After a car accident in Virginia, many injured drivers and passengers ask the same question: What is the average car accident settlement?
While there is no official statewide average, recent insurance industry and government data provide reliable benchmarks that help explain what most car accident injury claims are worth today.
Why There Is No Official Average Settlement
Car accident settlements are private agreements between injured individuals and insurance companies. Because cases vary widely based on injuries, medical costs, and available coverage, there is no official average settlement figure.
That said, insurance industry organizations that track claims nationwide release regular data that gives meaningful insight into typical settlement values.
Insurance Data on Car Accident Injury Claims
According to the Insurance Research Council (IRC), the average bodily injury liability claim in the United States was approximately $24,000 based on the most recent nationwide auto insurance claims analysis (2023–2024).
The IRC’s data is widely cited across the insurance and transportation industries and reflects negotiated settlements paid by auto insurers, not court verdicts.
Similarly, the Insurance Information Institute (III) reports that auto injury claim payouts have increased in recent years due to rising medical costs and longer treatment durations.
These national figures are commonly used as a reference point for understanding Virginia car accident settlement ranges, particularly for moderate injury cases.
Typical Settlement Ranges for Car Accidents
Based on insurance claim data, publicly reported verdict summaries, and economic trends, most Virginia car accident settlements fall within the following general ranges:
- Minor injuries: $5,000 to $25,000 – Often involving soft-tissue injuries, limited medical care, and minimal missed work.
- Moderate injuries: $25,000 to $75,000 – Common for claims involving physical therapy, extended recovery, or lost income.
- Severe injuries: $100,000 to $500,000 or more – Typically associated with fractures, permanent impairment, traumatic brain injuries, or wrongful death.
These ranges are consistent with auto injury claim patterns tracked by insurance industry analysts.
Virginia Law and Car Accident Settlements
Virginia’s legal framework significantly affects settlement outcomes. The state follows a pure contributory negligence rule, meaning an injured person can be barred from recovery if found even 1% at fault.
Virginia also sets minimum auto insurance liability limits. As of 2025, those limits are:
- $30,000 for bodily injury per person
- $60,000 per accident
If the at-fault driver carries only minimum coverage, settlement amounts may be limited unless additional insurance coverage is available.
How Car Accident Injury Settlements Are Calculated
Car accident injury settlements in Virginia are determined by how insurance companies evaluate documented losses under state law. There is no fixed formula. Instead, insurers weigh several key factors when calculating settlement offers.
Economic Damages: Medical Expenses
Injury severity and medical evidence typically make up the largest part of a car accident settlement. Insurance adjusters rely on medical records, diagnostic reports, and treatment plans to understand the extent of an injury and whether ongoing or future care will be required. Claims involving extended treatment, physical therapy, or permanent impairment generally result in higher settlement values.
Medical bills, prescription costs, rehabilitation expenses, and lost wages are reviewed together when determining claim value. Rising healthcare costs have increased the overall value of auto injury claims in recent years, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Non-Economic Damages: Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering are considered alongside financial losses.
While Virginia law allows compensation for physical pain and emotional distress caused by an injury, insurers typically evaluate these damages based on the length of recovery, disruption to daily activities, and whether the injury caused lasting limitations.
There is no statutory formula for calculating pain and suffering in standard car accident cases.
Insurance Policy Limits
Finally, insurance policy limits can cap settlement amounts. These policy limits often define the maximum compensation available in injury claims, unless additional coverage is available.
Car Accident Attorneys in Norfolk, Virginia
The Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe focuses on helping injured individuals navigate the claims and lawsuits after being injured in a Virginia car accident.
Because insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, speaking with a car accident lawyer early can help ensure a fair settlement. Even cases that seem straightforward at first can become complicated if liability is disputed or injuries worsen over time.
A free consultation with the Law Offices of Richard J. Serpe allows you to ask questions, understand options, and get clarity on next steps without obligation.
For many people, that first phone call provides reassurance during an otherwise stressful time.
