How much do you get for pain and suffering in a car accident?
Pain and suffering in a car accident is often calculated by your medical bills, but each insurance company is different. How much you get for pain and suffering in a car accident varies depending on your auto insurance coverage and the severity of the accident. The average car accident settlement is $21,000, but you can expect to get anywhere between $14,000 and $28,000 for pain and suffering in a car accident on average.
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Managing Editor
Daniel S. Young began his professional career as chief editor of The Chanticleer, a Jacksonville State University newspaper. He also contributed to The Anniston Star, a local newspaper in Alabama. Daniel holds a BA in Communication and is pursuing an MA in Journalism & Media Studies at the University of Alabama. With a strong desire to help others protect their investments, Daniel has writt...
Daniel S. Young
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Kristen is a licensed insurance agent working in the greater Boston area. She has over 20 years of experience counseling individuals and businesses on which insurance policies best fit their needs and budgets. She knows everyone has their own unique needs and circumstances, and she is passionate about counseling others on which policy is right for them. Licensed in Massachusetts, New Hampshire,...
Kristen Gryglik
Updated March 2025
Car accidents can lead to enormous amounts of physical and emotional damage. Your medical bills quantify your physical damage – but how do you calculate emotional damage? How much is your pain and suffering worth? How much do you get for pain and suffering after a car accident?
Today, we’re answering all your questions about how pain and suffering works in a car accident, including how much you can expect to receive in compensation following an accident.
The Insurance Company Wants to Pay You the Least Amount Legally Possible
First, let’s make something clear: your insurance company is not a charity organization. It’s a for-profit business. That business is dedicated to making money. The goal of your insurance company is to pay you as little money as possible for your car accident.
That’s why many insurance companies will push for a quick settlement. In the days following a car accident, your insurer might dazzle you with a large check to cover your medical bills with room leftover. Your insurance company isn’t being nice: they’re just paying you today in order to avoid covering additional expenses in the future.
If you have serious injuries after a car accident, then the true extent of those injuries might not be known for weeks, months, or even years into the future. You might have long-term neck and back damage, for example. You might suffer long-term pain and suffering or emotional damage.
If you want to get serious about receiving compensation from your insurance company, then your best option is to contact a car accident attorney. After contacting an attorney, you can receive compensation for pain and suffering and other expenses.
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How to Calculate Pain and Suffering
It’s easy to calculate your medical bills. Just look at the bills from the hospital, clinic, doctor, and pharmacist. But how do insurance companies calculate pain and suffering? How will your car accident attorney come up with an appropriate amount for pain and suffering?
The insurance industry doesn’t have an exact formula for calculating the average amount of a car accident settlement.
Typically, you’ll only receive compensation for pain and suffering when you’ve been injured. That’s why it’s important to be examined by a doctor immediately after a car accident – even if you don’t think you’ve been seriously injured.
Common car accident injuries like whiplash will not become evident until a few days after the collision. If you wait too long to get medical care, or if you already settled with your insurance company, then you might be unable to seek compensation for your injury.
Read more: Does auto insurance cover whiplash symptoms?
The Average Car Accident Settlement is Approximately $21,000
Most sources suggest that the average car accident settlement is approximately $21,000. Most car settlements are between $14,000 and $28,000.
If you want to get a rough estimate on your own car accident settlement, then add up your expenses and multiply that sum by three.
For example, add up your expenses for medical bills, car repairs, and lost wages, then multiply that sum by three. With the help of a good car accident attorney, this is the possible settlement you could receive.
The “multiply by three” rule covers your pain and suffering as a result of the accident. This compensation is not just designed to cover your emotional damage, but it’s also designed to cover your future medical and rehabilitation costs – including costs you may incur in the future but aren’t yet known.
You can expect a higher settlement for more severe or permanent injuries, and a lower settlement for minor injuries.
You can also expect a higher settlement if the other driver was under the influence.
Let’s say you paid $10,000 in doctor’s bills, $5,000 in car repair expenses, and lost $1,500 in income after missing work for a week. Your total losses are $16,500. Following the settlement rule above, you can multiply this amount by three and earn as much as $49,500 from a settlement.
Some Insurance Companies Use a Daily Rate Method
The “multiply by three” rule is popular among car insurance attorneys and insurance companies. However, in some cases, the “daily rate” or “per diem” method will be used.
Under the daily rate system, you’ll receive an amount of money each day or each week you suffer from injury after a car accident.
If, for example, you take daily pain medication after a car accident and visited a doctor every week, then you might be eligible for compensation of $200 per day for as long as you’re taking pain medication.
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What Happens If You Exceed the Other Driver’s Maximum Liability Coverage?
It’s possible that you could hit the other driver’s maximum liability coverage.
Some drivers will only have a minimum liability insurance policy, for example, that provides $20,000 of damage coverage.
If you’re owed $30,000, then the other driver’s insurance company might only cover the first $20,000 and you’ll need to sue the other driver for the remaining $10,000.
In this situation, you might also be able to receive compensation from your own insurance company if you have uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
Conclusion
Pain and suffering isn’t an exact measurement. It varies widely between cases. If you believe you’re owed compensation for pain and suffering following a car accident, then it may be in your best interest to schedule a free consultation with a car accident attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do you get for pain and suffering in a car accident?
The amount varies based on your insurance coverage and the accident’s severity. On average, settlements for pain and suffering range between $14,000 and $28,000, with an average settlement of $21,000.
Why does the insurance company want to pay the least amount possible?
Insurance companies aim to minimize expenses and maximize profits. Quick settlements help them avoid future costs, but they may not fully cover your injuries.
How can I calculate pain and suffering after a car accident?
There’s no exact formula, but a common practice is multiplying your total expenses by three. This estimate includes emotional damage and future medical costs.
Can I receive compensation for pain and suffering from minor injuries?
Compensation is typically associated with injuries. Seek medical attention promptly, even for minor injuries, as some problems may appear later.
What if the other driver’s insurance doesn’t cover all my losses?
You may need to sue the other driver for the remaining amount. Alternatively, if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, your insurance may provide additional compensation.
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