2024-2025 Data

Car Accident Settlement Statistics

Real settlement data by state, injury type, and accident type. Understand what your case may be worth based on actual settlement outcomes across the United States.

National Average Settlement: $30,416
$30,416
National Average
$287,000
New York Average
9.7x
NY vs National
50
States Covered

Why Location Matters

The same injury can result in dramatically different settlements depending on where the accident occurred. A car accident settlement in New York averages $287,000, while the national average is only $29,524 — a difference of nearly 10x.

Important

Settlement calculators that ignore location can undervalue your case by 2x, 5x, or even 10x. SetCalc is the only calculator that factors in your specific location for accurate estimates.

Average Settlements by State

Settlement values vary dramatically based on state laws, jury tendencies, and insurance regulations. Here are the top 15 states by average car accident settlement value.

RankStateAverage Settlementvs National Avg
1New York$287,000+872%
2California$185,000+527%
3Illinois$145,000+391%
4New Jersey$125,000+323%
5Texas$95,000+222%
6Florida$77,000+161%
7Pennsylvania$72,000+144%
8Michigan$65,000+120%
9Georgia$58,000+96%
10Ohio$52,000+76%
11Arizona$48,000+63%
12North Carolina$45,000+52%
13Virginia$42,000+42%
14Massachusetts$68,000+130%
15Washington$55,000+86%
National Average$29,524Baseline

Source: SetCalc analysis of settlement data, court records, and legal databases (2024-2025). Actual settlements vary based on case specifics.

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Settlements by Injury Type

Injury severity is the single biggest factor affecting settlement value. Here's what different injuries typically settle for.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

🧠
$850,000average

Typical range: $100,000 - $10M+

Spinal Cord Injury

🦴
$1,200,000average

Typical range: $500,000 - $20M+

Broken Bones/Fractures

🩹
$125,000average

Typical range: $50,000 - $500,000

Herniated Disc

💫
$75,000average

Typical range: $30,000 - $200,000

Whiplash

🔄
$18,950average

Typical range: $7,500 - $50,000

Soft Tissue Injuries

💪
$15,000average

Typical range: $5,000 - $50,000

Concussion

😵
$35,000average

Typical range: $15,000 - $100,000

Internal Injuries

🫀
$250,000average

Typical range: $75,000 - $1M+

Settlement amounts based on severity, treatment required, and long-term impact. Individual cases may vary significantly.

Settlements by Accident Type

The type of accident affects settlement values due to injury severity patterns, insurance policy limits, and liability factors.

Semi-Truck/18-Wheeler

$103,654average

Range: $100,000 - $500,000+

Car Accident (General)

$30,416average

Range: $10,000 - $100,000

Motorcycle Accident

$85,000average

Range: $40,000 - $300,000

Uber/Lyft Accident

$75,000average

Range: $15,000 - $1,000,000+

Pedestrian Accident

$95,000average

Range: $50,000 - $500,000

Bus Accident

$80,000average

Range: $30,000 - $400,000

Key Takeaways

1

Location is Critical

The same accident in New York vs. a rural state can mean a 10x difference in settlement value. Always factor in your location.

2

Injury Severity Drives Value

TBI and spinal injuries average $850K-$1.2M, while whiplash averages $19K. Document all injuries thoroughly.

3

Commercial Vehicles = Higher Settlements

Truck and rideshare accidents often result in higher settlements due to commercial insurance policies and corporate liability.

4

Don't Accept First Offers

Insurance companies' first offers are typically 20-40% below fair value. Understanding your case value helps you negotiate effectively.

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These statistics are averages. Your case is unique. Get a personalized settlement estimate based on your specific injuries, location, and circumstances — free and in minutes.

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Data Methodology

Settlement statistics compiled by SetCalc from analysis of court records, legal databases, insurance industry reports, and verified settlement outcomes. Data represents 2024-2025 averages and is updated regularly. Individual settlement values vary significantly based on specific case factors including liability, injury documentation, treatment costs, and attorney representation.

*Settlement values are estimates and should not be considered guarantees. Consult with a personal injury attorney for legal advice about your specific situation.

DISCLAIMER: SetCalc is for informational purposes only. We do not provide legal advice or legal representation. We recommend consulting an attorney regarding your case.

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