Average Pedestrian Accident Settlement in North Carolina [2024 Updated]

Pedestrian accidents can result in severe injuries and, in turn, significant financial burdens for the injured parties. This is why many people who are struck by a car while walking will make the wise choice to partner with a reputable North Carolina personal injury attorney to seek compensation for their injuries. When embarking on this journey, many injured pedestrians wonder what the average pedestrian accident settlement in North Carolina is in the year 2024.

The first and most important thing to understand is that calculating an “average” settlement for any particular type of accident case in any particular state or locality would not actually give you any sort of coherent or useful data. This is because each pedestrian accident and each injury is a totally unique event, and any settlement or judgment amount will likewise be based on those unique factors.

Furthermore, many personal injury cases are settled quietly through negotiation, out of the public eye. This is often considered beneficial for all parties involved but can also make it difficult to acquire complete and accurate state-wide data about settlements and their dollar amounts, much less up-to-the-minute data for the current year. Suffice it to say that pedestrian injury settlements can be quite lucrative, but this mostly depends on the type and extent of the injuries suffered.

Factors Influencing Pedestrian Accident Settlements in North Carolina

It can be useful to consider the variables in a pedestrian accident to gain a better understanding of how settlement amounts are calculated in pedestrian accident cases. Some of the primary factors at play in this equation will include:

• Medical Expenses: A settlement should include full coverage for medical treatments related to the injury, including hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation services, physical therapy, and medications, as well as any emergency care that was required in the immediate aftermath of the accident. The cost of medical care in the United States remains high in 2024, so this is often a primary factor in a total settlement amount.As an injured pedestrian, you’ll want to keep exhaustive documentation of all medical treatments and bills (and promptly share copies with your attorney) to help streamline the process of securing compensation.
• Lost Incomes: If your injuries prevent you from working, you should also be entitled to compensation for lost wages. Self-employed people and those with non-traditional income streams also have a right to compensation, although lost incomes of non-standard types may require more robust evidence to support. However, as long as your injury has resulted in some demonstrable loss of income potential, your attorney should be able to get you paid for it.
• Pain and Suffering: Non-tangible, non-economic damages such as “pain and suffering,” emotional distress, and a lowered quality of life may be challenging to quantify as a dollar amount, but any good personal injury attorney knows that these, too, are essential components of any settlement package.While insurance adjusters and civil defense lawyers may try to make light of these damages, you deserve to be fairly compensated for the stress and psychological trauma your accident has exposed you to.
• Liability: Determining liability is another crucial concept in North Carolina pedestrian accident cases. North Carolina is one of only a handful of states that still uses a “Contributory Negligence” principle in personal injury cases. This means that if a pedestrian is found to be even partially at fault for their own accident, their total compensation can be significantly reduced or denied entirely.

This is why a quality attorney will use all available evidence to demonstrate beyond any doubt that negligent driving is the root cause of your injury.

FAQs

Q: How Much Money Should I Ask for In a Settlement?

A: In a settlement, you should ask for an amount that sufficiently covers your medical expenses, lost wages, and psychological pain, at the very least. A highly qualified personal injury attorney from the Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC, can help you determine the full extent of legally compensable damages in your case and then negotiate or litigate assertively to ensure you receive everything you are entitled to.

Q: How Much Can Someone Sue for a Car Accident in NC?

A: The amount someone can sue for a car accident in NC is not capped. This amount will mostly be informed by the extent of injuries and other damages suffered rather than by any law or regulation. While punitive damages (rarely used in personal injury cases) do have established caps, there is no actual limit on settlements or judgments in North Carolina personal injury cases.

Q: How Much Is Pain and Suffering Worth in a Car Accident in NC?

A: Pain and suffering can be worth a substantial amount in a car accident in NC. Because “pain and suffering” (referring to psychological trauma, emotional distress, etc.) can be so difficult to quantify and prove, this is one area where having a great personal injury lawyer on your side can make a large difference in the overall settlement amount.

Q: What Is the Usual Result of a Settlement?

A: The usual result of a settlement is that the injured party receives compensation for their injuries and other damages. The term “settlement” itself implies that compensation has already been awarded or that the case has been “settled.” Therefore, you might think of the settlement itself as the result of a personal injury case.

The Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC – Powerful Legal Assistance for Injured Pedestrians in North Carolina

Civil law can be a challenging topic for someone without specific legal training, but understanding the factors involved in calculating a personal injury settlement is a crucial first step to empowering yourself before embarking on a legal quest to pursue compensation for your injuries.

If you’ve been injured by a car, truck, or other motor vehicle while walking or jogging in North Carolina, please don’t hesitate to seek guidance from the compassionate and highly professional team at the Law Office of Lyndon R. Helton, PLLC. Our world-class attorneys and knowledgeable support staff can help you understand your rights, negotiate effectively, and maximize your personal injury settlement.

Contact us today to get started with a confidential consultation.