What is a car accident settlement?
A settlement is an agreement to end your claim for a set amount of money. In exchange, you sign a legally-binding release form promising you won’t take legal action or file a lawsuit seeking additional compensation in the future. Think of it as a final deal: once you take it, the claim is over.
Because it’s final, your car accident settlement has to cover everything — medical bills, future care, lost income, property loss, pain and suffering, and any other accident expenses that come up, now or in the future.
We build your case around the full financial impact of your collision so your car accident settlement makes sense. You didn’t do anything wrong. The last thing you should have to worry about is paying for someone else’s reckless behavior.
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How are car accident settlements calculated?
Insurance companies take into account many different factors when calculating your car accident. Each case is different, but some of these factors often include:
- Medical records documenting your injury.
- Length and type of medical care for your injury.
- Anticipated lost income due to your accident.
- Fault arguments, especially if there’s a dispute about who was at fault.
- Insurance policy limits.
Many insurance companies use computer programs that assign values to certain types of injuries and medical treatments. These programs ignore the human side of your specific case — how pain affects your sleep, your family, and other unique factors.
We respond with real-world evidence: detailed doctor opinions about future care, wage records from your job on Fremont Street or the Strip, and statements from you and your loved ones about the daily impact of your car crash. We explain your losses in clear terms and back them up with proof.
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What is the average car accident settlement?
There’s no set dollar amount for car accident settlements. Some cases are worth a few thousand dollars. Similar accidents might be worth significantly more money.
This is why it’s important not to worry about whether you’re receiving an average car accident settlement. Instead, your focus should be on obtaining a settlement that accounts for all your financial needs, now and in the future.
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How long do car accident settlements take in Las Vegas?
The timeline varies significantly from one case to another. Cases with minor injuries and cooperative insurers can settle in months. Claims with surgery, disputed fault on Charleston Boulevard, or limited insurance coverage can take a year or even longer, especially if you decide to file a car accident lawsuit.
Our approach – move quickly and keep pressure on insurance companies while also avoiding rushing to settle your case. Your settlement should reflect your full financial picture, now and in the future. And if insurance companies refuse to offer enough money, you shouldn’t feel pressured to settle for less too soon.
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Why is my car accident settlement taking so long?
This is a common question we often hear from frustrated car accident injury victims, especially if the other driver was clearly at fault. Unfortunately, many different things can cause the settlement process to take a long time, including:
- Uncooperative insurance companies.
- Questions about who was at fault for causing the collision.
- Backlog processing of car accident injury claims.
- Debates about liability, meaning who’s legally responsible for paying for the accident.
- Bad faith negotiating tactics by insurance companies.
- False claims that your car accident injuries are really pre-existing medical conditions.
- Lack of evidence in support of your settlement claim.
Whatever’s holding up your settlement, our law firm’s committed to moving your settlement negotiations forward as fast as possible. We’re also focused on obtaining the maximum compensation you deserve for all your financial losses.
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What is a demand package?
A demand package is a detailed letter with all the evidence attached that explains why the responsible insurance company should pay a certain amount. This letter typically includes medical records, bills, proof of lost wages, accident photos, related videos, and a clear explanation of liability (who’s responsible for paying for the crash).
After the insurer reviews your demand package, negotiations begin. Often, insurance companies start with a low settlement offer after a car accident. We push back with evidence and solid facts.
If the insurance company ignores our evidence or keeps lowballing, we won’t hesitate to file a car accident lawsuit to put pressure on the insurance company and to keep your case moving forward.
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Mediation is a structured meeting in which both sides sit down with a neutral professional who facilitates a voluntary settlement. The mediator does not decide the case or force an outcome. Instead, the mediator helps both sides understand the strengths and weaknesses of their positions and encourages meaningful negotiation.
Arbitration is more formal than mediation and operates more like a simplified trial. A neutral arbitrator reviews evidence, listens to arguments, and issues a decision. In some cases, that decision is legally binding, meaning both sides must accept the result. In other situations, arbitration is non-binding, and either side can request a jury trial. In Clark County, many lower-value car accident cases must go through court-annexed arbitration before proceeding to trial.
Whether mediation or arbitration is appropriate depends on the facts of the case and the insurance company’s willingness to negotiate in good faith. Some claims can be resolved via mediation or arbitration. An experienced Las Vegas car accident lawyer can advise which path makes sense and ensure the best process is used to move your case forward through the car accident settlement process.
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The release form is the legal document that closes your car accident settlement claim. Some releases include broad language often included by the insurance company. In particular, some release forms include confidentiality clauses, which means you cannot discuss the details of your agreement.
We can review every word of your release form before you sign anything to make sure there aren’t any surprises, protect any future claims from unrelated issues, and make sure the terms of the agreement are fair.
For example, if medical liens or health insurance paybacks apply, you could be forced to pay back a large portion of your car accident settlement. We can negotiate these details so you keep as much of your settlement as possible after everyone is paid.
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Should I settle before reaching MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement)?
It depends. First, it’s important to understand what MMI (Maximum Medical Improvement) means. This term applies to the point at which an injured person’s improvement has stabilized, and no further recovery is anticipated.
If you have not reached MMI, settling too soon could be costly. Until you have reached MMI, doctors often can’t fully predict what medical care you’ll need in the months or years ahead. That means you could risk accepting a settlement that doesn’t cover future therapy, injections, or surgical procedures.
We can work with your medical providers to understand your long-term outlook. Once your future needs are clear, we can finish negotiating with insurance companies. Your MMI diagnosis should not dictate the settlement timeline for your case.
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What are bad faith insurance company tactics?
When it comes to insurance companies dealing with injury victims, companies often act in “good faith” or “bad faith,” especially when it comes to negotiating a car accident settlement offer.
Insurance companies acting in “bad faith” means they’re not putting someone’s best interests first. Instead, insurance companies acting in bad faith often put profits ahead of honest, fair negotiations.
Common insurance company bad faith tactics include:
- Undervaluing a claim.
- Unreasonably delaying a claim.
- Denying a valid accident claim.
When this happens, we document the insurance company’s bad faith behavior, cite the evidence they’re ignoring, and escalate with formal letters, complaints, or a lawsuit if necessary.
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What’s the difference between a settlement and a verdict?
A settlement is a voluntary agreement between you and the insurance company to resolve your claim for a specific amount of money. A verdict is a decision made by a jury (or judge) after a trial as a result of a lawsuit being filed by the injury victim.
Settlements offer control and speed. You can sometimes receive the compensation you need in a timely manner for your car accident expenses. Verdicts often take longer but can result in higher financial awards from a judge or jury.
Deciding whether to accept a car accident settlement offer or file a lawsuit seeking damages (compensation) in the form of a verdict is a difficult decision. So, what should you do? Talk to an attorney to learn more about which approach makes the most sense for you.
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How do liens and subrogation affect my settlement?
Medical liens (claims by providers who treated you) and subrogation (reimbursement to health insurers for bills they paid) come out of the settlement before you receive the balance. This means part of your settlement check may be paid to medical providers and insurance companies first.
We negotiate lien and subrogation amounts to reduce the payback whenever possible, allowing you to keep more of the final settlement. This is critical because your car accident settlement must cover all your accident-related expenses, now and in the future.
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Should I give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer?
Never. Soon after a car accident, insurance adjusters often contact injury victims to ask them questions. These questions might seem innocent and straightforward. The person calling from the insurance company might even seem friendly.
Don’t trust them. In most cases, most insurance adjusters contact injury victims for one reason – to gather information they can use to reduce or deny accident claims. And anything you say could be used as evidence to minimize your claim or shift blame.
Even innocent phrases like “I’m okay” can be used to argue you weren’t hurt. And if you say “I’m sorry,” that could be used against you as an admission of fault. We can handle all communications with insurance companies on your behalf. We know the games insurance companies play and how to hold them responsible for your accident.
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What happens if I sign a release and later need more treatment?
Once you sign a general release, your car accident settlement claim is closed. You cannot reopen your case even if new symptoms appear in the future. That’s why it’s critical to understand your long-term medical care needs before settling your case.
We can work with doctors to ensure your car accident settlement accounts for all future medical needs. That way, you won’t have to worry about getting the medical treatments you need, now or in the future.
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Can my pain and suffering be part of the settlement?
Yes. Pain and suffering reflect the human impact of your car accident – not just your medical bills and other expenses. Such compensation is known as non-economic damages and often includes money for:
- Pain and suffering.
- Physical pain.
- Psychological trauma.
- Emotional distress.
- Loss of sleep.
We can present evidence in support of these losses through your medical records, your own statement, and supporting letters from family or coworkers who see how the crash changed your life in many different ways.
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Do car accident settlements cover lower back pain?
Yes. Any physical pain or injuries sustained in a car accident should be part of your car accident settlement. Lower back pain, in particular, is a very common injury caused by such collisions. In addition, chronic lower back pain that lasts weeks or months can be very disruptive and turn your life upside down.
The problem is that insurance companies sometimes don’t take lower back pain seriously. Or they might claim that your back pain existed before your accident and is a pre-existing medical condition.
This is why it’s important to have our Las Vegas legal team on your side. We can present evidence linking your lower back pain to your car accident – from a doctor’s diagnosis to statements from witnesses who saw what happened. We leave no stone unturned in pursuit of the truth.
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What injuries do car accident settlements cover?
Car accident settlements should cover any injury sustained in an accident. Such injuries can cover a wide range, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
- Other head injuries.
- Neck injuries.
- Back injuries.
- Hand and arm injuries.
- Internal injuries, including organ damage.
- Foot and leg injuries.
Whatever type of injury you sustained in a car crash, our law firm can fight for a fair car accident settlement that covers all your financial needs, including future anticipated medical care if necessary.
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Do car accident settlements cover physical therapy?
Yes. If you need physical therapy as a result of your car accident injury, your settlement should include compensation for such procedures. This is especially important if your health care provider believes that physical therapy will help you fully recover after your accident.
However, just because you should receive compensation for physical therapy does not mean you will automatically receive money for such procedures. Insurance companies often deny physical therapy requests, especially if they believe it’s unnecessary.
Our law firm can fight for your right to receive physical therapy and any other procedures that could help you get better faster. That’s our job, and that’s why we want to meet with you.
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What is a structured settlement, and should I consider one?
A structured settlement pays part of your recovery over time instead of all at once. It can be useful for long-term needs, children’s claims, or managing funds wisely. That way, you won’t run out of money months or years after you receive a car accident settlement.
We can discuss the pros and cons of a structured settlement with you. If appropriate, such discussions can involve financial professionals to determine if a structured settlement is right for you.
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Will my car accident settlement affect my taxes?
It depends. Some types of car accident compensation in Nevada are subject to state and federal taxes. This includes lost wages and punitive damages, the legal term for compensation designed to punish the at-fault party for especially negligent behavior.
In other cases, some compensation is not taxable, including money for physical injuries. Not sure whether the money you receive for your accident is taxable or not? We can work with a tax professional, so you understand any implications before you sign your settlement agreement. That way, there are no surprises later.
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What if the at-fault driver was working at the time?
If the driver was on the job (for example, delivering packages along Eastern Avenue), their employer’s insurance may apply to your Las Vegas car accident. That can increase available coverage and impact your car accident settlement.
To explore all available funding options, we investigate the at-fault driver’s employment status, vehicle ownership, delivery apps, and company policies to identify every potential insurance policy.
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Will I have to go to court if we can’t agree on a settlement?
Not always, but it’s possible. If settlement talks for a car accident stall, the best approach may be to file a lawsuit. This keeps your case moving forward and shows the insurance company you’re serious about your case.
Many cases never go to court and are settled after a lawsuit is filed. Sometimes, cases are settled after going through mediation. Other times, the at-fault driver’s insurance company agrees to cooperate and settle the case just before the trial.
If your case does go to trial, we will be prepared to litigate your case every step of the way. We know exactly what to expect in a Clark County courtroom. That’s because we have successfully represented injury victims at trial in Clark County and throughout Nevada.
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Before You Accept A Settlement Offer, Talk To a Lawyer
You have one chance to settle your car accident case right. Before you sign a car accident settlement agreement or any other legal documents, make sure you fully understand all your legal options and the total financial impact of your accident on your life in Las Vegas.
At Lasso Injury Law LLC, we negotiate from a position of strength. That’s because our cases are backed by solid evidence, expert opinions, and years of trial‑ready preparation. We don’t let insurance companies dictate what happens next. We take back control and put you in the driver’s seat.
Make sure your car accident settlement accounts for all your financial needs, now and in the future. Contact us for a free consultation. Tell us exactly what happened, and our Las Vegas legal team can skillfully guide you through the entire car accident settlement process.
