No two Georgia car accidents are the same. That means there is no average car accident settlement in Georgia—at least not one that would be reliable.
The settlement amount for your Georgia car accident will depend on the circumstances of your case.
Reach out to us online or give us a call at (770) 988-5252 today for a free consultation. Our Georgia auto accident attorneys are eager to assist you!
What Losses Can I Recover in a Car Accident Settlement in Georgia?
Car accidents can lead to devastating injuries and costly medical bills. Every car accident is different, so it may be difficult to determine the precise value of your car accident settlement. Damages in Georgia can be special or general.
Special Damages
Special damages, also known as economic damages, are direct, quantifiable losses that flow directly from the car accident. Special damages are typically specific amounts.
Examples of special damages include:
- Lost wages,
- Loss of future earning capacity,
- Medical bills,
- Rehabilitation expenses, and
- Repair costs for property damage.
A personal injury attorney can compile receipts and invoices to help calculate the value of your economic losses.
General Damages
General damages, also known as non-economic damages, are more abstract losses that account for the long-term impact of the accident. General damages are not quantifiable amounts.
Common types of general damages include:
- Loss of companionship,
- Physical disfigurement,
- Pain and suffering,
- Loss of quality of life,
- Mental anguish, and
- Emotional trauma.
It is harder to assign a monetary value to abstract losses. Our team can consult with non-economic damage experts to help calculate the value of your losses.
When Can a Court Award Punitive Damages?
Georgia also authorizes punitive damages, also referred to as exemplary damages. Georgia courts will impose punitive damages only where there is clear and convincing evidence of malice, fraud, oppression, or willful or wanton misconduct.
Punitive damages are not awarded as compensation to the victim but exist solely to punish, penalize, or deter the defendant. The plaintiff must specifically request punitive damages in their complaint.
Georgia generally limits punitive damages awards to $250,000. However, if the defendant acted with the specific intent to cause harm or caused the accident while under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, there is no cap on punitive damages.
How Can a Lawyer Help You Get More Than the Average Car Accident Settlement in Georgia?
After a car accident, an attorney can help you file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. Keep your statements to the insurance company to the basic facts because they will use your statements against you to avoid paying for your losses. Make sure you consult with a seasoned car accident lawyer before you make any statements to an insurance adjuster.
An insurance representative may contact you right after the accident and offer a settlement that does not compensate you for the full extent of your losses.
The insurance company makes more money when you accept a small offer right out of the gate. Do not fall for these predatory tactics. Instead, let a skilled car accident attorney review the settlement offer and see if it compensates you fairly.
A car accident lawyer at MG Law will negotiate with the opposing party’s insurance on your behalf to obtain an offer that covers the value of your losses.
An experienced car accident attorney can also assist your case by:
- Obtaining the accident report law enforcement completed for the collision,
- Interviewing potential witnesses to the crash,
- Compiling invoices and receipts to calculate the extent of your losses, and
- Preparing your case to go to trial, if necessary.
Our team has helped hundreds of clients recover a settlement after suffering injuries in a car accident.
How to Use a Car Accident Settlement Calculator in Georgia
A settlement in a car accident claim is designed to compensate the victim for the losses they incurred due to the collision. Many websites boast the ability to calculate the value of your Georgia car accident settlement accurately. Some websites even charge money for an estimate of a fair settlement amount.
Despite their claims, car accident settlement calculators are not a reliable way to determine what is a fair car accident settlement in Georgia. An online settlement calculator cannot account for the individual circumstances of each car accident victim.
An attorney at MG Law can meet with you one on one to collect information about the losses you suffered due to your car accident injuries.
We can compile records and consult with experts to ascertain the extent of damages. An experienced car accident lawyer can give you a more accurate estimate of the value of your settlement than an online settlement calculator.
What Can Affect Georgia Auto Accident Settlement Amounts?
Every Georgia car accident claim is different. Thus, there is no average Georgia car accident settlement.
Several different factors can affect the size of a settlement, including:
- The extent of your injuries,
- Whether you can return to work,
- The success of your recovery,
- Amount of time you miss from work,
- Lasting impact of your injuries, and
- Psychological consequences of the accident.
Several other factors can impact the value of a Georgia car accident settlement. Our team will review every detail of your car accident and subsequent recovery to help ensure you obtain a fair outcome.
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney at MG Law to Discuss the Average Settlement for a Car Accident in Georgia
Our founding attorney, Michael Geoffroy, is committed to helping car accident victims recover the compensation they deserve. In addition to maintaining a 10.0 rating on Avvo, Michael has received recognition for his extensive legal expertise, such as being named Top 40 Under 40, Legal Elite, and Rising Star.
Our team of experienced, hardworking attorneys at MG Law strives to provide all our clients with the highest level of legal representation to secure a positive outcome in your case. Don’t hesitate to connect with us online or call us at (770) 988-5252 today.
Michael Geoffroy’s law practice focuses on auto collisions, premises liability, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury, and he stands up for the cause of justice throughout Georgia and on behalf of his clients every day. He is a leader in both the courtroom and the community, having been recognized numerous times for his involvement in each.