Those who have been injured because of someone else's negligence may be entitled to compensation. However, it's important for victims to understand their rights and what they can expect from a personal injury claim.
The average amount secured in personal injury settlements in Iowa is $36,513, with settlement amounts ranging from $6,100 to $215,000. However, there are a number of factors that influence the amount victims can expect to receive.
This article will take a closer look at the average settlements for different types of injuries and accidents and provide more insight into the factors that influence the value of an injury claim. Tom Fowler Law can also answer questions like What is a personal injury claim in Iowa?
What Is the Average Personal Injury Settlement in Iowa?
Understanding the average settlement amounts for each type of case and the severity of injuries sustained can help victims understand what to expect when filing a legal claim. Here is an overview of the average settlement amounts for various types of personal injury cases:
Average Settlement Amounts for a Car Accident Claim
Car accidents are among the leading causes of personal injuries in Iowa. Here's an overview of the average settlement amounts a victim can expect for different cases:
Severity of Injuries
Victims in Iowa receive an average settlement amount of $215,000 for serious injuries, while moderate injuries are awarded an average amount of $36,500. Minor injuries receive an average of $6,100 in settlements.
Type of Accident
The average car accident settlement for a rear-end crash in Iowa is $440,000, and victims receive $1,700 to $1,560,000 for side-impact collisions. Head-on collisions typically fetch the most, as injuries are often serious, with an average payout of $6,400 to $400,000.
Medical Malpractice Cases
Iowa is notorious for its medical malpractice cases, which often fetch claimants millions of dollars. However, a new bill has been introduced that limits non-economic damages to $2 million dollars for cases involving hospitals and $1 million for those filed against clinics.
Dog Bites
According to Forbes, dog bites in Iowa resulted in an average settlement amount of $64,555 in 2022 alone. However, it's important for claimants to remember that personal injury cases can fetch a higher or lower amount depending on several variables.
What Factors Affect the Amount That a Person May Claim?
The amount that a person may receive can vary greatly, depending on several factors, including the following:
The Severity of the Victim's Injuries
The type and severity of the injuries sustained will play a significant role in determining the settlement amount a claimant receives. Damages in a personal injury case are calculated by adding together the economic damages, which include medical expenses, lost wages, and more, so the more serious the injuries sustained, the higher the settlement amount the victim may be eligible for.
Severe injuries often require costly procedures, extensive medical testing, and even ongoing healthcare, which can really hike medical bills.
Lost Income
Injuries can also affect an individual's ability to earn a living. When this happens, it can place the person and his or her family under considerable financial strain. Fortunately, by pursuing damages, he or she can recover the income that the sufferer would have otherwise earned.
The higher the number of days taken off work to recover, the higher the settlement amount. In cases where a person's injuries are so severe that they lose their earning capacity, they can claim the income they would have received, which results in higher overall compensatory damages.
The Type of Property Damage
Property damages also form an important part of any injury claim, so the greater the value of the item that was damaged or the more extensive the damage, the higher the settlement amount they may claim.
Car accident victims whose Ferrari is damaged in a crash caused by a drunk driver, for example, will be eligible to receive a higher settlement than someone whose Toyota was wrecked.
Liability
When pursuing a car accident settlement, it's important to remember that the state of Iowa uses the modified comparative negligence system, which means that each party is responsible for his or her part in the accident. If a victim is deemed to be 20 percent responsible for a car crash, for example, he may only claim 80 percent of his damages.
The Ability to Produce Evidence Such As Medical Bills
Providing evidence is crucial in any legal claim, and if a claimant wants to obtain insurance coverage from the other driver's insurance company, it's important that they have enough evidence to back up their claim. This can include medical bills, proof of lost income, photographs, surveillance footage, and more.
The Kind of Legal Representation the Accident Victim Has
Whether pursuing damages from the other driver's insurance company or in court, it's important for claimants to have a strong legal team on their side. This can make a world of difference in determining the amount that they are able to secure.
Obtaining a fair car accident settlement requires expert knowledge, the ability to back up the claim well, and excellent negotiation skills. This is why claimants must ensure that they are working with an Iowa injury lawyer in Des Moines with many years of experience.
Pursuing Damages in a Personal Injury Case
Personal injuries can be life-changing. In some cases, the injuries sustained can lead to high medical bills, and for families where the injured person has dependents, it can place the entire family under financial strain.
However, by pursuing legal action with the help of an experienced personal injury attorney, victims can take their lives back and find the financial relief they need while on the road to recovery.
To ensure that they receive the maximum compensation, working with a personal injury lawyer who is well-versed in personal injury law is imperative.
Tom Fowler Law is a reputable, family-based law firm that understands the challenges that families face when their loved one is injured. The team will go to great lengths to ensure that victims receive the settlements they are rightly due.
From handling settlement negotiations to investigating the case to uncover vital evidence, Tom Fowler Law will stop at nothing to ensure that victims stand a good chance at recovering their damages.
To learn more about their cases, victims can contact the firm to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.