What’s the Typical Compensation for a Rear-End Collision in Texas?

Rear-end collisions are incredibly common and can result in a variety of property damage and physical injuries. That is why it is usually in your best interest to file a claim to receive compensation to help you cover your damages.

At DeHoyos Accident Attorneys, our Houston car accident lawyers have extensive experience with Texas roadway laws. We have handled hundreds of car accident cases and can help our clients get the compensation they deserve.

Keep reading to find out how much you can get for a rear-end collision in Texas and the factors that will impact your settlement amount.

How Rear-End Settlements Are Decided

There is no way to determine how much of a settlement you can receive for a personal injury claim after a rear-end collision. There are many different factors that impact the settlement amount, which include:

• Medical expenses: The more medical expenses you have, the more compensation you will be entitled to. Medical expenses related to the collision include emergency room bills, treatment costs, and doctor visits.
• Lost wages: Depending on how injured you are, you may also receive compensation for lost wages. This applies if you are injured to the point of missing work for any period of time, which impacts your earnings.
• Property damage: If your vehicle was damaged in the rear-end collision, you can also receive compensation depending on how extensive the damage is.
• Impact severity: You can expect a higher settlement amount for high-impact accidents, whereas low-impact accidents aren’t as valuable.

There are many nuances when it comes to how insurance can impact the compensation you receive. For instance, if your damages exceed the auto policy limit, the other driver’s policy may not provide enough to cover serious injuries or property damage. This can also be the case if there are multiple claimants, resulting in there not being enough liability insurance to compensate each victim.

Texas requires insurance companies to offer uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, but the policyholder can refuse this option. If they do not have this coverage, there may not be any sort of compensation to tap into if you were hit by an uninsured driver.

Average Rear-End Settlement Amounts

For personal injury claims, the settlement amount you can receive is dependent on how severe the injury is. In Texas, the average payout for a minor injury is just under $9000. For moderate injuries, this is around $39,000, and for severe injuries, the payout can be as high as $2,000,000.

On average, car accident settlements are usually around $20,000, as this is usually the amount that insurance will cover for most policyholders. Keep in mind that your settlement is also dependent on whether or not there is a shared fault since Texas is a modified comparative fault state. So, if you are partially responsible for the accident, you won’t qualify for as much compensation.

Victims of rear-end collisions should hire a Houston car accident lawyer to represent their claim. A Houston personal injury lawyer can help you submit the claim as well as negotiate with insurance companies. If a settlement amount cannot be decided on, your lawyer can help represent your case in court in front of a jury.

Common Injuries From Rear-End Accidents in Texas

Even though rear-end collisions are not the most severe type of car accident, they can cause significant injuries. This is dependent on the type of vehicle, the situation that causes the accident, and the speed at which the vehicle is going. There is also a higher risk of serious injury if the rear-end collision causes you to strike other vehicles on the road. 

The majority of rear-end collisions are caused by intoxication, distracted driving, and falling asleep at the wheel. Here are some examples of injuries commonly associated with rear-end accidents:

• Whiplash
• Neck injuries
• Spinal fractures
• Sprains
• Seat belt injuries
• Bone fractures
• Compression fracture
• Concussion
• Muscle damage
• Internal injuries

If you have any injuries prior to the rear-end collision, this can also have an impact on your settlement amount. You will have to prove that your injury was made worse by the accident or that an entirely new injury was caused.

For the best chance at a high settlement amount, you will need to prove the extent of your injuries. The best way to do this is to provide documentation from medical professionals showcasing the severity of your injuries. You can also provide photos of your injuries, photos of property damage, and photos of the crash scene.

Real-Life Examples of Texas Rear-End Settlements

It can be helpful to look at real-life examples to get a better understanding of the type of settlement you could receive for a rear-end collision in Texas. One example includes a driver who fell asleep at the wheel and was held liable for a rear-end collision. 

The defendant struck the victim as she was stopped at a lighted intersection. The plaintiff suffered serious soft tissue back and neck injuries from the impact, and the case was settled for $5000 before going to trial.

Another example involves a distracted driver who rear-ended the plaintiff in traffic. The impact aggravated an underlying lumbar condition the plaintiff had, and the jury decided on a settlement of $6,500 for the plaintiff.

An example that resulted in a higher settlement amount involved a victim who was stopped at a traffic intersection and rear-ended by a distracted driver. The victim suffered from a possible herniated cervical disc as well as soft tissue neck and upper back injuries. The plaintiff was awarded $10,000.

Hire an Experienced Houston Car Accident Attorney at DeHoyos Car Accident Attorneys

At DeHoyos Accident Attorneys, our Houston car accident lawyers provide expert legal representation for victims of rear-end collisions. We can help you file a claim, negotiate with insurance companies, and provide evidence to back up your damages. Our Houston personal injury lawyers can help you navigate this legal process so that you get everything you are entitled to.

Are you the victim of a rear-end collision that damaged your vehicle or resulted in physical injuries? Call our Houston office today at 832-745-4878 to speak with one of our attorneys.