Attorneys are often asked what is the average car accident injury settlement in Georgia. This is not a straightforward question to answer.
Although it’s understandable for clients to want to know what their cases are worth, personal injury lawsuits entail many variable factors. It’s not possible to come up with an advance figure in advance. Factors include:
- The long-term consequences of your injury;
- The extent of injuries;
- How many parties are involved;
- Whether anyone was killed;
- Is an insurance company willing to meet the victim’s demands?
- How sympathetic a jury is to the victim;
- How much insurance coverage is available.
Although there is no such thing as an average car accident injury settlement in Georgia, certain indicators will give our attorneys an idea of the value of your case.
The extent of your injuries plays a major factor in the pain and suffering calculation made in your case. Cases with permanent injuries such as brain or spinal injuries often lead to higher payouts.
If the accident victim has to give up a job, the amount of money he or she will lose is also an important consideration.
The amount of available insurance is another critical factor in a Georgia car accident injury case. Litigation involving a driver who has minimal insurance is likely to settle for less than a case involving a trucking company with higher insurance coverage.
Minimum Insurance Liability Coverage Amounts in Georgia
Georgia has minimum liability coverage amounts. The minimum limits of liability required under Georgia law are a bodily injury liability of $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident involving multiple people, and property damage liability of $25,000 per occurrence, states the Office of Insurance and Fire Commission.
Liability insurance pays damages to others on behalf of an insured for personal injury or property damage up to the policy limit, which an insured may have caused by his negligence. The insurance may protect the accused against claims made against him by someone who alleges he was at-fault.
In summary, a driver is required to carry:
- $25,000 for the injury or death of one person. This could include the driver or another party, a passenger or a pedestrian.
- $50,000 for the injury or death of more than one person in a single accident.
- $25,000 for vehicle property damage.
Many car insurance companies have computer programs intended to work out average settlements. These programs may give a certain figure for whiplash and another for a broken leg based on the information plugged in. Programs like this usually lowball the claimant and fail to factor in individual circumstances.
A Georgia personal injury lawyer will work with insurance companies and the injured parties to work out a reasonable settlement that does not allow the insurance companies to shortchange accident victims. The attorneys will consider the extent of injuries, the available insurance coverage, past and present medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.
There is no such thing as a calculator for personal injuries in Georgia or an average car accident injury settlement. However, a lawyer can work closely with you and fight the insurance company on your behalf. Please call the Law Office of Michael West at (404) 913-1529.