Car accidents occur at an alarming rate in Atlanta and throughout the state of Georgia. In 2017, car crashes were the leading cause of injury deaths for most children and adults. In fact, Georgia has the 4th greatest number of traffic fatalities in the nation, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.
If you or someone you love suffered an injury in a car accident in Georgia, the law allows you to file claims to recover compensation for damages. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, disability, and pain and suffering.
How Much is My Case Worth?
When filing a claim to collect compensation, many injured car accident victims want to know how much money they can expect to receive. Unfortunately, every single accident is unique. As such, there is no magic settlement number that fits every case. Your attorney will listen to your story and investigate the accident to more closely determine what YOU deserve.
The amount of compensation you can expect to receive in a car accident settlement will depend on many factors, including: At-fault parties, Insurance limits, Extent of injuries and/or Long-term damage or disabilities.
Your attorney will need to calculate your expenses, lost income, loss of earning capacity, and lost benefits to determine the amount of economic damages you deserve. Your attorney will then evaluate your pain and suffering to determine how your injuries have affected your overall quality of life. These damages are called non-economic damages, and they can significantly affect the amount of settlement you receive.
Negotiations play a huge role in car accident settlements. Your attorney will use their skills to build your case and negotiate a fair settlement for you. Without an attorney on your side, you may not negotiate enough money to fully compensate for all your losses.
Average Car Accident Settlements
While all car accident cases are unique, your attorney can often give you an idea of how much your case is worth when you come in for an evaluation.
On average, personal injury car accident claims in 2019 settled for an average of $18,417 according to the Insurance Information Institute. This average represents cases that settled for millions and those that just settled for a small amount.
Insurance companies often try to use formulas when calculating the amount of a car accident claim. These formulas are generic and do not take into consideration how your injuries affect your life and future specifically.
For example, a back injury is typically assigned a value of 1.5 to 3 times the cost of medical treatment. Your injury may be significantly worse. You may find that you are unable to work in your chosen profession or enjoy your active lifestyle. When this happens, you may need considerably more compensation than the insurance company is willing to offer without a fight.
Should I Accept the Settlement or Go to Trial?
There is no easy answer to this question. When an insurance company makes an offer, you and your attorney should sit down to discuss the settlement offer. Is the insurance company making you a fair offer? Is it enough to cover all your expenses and damages?
While the insurance company’s settlement offer may be less than you originally wanted, it may be well worth it to sign this settlement. Litigation is costly and time-consuming. Unless your attorney believes that you can obtain significantly more money going to trial, you may ultimately reach a settlement with the insurance company.
The advantage to an out-of-court settlement is that you can obtain compensation significantly sooner. You also avoid the long and drawn-out process of litigation. While going to trial may secure higher damages, you and your attorney will have to determine if the cost outweighs the risks.
Keep in mind that the vast majority of car accident cases in Atlanta never go to trial. Instead, these cases reach an agreement out of court through skillful negotiations. However, it is important to choose a car accident attorney with the knowledge and resources needed to take your case to trial if litigation is necessary.
Contact Our Atlanta Car Accident Lawyers
If you or someone you love suffered an injury in a car accident in Atlanta or anywhere in the state of Georgia, we are just a phone call away. Our car accident lawyers can help you obtain maximum compensation after suffering a serious car accident injury. Let our experienced team of Atlanta car accident lawyers support you through this difficult time. We will handle the legal aspects of your case, so you can focus on your recovery. Call 404-587-8946 or fill out our confidential contact form. Just call and JUST WIN.
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