Calculate Your Personal Injury Settlement in Georgia
At The Weinstein Firm, we understand how overwhelming it can be after an accident. Whether you were hurt in a car crash, slip and fall, or any other type of personal injury, one of your biggest questions is likely: “How much is my personal injury case worth?” That’s where our personal injury settlement calculator comes in.
As explained below, many insurance companies use the multiplier method to calculate non-economic damages (commonly known as pain and suffering). Our car accident settlement calculator is designed to give you a general idea of what your case might be worth.
Note: Our personal injury settlement calculator is for informational purposes only. Contact an Atlanta personal injury lawyer for legal advice about your specific case.
Talk With an Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer
Many factors influence settlement amounts. It’s crucial to speak with an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer about the details of your case. Our team at the Weinstein Firm can assess the value of your damages and fight for the maximum settlement.
As experienced personal injury attorneys serving all of Georgia, we’ve created this guide to explain how settlements are calculated and how we can help you maximize your compensation.
Personal Injury Settlement Calculator
Types of Personal Injury Damages
In most personal injury cases, there are two main types of damages that accident victims can recover: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages cover financial losses from the accident, such as medical bills and lost income. Non-economic damages (general damages) compensate you for the emotional and physical impact of the injury, such as pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
If the defendant’s behavior was especially reckless, accident victims can seek additional money in the form of punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Also known as special damages, economic damages are the measurable costs tied directly to your injury. Examples include:
- Medical bills
- Future medical costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of future income
- Property damage (like car repairs or replacement costs)
Learn more about economic damages in personal injury claims.
Medical Bills and Future Medical Expenses
This includes hospital bills, ambulance fees, prescription medications, physical therapy, and any other medical treatment you needed or will need in the future. Keeping track of receipts, bills, and medical records is essential to proving these losses.
Lost Wages and Future Income Loss
If your injury caused you to miss work, you can be compensated for the income you didn’t receive. If your injuries impact your ability to work or force you to change careers, you may also be entitled to compensation for the money you would have earned over time.
Property Damage
This is especially relevant in car accident cases. If your vehicle was damaged or totaled, you can claim the cost of repairs or the fair market value of the car if it was a total loss. Don’t forget about rental car expenses and towing fees.
Other Out-of-Pocket Costs
Additional expenses can include:
- Travel to and from medical appointments
- Childcare expenses if you were unable to care for your children
- Home modifications for permanent injuries (e.g., wheelchair ramps)
Non-Economic Damages (Pain and Suffering)
Non-economic damages are harder to put a number on, but they’re just as real. These general damages are meant to compensate you for the personal hardships caused by your injury, things like physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, or trouble sleeping. If your injury has made it difficult to enjoy activities you once loved, you can seek damages for loss of enjoyment of life.
Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
Learn more about non-economic damages and how pain and suffering compensation is calculated.
Multiplier for the Car Accident Settlement Calculator
One of the most common ways to calculate pain and suffering in a personal injury case is by using the multiplier method. This method starts with the total amount of your economic damages, like medical bills and lost wages. That number is then multiplied by a number, called a “multiplier,” usually between 1.5 and 5. The more severe your injury and its impact on your life, the higher the multiplier. For example, if your economic damages total $20,000 and a multiplier of 3 is used, your pain and suffering damages would be estimated at $60,000.
The multiplier is chosen based on several factors, including how serious your injuries are, how long your recovery takes, whether the injury is permanent, and how much it has affected your daily life. Minor injuries that heal quickly might use a lower multiplier, like 1.5 or 2. More serious injuries, like broken bones, surgeries, or long-term conditions, may justify a higher multiplier, such as 4 or 5. Things like emotional distress, changes to your lifestyle, or chronic pain also influence the final number.
Insurance companies will try to argue for a lower multiplier. A personal injury lawyer can present strong evidence, such as medical records, personal testimony, and expert opinions, to support a higher multiplier.
How Comparative Negligence Impacts Settlement Value
In Georgia, comparative negligence can affect how much money you’re able to recover in a personal injury settlement. Under Georgia’s modified comparative negligence rule, you can still get compensation even if you were partly at fault, but only if you were less than 50% responsible. If you’re found to be 50% or more at fault, you can’t recover any damages at all.
Here’s a simple example. Let’s say you were in a car accident and the other driver ran a red light, but you were speeding at the time. The insurance company or court determines that the other driver was 80% at fault, and you were 20% at fault. If your total damages were $50,000, your settlement would be reduced by 20%, so you’d receive $40,000 instead of the full $50,000. The more you’re found to be at fault, the less compensation you can recover.
It’s important to gather strong evidence after an accident and have a skilled attorney on your side. Insurance companies may try to place more blame on you to reduce what they have to pay. At The Weinstein Firm, we work to protect your rights and fight for the maximum settlement.
Factors That Can Influence Your Settlement Amount
Even with a calculator, it’s important to understand that many variables can affect the final settlement amount. The following are some key factors in settlement amounts.
- The severity of your injuries – More serious injuries generally result in higher settlements.
- Recovery time – Long-term injuries can lead to higher pain and suffering damages.
- Whether you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) – Settling before reaching MMI can lead to undervaluing your claim.
- Insurance policy limits – An insurance company will not offer a settlement over the policy limits. If the at-fault party has limited coverage, you may need to explore options such as an underinsured motorist claim.
- Evidence and documentation – The more thorough your records, the stronger your claim.
Get Your Free Case Evaluation Today
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Georgia, don’t try to figure it all out alone. Use our personal injury settlement calculator to get a general idea of your case’s value, and then contact us for a free consultation.
At The Weinstein Firm, we fight for justice for accident victims in Atlanta, Decatur, Conyers, Watkinsville, and across Georgia. We’ll stand by your side, every step of the way, and help you pursue the compensation you need to move forward.
Call 770-HELP-NOW today or fill out our online form to schedule your free consultation.
