Tyler Gross | June 11, 2025 | Settlements
If you’ve been in an accident in Florida, you’ve probably wondered what the typical personal injury settlement amount is and if your case is worth less or more. The typical personal injury settlement ranges from $5,000 to over $1 million. The settlement amount in your case depends on numerous factors.
Several key factors that affect a Florida personal injury settlement amount are:
The Severity and Type of Injury
The injuries you sustain are a significant factor in the value of your personal injury settlement. As the severity of the injury increases, the more it costs to treat the injury. Severe injuries can result in overwhelming pain and suffering. Likewise, a permanent disability could result in diminished earning capacity and other future damages.
There is no standard average personal injury settlement that applies to all categories of injuries.
However, to give you an idea, the average personal injury settlement based on the severity of injuries ranges from:
- Minor injuries that do not require a lengthy recovery or intensive medical treatment: $5,000 – $50,000
- Moderate injuries that may require physical therapy and a few months out of work: $25,000 – $100,000
- Severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment and may result in permanent impairments: $100,000 – $1 million or more
Prompt medical treatment is crucial after an accident or personal injury. Documenting your injuries with medical records helps build a solid case for damages. In cases involving catastrophic injuries and life-altering conditions, your attorney may hire one or more medical specialists to determine the extent of your disability and damages accurately.
The Cost of Medical Treatment and Other Financial Losses
Generally, a personal injury settlement includes reimbursement for economic damages. These damages include lost wages, out-of-pocket expenses, medical expenses, and other monetary losses.
Keeping detailed records of all expenses related to your accident and injury helps increase the value of this category of damages. Write down each expense or loss in a journal and keep proof of the payment or loss. Remember to provide details, including the date, amount, and reason for the entry.
Pain and Suffering Damages
A personal injury settlement may also include damages for pain and suffering. These non-economic damages include emotional distress, physical pain, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life. They also include diminished quality of life, impairments, and disfigurement.
Pain and suffering damages are subjective because everyone suffers in their own unique way. Insurance companies downplay non-economic damages. However, the value of pain and suffering correlates with the type and severity of your injuries.
Pain and suffering often increase in value as the severity of an injury increases. Catastrophic injuries and permanent disabilities often have the highest value for pain and suffering damages.
The Amount of Future Damages
If you sustain a permanent injury, you may be entitled to future damages. For instance, if your injury makes it impossible for you to return to work, you can claim future lost wages. A condition that requires ongoing care could result in compensation for future medical and/or personal care.
Future damages are challenging to calculate. An experienced personal injury lawyer may work with a financial professional, medical specialist, vocational expert, and other experts to calculate the value of future damages and prepare evidence to support the calculations.
The Fault for the Accident
You must prove that the other party is responsible for causing your injuries. “Liability” is when someone is legally responsible for something, like the damages arising from a personal injury or accident. You must prove that the other party is at fault for your injuries.
For example, a driver failed to yield the right of way, or a store owner did not repair broken steps. If their negligence caused your injury, they could be at fault and liable for damages. A person may also be liable for intentional acts they commit that cause injuries.
The strength of your evidence can impact the amount you receive for a personal injury settlement. If the other parties believe that your evidence will convince a jury of their fault, they may want to settle the claim instead of taking the case to trial.
The Availability of Insurance Coverage
Liability insurance is designed to compensate victims when the policyholder causes harm and the incident falls within the coverage. However, insurers are only obligated to pay up to the limits specified in the policy. If your damages exceed those limits, the insurance company may offer the full policy amount to resolve the claim.
Your attorney has likely explained whether accepting this offer is in your best interest. Going beyond the policy limits usually means pursuing a personal judgment against the at-fault party. But even if you win in court, there’s no guarantee you’ll collect the full amount—especially if the other party lacks the financial means to pay. In such cases, a judgment may be legally valid but practically worthless.
Choosing between accepting a settlement and going to trial can be complex. That’s why it’s important to consult an experienced personal injury attorney before making a final decision.
Punitive Damages
Florida tort laws allow for punitive damages in specific situations. A jury may award punitive damages if the injured party proves the defendant acted with gross negligence or intentional misconduct. The burden of proof for punitive damages is higher than the proof for compensatory damages.
An attorney may use the threat of seeking punitive damages as a negotiating tactic. If there is evidence that supports the claim, an insurance company may be willing to pay more to settle the personal injury case instead of taking it to court.
Contact Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers for Help Understanding Your Settlement
Waiting for settlement funds requires patience and can be frustrating after dealing with a long legal process.
The timeline varies, but the important thing is that the steps are handled carefully and correctly. From securing your release documents to clearing your check and paying all necessary parties, your legal team should be working behind the scenes to ensure your settlement is finalized properly.
If you have questions about a potential settlement, don’t hesitate to contact our experienced personal injury lawyers in Florida at Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation today.
We have five convenient locations in Pensacola, Navarre, Crestview, Milton, and Mary Esther.
Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Pensacola Office
803 N Palafox St
Pensacola, FL 32501
Phone: (850) 434-3333
Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Navarre Office
9933 Navarre Pkwy
Navarre, FL 32566
Phone: (850) 757-2898
Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Crestview Office
1501 S Ferdon Blvd
Crestview, FL 32536
Phone: (850) 407-7726
Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Milton Office
6373 US-90
Milton, FL 32570
Phone: (850) 790-7790
Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers – Mary Esther Office
151 Mary Esther Blvd Suite 103A
Mary Esther, FL 32569
Phone: (850) 809-0170