If you’ve been hurt in a car crash, one of the first questions on your mind is probably, “How much is my case worth?” It’s a fair question, and an important one.
The short answer is that average car accident settlements in Georgia vary based on the severity of your injuries, economic damages, pain and suffering, and other factors. While settlements for minor injuries usually range from $2,500 to $25,000, settlements for catastrophic injuries that cause permanent disability can reach millions of dollars.
GMV Law Group car accident attorneys help clients in Atlanta and across Georgia fight for the full compensation they deserve after an accident. Contact us today for a free case review.
What Is the Average Car Accident Settlement?
According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average bodily injury claim after a car accident was $26,501 in 2022. The average auto liability claim for property damage was $6,551 in 2022. Car accident settlement amounts can vary widely based on the severity of your injuries and other factors.
Average Car Accident Settlements in Georgia
Below, we break down average car accident settlements for different types of injuries. It’s important to remember that every case is different. You should talk to a personal injury attorney for a better idea of how much your case could be worth.
Minor Injuries
Average car accident settlements for minor injuries like whiplash range from $2,500 to $25,000. These injuries often involve little to no long-term impact on a person’s health or quality of life. However, they may still require medical treatment, time off work, or pain and suffering, which all factor into the final settlement amount.
Moderate Injuries
Moderate injuries are more serious than minor injuries and often involve significant medical treatment, such as surgeries, extended physical therapy, or rehabilitation. Common examples include fractures, dislocations, or injuries to the soft tissues like tendons or ligaments.
Average car accident settlements for moderate injuries typically range from $25,000 to $75,000.
Severe Injuries
Severe injuries are life-changing, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, severe fractures, amputations, or injuries that result in permanent disability. These injuries require extensive medical care, ongoing treatments, and sometimes lifelong assistance. Settlements for severe injuries can range from $75,000 to $200,000 or more.
Car accident settlements for catastrophic injuries and wrongful death can reach millions of dollars.
What Determines Car Accident Settlement Amounts?
No two car accidents are the same, which means no two settlements are either. Here are the main factors that can affect how much money you might receive.
Severity of Injuries
The more serious your injuries, the more your case is typically worth. Minor injuries lead to lower car accident settlements, while severe and catastrophic injuries result in much higher settlements.
More serious injuries translate to higher medical bills, more pain and suffering, and a greater impact on the victim’s life.
Long-Term or Permanent Disability
If your injury leads to permanent disability or long-term pain, your settlement should reflect this. Settlements for injuries that cause permanent disability tend to be significantly higher than average. This reflects the impact on the victim’s life.
For example, if you are unable to walk due to a spinal injury, you’ll likely require ongoing medical care and assistance. Enjoying hobbies and activities you once loved can be difficult or impossible. Being paralyzed may also impact your earning ability.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the losses you can put a price tag on. These include medical costs, lost wages, property damage, and the cost of future medical care.
Your financial losses are an important factor in the value of your settlement. If your injuries require expensive surgery or you’ve lost significant income, your lawyer will include these costs in your settlement demand.
Pain and Suffering
Not everything is about money. Emotional distress, physical pain, mental trauma, and loss of enjoyment of life are also considered. Determining fair compensation for pain and suffering is more subjective, but these non-economic damages can significantly increase your settlement.
Shared Fault and Comparative Negligence
Georgia follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule. This means if you’re found to be partially at fault for the accident, your settlement can be reduced. For example, if you’re 20% at fault, your compensation would be reduced by 20%. And if you’re 50% or more at fault, you may not be able to recover anything at all.
The At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Coverage
A car accident settlement is limited by how much insurance the other driver carries. A policy limit settlement is the maximum that an insurance company will pay. The minimum auto liability insurance required in Georgia covers:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury
- $25,000 per accident for property damage
If the at-fault driver has minimum coverage, you might not be able to recover the full value of your damages unless other avenues (like your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage) are available.
FAQs About Average Car Accident Settlements
What is the average settlement for whiplash?
If symptoms are mild and recovery is quick, whiplash settlements range from $5,000 to $15,000. Cases involving chronic pain and nerve damage may settle for $25,000 to $50,000 or more
What is the average car accident settlement for a herniated disc?
Settlements for a herniated disc can range from $40,000 to $350,000, depending on the severity of the injury, the impact on the victim’s life, and the evidence. Cases that require surgery usually settle for over $60,000, while those that don’t require surgery settle for less.
Settlements can be over $400,000 if the injury results in long-term disability or requires extensive medical treatment.
What is the average settlement for broken bones in a car accident?
Car accident settlements for broken bones can vary widely. The severity of the fracture, your medical bills, and recovery are important factors in the final settlement. Hip fractures often require surgery and can lead to settlements over $150,000.
How Car Accident Lawyers Can Maximize Your Settlement
Insurance companies aren’t in the business of paying out large settlements, they’re in the business of protecting their bottom line. This is where an experienced car accident lawyer can help.
At GMV Law Group, our car accident attorneys know the tricks insurance adjusters use to downplay claims. We will negotiate for the full compensation you deserve. We handle the legal stress so you can focus on healing. Our goal is to make sure you’re not left with medical debt, lost income, or regret over accepting a lowball settlement.
Many cases settle before trial, but if the insurance company is unwilling to offer a fair settlement, we are ready to fight on your behalf in the courtroom.
Let GMV Law Group Fight for You
Every car accident is different, and so is every settlement. Whether your case involves whiplash or a life-altering injury, you deserve someone in your corner who knows how to get results. At GMV Law Group, we’re proud to stand up for accident victims in Atlanta and throughout Georgia.
Want to find out what your case might be worth? Reach out today for a free consultation. We’re here to help you get every dollar you deserve.
