It would be easier to say that the average settlement for a car accident in Missouri is a certain amount. But, on the contrary, there is no such amount. A settlement for a car accident in Missouri is only determined after a number of factors have been evaluated.
Since accidents often result in different degrees of bodily and psychological harm, it is only logical for compensation to vary. Missouri law, like that of other cities in the United States, allows car accident victims to be compensated after the severity of injury, damages, subsequent injuries, and even lost wages due to missed work have been calculated.
Simply put, a car accident settlement can only be paid once the pain and suffering of the car crash victim is calculated.
How is pain and suffering calculated in Missouri?
It may sound inhumane, but the reality is you only receive vehicle accident compensation as much as your pain and suffering. Now, since we all suffer pain differently, you might be forced to ask the question—how much pain and suffering is more and how much is less?
The truth is, there is no answer to that because pain and suffering are abstract concepts that cannot be measured. Hence, nobody’s pain should be trivialized, whether it is physical pain, mental distress, or emotional anguish.
But to bring regularity to the analysis, pain and suffering may be uniformly classified as these:
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Low self-esteem
- Life constraints
- Psychological distress
- Emotional anguish (depression, anxiety, loss of sleep, etc.)
- Physical discomfort
If you have experienced any of these forms of pain and suffering, the at-fault motorist is expected to compensate you for the pain and suffering you have endured as a result of the accident, as well as what you are likely to experience in the future.
So, if the pain and suffering incurred as a result of the accident is permanent or life-threatening, it would obviously attract a larger settlement than the pain associated with minor injuries that will fade after a while.
Methods for Calculating Pain and Suffering Damages in Missouri
There are three accredited methods for calculating the average settlement for a car accident in Missouri.
1. The Use of a pain and suffering calculator
This method is typically used by insurance companies to determine whether they are payable settlements on behalf of their clients. A Pain and Suffering Calculator is a computer program that can help to ascertain a reasonable settlement amount for injury claims.
Using the formula:
Injury settlement = pain and suffering multiplied by medical expenses + loss of income.
Insurance firms are able to take into consideration the nature and severity of your physical injuries, as well as the type of treatment you require, so they can disburse an appropriate amount to settle the claim.
2. The Multiplier approach
In the multiplier approach, the total worth of your economic damages (medical costs and missed pay) is multiplied by a variable, usually between one and five, which is influenced by the severity of your injuries. Once the figures are multiplied with the variable determined, the answer becomes your compensation.
So, for instance, if you incurred $10,000 in medical expenses and $5,000 in lost wages and the insurance adjuster or jury used a three-fold multiplier, the value of your pain and suffering damages would be $45,000.
3. The Per Diem Method
In this method, your pain and suffering are given a specific monetary value on a daily basis, and the value is then increased by the number of days until you reach maximum recovery. But before putting a monetary value on your agony and suffering, here is what a jury may consider:
- Will your daily routine will be restricted or changed?
- Will the injury have an impact on your personal or professional relationships?
- Will your sleeping habits or other daily activities change?
- Will you have a long-term disability?
But that is not all. The jury will also consider if you shared a fault in the collision. If you do, you will only receive a fraction of the total compensation since you are partially to blame.
Average Missouri Car Accident Settlement in the Absence of Injuries
The average Missouri car accident settlement when there are no injuries or medical expenses ranges from$3,000 to $15,000.
Since it was no serious accident, the calculation of the settlement amount would typically involve the amount of damage sustained and the type of vehicle involved. The compensation would be for repairs and replacement parts that were destroyed during the crash.
Average Missouri Car Accident Settlement for Injuries
The average settlement for a car accident in Missouri may total up to $1 million, unlike motorcycle accidents, especially if the crash caused a serious injury or caused a death. This is often because the pain, suffering, and degree of the injury are taken into consideration.
These factors put together are actually what makes the car accident settlement for injuries more than the settlement for auto crashes where the only damage is to the cars. Settlements are often higher when injuries are involved.