Automobile injury lawsuits that make national news settle for million-dollar sums, but these settlements are not normal. They make national headlines because they're uncommon. The vast majority of automobile-related lawsuits settle for far less, and the claimants only receive a portion of their case's settlement amount. If you've been injured in an accident and are considering contacting an auto accident attorney, here's a realistic look at what you might end up with once the case is settled. Of course, your case may settle for more or less than this example, but this will help provide perspective.

Automobile Injury Settlements Average $24,000

The typical automobile injury settlement is well below a seven-figure sum. In fact, it's only a fraction of a six-figure amount. In 2013, the average automobile-related personal injury claim settled for $24,000.

Again, your own settlement may be greater or less than $24,000. It's much more likely to be close to this figure than a million-dollar number, though. To see just how much you may ultimately end up with, assume your case settled for this amount.

A $24,000 settlement doesn't represent the amount you'll receive. Instead, it's what claimants were rewarded. Using this, you'll have to pay several expenses and fees.

You'll Have to Pay Legal Fees

First, you'll have to pay legal fees associated with your case -- and these fees can easily reach $1,000 or more. Legal fees include small expenses like copying and shipping costs, but they also include larger expenses such as the following:

• the cost of a deposition, which can range between $364 and $412.75
• the cost of a medical expert witness's time, which averages $555 per hour
• the cost of rushing any work, which can further increase the price of the work

To continue the example, assume your case required a deposition that was only $364 and two hours of a medical expert witness's time. Your legal expenses, not including any copying or expediting fees, would total $1,474. After these were paid, your settlement would be $22,526.

Your Lawyer Will Charge a Percentage

Second, your personal injury attorney will charge a percentage that you agreed upon beforehand. Most attorneys charge 33 percent for cases that don't go to trial, and some require 40 percent for claims that do go to trial. In both cases, these percentages are calculated from the total settlement.

An average case may be settled out of court, so you might only have to pay your lawyer 33 percent of the remaining settlement. Although it's the lower of the two percentages, this still comes to $7,920. After your attorney is paid, $14,606 would be left.

You'll Have to Pay Medical Bills

Finally, you'll have to pay any medical bills related to the injuries you sustained. In fact, your personal injury attorney will have to pay these before they give you your settlement. While your case is pending, your lawyer will send out letters of protection to healthcare providers who treat you. These letters guarantee payment upon the case's settlement, and they must be honored.

If you've been injured in an automobile accident, you likely already know how quickly medical bills can add up. How much you're responsible for paying will depend on your health insurance. Even if you just have to pay a deductible of $1,000, though, that will still reduce your settlement. In this case, it will lower your share of the settlement to $13,606.

If there's a chance your automobile injury case could net you $13,606, you'll probably want to hire a personal injury attorney. After all, this amount is significant. However, you probably won't be set for life after your case is settled. For more information, contact a law firm like J D'Agostino & Associates, P.C.