Why Do Most Personal Injury Cases Settle Before Trial? Both sides want to avoid the risks and costs of a trial if possible. Trials are time-consuming, costly, and unpredictable. Mediation can often help both sides reach settlement agreements. Insurance companies have an especially strong incentive to settle.
The average contingency rate falls between 20-40%, with most lawyers charging around 33% to 35% of the total amount recovered in a case. The exact percentage can vary depending on the complexity of the case, the lawyer's experience, and the stage at which the case is resolved.
Ing to data from 2022 to now, the average car accident settlement in California for bodily injury is $26,501 and $6,551 for property damage. Comparing this to prior data, this is roughly a 10% increase in California car accident settlement amounts.