If you’re injured in an Atlanta car accident, you’ll be entitled to recover damages from the other driver. This is, of course, if the other driver was at fault. Your compensation will depend on a few things. Luckily, your car accident lawyer in Atlanta knows how to calculate damages and will push to get you every penny.
Here, we’ll talk about the types of damages you can demand in your Atlanta car accident lawsuit. We’ll also discuss how much you may be entitled to.
Since every case is unique, it’s impossible to give you an exact figure of what you can expect to receive. Even after we’ve reviewed your case, it wouldn’t be fair to give you a prediction of how much you will get. This is because most of these cases settle long before trial. In fact, more than 95% of all personal injury cases are settled earlier than you may expect.
There’s a good chance your personal injury attorneys in Atlanta, Georgia will have to make some concessions to the other side. Rest assured, however, that they won’t accept less than they think you deserve.
What Exactly Are Legal Damages?
As an accident victim, you have the right to demand money damages for your injuries. This includes both your physical injuries as well as any economic losses you suffer. For example, if you hurt your back when another driver slams into your car, you can be compensated for your back injury. You can also be compensated for the damage to your vehicle.
The amount of your damages depends on a few things. Some of the factors that can impact your Atlanta car accident damages include the following:
- The severity of your injuries
- What body parts were hurt
- Whether you missed any time from work as a result of the crash
- If you’ll lose future income due to permanent injuries
- How bad the damage was to your vehicle
- Whether you suffered pain and suffering
- Whether the defendant was acting recklessly at the time of the accident
Most of the damages you demand will be economic damages. For example, your medical bills and car repairs will be covered. So will any lost wages or lost future income. However, there are two other types of damages your Atlanta car accident lawyer can demand. The first type is pain and suffering. this is just what it sounds like. It’s money to cover any pain and suffering you experience as a result of your car wreck.
The second type is punitive damages. These are damages a judge assesses to punish the defendant. They are very rare in car accident cases. Your lawyer will have to prove that the defendant intentionally ignored their duty of care to other drivers. They are usually limited to drunk driving cases or those accidents involving a high-speed chase or egregious behavior.
What Are the Most Common Types of Damages in an Atlanta Car Accident?
Most car accident cases in Georgia involve the same types of damages. Since punitive damages are so rare, we will not discuss them further. However, your personal injury attorneys in Atlanta, Georgia will know whether you are entitled to these. If so, they’ll make a demand for punitive damages in your Atlanta car accident lawsuit.
The most common types of damages in a car accident case include:
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Costs Associated with Your Medical Treatment:
Medical treatment and other procedures for your injuries come at a high price. You will rack up thousands of dollars in medical bills. There’s no reason you should have to pay for these. Your lawyer will calculate the total costs for medical care and make a demand in full. Some of these may include:
- Doctor’s fees
- Ambulance services
- Durable medical equipment
- Long-term physical therapy
- Co-pays for doctor’s visits and prescriptions
- Emergency room charges
- Hospitalization charges
- Rehabilitation
Of course, you may not need all of these things. The more serious your injuries, the greater your medical bills will be. Your attorney can only demand compensation for the costs you actually incurred.
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Property Damage:
If you’re involved in an Atlanta car accident, your vehicle will likely sustain damage. You’re entitled to be reimbursed for the costs of repairing or replacing your vehicle. If it’s totaled in the accident, the defendant will be liable for the fair market value of your car.
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Income and Future Earnings:
It might not be possible for you to attend work after sustaining injuries in the collision. You might have to skip work for quite some time to get complete rest and recovery. Also, you would have to miss work each time you go for a checkup.
There is also the possibility that you might not be able to return to your previous job after you recover. Your lawyer will demand that you be compensated for the difference in what you will earn (now that you’re injured) and what you would’ve earned had the accident never occurred.
How Much Is the Average Settlement?
According to the Insurance Information Institute, most car accident lawsuits settle for around $15,270 for physical injury and another $3,638 for property damage. However, that doesn’t mean you will receive the same amount. Every case is different so there’s no way to know how much you’ll receive until after your Atlanta car accident lawyer begins their settlement negotiations.
Various factors can come into play, and they vary from case to case. You should consult with the best car accident lawyers in Atlanta to find out what you can expect to receive in your case.
Work With the Best Car Accident Lawyer in Atlanta
Finding experienced and professional personal injury attorneys in Atlanta, GA can be challenging. To make things easier for you, go online and do a search for Ted Greve. He manages a personal injury firm in Georgia. He also services people in neighboring states.
Rather than trust someone you don’t know, take the advice of someone who has decades of experience and has helped Atlanta car accident victims get the money they deserve. All you need to do is call and set up a date and time that works for you. Come in and sit down with one of our skilled attorneys and enjoy your free, initial consultation.
