What Is the Average Settlement for a Head-On Collision?

If you’ve recently suffered severe injuries in a road accident, you may be wondering, What is the average settlement for a head-on collision?

Head-on collisions are among the most dangerous types of car accidents; when they occur at speed, they commonly cause fatalities and serious bodily harm. If you’ve experienced a crash like this in Philadelphia, you’ll need to ensure you pursue a settlement that will fully cover your costs (which may end up running into six or even seven figures).  

While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer, understanding the types of damages you may claim and the factors influencing settlement size can help you navigate your case.

Types of Damages in a Head-On Collision Settlement

It’s difficult to accurately say what the average settlement for a head-on collision is, as it varies so widely. The most basic are just a few thousand dollars, while the largest run into millions.

When you pursue a personal injury claim, the damages you seek typically fall into three main categories: economic, noneconomic, and punitive damages. 

Economic Damages

Economic damages represent the measurable financial losses you’ve suffered because of the accident. Anything you can assess using receipts, invoices, pay stubs, or account balances will generally fall into this category. 

• Medical expenses: These should address current and future medical bills, including hospital stays, surgeries, therapy, medication, and assistive devices like wheelchairs or braces. While existing or ongoing medical costs are relatively easy to quantify, future medical expenses are much more difficult to add up. There are no certainties here, so it will be up to your lawyer to fight for a settlement that’s not likely to leave you paying out of pocket in years to come. 
• Lost income: You should be entitled to compensation for the wages you lost while recovering from your injuries. You should also be entitled to damages for future lost earnings if your injuries prevent you from returning to work or force you into a lower-paying job. Again, projecting and securing compensation for future losses is more difficult than getting paid for existing earnings losses, so you’ll need to select a lawyer with a strong track record of negotiating successfully in situations like yours.
• Property damage: Your settlement should cover damage to your vehicle and any other personal property affected by your collision.
• Out-of-pocket expenses: These might include costs associated with transportation to medical appointments or modifications to your home to accommodate disability.

Noneconomic Damages

Noneconomic damages (also known as “pain and suffering” damages) compensate for intangible losses that can’t be easily quantified. Noneconomic damages generally include:

• Pain and suffering: You should be compensated for the physical pain you’ve endured as a result of your accident. You should also be entitled to damages for the psychological impact of the crash, such as anxiety, depression, or PTSD. It’s important to note that this should be in addition to any medical costs related to the treatment of these conditions; these fall under economic damages. 
• Loss of consortium: If the accident has negatively affected your relationship with your spouse, including your capacity to be intimate with them, this form of compensation may apply.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: If your injuries prevent you from engaging in activities you once enjoyed (such as playing sports or doing activities with your kids), you should be compensated for this. 

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages punish the wrongdoing of defendants, rather than compensating the losses of plaintiffs. They’re relatively rare in Pennsylvania car accident cases, as they’re reserved for situations in which the conduct of the defendant is extremely reckless or intentional. Most of the time, driver negligence does not satisfy this standard. 

There are exceptions, though, such as:

• Drunk driving accidents: If the at-fault driver was under the influence of alcohol or drugs when they crashed into you, you may be entitled to punitive damages. 
• Extremely reckless driving: This might be characterized by excessive speeding, road rage, or intentionally ignoring traffic signals.
• Intentional harm: If the crash resulted from deliberate actions, this should satisfy the standard required for punitive damages. 

Factors That Influence Settlement Size in a Head-On Collision

The most significant determinant of your settlement size will be the extent of your injuries. Worse injuries result in bigger medical bills and more time spent out of work; plus, the more pain you suffer, the greater your economic damages will be. However, there are a number of other relevant factors as well. 

Injury Severity

Head-on collisions typically cause very forceful impacts that lead to more severe physical harm than other types of accidents. Common head-on collision injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These are often irreversible, and may lead to very extensive medical expenses and lost earnings. 
• Spinal cord injuries. Along with brain injuries, these are typically the most serious injuries you can sustain in a road accident. The most severe spinal injuries can result in permanent total disability. 
• Broken bones.
• Internal organ damage.

Attorney Skill and Experience

Settlement negotiation is a delicate process. Plaintiff attorneys must be firm in their requests but also realistic. They must take every potential cost into account when estimating required damages; in more serious cases, this can be a highly demanding process that involves the input of independent medical and occupational experts. 

Essentially, the better your lawyer is, the bigger your settlement is likely to be. For a detailed explanation of how the Cochran Firm in Philadelphia would approach your case, you should visit us for a free initial consultation. 

Property Damage

Head-on collisions frequently total cars. If this happens to you, you should be entitled to recover the full market value of your vehicle as part of your settlement. Bear in mind, though, that this is not the price you paid for your car; it’s the money you would have likely gotten if you’d sold it on the day of your accident, taking into account its age, mileage, and any damage previously sustained.

Availability of Punitive Damages

As mentioned earlier, punitive damages can significantly increase the value of your settlement. While rare, they may be available in cases involving gross negligence or intentional harm.

Comparative Negligence

Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which reduces your settlement if you’re found partially at fault for the accident. For example, if you’re deemed 20% at fault, your settlement value will be capped at 80% of its overall value. If your share of the fault exceeds 50%, though, you will be barred from recovering damages altogether.

What to Expect From Your Settlement

Understanding the damages you can claim and the factors that influence your case will better prepare you for the legal process.

For a more detailed examination of how these principles are likely to affect the value of your car accident claim, visit us for a free initial consultation. You can reach us via our website or call 800-969-4400.