Hurt in a motor vehicle crash in Snellville or elsewhere in Gwinnett County? You have the right to seek compensation for the full extent of your damages, including for vehicle repairs, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. You may be wondering: How much can I expect to recover in financial compensation? The short answer is “it depends.” Your settlement should include compensation for the full value of your damages. In other words, there is no true average settlement for a car accident in Georgia. Here, our Snellville auto accident attorney explains the key things to know about the average settlement for a motor vehicle crash injury in Georgia.
What to Know About Georgia Car Accident Settlements
Many motor vehicle accident claims in Georgia are resolved through a settlement agreement between the parties. A case can be settled when the defense (most often represented by an insurance company) and the claimant (injured victim) can determine a mutually agreeable amount of compensation. There is no true average settlement for a car accident in Snellville. The reality is that no two victims experience the same injuries, financial losses, or the same long-term effects. Georgia uses a fault-based insurance system, which means the at-fault driver is legally responsible for the full value of the victim’s damages. Medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering all factor into the final calculation. The strength of the medical documentation, the clarity of liability, and the permanence of the injuries all influence value.
Car Accident Settlements in Different Scenarios in Georgia
It can be useful to understand the potential settlement options for car accidents in different situations in Georgia. Here is an overview of how settlement can be viewed in some scenarios:
- What is the average settlement for a fender bender? Minor collisions (fender benders) may involve bumps, bruises, soft-tissue damage, or even no injuries at all. The settlement value depends on whether the victim needed medical care, missed work, or experienced ongoing pain. Still, even relatively minor accidents can cause whiplash or back strain that requires treatment. With that being said, fender bender settlements are usually relatively modest because the damages are limited. The law in Georgia allows recovery only for the actual losses suffered by the victim in the crash.
- What is the average settlement for rear end collision? Rear-end collisions are common in Georgia and often involve moderate injuries such as whiplash, back pain, or concussion symptoms. Settlement values can vary because some victims recover quickly while others face long-term pain or complications. For a rear-end collision, a settlement in the four, five, six, or even seven figures could all be well within the normal range. It really depends on the cause of the crash and the severity of the victim’s injuries.
- What is the average settlement for a catastrophic car accident? Catastrophic car accidents are devastating. Indeed, catastrophic accidents involve life-changing injuries. These may include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, complex fractures, or permanent disability. Settlements in these serious accident cases can be quite high because the damages include long-term medical care. Assuming liability can be established as required by Georgia law, these cases regularly reach the six and seven-figure range.
- What is the average settlement for fatal car accidents? Fatal accident settlements are valued under Georgia’s wrongful death and survival action laws. The family may recover damages for the “full value of the life” of the deceased, which includes economic and non-economic components. These cases often involve the highest settlements because the harm is absolute and irreversible. Lost income, lost companionship, burial expenses, and emotional suffering all factor into the valuation. The severity of the outcome makes the “average” meaningless. Your family needs a wrongful death lawyer in Snellville who has experience handling fatal car accident claims.
Know the Deadline: To get a settlement, it is imperative that you initiate your car accident claim in a timely manner. Under Georgia law (GA Code § 9-3-33), there is a two-year statute of limitations for most car accident injury cases. Do not wait to take action: Consult with a top Snellville, GA car accident attorney right away after a serious crash.
Your Settlement Should Include Compensation for Your Damages
In Georgia, a car accident settlement should include compensation for the full extent of the victim’s damages, including their economic damages and their non-economic damages. Remember, there is no true average car accident settlement in Georgia. Along with other damages, a settlement for a car accident should include compensation for:
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
- Ambulance costs or other emergency room care
- Hospital bills and other medical expenses
- Loss of wages and loss of earning power
- Pain and suffering and mental distress
- Disability or disfigurement
- Wrongful death of a close family member
How Our Snellville, GA Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Hurt in a motor vehicle crash in Snellville? The legal team at Griffin Law Firm, P.C. has the skills and experience to help you go up against the insurance company. Most car accident injury claims are settled outside of litigation. Still, that does not mean that it is easy to get a full and fair settlement agreement. Our testimonials and case results tell the story best. With a convenient location in the 30078 zip code of Snellville, our office positions us well to handle car accident injury cases throughout the entire surrounding region in Georgia.
Contact Our Snellville Car Accident Lawyer Today for a Free Case Review
At Griffin Law Firm, P.C., our Snellville auto accident attorney has the experience you can trust. If you have any questions or concerns about the car accident settlement process, we are here as a resource that you can trust. Call us now or contact us online to arrange your free, no-commitment case evaluation. From our law office in the 30078 zip code of Snellville, we handle car accident claims in Gwinnett County and throughout the region, including in 30017 and 30039 zip codes.