Car Accidents
This page is about car accident claims against Mercury Insurance. Our lawyers look at how Mercury handles injury claims and how settlement amounts (and jury payouts) are calculated.
Overview
Mercury Insurance Group has been in business since 1962 and was founded in California. It offers automobile insurance, homeowners/renters insurance (which applies in slip-and-fall cases and dog bite attacks), umbrella policies, and some commercial policies. Mercury currently has more than 1.7 million policyholders.
There is no question that Mercury focuses on high-risk drivers. So there are more accident cases involving Mercury Insurance than its market share would suggest. Bad drivers get in car accidents more frequently, leading to a higher volume of claims.
In 2025, Mercury Insurance was recognized for its workplace culture by being named to Forbes’ list of America’s Best Midsized Employers. This acknowledgment reflects the company’s commitment to its employees and organizational growth.
Mercury’s Operating Territory
Mercury Insurance, established in 1961, is a Los Angeles-based company offering auto insurance primarily in California (which generates 80% of its revenues) and 12 other states: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia. It ranks fifth in market share in California.
The company provides standard auto insurance coverages such as liability, collision, comprehensive, medical payments, personal injury protection, and uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Mercury also offers optional coverages like rental car reimbursement and roadside assistance.
Mercury Insurance FAQs
How much will my insurance go up with an at-fault accident with Mercury?
How do I file a claim with Mercury Insurance?
Does Mercury Insurance offer accident forgiveness?
Can I sue a Mercury-insured driver after an accident?
What types of insurance does Mercury offer?
How long has Mercury Insurance been in business?
How Mercury Values Bodily Injury Claims
Mercury Insurance, like many major auto insurers, relies heavily on claim evaluation software and internal guidelines to calculate the value of personal injury claims. In our experience, Mercury’s early offers tend to be extremely conservative. Almost invariably, they fail to correctly account for the full scope of the victim’s medical treatment, pain and suffering, lost wages, and future care needs.
Mercury adjusters often undervalue claims with soft-tissue injuries, delayed treatment, or gaps in medical documentation. They may also discount the claim if the client has pre-existing conditions, even if those conditions were aggravated by the accident. What they do is look at everything that could be viewed in two ways and bend it to their advantage, so they offer as little as possible.
Many of Mercury’s initial settlement offers appear to be generated by software systems that prioritize low payouts and minimize perceived exposure. These systems may not fully reflect the nuances of a particular case, such as the credibility of a treating physician, the client’s pain narrative, or long-term physical limitations.
Mercury’s approach can shift significantly once litigation begins. Lawyers are more pragmatic because they actually have to try the case. So when faced with the prospect of discovery, depositions, and expert testimony—especially in cases with strong liability and compelling damages—Mercury is more likely to reassess the claim’s settlement value. In cases where bad faith exposure becomes a concern, such as delays in investigation or lowball offers in the face of clear liability, Mercury sometimes will change its tune and settle for amounts far above their initial evaluations.
Settlement of Mercury Accident Claims
The following verdicts and settlements involving Mercury Insurance provide helpful reference points for understanding how injury claims have been resolved in various states. These examples illustrate the impact of policy limits, injury severity, litigation pressure, and insurer negotiation strategies. However, they should not be viewed as predictors of compensation in any individual case. Personal injury settlements are highly fact-dependent, and outcomes can vary significantly based on the unique circumstances of each claim.
If you have been injured in a car accident and Mercury insures the responsible driver, you may face significant challenges during the claims process. Mercury Insurance has developed a reputation among personal injury attorneys for being particularly difficult when it comes to resolving accident claims in a fair and timely manner.
While many attorneys express frustrations about insurance companies in general, Mercury consistently stands out for its overly aggressive and uncooperative tactics. In our experience, Mercury frequently delays settlement discussions, even in cases where liability is clear and the injuries are supported by substantial medical evidence. This approach appears to be part of a broader strategy designed to minimize payouts and frustrate claimants into accepting less than what their claims are truly worth.
Many of our clients have reported that Mercury Insurance fails to respond promptly to correspondence, makes unreasonably low settlement offers, and resists negotiation until a lawsuit is filed. These tactics place unnecessary stress on injury victims, many of whom are already struggling with physical pain, financial hardship, and emotional trauma.
In our legal practice, we have found that Mercury rarely makes fair settlement offers during the early stages of a claim. More often, reasonable offers only emerge after litigation has begun, or when it becomes apparent that continued bad faith handling of the claim could expose the company to further legal risk. In some cases, Mercury appears to respond only when the threat of a trial or a bad faith claim becomes unavoidable.
For accident victims, this means that pursuing a fair settlement with Mercury Insurance often requires patience, persistence, and experienced legal representation. When dealing with Mercury, bear in mind that the process may be more adversarial and time-consuming than with other insurers. However, with the right legal support, it is possible to secure a full and fair resolution to your claim.
Verdicts and Settlements Involving Mercury Insureds
The following verdicts and settlements involving Mercury Insurance provide helpful reference points for understanding how injury claims have been resolved in various states. These examples illustrate the impact of policy limits, injury severity, litigation pressure, and insurer negotiation strategies. However, they should not be viewed as predictors of compensation in any individual case. Personal injury settlements are highly fact-dependent, and outcomes can vary significantly based on the unique circumstances of each claim.
2024: $51,000 Settlement – Nevada: A minor was crossing an intersection in Clark County when he was struck by a vehicle. Allstate Insurance insured the defendant, and the plaintiff was additionally covered under a Mercury Insurance underinsured motorist policy. The plaintiff’s family claimed the driver failed to stop at the intersection and failed to yield the right-of-way, causing the collision. The plaintiff had 40,302 in past medical expenses. A petition for compromise was filed, and the parties reached a settlement agreement. Allstate and Mercury both contributed to the final $51,000 settlement, which was approved by the court in August 2024.
2024: $180,000 Settlement – Oklahoma: A minor plaintiff, K.H., was a passenger in a vehicle that was struck by another car operated by defendant Paige Ellison. Ellison was insured by both State Farm Insurance and American Mercury Insurance, which provided underinsured/uninsured motorist coverage. K.H. suffered a fractured leg and multiple other injuries. She alleged negligence and pursued claims against all defendants. The parties reached a structured settlement totaling $180,000. Mercury Insurance paid $100,000, State Farm contributed $25,000, Ellison personally paid $50,000, and an additional $5,000 was recovered under medical payments coverage.
2023: $750,000 Settlement – California. A 29-year-old motorcyclist was struck by a left-turning Mercury-insured vehicle in Sacramento. The rider sustained a fractured clavicle and multiple disc herniations requiring epidural injections and physical therapy. Mercury initially offered $95,000. The case settled for $750,000 following expert reports and a threat of bad faith litigation.
2021: $1,250,000 Settlement – Florida. A pedestrian in Miami was hit in a crosswalk by a Mercury-insured SUV. The plaintiff suffered a traumatic brain injury and facial fractures. Mercury disputed liability, arguing the plaintiff was jaywalking. Plaintiff’s counsel filed suit, and after two depositions, the insurer paid its full $1.25M policy limit.
2020: $435,000 Settlement – California. A 52-year-old nurse is riding her motorcycle on Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles. She is clipped in the back by a Mercury-insured driver. She suffers a meniscal tear requiring a total knee replacement and exacerbates a pre-existing hip condition. She had $275,000 in medical bills and $20,000 in lost wages.
2013: $200,000 Settlement – New Jersey. A child is bitten in the face by a relative’s dog. Mercury insured the homeowner. The child suffered permanent facial scarring. Mercury ultimately agreed to pay $200,000 of the $300,000 policy limit.
2013: $5,000,000 Settlement – New York. A 43-year-old plumber’s foreman falls off a ladder at a construction site. He sustains multiple spinal disc herniations and undergoes ten surgeries. Mercury, insuring one of the subcontractors, contributed $1 million to the $5 million global settlement.
2012: $1,137,500 Settlement – California. A pregnant woman and her family are hit by a Mercury-insured driver making a left turn. The woman loses her baby and suffers severe injuries, including a fractured femur and pelvis. Mercury had only a $15,000/$30,000 policy, but due to bad faith issues arising from a delayed investigation, Mercury paid well in excess of policy limits.
Contact Us
If you have a claim involving a Mercury-insured driver or property owner, our car accident lawyers can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at 800-553-8082 or complete our free claim review form to get started.
More Useful Information
- Learn more about motor vehicle claims
- What to Do After an Auto Accident
- Valuing Personal Injury Cases (how much is your Mercury Insurance claim worth?)
- Handling Personal Injury Claims Without a Lawyer (tips for personal injury victims)
- Handling Your Property Damage Claim (tips for auto accident property damage claims)
- Sample Demand Letter (letter to an insurance company for compensation by settlement)
- Personal Injury Frequently Asked Questions (questions about handling claims against Mercury and other car insurance companies)
- Car Accident Statistics (underscores why insurance companies treat you as a statistic)
Information on Our Personal Injury Law Firm
- Our Lawyers [Learn More Here]
- Client Testimonials [Read Them Here]
- Information for Referring Lawyers [Learn More Here]
- Free Online Consultation [Talk to Our Lawyers About Your Mercury Insurance Claim]