$25,000 is the average car accident settlement in Denver. This amount makes sense because most car insurance policies carry $25,000/$50,0000 in coverage. A 25/50 policy means that each injured person in an accident can recover up to $25,000 as long as there are two or less. If there are more than two injured people, then the insurance money must be split between everyone who is making a claim.
How Much Money Do You Get From a $25,000 Settlement?
If you settle your car accident case for $25,000, you will have to do some math to figure out how much you get. Keep in mind that if you don’t have health insurance or med pay, then any medical bills have to be paid out of the settlement. So, you want to keep those medical bills down. We try to keep the medical bills to under $10,000. You also will have to pay your car accident lawyer. We charge 33% like many other lawyers in Denver do. If you do the math, after the lawyer’s fee, that leaves $16,666 to pay off your bills and put money in your pocket.
A good rule of thumb in Denver is that 33% goes to your bills, 33% goes to your lawyer, and 33% goes to you. If you can do better, then great, but that is the formula that most cases aim to achieve. Of course, the formula changes depending on your injuries and the ultimate amount of insurance available.
How Will You Know if You Can Recover More Than $25,000?
There are two ways to find out how much insurance there is available. The first and easiest way is to look at your own policy. On your Declarations (Dec) page, all of the coverages that you have purchased will be there. You want to look for Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage (UM) and Medical Payment (Med Pay). If you can’t find your coverage on your app or in your policy, just call your insurance company and ask. They will tell you what your coverage is very quickly.
The second and only way to find out how much insurance the other driver has is to make a written demand on the registered agent for his/her insurance company. It is a real hassle and a ridiculous hurdle to have to take, but that is Colorado law. I don’t know too many people who are able to get this information without the help of a lawyer. It takes up to 30 days from when they receive the letter for the insurance company to tell you how much the insurance limits are.
Why Uninsured Motorist Coverage Matters in Denver
Once you understand how much insurance is available, the next question is whether it is enough. In many cases, it is not.
Uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage helps fill that gap when the at-fault driver does not have enough insurance to cover your injuries. That situation is more common than many people realize. According to the Insurance Research Council, about 1 in 6 drivers nationwide are uninsured, and Colorado falls within a similar range.
Even when a driver has insurance, minimum limits often fall short in serious accidents. UM/UIM coverage gives you another path to recover compensation and protects you when the available coverage runs out.
What Makes a Car Accident Case Worth More Than $25,000?
There are a couple of ways to get over $25,000 for your car accident case. It all comes down to what your injuries/bills are and how much insurance is available. Both must be in place for you to exceed the $25,000 limits. If they both are, then your claim will be higher.
But that is not always the case. For example, you could have a horrible accident with big injuries and massive medical bills, but if there is no insurance to go after, you are SOL. That is the reality of the car accident world. Until the legislature increases the limits, it is very risky. That’s why you need to protect yourself with Uninsured Motorist coverage to be safe.
How Much Insurance is Required in Denver for Injury?
Denver, like all Colorado, has minimum insurance limits of 25/50 for bodily injury. Bodily injury coverage pays for injuries that are caused due to the careless operation of a car. But, $25,000 doesn’t go very far if you are seriously injured. We recommend to all of our clients that they carry Uninsured Motorist coverage too. It is an extra layer of protection that we hope you never need.
In addition to the bodily injury requirements, each policy must also carry at least $15,000 in property damage. This money goes to fix the other car or property that was damaged in the car accident.
How Insurance Companies Try to Limit Payouts
Insurance companies are businesses. Their goal is to pay as little as possible on every claim, so they often take steps early on to control the process and limit what they have to pay.
They may ask for a recorded statement early on or push you to settle before you understand the full extent of your injuries. In some cases, they will question whether your treatment was necessary or argue that your injuries are not as serious as you claim.
Common Insurance Tactics to Watch For
- Requesting a recorded statement early
Adjusters often call soon after the crash and ask for a recorded statement. At that point, you may not know the full extent of your injuries. You may also miss key details that matter later. Insurers can use unclear answers or inconsistencies to challenge your claim. - Pushing for a quick settlement
Early offers may seem helpful, especially if bills are piling up. However, these offers often come before you understand the full cost of your care. Once you accept, you cannot reopen the claim. That is risky, especially when the average car accident settlement in Denver often depends on long-term treatment and recovery. - Questioning your medical treatment
Insurers often argue that your care was not necessary or was too much. This comes up with physical therapy or chiropractic care. Their goal is simple. They want to reduce what they pay by challenging your treatment. - Downplaying your injuries
Insurers may claim your car accident injuries are minor. They may also argue that your pain comes from a pre-existing condition. They often review past records to support this position. - Delaying the process
Delays create pressure. Medical bills increase, and missed work adds stress. Over time, a lower offer may start to look more appealing. That is exactly what insurers expect. - Shifting blame
Insurers often argue that you share fault, even when the crash seems clear. Under Colorado law, that reduces what you can recover. Strong evidence helps you push back against these claims.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is the average car accident settlement in Denver?
The average car accident settlement in Denver often reflects the minimum insurance limits, which are commonly $25,000 per person. However, the actual amount varies based on injuries, medical bills, and available insurance coverage.
How much of a $25,000 car accident settlement do you actually keep in Denver?
In many cases, a $25,000 settlement is divided between attorney fees, medical bills, and your recovery. A common breakdown is roughly one-third to each, although this can vary depending on the case. If medical bills are high or there are multiple claims, the amount you take home may be lower.
Can you recover more than the average car accident settlement in Denver?
Yes, but it depends on the available insurance and the severity of your injuries. If the at-fault driver has higher policy limits or if you carry UM/UIM coverage, you may be able to recover more than the average car accident settlement in Denver.
What happens if the other driver does not have enough insurance?
If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, your own UM/UIM coverage may apply. This type of coverage helps pay for your injuries when the other driver cannot. Without it, recovering full compensation can be much more difficult.
Do you need a lawyer for a Denver car accident settlement?
You are not required to hire a lawyer, but it can make a significant difference. A lawyer can help you understand available coverage, handle insurance communication, and avoid common mistakes that reduce settlements.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Denver
At Denver Personal Injury Lawyers, we specialize in car accident claims. If you are in an accident, don’t wait around, just call us and we’ll give you advice on how to protect yourself.
The worst thing that you can do after an accident is to sit around and hope that you will feel better. The insurance company will use any delays or gaps in medical treatment against you every time. We advise that you get checked out, start some conservative treatment like physical therapy or chiropractic care and see how things go.
Our goal in every case is to make sure that your bills get paid, help you get whatever medical treatment that you need, and get you money in your pocket.
After the car accident, just give us a call and see if we can help you. It is free just to talk and have us answer some questions.