When you’re the injured victim of a Nevada car accident, your world can turn upside down in an instant. The accident occurred, your vehicle is wrecked, your body is in pain, and your mind is overwhelmed. One of the most pressing questions car accident victims have is about the value of their case, specifically, what are the pain and suffering averages in Nevada car accident settlements?
You may have other questions, like: How do I pay my medical bills? What about lost wages? And how do you even begin to quantify pain and suffering?
Let’s break down what these settlements look like, what impacts the settlement amount, and how a seasoned personal injury attorney can help ensure you receive fair compensation for both your economic damages and the harder-to-measure non-economic damages.
What Is “Pain and Suffering” in a Car Accident Case?
In legal terms, pain and suffering refers to the physical pain, emotional distress, and overall emotional trauma that you endure as a result of a motor vehicle accident. While medical expenses and property damage fall under economic damages, pain and suffering are considered non-economic damages, just as real, but harder to calculate.
This can include:
- Physical injuries like neck injuries, fractures, or chronic pain
- Mental health struggles, including anxiety or depression
- Disruption of daily life, hobbies, and relationships
- The lasting emotional toll of severe or permanent disability
Whether you suffered minor injuries or more severe injuries, your ability to prove pain is a critical factor in winning a pain and suffering claim.
Typical Car Accident Settlement in Nevada
What Does a “Typical” Settlement Include?
A typical car accident settlement in Nevada often includes compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Future medical costs
- Pain and suffering compensation
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation
- Loss of earning potential for permanent disability
In most cases, car accident settlement amounts vary widely, because no two injuries—or lives—are alike. However, understanding the average car accident settlement can give you a reasonable expectation to work from.
Pain and Suffering Averages in Nevada Car Accident Settlements
The pain and suffering averages in Nevada car accident settlements vary based on injury severity, the quality of insurance coverage, and the ability to document emotional suffering and physical injuries.
Here’s a rough estimate to provide context:
- Minor injuries (e.g., soft tissue strains, temporary discomfort):
$5,000 – $25,000 - Moderate injuries (e.g., fractures, extended therapy):
$25,000 – $75,000 - Severe injuries (e.g., surgery, long-term impact, multiple injuries):
$75,000 – $250,000+
Cases involving permanent disability, major emotional distress, or underinsured motorist coverage issues can result in significantly higher awards.
What Impacts Your Pain and Suffering Settlement?
1. Injury Severity
Car crash injuries range from mild to catastrophic. Naturally, more severe injuries typically result in a higher pain and suffering settlement. A broken wrist and bruised ribs aren’t the same as a spinal cord injury (SCI) or traumatic brain damage.
2. Duration of Recovery
Long-term effects, chronic pain, or the need for ongoing medical attention can all push a suffering compensation claim higher. The longer you’re dealing with the fallout, the greater the compensation you’re likely to receive.
3. Impact on Daily Life
Did the injury stop you from working, parenting, or enjoying life? These non-economic damages matter, and a skilled car accident lawyer knows how to make sure they’re heard.
4. Insurance Companies and Coverage Limits
Insurance coverage limits matter. If the at-fault driver has a low policy cap, your pain and suffering damages might be restricted—unless you have underinsured motorist coverage or pursue the at-fault party personally.
Moreover, a car accident with an expired license increases the liability on the at-fault party. Therefore, we suggest keeping these technicalities in check.
5. Quality of Legal Representation
Having an experienced personal car accident injury attorney makes a world of difference. At Bourassa Law Group, we know how to calculate pain and suffering, gather proof, and push for maximum compensation through aggressive settlement negotiations.
How Pain and Suffering Are Calculated
There is no fixed formula for a suffering claim, but two common methods are:
The Multiplier Method
Your total economic damages (like medical expenses and lost income) are multiplied by a number (usually between 1.5 and 5) based on injury severity and the emotional suffering involved.
The Per Diem Method
A daily dollar amount is assigned to your physical and emotional distress, multiplied by the number of days you’ve been impacted.
The right method depends on your unique car accident case, and your experienced attorney will determine what best applies to maximize your final settlement. This falls under the Per Diem Method and is a crucial part of such cases.
How Long Does the Settlement Process Take?
The settlement process can take anywhere from a few months to over a year, depending on:
- The time it takes to reach maximum medical improvement
- The complexity of insurance coverage
- The willingness of insurance companies to cooperate
- Whether the case goes to trial or settles
Most car accident settlements are resolved without court intervention, but some require filing a formal personal injury claim to push back against unreasonable offers.
Can You Settle Without a Lawyer?
You can—but we don’t recommend it. Most car accident settlements handled without legal help tend to fall below fair market value. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize settlement payouts.
With the help of an experienced car accident attorney, you gain leverage. You have someone who understands Nevada’s laws, knows how to prove pain, and can negotiate toward a better car accident settlement. We also recommend reading our expert advice on what to expect after hiring a car accident lawyer before moving forward.
Real-Life Example: Las Vegas Settlement
One of our recent clients was involved in a moderate-speed car accident at a traffic light in Las Vegas. Initially, the insurance company offered $22,000 to cover the accident-related expenses, medical bills, and minor neck injuries.
However, the client developed chronic pain, suffered emotional distress, and required six months of physical therapy.
Our legal team built a strong case showing the full scope of their pain and suffering damages, including the emotional toll and disruption to their family life. After firm negotiations, we secured a settlement amount of $95,000—more than 4x the original offer.
Don’t Let Someone Else’s Negligence Define Your Future
When a car accident disrupts your life, especially due to someone else’s negligence, you’re entitled to more than just reimbursement for medical expenses and car repairs. You’re entitled to compensation for what it cost you to live through it—the fear, the emotional trauma, the days lost to pain.
At Bourassa Law Group, we fight every day for injury victims to receive fair compensation, not just for their physical injuries, but for their emotional suffering, too.
We offer a no-obligation consultation, so you can understand your rights and start your personal injury claim with confidence.
Ready to Talk About Your Case with BLG?
If you’re wondering how much compensation you could receive or whether your pain and suffering claim is being undervalued, don’t wait.
Contact us today for your free, honest, and confidential consultation.
At Bourassa Law Group, we don’t just handle your case—our car accident injury attorneys stand with you every step of the way, ensuring your story is heard, your rights protected, and your recovery respected.
Let’s make sure your settlement reflects everything you’ve endured.
1-800-870-8910