What Is the Average Settlement for a Drunk Driving Accident?

Average settlements for drunk driving accidents range anywhere between $80,000 to $125,000. The truth is that every accident is going to be different. Some are more severe than others, and there are many various factors to consider when calculating damages.

Our lawyers at John Foy & Associates have helped hundreds of drunk driving accident victims get the best value for the settlement. We will work hard to ensure that all of your damages get accounted for and that the insurance company will cover them appropriately.

What Are the Minimum Insurance Requirements?

Every state has different minimum amounts of coverage that each person must have to drive on the road. According to the Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire (OCI), minimum coverage entails:

• Bodily injury coverage of $25,000 or more per person and $50,000 or more per incident.
• Property damage coverage of $25,000 or more.

Driving without insurance or the proper amounts of coverage is not allowed. If an uninsured motorist caused your accident, you can pursue compensation either from the uninsured directly or through your own uninsured motorist coverage.

When you seek compensation, you will need to calculate all of your economic and non-economic damages. In addition, you will also want to factor in all of the various expenses you may have incurred as a direct result of your accident. A lawyer can help you assess all of your damages accurately, so nothing gets left out when it comes time to collect.

What Settlement Amounts do People Usually Get?

Because the state’s minimum amount of insurance is around $25,000, you can be certain that you will receive roughly that amount from your settlement almost all the time. Depending on the damages you sustain, and how much coverage the at-fault driver has, you could end up with a lot more.

Typically, after a moderately severe drunk driving accident, you can get awarded up to $80,000 for your damages, which include medical bills, vehicle repairs, pain and suffering, etc. The more severe your case is, the more money you can receive. Some cases can even recover compensation up to around $125,000 as well.

Every accident is different, and each person will experience different injuries and damages that will fluctuate the value of the settlement they will pursue. There are no one-size-fits-all estimates, but generally, you can expect a decent amount of money to head your way after a drunk driver causes your crash.

Punitive Damages Can Affect the Value of Your Settlement

Punitive damages, also referred to as exemplary damages, are a form of punishment for the drunk driver. According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) §51-12-5.1, punitive damages are only counted if the person who caused your personal injury:

• Acted out of malice
• Acted with the intent to harm
• Was extremely negligent in their behavior
• Acted fraudulently

The value of your settlement can increase due to punitive damages. In the case of drunk driving accidents, you can seek an award for these damages due to the egregious and hazardous nature of driving under the influence. Many courts are unsympathetic to drunk drivers, so the drunk driver’s likelihood of paying for punitive damages is very high.

Georgia Has At-Fault Laws that Can Impact Your Settlement Amount

The average value of settlements also fluctuates due to the at-fault laws in Georgia. In simple terms, the at-fault rules state that you cannot be more than 50% responsible for your accident if you want to file a claim.

If you are less than 50% at-fault, whatever percentage you are responsible for gets deducted from your final settlement amount. This will reduce the value of your settlement and directly impact how much you can receive.

Insurance Companies Can Fight Back

When you file a claim, the insurance companies will not stand by idly while you seek a settlement. Their interests are in protecting themselves, not offering you compensation. The high settlement amounts you come across are primarily due to the strong legal representation that helped them get fairly compensated for their damages.

You deserve a settlement that truly reflects your damages. Do not let the defense blame you for your accident and make you lose out on the money that is rightfully yours. Our drunk driving accident attorneys can help you get justice for what happened and a fair settlement that will pay for all of your damages.

Get a Fair Settlement with Assistance from Our Attorneys

John Foy & Associates has been helping personal injury victims for over two decades. We dedicate ourselves to your best interests and fight hard to win you the settlement you need to recover and heal. For a free consultation, contact us today. We do not charge upfront fees. If we cannot get you compensation, you pay nothing.