"Understanding Car Accident Settlement Payouts: What to Expect"
When someone suffers a serious bodily injury due to the negligence of another person or company, our civil justice system allows the victim to seek financial compensation for their losses. This financial restitution is often referred to as “compensatory damages” or simply “money damages.” These damages typically cover the victim’s medical expenses, lost income, and compensation for the pain and suffering endured as a result of the incident. In more severe cases, juries may award punitive damages to provide additional compensation and signal that the defendant's actions were unacceptable and will be penalized financially.
Filing a personal injury claim does not guarantee that the victim will receive compensatory damages from the negligent party. In reality, most accident victims do not receive large settlements that allow them to retire early. According to research by Martindale-Nolo, the average personal injury settlement hovers around $53,000.
If a personal injury claim cannot be settled through negotiation, it may go to trial. However, the majority of personal injury claims—about 95-96%—are settled out of court. Those that do proceed to trial often yield significant outcomes, which can vary widely.
Here is an overview of some of the largest personal injury settlements in American history:
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$150 Billion Awarded to a Burn Victim: An eight-year-old boy in Texas suffered horrific burns after being sexually assaulted and set on fire. He later died from skin cancer linked to his injuries. A Texas jury awarded his family $150 billion in a largely symbolic verdict, as the assailant would never be able to pay this amount.
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$145 Billion in a Tobacco Case: A Florida jury awarded $144.8 billion to a class of consumers affected by smoking, finding that cigarette manufacturers committed conspiracy and fraud. This massive award was primarily punitive to deter future misconduct.
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$28 Billion Awarded to a Smoker: In another tobacco case, a Los Angeles jury awarded $28 billion to Betsy Bullock, a lifelong smoker diagnosed with lung cancer after suing R.J. Reynolds.
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$4.9 Billion in an Auto Defect Case: A jury awarded $4.9 billion to a family after their GM van exploded in an accident, resulting in disfiguring injuries for six passengers.
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$4.69 Billion for Talc Ovarian Cancer: A Missouri jury awarded $4.69 billion to 22 women who developed ovarian cancer due to long-term use of Johnson & Johnson’s talc-based products.
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$2.2 Billion in a Diluted Cancer Drug Case: After a pharmacist diluted chemotherapy drugs for profit, a jury awarded a cancer patient $2.2 billion in damages.
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$60 Million to a Gas Station Manager: Following a train derailment that caused a traumatic brain injury, Donald French was awarded $60 million in damages.
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$32.5 Million for Defective Seatbelt Injury: Mark Force suffered a traumatic brain injury due to a defective seatbelt in a car accident, leading to a $32.5 million award.
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$27.5 Million to a Bus Accident Victim: Gloria Aguilar was awarded $27.5 million after losing a leg due to a city transit bus accident.
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$22 Million for a Crosswalk Accident Victim: Shirley Miller received $22 million after suffering permanent brain damage from being hit by a pharmacy truck while crossing the street.
Conclusion
While these jury verdicts are not typical, they showcase the potential outcomes of personal injury lawsuits. Each case is unique, and there is no guarantee of receiving a substantial damages award through a jury trial, as outcomes can be unpredictable.
If you or a loved one has sustained a serious injury, it is essential to consult with a personal injury lawyer. Most attorneys specializing in personal injury law offer free, confidential consultations.
Additionally, if you're in need of financial support while waiting for your settlement, consider PrimeCare Network's pre-settlement cash advance options. Call us at 888-474-8473 or Apply Now.
PrimeCare Network provides pre-settlement funding, also known as consumer litigation funding, to its customers through various products depending on their state of residence or cause of action. Many consumers will receive pre-settlement funding in the form of a purchase agreement, which assigns a portion of the pending proceeds from their legal claim. Others, such as those in South Carolina and Colorado, may receive funding in the form of a pre-settlement loan, sometimes referred to as a lawsuit loan. These transactions have significant differences, so consumers should carefully review and understand the type of transaction offered by any funding company.
