If you were in a car accident, you may wonder how much money you can get in a car accident settlement. The amount you can receive depends on many factors, so you need a thorough review of your case to determine how much you could get.
Did you sustain injuries, or only property damage? How severe are your injuries, and did you miss work because of them? Did the other driver have auto insurance? Did the accident involve a commercial vehicle or result from a component malfunction? Do you share any responsibility for the crash?
These are a few factors that can affect a car accident settlement, but others could apply as well. To get a better idea of the compensation you may receive from a settlement, you need an attorney to assess your claim and offer advice specific to your situation.
However, even an attorney probably can’t give you an exact figure. A lawyer cannot rely on a standardized settlement schedule to determine how much you could receive, and settlement amounts can vary widely from one case to the next.
Nevertheless, an attorney can offer an objective and realistic opinion based on their experience with similar cases, with the understanding that your settlement could vary from the initial assessment. You should understand factors that can affect your car accident settlement and what you can do to increase your chances of getting the maximum compensation possible.
Key Takeaways
- Car accident settlements vary widely—there’s no standard amount, and an attorney must review your case to estimate value.
- Insurance limits, especially in Midwest states with low minimum coverage, strongly affect how much you can recover.
- Severe injuries and long-term medical needs typically lead to higher settlements.
- Don’t settle early—some injuries appear later or worsen over time.
- Lost wages, reduced earning ability, and time off for treatment increase your compensation.
- Liability matters: commercial drivers, defective parts, or intoxicated drivers can raise available compensation.
- Midwest comparative fault laws reduce your settlement if you’re partly at fault (over 50% bars recovery).
- An experienced attorney can maximize compensation and handle insurance tactics.
Factors That Influence a Car Accident Settlement
Some common factors that influence car accident settlements include:
Auto Insurance Coverage Limits
Auto insurance covers virtually all car accidents, and policies typically cover property damage as well as the costs of medical treatment for injuries people sustain because of the accident. In most cases, accident victims file injury claims with the help of an attorney, but all policies have limits that will affect how much money the insurance company will pay.
Most states require drivers to carry liability insurance on their vehicles, but the minimum limits are usually too low to cover the costs of severe or even moderate injuries.
For instance, Wisconsin requires drivers to have $10,000 in property damage coverage, $25,000 in coverage for injury or death to one person, and $50,000 for more than one.
Also, some states, like Minnesota and North Dakota, require no-fault insurance. No-fault states typically require drivers to maintain Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance to cover their own injuries regardeless of fault. Minnesota’s minimum requirement is $40,000 per person, per accident, and North Dakota’s is $30,000.
Minnesota’s minimum liability insurance requirements are $10,000 for property damage and $30,000 for injuries to one person or $60,000 for more than one. North Dakota’s minimum liability limits are $25,000 for property damage and $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident for bodily injury.
All three states require drivers to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage with at least $25,000 for injuries to one person/$50,000 for injuries to more than one.
If your property damage and injury costs exceed these limits, you will need to work with an attorney who can advise you on your options for getting the additional compensation you need and take the proper course of action.
The Severity of Your Injuries
The extent of your injuries will have a major impact on how much compensation you could receive in a settlement. Victims who suffer severe, debilitating injuries typically receive larger settlements than those who sustain minor or moderate injuries.
Some injuries that often lead to higher settlements include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Severe nerve damage
- Chronic pain
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Amputation or dismemberment
- Death
Regardless of the severity of your injuries, your attorney should address and negotiate all the adverse effects and costs associated with your injury, such as:
- How long you were in the hospital
- The length of your recovery time
- Any physical or cognitive impairments that resulted from your injury
- The amount of rehabilitation or therapy you will need
An important note: Do not rush to accept a settlement until you and your attorney fully assess and document the full extent of your injuries. Some injuries may not manifest right away or may worsen with time. Once you accept a settlement, you cannot pursue additional compensation, so you want to account for all you will need both now and in the future.
How Long You Were Out of Work
If your injuries prevented you from working, your attorney needs to address that as well and include the damages with your claim. This includes not only the time you missed immediately following the accident, but the time you spent going to doctor appointments and treatment or therapy. Your attorney also needs to account for the ongoing medical care you will require and how much time you will miss from work to receive treatment.
If your injuries result in a permanent disability and you cannot return to work at all or only in a limited capacity, your attorney needs to address this as well and seek damages for lost earning potential.
Who Caused the Accident
Liability is a major factor in determining how much you could receive in a car accident settlement. The party with primary responsibility for causing the crash will bear the most liability for injuries and damages. Since minimum auto insurance liability policies vary by state, the amount you could recover will vary depending on the state the other driver was from.
Additionally, the policy of a commercial driver, such as a truck driver or delivery driver, could have far higher policy limits. The same holds true for Uber and Lyft drivers. Additionally, their employer’s auto policy may come into play.
If an intoxicated driver caused the crash, some states allow you to seek compensation from the bar, restaurant, or host that served them alcohol. If a defective component, such as a blown tire or faulty brakes, failed and contributed to the crash, you could hold the product’s manufacturer liable, in addition to those who installed the components or maintained the vehicle.
In some cases, product liability and third-party claims can lead to substantial settlements.
Comparative Fault
Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota all follow modified comparative negligence rules. This means you can recover damages if you contributed no more than 50 percent of the fault for the accident, but your damages will decrease by your percentage of fault. If the court finds you bear 51 percent or more of the fault, you cannot recover damages.
Work with an attorney during the injury claim and settlement process. Insurance companies are businesses and do not like paying on claims since it hurts their profits. Therefore, they often use defense tactics to unduly blame victims to deny claims or reduce the amount they have to pay. A lawyer will know how to combat these tactics and hold the other driver primarily responsible for the crash so you can get the money you deserve.
Other factors can influence your car accident settlement as well, such as the laws of your state and whether the state caps damages.
Having an Attorney is Vital to Get the Best Settlement Possible
A skilled and knowledgeable attorney can greatly improve your chances of getting a better car accident settlement. A lawyer will understand all applicable laws along with the tactics the insurance company may use to deny liability. An attorney can negotiate to get the maximum settlement possible, and they can pursue other avenues for obtaining compensation, such as filing a personal injury lawsuit in court and representing you at trial, if necessary.
Car Accident Settlement FAQs
What is the average car accident settlement in the Midwest?
There is no single “average,” but many Midwest settlements range from $15,000 to $40,000 for minor injuries, while cases involving surgery, long-term impairment, or permanent disability often exceed six figures. States like Illinois and Missouri tend to see higher settlement values due to their fault-based insurance systems, while Michigan’s no-fault PIP rules can significantly increase medical payouts but limit certain lawsuits unless a “serious impairment” threshold is met.
How does the insurance system in my Midwest state affect my settlement?
Insurance rules vary widely across the Midwest:
- Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Ohio, Kentucky, Iowa: Fault-based (“tort”) states where the at-fault driver’s insurer pays medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
- Michigan: A no-fault state with generous Personal Injury Protection (PIP), but pain-and-suffering claims require meeting an injury threshold.
- Minnesota: A hybrid no-fault system; you can file a liability claim once medical bills or disability meet certain thresholds.
Your settlement potential depends heavily on which system applies.
Will weather conditions affect my settlement value?
Yes. Midwest winters bring snow, black ice, and low visibility, which often lead insurers to dispute fault. Even if hazardous weather contributed to the crash, another driver can still be held responsible for speeding, following too closely, or failing to maintain control. Clear documentation—police reports, crash scene photos, and witness statements—is essential to avoid unfair blame reductions.
How does the severity of my injuries influence my payout?
More serious injuries generally mean higher settlements. Common Midwest crash-related injuries that raise claim value include:
- Broken bones from high-speed rural highway collisions
- Back and neck injuries from winter-weather rear-end crashes
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) from interstate trucking impacts
- Long-term injuries requiring surgery or physical therapy
Medical costs, future treatment, and permanent limitations all factor into the final amount.
Can I recover lost wages if I miss work?
Yes. All Midwest states allow wage-loss recovery. Your settlement may include:
- Missed work days
- Lost future income if your ability to work is reduced
- Loss of earning capacity, especially common in labor-intensive Midwest jobs (e.g., manufacturing, trucking, agriculture)
Proof such as pay stubs or employer statements strengthens your claim.
Does comparative negligence affect my settlement?
Most Midwest states use comparative negligence, meaning your compensation can decrease if you are partly at fault.
- Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Iowa: Modified comparative fault—if you're more than 50% at fault, you recover nothing.
- Missouri: Pure comparative fault—you can recover even if you're 99% at fault.
Your final settlement is reduced by your percentage of fault.
How long do Midwest car accident settlements usually take?
Most Midwest settlements resolve in 3–9 months, but cases involving serious injuries, disputes over fault, or multiple insurers (common in truck-heavy regions) can take a year or longer. Severe-injury cases often take longer because treatment must stabilize before valuing long-term damages.
Are truck accidents worth more in Midwest states?
Often, yes. The Midwest has heavy commercial trucking traffic along interstates like I-55, I-70, I-80, and I-94. Trucking companies carry larger insurance policies—sometimes $1 million or more—meaning settlements for severe injuries can be significantly higher compared to passenger-vehicle accidents.
What evidence helps increase my settlement in the Midwest?
Useful evidence includes:
- Police reports from state or local departments
- Photos of snowy or icy road conditions
- Medical records from regional healthcare systems (e.g., OSF, IU Health, Mercy, SSM, Cleveland Clinic)
- Witness statements
- Dashcam or traffic camera footage
- Repair estimates and vehicle black-box data
Strong documentation is especially important in winter-weather collisions.
Should I hire a lawyer for a Midwest car accident claim?
Yes—especially for injury cases. Insurance companies throughout the Midwest often push quick, low-value offers. A lawyer can:
- Calculate the full value of your damages
- Fight comparative fault arguments
- Handle communication with insurers
- Maximize compensation, especially in severe injury or commercial vehicle cases
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Attorney Today
Look for a personal injury attorney with decades of experience negotiating substantial settlements with insurance companies for clients and who has recovered millions of dollars for car accident victims and their families. In addition, you need a lawyer who will fight for you in court if necessary. Contact a car accident lawyer today for your free consultation.