Why first offers are almost always low
Insurance adjusters are trained to settle quickly and for as little as possible. Early offers are often generated by software using minimal information, and they frequently land before you even know the full extent of your injuries.
Settling too fast is the most expensive mistake accident victims make. Once you accept and sign a release, you give up the right to ask for more — even if your medical bills keep climbing.
What a fair offer actually includes
- Medical expenses — both what you've paid so far and the cost of treatment you'll still need.
- Lost income — wages you've missed, plus any long-term hit to your earning ability.
- Property damage — vehicle repair or replacement value.
- Pain and suffering — often estimated with a multiplier of roughly 1.5–5× your economic damages, depending on severity.
A rough reality check
There's no true "average," but as a loose guide: minor injuries commonly settle in the $5,000–$25,000 range, moderate injuries $25,000–$100,000, and severe or permanent injuries $100,000 and up. Your number depends on liability, injury severity, and the available insurance coverage.
This is general information, not legal advice or a valuation of your specific claim.
How to check your offer in minutes
SettleFair's free AI-assisted tools are designed to help compare an offer with the documented losses, fault questions, liens, costs, and available coverage in your claim. That gives you a clearer basis for deciding whether to respond directly or seek lawyer review.