What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident?

There is no average settlement for a car accident in Georgia because each one varies based on the severity of injuries, the extent of damages, and who is determined to be at fault.

If you’ve been in a crash, it’s natural to wonder how much you can expect to receive as compensation from the insurance company. However, it’s not always a straightforward answer since each claim is different, and the details of the crash will influence the total dollar amount.

An Atlanta car accident lawyer from John Foy & Associates can work with you and help you understand your options when it comes to securing compensation after a collision, including how fault and liability may impact your claim.

Car Accident Settlement Ranges Based On Injury Severity

While there is no set figure for car accident claims in Georgia, the severity of injuries you’ve suffered may have an impact on the amount you can recover. Below are some examples of potential settlement amounts you may see:

• Minor injuries: May range between $3,000 and $25,000 for soft tissue damage, whiplash, surface wounds, and minor cuts.
• Moderate injuries: Could range from $25,000 to $100,000 for concussions, broken bones, or injuries requiring longer recovery periods.
• Catastrophic Injuries: May be between $100,000 and $500,000+ for injuries requiring surgery or long-term care, or that result in permanent disability, disfigurement, traumatic brain injuries, etc.

These figures are only estimates based on similar cases and are not a guarantee of what your claim may be worth. Your true settlement amount will depend on the specific circumstances of the accident and available insurance coverage.

How Are Car Accident Settlements Calculated in Georgia?

Most average car accident settlements in Georgia are calculated based on economic damages and non-economic damages. This may include the severity of your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, vehicle damage, percentage of fault, and the amount of money the insurance company is willing to pay.

If you sustained minor injuries, your chances of a large settlement are likely lower than settlement offers for people who’ve sustained major injuries. However, that does not mean you should shy away from filing a claim and pursuing compensation.

A lawyer who has experience handling cases like yours can negotiate with insurance adjusters and advocate for you. 

Medical Bills

Serious injuries like spinal cord damage and traumatic brain injuries are common for motor vehicle crashes, which is why so many car accident settlements come with a range of medical expenses, both past, present, and future. The cost of treating your injuries can play a major role in determining the value of your claim.

When faced with extensive medical costs, you may wait until you have received your settlement amount before repaying them, or choose to pay for your medical treatment upfront with the goal of being fully reimbursed later on.

Whichever way you decide to approach these medical expenses, your settlement may depend on the following factors:

• The type of medical treatment you received
• How long you were in the hospital
• Your mode of transportation to the hospital
• Whether or not you required surgery or long-term care
• Long-term rehabilitation needs

Lost Wages

If your injuries have caused you to take time off work or reduced your earning capacity, you may be able to include the amount of lost income in your claim.

Wage loss records can prove what you were making per month prior to your injuries, so it’s important to preserve evidence where possible. Even though a full recovery of damages is not a guarantee, your lawyer will try to obtain a settlement offer that compensates you for the money you missed out on while you were away from work.

Pain and Suffering

Sometimes you may be able to claim pain and suffering damages as part of your settlement. These non-economic damages often cover the emotional trauma attached to your injuries, including:

• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Anxiety, depression, or other mental-health-related issues
• An inability to participate in the activities you loved before
• Diminished quality of life due to your injuries
• Loss of companionship if you lost a loved one in the crash

However, calculating pain and suffering damages can be challenging without the guidance of an attorney from John Foy & Associates. And your ability to claim might also depend on the insurance policy coverage. For help with pain and suffering damages, we recommend speaking with a lawyer in Georgia who has handled car accident settlement cases before.

Percentage of Fault

Under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33, Georgia follows modified comparative negligence rules, which means your settlement is based on your percentage of fault and liability. If you’re found to be partially to blame for your injuries, your settlement amount may be reduced.

For example, if you are awarded $20,000 for your injuries, but were 10% at fault, $2,000 would be deducted from your final settlement. However, if you’re found to be 50% or more at fault, you may forfeit your right to claim compensation altogether.

A car accident lawyer in Georgia can help you determine liability and tell you what comparative negligence laws mean for your insurance claim.

How Do I Get More Money From a Car Accident Settlement?

The following actions might help you get more money from a car wreck settlement:

• Taking pictures of the scene of your accident 
• Documenting any damage to your car or the other party’s vehicle
• Preserving police reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, etc.
• Receiving medical attention immediately after your crash
• Writing down everything that transpired before, during, and after the incident
• Reporting the crash to your insurance company right away
• Holding onto medical bills, medical records, and other care-related documents
• Keeping a record of your injuries and your recovery

This information can help our team at John Foy & Associates understand what happened, what might have caused the accident, and who may be at fault. This will go toward strengthening your claim and securing a fair settlement for your injuries.

How Much Do I Have to Pay My Car Accident Attorney?

It depends on the lawyer and the law firm. Some lawyers in Georgia charge an hourly fee, no matter the nature of your claim, whereas others work on a contingency basis. This means they won’t ask for any payment until they secure compensation for your injuries.

Discuss payment with your attorney ahead of time to decide what portion of your settlement will go to them. When you and your lawyer agree on a compensation offer, the insurance company will likely send the check to your lawyer, who will take their agreed-upon fee from the total dollar amount of your settlement.

Your lawyer from John Foy & Associates will then send you the rest. At that point, you can finally move on from the financial challenges related to your accident and focus solely on recovering from your injuries.

Call Our Atlanta Personal Injury Law Firm for Information About the Average Settlement for a Car Accident

Suffering injuries due to someone else’s negligence can be overwhelming, but that’s what we’re here for. At John Foy & Associates, we’ll advocate for you throughout the claims process and make sure you get a fair settlement. We never fight for the average settlement for a car accident. We work to get you the full amount you truly deserve.

We have over 20 years of experience recovering more than $1 billion in compensation for our clients. As The Strong Arm™ in Georgia, we believe every car accident victim deserves to be awarded compensation for the extent of the damages they have suffered.

We can help you pursue justice as the victim of a personal injury accident, handling all negotiations with the insurance companies. The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we can start building a case on your behalf. We’ll also tell you about our firm and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.