How Georgia Personal Injury Settlements Work

When a person is injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, they may be able to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. If the claim is successful, the injured person may be awarded compensation for their medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.

To file a personal injury claim, the injured person must first file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. The claim should include all relevant information about the accident, the injured person’s injuries, and the damages they are seeking.

The insurance company will then investigate the claim. This may involve interviewing witnesses, reviewing medical records, and inspecting the accident scene. Once the investigation is complete, the insurance company will make a settlement offer.

 

The insurance company’s initial settlement offer will typically be a low percentage of the actual cost to recover from the injury. A realistic settlement will be based on the severity of the injured person’s injuries, the cost of their medical expenses – either present or future, and the amount of lost wages they have incurred. The injured person can then accept or reject the settlement offer. This is where having a personal injury attorney that is 100% on your side and looking out for your best interests is important. Insurance companies will try to get away with paying the minimum – and you deserve better treatment. Even your own insurance company will try to minimize their payouts if required.

If the injured person accepts the settlement offer, they will sign a release of liability form and receive their settlement payment. This means that they cannot file a lawsuit against the at-fault party for the same injuries in the future.

If the injured person rejects the settlement offer, they may choose to negotiate with the insurance company or file a personal injury lawsuit. If the injured person files a lawsuit, the case will go to trial. At trial, a jury will decide whether the at-fault party is liable for the injured person’s damages. If the jury finds the at-fault party liable, they will award the injured person damages to compensate them for their losses.

How A Personal Injury Settlement Attorney Can Help Victims in Georgia

A personal injury attorney can represent a victim in a number of ways, including:

  • Investigating the accident or incident. The attorney will gather evidence, such as police reports, witness statements, and medical records, to determine how the accident happened and who was responsible.
  • Filing a claim with the insurance company. The attorney will prepare and file a claim with the insurance company on the victim’s behalf. The attorney will also negotiate with the insurance company to try to reach a fair settlement.
  • Filing a lawsuit. If the insurance company is unwilling to offer a fair settlement, the attorney may file a lawsuit against the responsible party. The attorney will represent the victim in court and fight to get them the compensation they deserve.

Personal injury attorneys are needed because insurance companies are businesses and their primary goal is to make money. This means that they may try to delay, deny, or underpay claims in order to save money. A personal injury attorney can help victims navigate the complex claims process and fight for their rights.

In addition, personal injury attorneys have the knowledge and experience to build strong cases and get the best possible results for their clients. They know how to value damages, negotiate with insurance companies, and try cases in court.

Here are some specific examples of how a personal injury attorney can help a victim:

  • A car accident victim may need help getting their medical bills paid and recovering their lost wages. A personal injury attorney can negotiate with the insurance company to get a fair settlement that covers all the victim’s damages.
  • A slip-and-fall victim may need help proving that the property owner was negligent and that their negligence caused the victim’s injuries. A personal injury attorney can gather evidence and interview witnesses to build a strong case.
  • A product liability victim may need help proving that a defective product caused their injuries. A personal injury attorney can work with experts to investigate the product defect and determine how it caused the victim’s injuries.

If you have been injured in an accident or incident, it is important to contact one of our highly-rated Georgia personal injury attorneys at The Kalka Law Group to discuss your case. Our personal injury attorneys can help you understand your legal rights and options, and we can fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

Kalka Law Group Personal Injury Settlement Amount Examples in Georgia

According to the personal injury settlement examples listed on this page, the typical Georgia personal injury accident settlement is anywhere from $125,000 to $11,000,000. Settlements depend greatly on the unique circumstances of each case, which is why there is no accurate or realistic average settlement amount for personal injury accidents in Georgia.

Here are a few of the personal injury cases our team at The Kalka Law Group have negotiated for our clients:

$11,000,000.00
Rear End Collision

A cement truck driver rear-ended our client, which led to paralysis. The team at Kalka Law Group worked hard to reconstruct the accident and prove our client held no responsibility in the accident and that the cement truck driver was 100% responsible for our client’s permanent paralysis.

$3,600,000
Drunk Driving Accident

Our client was struck by a drunk driver in an automobile accident. It led to Traumatic Brain Injury. Our firm secured a combined settlement for our client against both the drunk driver and the restaurant who served the intoxicated driver.

$3,000,000
Pedestrian vs Commercial Truck Accident

Our client was walking across a parking lot at night. The at-fault driver struck the client as a pedestrian. As the at-fault driver was cited with a DUI, they were clearly at fault. Our client was transported to hospital with multiple broken bones. Our team went after the driver and the commercial truck insurance company, recovering $3,000,000 for our client to cover medical expenses both current and in the future, as well as pain and suffering and loss of work.

$2,250,000
Charter Bus Accident With Severe Injuries

Our client was traveling through Marietta going southbound on I-75 in the middle lane, when a charter bus failed to see the traffic slowing in front of him, crossed over the far left lanes, and ultimately collided with our client, causing a five-car crash. Due to the accident, our client experienced serious injuries to his neck, back, and ankle, which required cervical and lumbar spine surgical fusions. Since having these procedures, he has not been able to return to work. Through intensive investigations, Attorney Kalka discovered the bus company ignored several previous safety violations, which contributed to the collision. While the bus company and their insurance provider failed to accept fault for the accident, Attorney Kalka fought relentlessly and secured a $2.25 million settlement to cover our client’s medical expenses, loss of income, pain and suffering, and loss of consortium for his wife.

$475,000
Trip & Fall

Our client tripped and fell on unfinished construction when leaving a sporting venue.

$450,000
Negligent Shooting

Negligent Security case where a shooting was involved.

$300,000
Loaded Assault Rifle Shoots Teenager in Attic of Troup County Home

A homeowner negligently stored assault rifles in the attic of a home and invited teenagers over to his house. When the teenager walked up the stairway into the attic, an assault rifle discharged into the teenager and killed him instantly. The homeowner was charged with manslaughter and possession of narcotics. The Kalka Law Group sued for careless and reckless conduct. The Kalka Law Group obtained the homeowner’s insurance policy limits of $300,000.

$200,000
Pedestrian Hit By Negligent Driver in Parking Lot

While walking across a Publix parking lot, The Kalka Law Group’s client was hit by a negligent driver who turned left into her. The woman who was hit instinctively put her hand out to protect herself, however, her hand hit the side mirror and pulled her shoulder awkwardly. Immediately she felt pain in her shoulder and she had to undergo multiple shoulder surgeries and physical therapy as a result. The injuries left her out of work for 7 months because she could not lift anything. The Kalka Law Group fought for rightful compensation and recovered $200,000 to cover the cost of her lost wages during her time away from work, her medical expenses, and all around pain and suffering.

$125,000
Dog Bite

A dog was off leash at the park and our client was attacked without provocation. The bite resulted in permanent scarring to our client’s leg. The initial offer to our client was just $20,000. We were able to recover a settlement payout of $125,000 with thorough investigation and negotiation.

Types of Personal Injury Accidents that Result in Large Settlements in Georgia

While even what seems to be a minor injury can cause major upheaval in your life – there are some types of injuries that can net larger settlements when claims are filed in Georgia. The injuries below are considered severe, can be disabling, and will often require life-long, or at least long-term medical care.

  • Catastrophic injuries: These injuries are severe and disabling, and often require lifelong medical care. Examples include:
  • Multiple injuries: If you suffer multiple injuries in a car accident, your settlement may be higher, even if the individual injuries are not considered catastrophic.
  • Permanent injuries: Injuries that leave you with a permanent disability or impairment can also result in larger settlements.
  • Wrongful death: Settlements for wrongful death are typically the highest, as they are designed to compensate the family for the loss of their loved one.

In addition to the severity of your injuries, other factors that can affect the size of your settlement include:

  • Liability: If the other driver was clearly at fault for the accident, your settlement is likely to be higher.
  • Medical expenses: The higher your medical expenses, the higher your settlement may be.
  • Lost wages: If you are unable to work due to your injuries, you may be able to recover lost wages as part of your settlement.
  • Pain and suffering: Pain and suffering damages are designed to compensate you for the physical and emotional pain you have endured.

If you have been injured in an accident in Georgia, it is important to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss your case. An attorney can help you determine the value of your claim and negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.

If you are considering filing a personal injury claim, it is important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. One of our highly-qualified personal injury attorneys at Kalka Law Group can help you navigate the legal process and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.

Contact Kalka Law Group today for a free consultation. We have a proven track record of success in helping injured clients obtain the compensation they need to recover and move on with their lives.

 

If you are interested in reviewing average settlement amounts for other types of Georgia accidents see our additional resources on the matter: