Car accidents in Georgia can lead to a wide range of consequences, from property damage to severe injuries or even wrongful death. The average car accident settlement in Georgia is around $23,900, but this figure can vary significantly based on factors like the severity of injuries, the amount of property damage, pain and suffering, and the available insurance coverage.
In this blog, we’ll explore the factors that influence car accident settlements, how settlements are calculated, and how an experienced Atlanta car accident attorney can help you maximize your compensation.
Average Car Accident Settlement Amounts
According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average auto liability claim for property damage in 2022 was $5,313, while the average auto liability claim for bodily injury was $24,211. Car accident settlement amounts can vary widely based on the severity of injuries, the extent of property damage, and other factors.
Settlements for minor injuries tend to be relatively modest, often ranging from a few thousand dollars to around $15,000. Settlements for serious injuries, like spinal cord damage or brain injuries can reach significantly higher amounts, often ranging from $50,000 to hundreds of thousands of dollars or more.
Average Settlement for Property Damage Only
When a car accident in Georgia results only in property damage—meaning there are no bodily injuries—the average settlement is usually lower. The typical settlement for a minor accident involving property damage is around $16,500.
This settlement covers vehicle repairs, rental car expenses, and any other economic losses related to the accident. However, if there is significant damage to the vehicle or personal belongings, the settlement amount for property damage can increase.
Average Settlement for Wrongful Death
Wrongful death settlements are among the most complex and substantial car accident settlements. In Georgia, wrongful death settlements can easily reach hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.
These settlements compensate surviving family members for the loss of their loved one and include damages for economic losses (such as the decedent’s lost income), non-economic losses (such as pain and suffering), and funeral expenses.
Average Settlement Ranges for Common Car Accident Injuries
Settlements for injuries vary widely depending on the type and severity of the injury.
Back and Neck Injuries
The average car accident settlement for back and neck injuries can range from $10,000 to $100,000. Settlements for mild whiplash tend to be lower, while settlements over 1 million are common for spinal cord injuries that cause permanent disability.
Broken Bones
Car accident settlements for broken bones can range from $20,000 to $100,000. The settlement amount depends on the severity of the break and whether surgery or rehabilitation is required.
Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
TBIs are some of the most severe injuries from car accidents. Settlements for these cases can range from $700,000 to millions, depending on the long-term effects and medical treatment required.
What Affects Your Car Accident Settlement?
How much compensation you receive from a car accident settlement depends on several key factors.
Medical Expenses
You are entitled to compensation for the cost of all reasonable medical care required to treat your injuries. Keep records of hospital stays, doctor visits, physical therapy, medications, and any equipment needed for recovery.
Serious Injuries
More severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord damage, or multiple fractures, typically result in significantly higher settlements. These injuries often lead to higher medical expenses, prolonged recovery periods, and in some cases, permanent disability.
Additionally, severe injuries often lead to greater non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life, which further increases the settlement amount.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering damages compensate accident victims for physical and emotional distress. These damages cover more subjective experiences, such as ongoing physical pain, anxiety, and emotional trauma. For victims with serious injuries, the settlement amount for pain and suffering tends to be higher, as their recovery is often longer and more challenging.
Lost Income
If your injuries prevented you from working for an extended time, you may receive compensation for your lost wages. Provide pay stubs, tax returns, profit and loss statements, or letters from your employer to verify your average income and time off work.
If your injuries impact your ability to earn a living, you can seek compensation for future lost income.
The At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Coverage
Georgia is an at-fault state, meaning the at-fault driver’s insurance is responsible for covering damages. Policy limits represent the maximum amount insurance companies will pay for car accident claims.
Georgia law requires drivers to carry $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage and $25,000 per incident in property damage liability coverage. Higher policy limits mean a higher potential settlement.
If the other driver’s insurance doesn’t fully cover the costs, you may need to pursue the remaining balance through other means, such as filing an underinsured motorist claim. Uninsured motorist coverage protects you if you’re in an accident with a driver who doesn’t have any insurance, helping cover medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
Shared Fault
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning a victim’s compensation can be reduced if they are found partially at fault. If you are more than 50% at fault, you may be barred from recovering any compensation.
Insurance companies often try to minimize settlement amounts by arguing an accident victim shares some of the blame. Your settlement will be higher if you can prove the other party was fully liable through police reports, witness statements, or traffic camera footage.
Having a Skilled Attorney
An experienced car accident lawyer can greatly impact the final settlement amount by negotiating with the insurance company and presenting evidence to your personal injury case.
How Are Settlement Amounts Calculated?
The compensation amount you receive will depend on various factors and will be calculated based on the damages you have sustained. A settlement amount is usually reached through negotiations between the other driver’s insurance company and your lawyer.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering settlement amounts are typically calculated using one of two methods: the multiplier method or the per diem method.
The Multiplier Method involves adding up all the special damages (the easily calculable economic losses) and multiplying those by a number between 1.5 on the low end, and 4 or 5 on the high end. The “multiplier” will depend on the seriousness of your injuries, your prospect of complete recovery, and the impact of your injuries on your day-to-day life.
The Per Diem Method involves assigning a daily rate to your pain and suffering. The insurance company will determine how many days you are expected to be in ongoing pain or discomfort. They then apply your daily rate of pay to the equation and multiply the days of pain by your rate of pay per day.
Economic Damages
Economic damages consist of provable expenses incurred as a result of the car accident. This will include damages such as medical bills, car repair costs, lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses. These amounts must be supported by evidence, bills, or payment receipts.
How a Georgia Car Accident Attorney Can Help You
Having an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side can make a significant difference in the outcome of your car accident claim. Here’s how a skilled car accident attorney can help:
- Gathering Evidence: A lawyer can gather and present critical evidence, including police reports, medical records, and witness statements, to support your car accident claim.
- Negotiating with Insurance Companies: Insurance companies try to minimize payouts. A lawyer with experience in personal injury law can negotiate on your behalf, ensuring you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
- Calculating Damages: Our personal injury lawyers will ensure your claim reflects the full extent of your medical expenses, lost income, and other financial losses as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
- Handling Legal Processes: From filing paperwork to representing you in court if necessary, an experienced car accident attorney can manage the entire legal process, allowing you to focus on recovering from your injuries.
Call Our Atlanta Accident Attorneys for a Free Case Review
Our Georgia car accident attorneys know how to negotiate with insurance companies so you get the compensation you deserve. At the Weinstein Firm, we have successfully recovered over $30,000,000.00 for our clients. We will fight for the maximum car accident settlement possible.
New clients can take advantage of a free consultation, so contact us at 770-HELP-NOW today.
