Personal Injury | September 17, 2025 by JOSHUA D. ANDERSON

What Is the Average Settlement for Non-Injury Car Accidents in Washington State?

You were fortunate that no one suffered any injuries in the car accident, but now you’re dealing with the aftermath — property damage, vehicle repair costs, and even time off work. While you may think the typical car accident settlement only covers damage to your vehicle, you can recover compensation for so much more if you know what to ask for.

The Average Settlement for Non-Injury Car Accidents

Washington State doesn’t track information about car accident settlements, so there’s no way to say what the average car accident settlement amount is for any kind of car accident. That said, data from the Insurance Information Institute found that nationwide, the average claim amount for collision damage was $4,015 between 2014 and 2023 (the last year of available data). During that same time, the average claim for comprehensive coverage was $1,894. Interestingly, the average amount for each year trended up year over year.

In contrast, the average insurance claim for bodily injury was $19,858 during the same time.

What Can Impact the Average Car Accident Settlement Amount?

While sustaining an injury can significantly impact the total settlement amount, several other factors can influence the final settlement figure. 

Property Damage

The biggest impact on your settlement is usually the amount of property damage, which is generally the amount and type of damage to the vehicle. If your car was totaled, your car accident settlement will likely be much larger than repairing a dented bumper or replacing a cracked windshield.

However, it’s important to recognize that not all vehicle repairs are equal. Newer cars often have complex safety features that need replacing and calibrating after an accident. While a fender bender may seem minor, correcting everything may be far more expensive than it seems, which could increase the final settlement amount.

Liability

When you’re not the at-fault driver, calculating the car accident settlement is pretty cut and dry. You didn’t do anything wrong; therefore, you should receive full and fair compensation for your damages. However, if you are the at-fault driver, you’re still entitled to pursue compensation for the accident, but calculating the settlement amount isn’t as simple. 

Washington State is a comparative fault state. So while the at-fault driver can pursue a settlement from the insurance company or even the other driver, their final car accident settlement will be reduced by the total amount of their “fault” for the accident. For example, if it’s determined you’re 30% at fault for the accident, your car accident settlement will be reduced by 30%.

It’s even more complicated when both drivers are at-fault for the accident or there’s a third party at fault. For example, if you and the other driver were in an accident with a city bus, it’s possible you, the driver, and the city bus driver are all partly at fault for the accident.

Insurance Coverage Limits

Drivers in Washington State are required to have auto liability insurance. However, they are only required to carry the minimum amount of liability insurance, which is 25/50 10. The first two numbers refer to the maximum amount the insurance company has to pay for injuries. The third number is the maximum amount the insurance company has to pay for property damage, which is $10,000.

If the at-fault driver only has the minimum insurance coverage required and your expenses exceed that limit, the settlement may not cover all of your losses.

Economic Damages

Finally, the typical car accident settlement amount for non-injury car accidents is impacted by economic damages beyond vehicle damage. You can also recover expenses for:

• Lost wages. Even when you have a non-injury car accident, you likely have to take some time off of work. You probably had to drop your car off at the shop and pick it up when the vehicle repairs were complete. And you may have had to rent a car to get to and from work, which required missing work to pick up the car. Whatever the reason, you can receive fair compensation for any lost wages, even if you used paid time off to cover it.
• Rental car expenses. Speaking of renting a car, your car accident claim and settlement can also include compensation for any rental expenses you incurred.
• Towing fees. Whether your car is repairable or not, your vehicle may not have been drivable after the accident, and you had to pay to have it towed safely. You can recover these rental car fees.
• Diminished value. Though vehicle repairs get your car up and running again, even the most well-done repair doesn’t change the fact that your car was in an accident, which ultimately lowers its resale value.

Anderson Law | Injury Attorneys Can Help

A car accident without an injury doesn’t seem like a big deal. But once you start digging into the details, it turns out there’s a lot more to a dented bumper than meets the eye. Hiring an experienced legal team with expertise in vehicle accidents, personal injuries, and more, protects your rights and ensures you have someone fighting for the compensation you deserve.

Anderson Law Injury Attorneys has over 50 years of experience negotiating car accident settlements, dealing with insurance companies, and protecting drivers’ rights. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation and see how we can help you. 

The information contained on this website is intended for informational purposes only, and is not legal advice. Nothing in this website establishes an attorney-client relationship between us. Different facts can dramatically affect a legal opinion. You should consult an attorney for legal advice that pertains to your personal situation.