The average settlement for a car accident in Georgia often varies depending on the severity of the accident. Car accidents may cause major losses or minor damages. So, settlements differ based on how much the damages are caused. Each accident that occurs is usually investigated to determine the appropriate amount of compensation.
However, the compensation amount is not the only information gotten from examining the accident case. The facts of the car accident can also inform the type of damage compensation that the car accident victim should receive.
Types of Damages in Georgia car accidents and the average settlement for a car accident in Georgia
There are three types of damage compensation accident victims may be entitled to receive in a Georgia car accident depending on the facts of their accident case. They are:
- Economic Damage Compensation
- Non-Economic Damage Compensation
- Exemplary or Punitive Damages Compensation
Economic Damage Compensation
Economic damage compensation is the type of compensation that accident victims receive for damages that can be independently and objectively proven using invoices, estimates, predictions, evaluations, and other financial data.
Examples of economic damage that can be compensated for are medical bills, lost income, loss of earning capacity, missed benefits, and property damage.
The settlement of these damages often varies depending on the seriousness of the car accident and the severity of the injuries sustained in the auto crash. The more delicate the area where the injury is sustained, the higher the settlement amount becomes.
Statistics show that the following figures may be the prevalent average settlement for a car accident in Georgia with respect to physical injuries to the body.
- Whiplash and other minor soft-tissue injuries cost between $2,500 and $20,000
- Mild to moderate concussions cost $20,000 to $30,000.
- Fracture of a bone or rib cost $15,000 to $100,000
- Injury to the neck or back cost $30,000 to $100,000
- Injury to the knee or shoulder cost $30,000 to $100,000 or more
- $100,000 or more for traumatic brain injury
- $100,000 or more for a severe back injury
- $1,000,000 or more for spinal cord injury/paralysis
- $500,000 to $1,000,000 or more for wrongful death
Non-Economic Damage Compensation
This type of damage compensation is meant for intangible losses and this explanation here is the average settlement for a car accident in Georgia. It is the compensation paid for pain and suffering, emotional distress, inconvenience, loss of consortium, stress and anxiety. To get non-economic damage compensation, representing attorneys often present the victim’s financial statements and possible projections about the accident effects to the court.
This way, the court has something to work with when calculating what the settlement amount the accident victim should receive as a result of suffering a non-economic loss.
Exemplary and Punitive Damages Compensation
Exemplary and punitive damage compensation is not to satisfy accident victims. It is a type of damage compensation necessary to correct a mistake.
Often times, when the court discovers that the cause of the car accident is simply the grossly reckless behavior or the disregard for the lives of others by the at-fault motorist, this compensation applies. In this case, the at-fault motorist will be required to pay both economic and non-economic damage compensation, as well as punitive damages.
Punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant for being careless or malicious. Certain drunk driving and hit-and-run cases often attract punitive damage compensation.
Personal injury attorneys often help accident victims figure out the damage compensation they are entitled to and how much their case is worth. In serious car accidents where one party dies or sustains irreparable damage, the just compensation to the victim may be that the at-fault motorist pays all three types of damage compensation.
But for less serious car accidents, one or two types of damage compensation might suffice as fair compensation. Still wondering what the average settlement for a car accident in Georgia is? Let’s go on.
How are auto accident settlements determined?
When determining the settlement for an auto accident in Georgia, there are different factors that come into play. They include:
- The amount of insurance available (from both drivers)
- The severity of your accident injuries
- Your level of responsibility for the accident
- The speed with which you sought medical attention
- Whether your injuries are long-term or permanent,
- The medical treatment you received
- Whether you’ve previously made claims or had similar injuries,
- The quantity of proof demonstrating your injuries and damage is small.
Automobile accident settlements in Georgia are no cash grab. Accident victims should ensure there is adequate proof demonstrating injuries and damages before making a claim. It would be useful to convince the insurance company and also if you want to take it further to court to get your desired amount of compensation. At this point, the average settlement for a car accident in Georgia wouldn’t really matter if you don’t have a case.
Are you considering going on trial? It is important to note that there is a statute of limitations in car accident cases in Georgia. Various sorts of injury cases have different filing deadlines. For this reason, you should consult with a vehicle accident lawyer as quickly as possible.
How does a car accident settlement work?
Once you agree to a settlement amount to be paid to you, it is also important to know how the compensation will be paid. You can decide to obtain compensation in a single lump sum or a structured settlement in which payments are made gradually, depending on your unique circumstances.
At this time, it is also advisable to consult with your attorney to determine which would work best for you because the agreed terms cannot be altered afterwards. I hope we have been able to explain what the average settlement for a car accident in Georgia is. Please leave us a comment below.