Accidents aren’t planned.
One day you’re going about your normal life. The next, you’re faced with medical bills, lost wages, and tons of stress.
Here’s the issue. Most families aren’t prepared financially for an accident.
They don’t know their rights. They don’t know how injury claims work. And they sure as heck don’t know what their injury claim is worth.
But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Families can protect themselves by planning ahead and knowing what to do when the unexpected happens.
Here’s everything you need to know:
- Why accidents are more common than you realize
- The scary cost of being unprepared
- Your options after an accident occur
- How to figure out what your case is worth
- What every family should be doing today
Why Accidents Are More Common Than You Realize
Let’s get one thing straight…
Accidents aren’t rare.
In fact, according to Clio’s 2025 statistics, 61,919,000 Americans went to the doctor for preventable injuries in 2023. Yes, you read that right. Millions of people.
Think about how that breaks down…
That’s almost 1 in 5 people who dealt with an accident in just one year. Car crashes, slip and falls, workplace accidents… you name it.
And the crazier part?
Most people believe that they won’t be the ones affected by an accident. They think that it won’t happen to them. They have no clue on how to determine their injury claim worth.
Tools like online settlement calculators can help families understand just how much their case is worth before they even speak to an attorney.
The moral of the story? Know what’s going on. Don’t wait for randomness to happen to your family.
The Scary Truth: What Happens If You’re Not Prepared For An Accident
If you haven’t been hit with medical bills from an accident, you’re lucky.
Being injured means hospital visits. Being unable to work means losing money. Not having a plan means your family could be set back for months or years.
Here are some facts…
- The average cost of an emergency room doctor’s visit is $3,299
- The average cost of medical treatment for car accidents is $15,000
- Serious injuries that require hospitalization can exceed $50,000
And that’s just the beginning. After medical treatment there’s physical therapy, medications, follow up appointments….
Did I mention medical bills aren’t the only thing?
If an accident causes you to miss time from work, then you’ll be losing out on wages as well. It’s a vicious cycle that most people can’t survive.
Here’s another fun statistic…
A Bankrate survey found that nearly 53% of Americans wouldn’t be able to cover a $1,000 emergency with savings. If you can’t cover SMALL accidents, imagine how you’d deal with something major.
That is why preparation is KEY.
Make sure you know what you’re doing if the unexpected happens to you or your family.
Understand Your Injury Claim Options
Alright, now we’re getting somewhere.
When your family is affected by an accident, what are your options?
If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, then you can file what’s called a personal injury claim.
Here’s how the process usually works:
- Document everything. (Medical records, photos, witnesses, etc.)
- Seek medical attention
- Know the time limit. (Personal injury claims have statutes of limitations.)
- Learn how to evaluate your claim.
- Negotiate with the insurance company OR go to trial.
Yes, about 95% of personal injury cases settle before they go to trial.
Knowing how to calculate what your injury claim is worth will help you become a master at negotiations.
Trust me. You don’t want to go into these types of conversations blind.
How Do Settlements Even Work?
Not sure what we’re talking about? Let me explain.
When you settle an injury claim, there are different types of damages that could be compensated. Let’s go over what damages include.
- Medical expenses (including future treatment)
- Lost wages / loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation costs
Again, every case is different which means settlements can range from minor fender benders that payout a few thousand dollars to major injuries that pay out millions.
But here’s some food for thought…
Did you know that 70% of people who filed a personal injury claim were given a payout?
Now that we know HOW claims work, let’s learn what you can do today to protect your family.
What Can You Do To Protect Your Family?
It’s simple. Here are some easy things you can do TODAY to protect your family.
- Keep important documents handy. (Insurance cards, medical records, contact information, etc.)
- Understand your insurance. Make sure you know EXACTLY what you’re covered for.
- Start an emergency fund. It doesn’t have to be much. Just something to help with unexpected accidents.
- Educate yourself on your rights. There are tons of great resources online to learn more about personal injury law. Don’t accidentally cause yourself more problems because you didn’t do your homework.
- Create an accident plan. Who do you call? What do you do after you’re involved in an accident?
Most families don’t think about any of this until AFTER they’re involved in an accident. By then it’s too late.
They are focused on recovering, not researching.
Don’t be that family.
Speak To A Personal Injury Attorney
You don’t always need a lawyer.
Not all accidents require an attorney to help sort things out. In fact, if you hit someone and smashed their mailbox, then you can probably handle that on your own with your insurance company.
But if you encounter a major accident that involves injuries or large sums of compensation, then you should speak with an attorney.
Many personal injury attorneys will not charge you unless they win your case.
This is called working “on contingency” and it’s perfect for those families that can’t afford an attorney.
Plus, most lawyers offer free consultations so there’s no reason not to take 15 minutes and call.
Here’s a secret…
The more you know, the better you’ll handle yourself during an accident. Lawyers can be a great resource to help families who need professional guidance.
Wrap Up
Life is crazy enough as it is.
The last thing you want is to stress about accidents when they happen to you or your family.
Every family should understand their accident options. From knowing your basic rights to how injury claims work.
Here’s what you should remember:
- Accidents happen to millions of people every year
- Financial stability can be jeopardized if you’re not prepared
- The majority of injury claims are settled
- Knowing your injury claim worth increases your negotiation power
- Take simple steps today to protect your family
Remember, the families that take action now are the families that won’t get stressed if something happens to them.
Don’t wait, learn how to protect your family TODAY.
