What is the average settlement in a car accident case?
If you’ve been involved in a major car accident, you may have many damages. As bills are piling up due to injuries and car repairs, you wonder when your settlement will arrive and how much you will be getting.
The average car accident case settlement varies depending on the damages that have occurred and the percentage of fault that you are responsible for. In Georgia, you can only be awarded damages through legal action if you are less than 50% responsible for the accident. In addition, Georgia is an at-fault state, so awards will be based on how much fault each party has.
To get a potential estimate based on the facts and details surrounding the accident, meet with your lawyer. An average settlement in a car accident case can be anywhere from ten thousand dollars to a few hundred thousand dollars.
How Car Accident Settlements Are Calculated in Georgia
Georgia is an at-fault state, and car accidents are settled based on the comparative fault law in O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33. This states that awards are divided up by how much each party is at fault, and required insurance parties pay based on the totals that are decided. A person’s settlement total will also be reduced based on their percentage of fault.
Drivers cannot pursue legal action to collect damages in a lawsuit unless they are less than 50% responsible for the accident. Those who can pursue legal action typically do so when there are significant damages or fault is unclear.
Most car accidents settle without going to trial. Sometimes, they include lawyers, and other times, they settle with only insurance companies and the drivers involved. The more complex the case, the more likely that legal representation is needed to settle.
An average car accident case settlement total varies from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands based on the severity of the accident, the parties involved, the significance and impact of the damage(s), and more.
A car accident lawyer can help you determine settlement amounts. Many car accident lawyers provide a free consultation to help you know what you can expect from your case.
Common Car Accident Damages
Car accidents can produce a wide range of damages, including but not limited to:
- Vehicle damages
- Damage to personal possessions
- Injuries that cause medical expenses and lost wages
- Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
Severe car accidents often include multiple damages and can cause life-altering effects. Whether it is a long-term injury, missed work due to an injury, or even the death of a loved one, you deserve to recover damages in full and get the compensation you are owed, covering every aspect of your suffering.
How to Take Legal Action After a Car Accident
After a car accident, the police will investigate and form a police report with details, witness accounts, and more. You will exchange names and information with the other driver and report the accident to your individual car insurance providers. You will wait to hear from the other driver’s insurance company and for the police report to be finalized.
If you decide that the insurance settlement is not enough and negotiations are not producing the results that you want, take legal action to demand compensation for all of the damages that were caused by the at-fault party. A car accident lawyer can help you every step of the process, even the beginning investigations at the scene of the accident.
A car accident lawyer can help you form your claim, gather evidence, research, and negotiate your settlement with the liable parties and the insurance companies. You will be able to demand compensation for every damage you suffered, with proper evidence to support your claim.
The details of the settlement will be discussed back and forth, and your lawyer will operate on your behalf. If necessary, the case can be taken to trial, although it is not the typical, ideal route.
Get Help with Your Car Accident Case Today
Haug Law Group is here to help answer any questions that you have, and we’d love to hear about your case in a free consultation. We can help you decide what path to take and find out what you can expect from a lawsuit.
Schedule a free case evaluation with one of our leading Atlanta car accident lawyers today by calling 1-844-428-4529, and if you need help quickly, text 770-766-3308.