Average Car Accident Settlement
According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, the state averages nearly half a million car crashes each year, resulting in almost 200,000 injuries and over 2,000 fatalities. If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a car accident, you may be eligible for compensation to cover associated costs and losses.
What can you expect when filing a claim for coverage following an accident, and how can you fight for a fair settlement?
Average Settlement Amounts
According to the Insurance Information Institute, claims for injuries sustained in private passenger auto collisions in the U.S. have averaged just under $20,000 over the last decade. Additionally, property damage claims have averaged just over $4,500. However, it’s important to note that these figures can vary significantly based on factors such as the severity of the injuries, the extent of vehicle damage, the type of vehicle involved, and the insurance coverage available.
Settlements could amount to significantly more or less based on various factors. If you live in Georgia, assigning fault in an accident is an important consideration. You also need to understand how different types of injuries and their severity impact claims.
What Is A Fault-Based System?
Georgia is one of many states with a fault-based car insurance system. This means the person or people at fault for an accident must pay for injuries and damages caused by their actions.
However, there may be limits on what certain policies will pay out. If the amount isn’t enough to cover your costs and losses or the insurance provider delays or denies your claims, you may need legal help to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Georgia also observes modified comparative negligence. This means that even if you’re partially at fault for an accident, you can still recover damages from the party that holds the greater fault, although compensation may be reduced.
Factors Affecting Your Settlement
Even if someone else was completely at fault for your accident, you may still have to negotiate for a fair settlement based on factors specific to your case. For example, the settlement offered may depend on the type of insurance coverage held by the at-fault party based on the limits of the policy.
The type of accident and the type and severity of your injuries will also play a role. If you’re in a head-on collision, you might have more extensive injuries than you would get in a rear-end crash. Should you suffer a traumatic brain injury, broken bones, or harm to your internal organs, you may need more care than if you have minor cuts, bruises, or sprains.
The type and severity of injuries affect the level of medical care you need and the time it takes to heal. This will impact the scope of your medical bills and could lead to additional economic damages — like lost wages — that require reimbursement.
In cases of serious and permanent injuries, you may also be entitled to non-economic damages for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and so on.
Getting The Compensation You Deserve
When you’re injured in an accident, the last thing you want to worry about is how you’re going to pay for needed medical care, especially if you’re unable to work because of your injuries. In a perfect world, insurance would cover everything, but it doesn’t always work out the way you hope, and you may have to fight for compensation.
Following an accident, the best thing to do is to seek immediate medical attention to diagnose your injuries and start treatment. Collect evidence at the scene of the accident, including photos and witness statements that prove you were not at fault. If you’re unable to do this, ask a passenger or witness for help.
Make sure to file a police report and get a copy. From there, you can work with an experienced attorney to negotiate a settlement or take your case to court.
Contact the Car Accident Law Firm of Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys in Lawrenceville for Help Today
For more information, please contact our experienced car accident lawyers at Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have a convenient location in Lawrenceville, GA.
Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys
320 S Perry St, Lawrenceville, GA 30046
(678) 446-3655