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A Comprehensive Guide on Car Accident Settlements in Georgia
Car accident settlements in Georgia can be complicated. If you’ve been in a car accident, we can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Car Accident Settlements in Georgia
Car accidents can cause pain and suffering due to severe injuries, property damage, or in the worst cases, even death.
The period following an accident can be an emotional time, and you may not be in the right mindset to make critical decisions. Before you say or do anything that could make the situation worse, it is crucial to seek professional legal advice from a Georgia car accident attorney.
An experienced lawyer will help you choose the most suitable option, whether to settle or not settle. Many accidents are resolved through settlement negotiations between the accident victims and the insurance company. However, some car accident cases proceed to court for trial.
Settling your car accident claim means you choose to resolve your dispute without going to trial. Other parties decide to settle rather than go to court because a fair settlement offer is not guaranteed when facing a jury trial.
Filing an insurance claim can help you with financial recovery for the damages of lost income, medical expenses, and other expenses that result from your car accident.
Car Accident Settlement Calculator in Georgia
Seeking Georgia car accident settlements will help you get compensation for all your losses resulting from the car accident. Insurance companies use a settlement formula to calculate the value of a car accident claim.
Various factors will affect the amount of a Georgia car accident settlement.
- The extent of property damage caused by the accident
- The number of vehicles involved
- Amount and limits on auto insurance coverage
- The severity of the sustained injury
- Whether you are the at-fault driver
- The average cost for medical treatment- for example, major injuries will be worth more than minor injuries and take longer to recover.
- Whether you have filed prior claims
- Evidence to prove your injuries and damages
What is the Average Settlement for a Georgia Car Accident Case?
Georgia car accident cases are unique; hence it is hard to state the amount of the average settlement. Settlements depend on facts specific to the accident and the losses incurred by accident victims. Some accidents will cause more damage than others, resulting in different settlement figures.
Schedule a free consultation from a trustworthy car accident lawyer to establish an excellent attorney-client relationship. A passionate Atlanta car accident attorney will help you calculate your settlement claim and fight for you in court, if necessary.
Injuries determine the amount of money car accident victims get from a settlement. Depending on the extremity of the plaintiff’s injuries and the willingness of the insurance company to pay, Georgia car accident settlements range from hundreds to millions of dollars.
Examples of the Most Common Car Accident Injuries
It’s worthwhile to speak to personal injury lawyers about any car accident that causes an injury. Here are some of the most common accidents caused by car accidents.
Minor Injury
Whiplash or other soft tissue injuries have delayed symptoms, so it can be hard to know you are experiencing this immediately after the car accident. Some estimates place the average settlement for minor/moderate injuries between $2500 and $10000. However, some minor injuries will require physical therapy. This means that the damage will result in more compensation.
Neck Injuries
Neck injuries are by nature fairly severe, so the average settlement for these is typically higher. The most common neck injuries from car accidents are hematomas, strains, and sprains. The average settlement for neck injuries is between $2,500 and $10,000.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Like neck injuries, spinal injuries typically result in larger settlements due to their serious nature. This is especially true if paralysis, surgery, or physical therapy is involved.
Brain Injuries
Brain injuries are another type of severe injury that can result in high compensation, especially when specialized medical care is needed.
Wrongful Death
Although money cannot bring your loved one back, it is the only compensation available under civil law. If a family member is killed in a car accident, pursuing a wrongful death case and settlement may be an option for you. A wrongful death case will establish that the accident victim died because of the negligent actions of another driver.
Factors to Consider Before Accepting a Settlement
Once you have an idea of what your accident may be worth, you need to consider other factors before you accept any settlement offer from the insurance company.
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How long will it take to get the settlement?
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How much will my attorney fees be?
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What are the tax implications of the settlement?
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How much will my medical bills be?
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What is the value of my lost wages?
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What is the value of my pain and suffering?
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How much will my future medical bills be?
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What is the value of my future lost wages?
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What is the value of my future pain and suffering?
As you can see, there are many factors to consider when calculating your car accident settlement. An experienced accident lawyer will help you consider all of these factors and more to get the best possible settlement for your case.
How Does Settlement Work in Car Accidents?
There are various steps that you need to follow to get a car accident settlement:
1. File a Personal Injury Claim
In a car accident case, the insurance company for the at-fault driver can make an offer to settle. The driver at fault is legally liable for damages, including pain and suffering damages, future medical costs, lost wages, etc.
2. Investigation of the Accident
After filing your accident claim, the insurance company for the driver at fault will investigate the accident. They aim to pay as less as possible, so you should be careful not to give information they can use against you.
3. Claim Approval or Denial
After investigations, the insurance company will either approve or deny your claim. In case they deny your claim, contact a personal injury attorney immediately. If you get approval, their policy covers the damages you have.
4. Seek a Fair Settlement
The insurance adjuster will proffer a certain amount of money to resolve your personal injury claim. If you feel the offer is too low, negotiate for better terms. A settlement offer is like reaching a consensus on a disagreement.
You deserve compensation, but you must sign and release the settlement agreement before the insurance company compensates your car accident claim. Car accident settlement agreements are final, and after you agree to the settlement offer and sign, you cannot get more money for your claim.
It is in your best interest to ask a car accident lawyer to review the settlement agreement before finalizing it.
How Long Do Car Accident Claims Take To Settle?
Managing your living expenses, especially after an accident, can be cumbersome. You must sort various medical bills that keep rising until you fully recover. You can’t help but wonder when your compensation will come in. In such a situation, an aggressive car accident law firm can pursue compensation on your behalf as fast as possible.
The period it will take to receive your settlement is dependent on the details of your case. Getting immediate compensation for your car accident claim is possible, but at what cost? You will lose out on a lot of cash, especially when you have not made a full recovery.
A Georgia car accident settlement can take a few months or years. If you choose to take your case to court, it can take more than a year to resolve. It will depend on the following details:
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The severity of your injuries will affect your recovery period
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Number of parties that were involved in the accident
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Contesting for the fault in the accident
It can help to hire an auto accident attorney to scrutinize the details of your personal injury lawsuit. They can help you understand how long it may take to get a settlement and answer any other questions you have.
Should I Accept the First Offer of Compensation?
You may be tempted to take the first offer that comes your way to sort out your medical bill and other expenses as fast as possible.
However, insurance companies’ first offer of compensation is not always the best. Insurance companies expect you to negotiate. This means that they will often offer you low compensation at first.
An experienced car accident lawyer can help you negotiate a better offer or even take the insurance company to court if needed.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Georgia
At Do Law Office, we understand how an accident can drastically change your life. We aim to help you get full compensation for your accident-related losses. We will guide you through the accident claims process to help you recover compensation for your accident-related damages.
Our accident lawyers handle all types of accident cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and more. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your accident claim.
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