Last Updated on September 29, 2022 by
Everyone in Georgia is at risk of sustaining injuries due to car accidents. If you suffer injuries from a car accident caused by another party, you can file a claim seeking compensation. That compensation must be fair and with favorable terms, depending on your condition. But first, you need to know everything about car accident claims and settlements to get fair compensation.
Table of Contents
Types of damages in Georgia car accident claims
Personal injury damages from Georgia car accidents are of three types. Namely: economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
1. Economic damages
Economic damages include loss of wages, property damage, and medical expenses. Calculating monetary damages varies depending on the car accident situation, nature, and severity of the injuries. Hiring a competent attorney such as Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC can help ensure that your damages’ fair value is included in the settlement amount.
2. Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages are the intangible losses you will incur due to the accident. They include emotional distress, pain, suffering, stress, and anxiety. Since non-economic damages don’t have a monetary measure, the counts quantify the damages and give the fair value of the damages.
3. Punitive and exemplary damages
After paying general damages, the court can order the at-fault party to pay punitive damages. That happens when the court feels the defiant had engaged in gross negligence or total disregard for other citizens’ lives, such as in hit-and-run cases. The purpose of punitive fees is to punish and discourage the behavior of the defiant.
Time limits to file car accident claim in Georgia
A statute of limitations is a time limit for filing a claim. Beyond that time, your lawsuit will be invalid. In Georgia, car accident claims have a limit of two years from the date of the accident. Therefore, if you are a victim, you should not wait more than two years before filing a personal injury claim.
How are car accident settlements calculated?
Insurance companies apply various settlement formulas to calculate your accident claim’s value. However, the value of your claim depends on multiple factors such as:
- The amount of insurance policy
- The severity of your injuries
- The degree of fault
- Type of medical treatment
- Negotiations skills
- The amount of evidence that proves the injuries and damages
A car settlement in Georgia can range from hundreds to millions of dollars depending on the above factors. If there is no agreement or failure of the insurance to pay, you can proceed to court trials.
How is a car accident settlement paid?
After agreeing to a settlement offer, the insurance company will pay you the settlement amount. The insurance can pay in a single lump sum or gradual payments, known as a structured settlement.
The best payment structure will depend on your unique situation. You can consult your attorney to help you identify the proper system that will fit you.
Conclusion
A car accident can cause significant damage and loss to the victim. If you suffer a car accident in Georgia, seek compensation by filing a car accident claim. For a faster resolution, hire a skilled attorney to help in every step of your case.
Apart from this, if you are interested to know about 7 Secrets Tips on Hiring the Best Car Accident Lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia then visit our law category.
