to fault.

Your insurer may also compensate for the losses if the at-fault party has no insurance or has inadequate coverage. You should maintain uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist protection to cover such situations.

Should You Get Legal Help for a Rear-end Accident?

Hiring an attorney helps you navigate the complex laws associated with rear-end accidents. If you’re unaware of the following steps after an accident, an attorney can hold your hand in your quest for compensation.

Most importantly, a truck accident attorney will work to maximize the value of your rear-end settlement.

What Our Lawyers Can Do After Your Rear-End Accident

Here’s how an attorney can help your claim:

Assess Your Damages

The ability to recover from an accident depends on the settlement value you obtain from a personal injury claim. An attorney has knowledge and experience working with similar cases, which makes it easy to estimate the value of your losses.

Negotiate With the Insurer

An insurer may make a settlement offer immediately after receiving your personal injury claim. Your attorney will evaluate the merits of all settlement offers and negotiate for a better deal.

Learn More from Our Missouri Truck Accident Lawyers

You likely have many concerns and disruptions after sustaining an injury in a truck accident caused by someone else’s negligence. Some people never fully recover or go back to their lives as they were before the injury. You deserve justice, and you should seek help from an attorney who will fight for a fair settlement value of your losses.

Devkota Law Firm has highly-rated truck accident attorneys with the resources to stand up for your rights. Contact us online or at (816) 207 4255 for a free consultation.