How much money do you get for broken ribs after a car crash? There is no one fixed amount. The money you get, called compensation, depends on many different things. It depends on how bad your ribs are broken, how much pain you have, how much your doctor bills cost, and how much work time you miss. It also depends on who caused the crash and how much insurance they have. This kind of money payment is part of a personal injury claim. The final payment amount is called a car accident settlement.
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What Broken Ribs Mean
Ribs are bones in your chest. They protect important parts inside your body. Like your lungs and heart.
In a car crash, the force can be very strong. Your chest might hit the steering wheel. Or the dashboard. Or the seat belt can press hard on your chest. This can cause your ribs to break.
Broken ribs hurt a lot. It can be hard to breathe. Hard to move. Even hard to sleep. Simple things like coughing or sneezing become very painful.
Types of Rib Breaks
Not all broken ribs are the same. Some are simple cracks. Others are broken all the way through. Sometimes many ribs break. This is called multiple rib fractures.
- A simple crack might heal okay.
- A full break is worse. It can move.
- Multiple rib fractures are very serious. They can cause other problems. A broken rib piece can poke into your lung. This is very dangerous.
The type and number of broken ribs change how bad the injury is. More broken ribs usually mean more pain. More doctor visits. More time needed to get better. This affects how much money you can get. Multiple rib fractures compensation is often higher than for just one broken rib.
Figuring Out Your Costs
After a crash with broken ribs, you have costs. These costs are a big part of your personal injury claim. You need money to pay for these costs.
Your Doctor Bills
This is money for all your medical care. Broken ribs need checking. You go to the hospital. Maybe the emergency room first. Doctors look at you. They might do X-rays or scans.
- Hospital visits
- Doctor visits
- X-rays and scans
- Pain medicine
- Help with breathing exercises
- Maybe physical therapy later
All these things cost money. Lots of money. The person who caused the crash should pay for these costs. This is medical bills compensation. You need to keep all your bills. All papers from the doctor. This shows how much you spent.
Money You Lost From Work
Broken ribs make it hard to work. Your job might need you to lift. Or move around. Or even just sit for a long time. If you are in pain, you cannot do your job well. Or you cannot work at all.
When you cannot work, you lose money. This is called lost wages. You can get money for the work time you missed. This is called lost wages recovery.
You need proof of how much you made before the crash. Pay stubs show this. Your boss can write a letter too. This shows how long you were off work. It shows how much money you did not make because of the broken ribs.
If your injury means you cannot do the same job ever again, or you can only work less, you can ask for money for future lost wages too. This is harder to figure out. But a lawyer can help with this.
Money for Pain and Suffering
Broken ribs hurt. A lot. The pain can last weeks. Even months. It stops you from doing things you like. Things you need to do.
- You cannot play with your kids.
- You cannot do hobbies.
- You cannot clean your house easily.
- It hurts to sleep.
- You feel bad or sad because of the pain.
This pain and how it makes your life harder is also part of your injury. The law says you can get money for this. This is called pain and suffering damages.
This money is not for a bill. It is for the hurt itself. And for how the hurt changes your life. How much money for pain and suffering is not set. It is harder to figure out. It is not like adding up bills.
Many things make this amount bigger or smaller:
- How bad the pain was.
- How long the pain lasted.
- If the injury made your life much worse.
- If you needed help with daily tasks.
- If you feel sad or scared because of the crash or injury.
A personal injury lawyer knows how to ask for this money. They know how to show the insurance company how much you suffered.
How Money Is Decided
Many things change how much compensation you get for broken ribs. It is not just the injury itself.
Who Caused the Crash
This is very important. To get money, someone else must be at fault for the crash. They must be the reason you got hurt. If the crash was 100% their fault, they or their insurance should pay for all your costs and pain.
If you were also a little bit at fault, this can change the money you get. In some places, if you are even a little bit at fault, you get no money. In other places, the money you get is cut by how much fault was yours. For example, if you were 20% at fault, your total money might be cut by 20%. A personal injury lawyer understands these rules. They help show the crash was not your fault.
How Bad Your Injuries Are
This is key. Simple cracked ribs heal faster. They cause less pain for a shorter time. Multiple rib fractures are much more serious. They take longer to heal. They cause more intense pain. They can lead to other health problems.
Someone with multiple rib fractures who needed hospital time and therapy will get more money than someone with one simple rib crack who just needed rest. The medical bills will be much higher. The lost wages will be more. The pain and suffering will be greater.
Your Age and Health Before
An older person might take longer to heal. A person with other health problems might have more trouble with broken ribs. These things can make the case for more money stronger. The injury had a bigger effect on them.
How Your Life Changed
Did the broken ribs stop you from working? For how long? Did it stop you from caring for your family? Did it mean you could not do things you loved? Like sports or hobbies? Did it make you feel sad or worried for a long time?
The bigger the impact on your daily life, the more money you can ask for pain and suffering. You need to explain this. Keep a pain diary. Write down how you feel each day. What you could not do.
The Insurance Company
Insurance companies want to pay as little money as possible. They might offer you a low amount at first. This is an insurance settlement offer. Do not take the first offer right away. It is usually too low.
The amount of insurance the at-fault driver has matters. If your costs and pain are very high, but the driver only has a small amount of insurance, you might not get all the money you need from their insurance alone. Your own insurance might help in some cases. Or you might need to look at other ways to get money.
How to Get Compensation
Getting money after a crash takes steps.
Step 1: See a Doctor
After any crash, see a doctor. Right away. Even if you think you are okay. Some injuries show up later. Broken ribs might not seem bad at first. A doctor check-up creates a medical record. This record proves you were hurt in the crash. It links your broken ribs to the crash. Follow all doctor orders. Go to all appointments. This shows you are taking your injury seriously. This is important for your claim.
Step 2: Report the Crash
Report the crash to the police. Get a police report number. Report the crash to your insurance company. And the other driver’s insurance company.
Step 3: Collect Proof
Gather everything about the crash and your injury.
- Police report
- Photos of the crash scene
- Photos of your injuries
- Names and numbers of witnesses
- All doctor bills
- All papers from the hospital and doctor
- Proof of lost wages (pay stubs, letter from boss)
- Keep a pain diary (write how you feel each day)
Step 4: File a Claim
You file a personal injury claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. This tells them you are seeking money for your injuries and costs.
Step 5: Talk to the Insurance Adjuster
An insurance adjuster works for the insurance company. They will call you. They might ask for details about the crash and your injury. Be careful what you say. Do not say “I’m fine.” Do not guess about your injuries. Do not say the crash was partly your fault. Just stick to the facts.
It is often best to let a lawyer talk to the adjuster. They know what to say. And what not to say.
Step 6: Figuring Out Your Claim Value
You need to know how much money your claim is worth. This means adding up:
- All your medical bills.
- All your lost wages.
- An amount for your pain and suffering.
How to figure out pain and suffering? There is no exact math. It often relates to the medical bills. Sometimes it is a number times the medical bills. Or it is a daily amount for the worst pain. A personal injury lawyer helps put a fair number on pain and suffering damages. They look at past cases like yours. They know what feels right based on your specific pain and life changes.
Step 7: Negotiating with Insurance
The insurance company will look at your claim. They will make an insurance settlement offer. As said before, this first offer is usually low.
You can say no to their offer. You can make a higher offer. This is called negotiating injury settlement. You go back and forth. You show them your proof. You explain all your costs and pain. You try to agree on a final amount.
This is where a lawyer is very helpful. They are skilled at negotiating. They know how to push back against low offers. They know the laws. They know what your claim is really worth. They can fight for you to get a fair amount.
Step 8: Going to Court (Sometimes)
Most claims end with a settlement. You and the insurance company agree on a money amount. But sometimes you cannot agree. The insurance company might not offer enough money. Or they say the crash was your fault.
If you cannot agree, you can file a lawsuit. This means you take the case to court. Going to court takes time. It takes more work. But it can lead to getting more money. A personal injury lawyer handles the lawsuit for you. They file papers. They talk to the other side’s lawyer. They present your case in court if needed.
Going to court is not always needed. But the threat of going to court can make the insurance company offer more money in settlement talks.
What Affects the Money Amount Most?
Here are the main things that make the compensation amount go up or down:
- Severity of Broken Ribs: One simple crack vs. multiple rib fractures. Are lungs or other organs hurt too?
- Medical Costs: How much did doctor visits, hospital stays, tests, and therapy cost? Future medical needs?
- Lost Income: How much work was missed? Does the injury affect future ability to work?
- Proof of Pain and Life Changes: How well can you show how much you hurt and how your life changed? Doctor notes, pain diary, words from family and friends help.
- Clear Fault: Is it very clear the other driver caused the crash?
- Insurance Limits: How much insurance money does the at-fault driver have?
- Location: Rules and past case results can be different in different states or areas.
- Having a Lawyer: Lawyers usually get more money for clients, even after their fee.
Average Settlement Value
Many people ask, “What is the average settlement value for broken ribs?” This is hard to answer. There is no true average number that means much for your case. Every case is different.
Someone with one simple cracked rib might settle for a few thousand dollars. This covers basic medical checks and some pain.
Someone with multiple rib fractures, a hospital stay, lost months of work, and long-term pain might settle for tens of thousands. Or even more.
The average settlement value includes all these different cases. So, a number like $10,000 or $20,000 might be an average. But it does not tell you what your case is worth. Your case is worth what your specific damages are. Medical bills + lost wages + pain and suffering. Plus maybe other costs.
Do not compare your case to others you hear about online. Get advice for your specific situation.
The Personal Injury Lawyer Role
A personal injury lawyer helps you a lot. They know the laws. They know how insurance companies work.
- They guide you: They tell you the steps to take.
- They gather proof: They help get police reports, medical records, proof of lost wages.
- They talk to insurance: They handle all calls and letters from the insurance adjuster.
- They figure out value: They calculate a fair amount for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain.
- They negotiate: They fight to get you a fair settlement offer.
- They go to court: If needed, they file a lawsuit and represent you in court.
Having a lawyer often leads to a better result. They can usually get more money than you could on your own. Even after paying their fee, you often end up with more money in your pocket. Most personal injury lawyers work on a “contingency fee.” This means they only get paid if they win your case. Their pay is a part of the money you get. If you get no money, they get no money. This makes it easy to hire a lawyer. You do not pay money up front.
Getting Help with Negotiating
Negotiating injury settlement with an insurance company can be stressful. Insurance adjusters are trained to pay less. They might try to make you feel the crash was partly your fault. Or that your injuries are not that bad.
Here is why negotiating is important:
- The first offer is almost never fair.
- Your costs might be higher than you first think (future doctor visits).
- Pain lasts longer than you think.
- You deserve money for how the injury affected your life.
A lawyer handles this negotiation for you. They have experience. They know the tricks insurance companies use. They will present your case strongly. They will fight for every dollar you deserve.
Special Points for Multiple Rib Fractures
Getting compensation for multiple rib fractures is different from one broken rib. Multiple breaks mean a more serious injury.
- Higher Medical Bills: You likely needed hospital time. Maybe special breathing help. More tests. Longer recovery.
- More Pain: Pain is much worse with several broken ribs.
- Longer Time Off Work: You will be unable to work for a longer time.
- Higher Risk of Problems: Lung problems are more common. Other health issues can come up.
- Bigger Impact on Life: It is harder to do daily tasks. It takes longer to get back to normal life.
Because of these things, multiple rib fractures compensation is usually much higher. The pain and suffering damages will be much greater. The total average settlement value for multiple breaks is higher than for single breaks.
It is very important to have a personal injury lawyer if you have multiple rib fractures. They will make sure the insurance company understands how serious your injuries are. They will fight for a settlement amount that truly covers all your costs and suffering, now and in the future.
Factors That Can Lower Compensation
Some things can make the money amount lower:
- Minor Injuries: If the rib crack is small and heals very fast with little pain.
- Delay in Medical Care: Waiting a long time to see a doctor after the crash. This makes it harder to prove the crash caused the broken ribs.
- Not Following Doctor Orders: If you do not do what the doctor says. This can make your injury take longer to heal. The insurance company might say you made it worse.
- Pre-Existing Condition: If you had a rib problem before the crash. The insurance company might say the pain is from the old problem, not the crash. (But if the crash made an old problem worse, you can still get money for that).
- Being Partly at Fault: As mentioned before, if the crash was partly your fault.
- Low Insurance Limits: If the at-fault driver does not have much insurance.
Getting the Right Help
Dealing with broken ribs is hard enough. Dealing with insurance companies is another burden. Hiring a personal injury lawyer lets you focus on getting better. They handle the legal work and the fighting for money.
Look for a lawyer who has worked on car accident cases. Cases with broken ribs. They will know what to do. They will explain everything to you simply. They will fight for the full compensation you deserve. Getting medical bills compensation, lost wages recovery, and money for pain and suffering is complex. A lawyer makes it simpler for you.
Table Showing Cost Types
Here is a simple table showing types of costs (damages) you can ask for:
| Type of Cost (Damage) | What it Pays For | Proof Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Bills Compensation | Hospital, doctor, X-rays, medicine, therapy | Bills, medical records |
| Lost Wages Recovery | Money lost from not working due to injury | Pay stubs, letter from employer |
| Pain and Suffering Damages | Physical pain, emotional distress, lost enjoyment | Doctor notes, pain diary, photos, witness words |
| Other Costs | Travel to doctor, help with house tasks needed | Receipts, notes on needed help |
All these costs add up to the total value of your personal injury claim. The final car accident settlement amount tries to cover all these things.
Final Thoughts on Compensation
Getting compensation for broken ribs after a car accident is a process. It takes time. The amount of money is different for everyone. It depends on how bad your specific injuries are. How much they cost you. How much they hurt you. And how they changed your life.
Do not accept a quick, low offer from the insurance company. Take time to understand all your costs. Get a full picture of your recovery.
If you have broken ribs from a crash that was not your fault, talk to a personal injury lawyer. They can help you figure out what your claim is worth. They can help you get the maximum compensation possible. They fight for your rights. They help you get the money you need to cover your costs and pain.
This money helps you pay bills. It helps you take care of yourself while you heal. It helps make up for the hard time you went through because of the crash. Your focus should be on getting better. Let a lawyer focus on getting the money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does it take to get a settlement for broken ribs?
A: It takes time. Simple cases might settle in a few months. More complex cases, like multiple rib fractures or cases that go to court, can take a year or more. It depends on how long you need medical care and how hard the talks with the insurance company are.
Q: Can I ask for money for future medical care if my ribs are still healing?
A: Yes. If doctors say you will need more care in the future for your ribs, you can ask for money to cover those future costs. This is part of medical bills compensation. Your lawyer helps prove these future needs.
Q: What if the crash was partly my fault?
A: It depends on where you live. Some places use rules that cut your money by how much you were at fault. Some places might stop you from getting any money if you were partly at fault. A personal injury lawyer understands these rules and how they affect your claim.
Q: The insurance company wants me to give a recorded statement. Should I?
A: No. It is usually not a good idea to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company without talking to a lawyer first. What you say can be used against you later. A lawyer can handle talking to the insurance company for you.
Q: How do I prove pain and suffering?
A: You prove it by showing medical records that talk about your pain. You can use a pain diary you kept. Photos of your injury. Words from family or friends who saw your pain. A lawyer helps present this proof to the insurance company. They show how much your broken ribs hurt you and changed your life.
Q: Can I handle a broken rib claim myself?
A: You can try. But it is hard. Insurance companies are tough negotiators. They know the rules. Most people who use a personal injury lawyer get more money than those who handle it alone. This is especially true for more serious injuries like multiple rib fractures.
Q: What if my broken ribs led to other health problems?
A: If your broken ribs caused other problems, like a collapsed lung or long-term breathing issues, you can get money for those too. These make your case more serious. The medical bills and pain and suffering damages will be higher. This is part of getting full compensation for all injuries from the crash.
Q: What is the difference between a claim and a lawsuit?
A: A claim is when you ask the insurance company for money. You show them your costs and pain. A lawsuit is when you go to court. You file papers with the court and ask a judge or jury to decide who was at fault and how much money should be paid. Most claims settle before a lawsuit starts or finishes.