The average settlement amount is among the most common questions when practicing personal injury law in Maryland. Of course, no case is the same. Even if the average is one number, it provides no reasonable indication as to what your case may settle for. Many factors include age, employment status, annual income, loss of income due to injury, extent of injury, medical expenses, pain and suffering, and more. Nevertheless, we understand why the question is so prevalent.
This article will explain the factors that go into a settlement and a broad range of past settlements in Maryland. Also, settlement discussions generally only begin after you complete your medical treatment. While some less experienced attorneys may decide to strike early, they need to gain the benefit of understanding the full extent of your injuries, which is often premature. Additionally, future surgery may go badly. Such a result can still be related to the original injury as it is still a proximate cause of the accident under the law. As a disclaimer, these past settlement amounts and ranges do not indicate future settlements and are provided only to give an idea of what goes into the equation. They will not be used in any way.
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Average Maryland Settlement Amount for a Minor Injury
A minor injury can result from any number of different tortious acts. The mere fact that the injury is minor does not affect the extent of the collision. You may have been in a substantial motor vehicle collision, yet your injuries are only minor. In this case, we’ll wait until your injuries are fully recovered up to the maximum medical improvement. Then, we send a demand letter to the tortfeasor for settlement. Then, it generally takes about 30 days for the tortfeasor’s insurance provider to evaluate our demand and provide an offer of settlement. Settlement negotiations can take time, and the longer it takes, the better we can do in our recovery.
While there is no way to say what injuries are “minor,” a minor settlement in Maryland can range from $3,000 to about $15,000. Once again, this range does not necessarily indicate what you will recover in your settlement.
Average Maryland Settlement Amount for a Moderate Injury
A moderate injury can stem from the same tortious act that causes a minor injury, only the victim fares worse. In tort law in Maryland, this is ok. The law states that the tortfeasor takes the plaintiff as he finds him. In other words, a defendant is liable for a plaintiff’s unforeseeable reaction to the tortfeasor’s negligent, reckless, or intentional tort. This is known as the “eggshell plaintiff rule.”
A plaintiff can settle their case for a moderate injury in Maryland anywhere from $15,000 to $75,000. Unfortunately, while your case may be worth this amount, it will ultimately depend on the defendant’s coverage and the assets he or she owns.
Average Maryland Settlement Amount for a Major Injury
A significant injury in Maryland can result in a massive settlement. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee, but if you suffer a significant injury, your injury can have substantial value. An average settlement for a significant injury may be worth anywhere from $75,000 to millions. As discussed above, your recovery will depend on how much money the defendant has, his or her insurance coverage, and any underinsured motorist coverage you may have, if applicable to your facts.
A significant injury has no technical definition. However, it generally will result in years of medical treatment and $100,000 in medical costs. Additionally, you may be unable to work while treating your significant injuries. Though, we can help you get compensation for your lost wages. In general, the issue in a substantial injury case is not how much we can settle your case for but whether there are sufficient assets we can judicially obtain from the defendant.
Contact a Top Maryland Personal Injury Lawyer
We have been practicing personal injury law in Maryland for nearly 70 years. Our experience has provided us with the exact factors affecting Maryland’s average settlement amount. We would love to give you more information on your unique facts. Please feel free to contact us today for a free consultation.
