If you’ve been injured in an accident, one of the first questions you may have for your attorney is “What is the average personal injury settlement amount?” It is natural to wonder how much your case is worth. While online sources often throw out numbers like $30,000 or $75,000, those figures don’t tell the full story.
In Chicago, Illinois, there is no fixed “average” personal injury settlement amount because each claim is unique. The severity of your injury, how much work you missed, how clearly fault can be proven, and the insurance coverage available all play a role in determining the final payout.
Factors That Affect Settlement Value
Several key elements shape the value of a personal injury case.
Insurance companies and attorneys look at:
- Medical expenses: Emergency care, surgeries, therapy, prescriptions, and follow-up treatment all count. Future medical needs are also factored in.
- Lost wages: If your injuries forced you to miss work or limited your ability to earn money in the future, you can be compensated for that income loss.
- Pain and suffering: These damages are more subjective. They account for physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Disfigurement or permanent disability: If your injury changes your appearance or prevents you from living the way you used to, compensation will reflect that.
- Liability: If the other party is clearly at fault, your claim is stronger. If you’re partly to blame, your compensation will be reduced under Illinois’s comparative negligence law.
- Insurance policy limits: You can’t recover more than the at-fault party’s policy covers unless other coverage or assets are available.
These factors apply whether the case involves a car crash, a slip and fall, a dog bite, or another type of injury.
Illinois Comparative Negligence Law
In Illinois, you can still recover damages if you were partly at fault, as long as you were less than 51 percent responsible. However, your compensation will be reduced by your share of fault.
For example, if you were found 20 percent responsible and your damages totaled $100,000, you would recover $80,000. If you’re found more than 50 percent at fault, you get nothing.
This rule encourages insurance companies to shift blame, which is why strong evidence matters when negotiating a settlement.
Typical Ranges for Personal Injury Settlements
Although there’s no official average, settlements tend to fall into broad categories:
- Minor injuries with quick recovery: $5,000 to $25,000
- Moderate injuries requiring medical treatment: $25,000 to $100,000
- Severe injuries with lasting effects: $100,000 to $500,000
- Catastrophic injuries or wrongful death: $500,000 to several million dollars
Chicago injury claims vary widely based on jury behavior, case strength, and where the case is filed. Some counties are more conservative, while others are known for higher verdicts. Attorneys take this into account when valuing a claim.
How Insurance Companies Calculate Settlements
Insurance adjusters don’t work from a fixed chart. They estimate value using internal formulas, claim history, and software tools.
They also consider:
- Gaps in medical treatment
- Delays in reporting the injury
- Pre-existing conditions
- Statements you make after the accident
An early offer is often much lower than what your case is really worth. Insurers count on people accepting less just to move on.
How to Increase Your Personal Injury Settlement
You can’t control every factor, but there are steps you can take to protect your claim:
- Get medical treatment immediately and follow through with care
- Keep all receipts, medical records, and related documents
- Avoid giving recorded statements to the other party’s insurance
- Don’t post about your accident or injuries online
- Talk to a lawyer before accepting any settlement offer
The stronger your documentation, the harder it is for an insurer to lowball you during settlement negotiations.
Understanding the Average Personal Injury Settlement Amount
There is no one-size-fits-all settlement number in personal injury law. In Chicago, some claims settle for under $10,000 while others result in multi-million dollar recoveries. The value of your case depends on your injuries, your financial losses, and how well those damages are supported by evidence.
Instead of chasing averages, focus on building a strong case and working with someone who knows how to fight for full compensation.
Contact the Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers at Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, then you may be entitled to compensation. Contact the Chicago personal injury attorneys at Attorneys of Chicago Personal Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
For more information, please contact the experienced Chicago personal injury lawyers at Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys today. We offer free consultations.
We proudly serve Cook County, Will County, Kendall County, and its surrounding areas:
Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys – Chicago Office
10 S La Salle St STE 1230, Chicago, IL 60603
Phone:(312) 726-1616
Hours: Open 24/7
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Chicago
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 41.8815493,-87.6327515
Zayed Law Offices Personal Injury Attorneys – Joliet Office
195 Springfield Ave, Joliet, IL 60435
Phone: (815) 726-1616
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Joliet
Find us with our GeoCoordinates: 41.5254295,-88.1381011
