How Much Compensation Are You Entitled to for a Serious Motor Vehicle Accident in Ramat Gan?

Introduction: Severe Traffic Accident and the Path to Compensation

A severe traffic accident changes lives. Serious bodily injuries—fractures, spinal cord damage, amputations, head injuries, burns, and more—entail physical suffering, emotional pain, future medical expenses, and loss of earning capacity that may persist for years. Simultaneously, the victim and their family face legal questions: What are my rights? How much compensation can I receive? Who pays—National Insurance, the responsible driver's insurance company, or both?

The office of Mandelboim, Gor, Witzman-Gor and Co., Attorneys-at-Law, has been engaged in representing plaintiffs in severe traffic accidents since 2008. Through our work in Ramat Gan and in Petach Tikva, we have witnessed how proper and full compensation can restore the victim's ability to recover, pay for ongoing medical treatment, and cope with the non-financial damages of the accident. On this page, we analyze the components of compensation, the legal process, and the ways to ensure you receive the full amount owed to you.

What Are Severe Bodily Injuries in a Traffic Accident?

Under National Insurance law and the competition authority, bodily injuries are defined according to severity level. A severe traffic accident typically refers to an accident in which there are:

• Serious fractures: Fractures of the spine, major bones (femur, tibia), intervertebral discs, or multiple fractures requiring surgery or prolonged rehabilitation.
• Spinal cord injury: Damage to the spinal cord or vertebrae, which may lead to partial or complete paralysis of the limbs.
• Amputations: Loss of a limb or part of a limb as a direct result of the accident.
• Head injuries and contusions: Penetrating injuries, brain contusions, skull fractures, or damage to cognitive and psychological functions.
• Significant burns: Second-degree or higher burns covering a substantial area of the body.
• Loss of vision, hearing, or other functions: Damage to sensory systems or critical functional capacities.

Each of these injuries affects the compensation amount differently. Mandelboim, Gor, Witzman-Gor and Co. evaluates each case individually, taking into account the victim's age, profession, prior health status, and recovery prospects.

Components of Compensation in a Severe Traffic Accident

Compensation for severe bodily injuries in a traffic accident consists of several separate components:

• Compensation for bodily harm (lump sum) — A fixed amount or fixed range according to the degree of disability or loss of earning capacity.
• Actual medical expenses — Costs of surgeries, hospitalization, rehabilitation treatment, medications, alternative therapies, future medical visits.
• Loss of income — Income lost from the date of the accident until return to work, or an estimate of future income loss if the victim cannot return to their previous employment.
• Pain and suffering — Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, isolation, and impact on quality of life.
• Loss of enjoyment of life — Compensation for the reduction in the intensity of life enjoyment, the ability to engage in activities the victim was accustomed to (sports, hobbies, family life).
• Future natural treatment or complementary therapy expenses — If the victim requires treatments not covered by National Insurance.

Each component is calculated separately, and then combined together to form the total compensation amount. This amount can reach, in very serious accidents, tens of thousands of shekels or even hundreds of thousands, depending on the severity of the damage and the circumstances of the case.

How Does the Severity of Injury Affect the Compensation Amount?

In severe traffic accidents, the severity of injury is the primary factor in determining the compensation amount. The National Insurance Institute and the civil claims system in Israel use disability percentage tables to determine the level of injury suffered by the victim. This disability percentage serves as the basis for calculating compensation for bodily injury.

For example, a victim who suffered fractures in both legs requiring surgery and prolonged rehabilitation may receive a disability assessment of 30–50%. A victim who sustained spinal cord injury resulting in partial paralysis of the legs may be assessed at 70–90% disability or higher. The higher the disability percentage, the greater the compensation amount.

In addition to the disability percentage, the compensation is also affected by:

• Age of the victim: A young victim with many working years ahead will generally receive higher compensation for future lost income than a victim approaching retirement age.
• Profession of the victim: If the victim worked in a profession requiring high physical capability (construction, sports, work at heights), compensation for future lost income will be higher than for someone who worked in a profession requiring less physical capability.
• Previous income: A victim who earned a high income will receive higher compensation for lost income than someone who earned a lower income.
• Recovery prospects: If the victim is expected to recover fully within a reasonable time, compensation for future lost income will be smaller than if the victim is expected to remain with permanent disability for life.

Mandelbaum, Gor, Witzman-Gor & Co. uses over 18 years of experience in plaintiff representation to evaluate all these factors and create a comprehensive picture of the fair compensation.

National Insurance versus Civil Claim — What is the Difference?

When a serious traffic accident occurs, the victim generally has two ways to receive compensation:

1. National Insurance: The victim can file a request with the National Insurance Institute and receive fixed benefits under the National Insurance Law. These include a monthly pension (if the disability percentage exceeds a certain threshold), coverage of medical expenses, and rehabilitation assistance. National Insurance provides automatic compensation according to fixed tables, without the need to prove the fault of the responsible driver.

2. Civil Claim: The victim can file a claim against the responsible driver and/or against his insurance company, demanding compensation for all damages incurred. In a civil claim, the victim must prove that the responsible driver was at fault in the accident and that the damage resulted from that fault. If the claim is accepted, the victim can receive compensation for all components of damages mentioned above—including amounts exceeding what National Insurance provides.

Typically, the victim will file a request with National Insurance and also file a civil claim. National Insurance provides safe and quick compensation, while the civil claim can provide larger amounts but requires a longer legal process.

Comparative Table: Typical Severe Traffic Accident Scenarios

Below is a table presenting typical scenarios of severe traffic accidents, expected disability rates, and general compensation ranges (rough estimates only, without any guarantee):

Important: The above table is a rough estimate only and does not constitute a guarantee or price list. Each case is assessed individually, and actual results may differ substantially depending on specific circumstances, evidence, court rulings, and other factors.

The Legal Process: From Accident to Compensation

When an injured party from a serious motor vehicle accident comes to the office of Mendelbaum, Gor, Witzman-Gor and Co. in Ramat Gan, we operate in structured and planned stages:

Stage 1: Initial consultation meeting (at no cost)
In the initial meeting, we listen to the accident story, examine the preliminary medical documentation, and assess the severity of damages. We also explain the injured party's rights under National Insurance and in civil claims, and propose an action plan.

Stage 2: Filing a National Insurance claim
We file a formal application with the National Insurance Institute so that the injured party begins receiving benefits. This application includes complete medical documentation, expert reports, and a detailed description of the damages. We track the request and contact the National Insurance Institute to expedite the process.

Stage 3: Collection of medical and legal documentation
We collect medical reports from all physicians and hospitals that treated the injured party. We also contact specialists (neurologists, orthopedists, psychiatrists) to obtain expert reports describing the extent of injury and recovery prospects. Additionally, we collect evidence from the accident itself — police reports, photographs from the scene, witness testimonies.

Stage 4: Appeals of National Insurance decisions (if necessary)
If the National Insurance Institute rejected the claim or offered disability percentages that are too low, we file an appeal before an appeals committee or before the court. We argue on behalf of the injured party using medical reports, testimonies, and strong legal arguments.

Stage 5: Filing a civil lawsuit (if appropriate)
If the injured party is entitled to compensation exceeding what the National Insurance Institute provides, we file a civil lawsuit in court against the responsible driver and/or his insurance company. In the lawsuit, we argue that the responsible driver was negligent in the accident and that the damage caused to the injured party exceeds the amount provided by the National Insurance Institute.

Stage 6: Settlement negotiations
Typically, before or during court proceedings, the insurance company will offer a settlement — a sum of money to close the case without the need for court trial. We negotiate on behalf of the injured party to achieve the highest possible amount.

Stage 7: Court judgment or final settlement
If a settlement is not reached, the court will issue a judgment requiring the insurance company to pay compensation. If a settlement is reached, the injured party will sign the agreement and receive the agreed-upon amount.

Each stage in the process requires deep legal knowledge, experience in dealing with insurance companies and courts, and personal connection with the injured party. The office of Mendelbaum, Gor, Witzman-Gor and Co. accompanies the injured party through every stage, explains all steps, and ensures that their rights are protected.