Settlement for Broken Bones After a Car Accident
At GMV Law Group, we are dedicated to protecting the rights of car accident victims across Georgia. Our attorneys focus on securing fair settlements for those who have suffered broken bones, serious injuries, and other life-changing losses. We combine strong legal knowledge with a client-first approach, making sure every case receives the attention it deserves. Our goal is simple: to fight for maximum compensation so our clients can focus on recovery and rebuilding their lives.
A car accident can leave victims with broken bones that require extensive medical treatment, weeks of recovery, and unexpected financial stress. The settlement for broken bones depends on the type of fracture, the cost of medical care, and how the injury affects the victim’s daily life. From hairline fractures to severe fractures such as a femur fracture or pelvic fractures, the impact can be life-changing. Understanding how Georgia law and insurance company tactics influence the final settlement amount helps victims pursue fair compensation with the support of an experienced car accident attorney.
In this blog, you will learn how the value of a settlement for broken bones is calculated, what factors influence compensation, and why working with an experienced Atlanta car accident attorney is essential for protecting your rights and securing fair payment.
Understanding Broken Bone Injuries in Car Accidents
Broken bone injuries are a very common result of a car accident, and they often shape the value of a settlement for broken bones.
Common Types of Bone Fractures
Bone breaks in car accident claims vary in severity. Hairline fractures are small cracks that may heal with rest but still require medical treatment. Non displaced fractures occur when the bone cracks but remains in place, while displaced fractures shift the bone out of alignment and usually need surgery. Severe fractures may involve bone fragments or bone shatters, creating serious injuries that require extensive medical treatment and longer recovery periods.
Bones Most Often Broken in Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause broken ribs, broken arms, broken legs, or even facial bone fractures. Spinal vertebrae fractures, pelvic bone breaks, and hip fractures are also common bone fractures seen in more severe accidents. Some of these injuries affect mobility for months, while others lead to chronic pain or permanent limitations.
Impact on the Victim’s Life
A broken bone injury case can change a victim’s daily routine and long-term health. Victims may need physical therapy, multiple surgeries, or ongoing treatment. Medical expenses, lost wages, and the risk of emotional distress all contribute to the final settlement amount. Even what seems like a minor injury can bring significant pain and limit normal activities.
Georgia Law and Broken Bone Injury Cases
Georgia law sets the rules that guide how a settlement for broken bones is determined after a car accident.
Duty of Care and Negligence
Under O.C.G.A. § 51-1-6, every driver has a duty of care to operate their vehicle safely. If a driver’s actions cause a collision that results in broken bones sustained, that driver may be held liable in a personal injury case. Proving negligence is the foundation of securing fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Comparative Negligence in Georgia
Georgia follows O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33, which applies the rule of comparative negligence. This means that if an injured person is partly at fault for the auto accident, their settlement value may be reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, if the victim is found 20% at fault in a case involving serious injuries such as pelvic fractures or a femur fracture, their final settlement amount will be reduced by that percentage.
Statute of Limitations
According to O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, victims of a car accident have two years from the date of the crash to file a claim for broken bone compensation. Missing this deadline can prevent recovery of medical bills, lost wages, or any form of settlement compensation. This makes timely action essential in broken bone injury cases.
Factors That Influence a Settlement for Broken Bones
Several factors determine the final settlement amount in broken bone injury cases after a car accident.
Medical Expenses and Treatment
The cost of medical treatment plays a central role in a broken bone settlement. Expenses may include emergency care, surgery, hospital stays, and physical therapy. Severe fractures that require extensive medical treatment increase the overall settlement value, while less serious injuries such as hairline fractures may result in lower compensation.
Lost Wages and Future Earnings
A victim often loses time at work while recovering from broken bones sustained. Lost wages and reduced ability to earn income in the future are factored into the settlement compensation. More severe injuries like multiple vertebrae fractures or a broken hip may keep a person from working for months or even permanently.
Severity of the Fracture
The type of fracture impacts the size of the final settlement. Displaced fractures, bone shatters, and pelvic fractures carry higher settlement values than minor stress fractures. Injuries such as fractured ribs or a femur fracture that cause significant pain or limit mobility usually bring higher broken bone compensation.
Pain and Suffering
Physical pain and emotional distress are included in most personal injury cases. The level of discomfort, disruption to the victim’s life, and long-term effects such as chronic pain all affect the final settlement amount.
Insurance Coverage and Company Tactics
The at-fault driver’s insurance coverage sets a ceiling for many car accident claims. Insurance companies often try to minimize payouts through delay or denial. Understanding these insurance company tactics helps an experienced personal injury lawyer fight for fair compensation.
Average Settlement Payout Range for Broken Bones
The settlement for broken bones in a car accident depends on the severity of the injury, medical costs, and the impact on the victim’s life.
Minor Fractures
Hairline fractures, non displaced fractures, and fractured ribs often fall on the lower end of the average settlement payout range. These cases usually involve shorter recovery times, fewer medical bills, and less disruption to daily activities. While still painful, such injuries may be viewed as minor injuries in comparison to more severe fractures.
Moderate Fractures
Injuries like a broken arm, broken leg, or broken ribs that need surgery or extensive medical treatment usually bring a higher settlement value. Victims may face lost wages, physical therapy, and lasting discomfort. These cases often fall in the mid-range for a typical settlement.
Severe Fractures
Displaced fractures, pelvic fractures, multiple vertebrae fractures, or a femur fracture are considered serious injuries. These often cause chronic pain, reduced mobility, or permanent disability. The final settlement amount for these injuries can reach the higher end of the average settlement spectrum because of significant medical expenses, long recovery periods, and emotional distress.
National and Georgia Trends
The median national average verdict provides guidance, but Georgia cases depend heavily on insurance coverage, medical records, and evidence from the accident scene. Victims with more severe fractures or complications involving internal organs often see significant compensation, while less severe cases may resolve within a narrower payout range.
Insurance Company Tactics and How to Protect Yourself
Insurance companies often work to reduce the settlement for broken bones, making it important for victims to understand their strategies.
Minimizing Medical Expenses
An insurance company may argue that medical bills are too high or that medical treatment was unnecessary. They may suggest that physical therapy or follow-up visits were excessive. This tactic reduces the final settlement amount and ignores the real costs of recovery from serious injuries like pelvic fractures or femur fractures.
Disputing the Cause of the Injury
Insurers may claim that the broken bones sustained were pre-existing or unrelated to the car accident. By questioning medical records and prior health conditions, they attempt to weaken the car accident claim and lower the settlement compensation.
Delaying the Settlement
Delays are a common tactic. The insurance company may take months to respond or offer repeated low amounts, hoping the victim will accept less than fair compensation. These delays can place pressure on someone struggling with lost wages and rising medical expenses.
Protecting Your Rights
Working with an experienced car accident attorney is the best way to counter these tactics. A lawyer can gather strong evidence, present clear medical records, and push back against unfair offers. With professional support, victims have a better chance of securing maximum compensation in broken bone injury cases.
Why You Need a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer
A Georgia car accident lawyer plays a critical role in securing a fair settlement for broken bones after a crash.
Building a Strong Case
An attorney collects medical records, accident reports, and witness statements. This evidence strengthens a car accident claim and proves the impact of broken bone injuries on the victim’s life. Clear documentation helps increase the settlement value by showing the extent of medical expenses and lost wages.
Negotiating with the Insurance Company
Insurance companies use tactics to lower the final settlement amount. An experienced personal injury lawyer understands these strategies and fights for fair compensation. Strong negotiation often leads to a better outcome than what an insurance company first offers.
Maximizing Compensation
A personal injury attorney looks beyond immediate medical bills. They calculate future medical costs, the need for physical therapy, and potential chronic pain or disability. This approach ensures victims receive maximum compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and long-term impact.
Free Consultation and Legal Guidance
Most Georgia attorneys provide a free consultation to explain rights and options. Meeting with a lawyer helps victims understand the settlement process and avoid mistakes. Guidance from a skilled attorney can make the difference between a low broken bone settlement and a final settlement that covers all losses.
Get the Settlement for Broken Bones You Deserve!
If you or a loved one suffered broken bones in a car accident, do not settle for less than fair compensation. Our team at GMV Law Group is ready to fight for your rights, handle the insurance company, and pursue the maximum settlement value for your case.
Contact us at 404-975-4878 for a free case consultation today!
