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If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may be wondering what kind of results you could see if you filed a personal injury lawsuit, and even if suing is worthwhile in the first place. You likely have enough on your hands dealing with the toll a car accident takes and handling the aftermath, including medical treatment, rehabilitation, medical bills, dealing with insurance, navigating vehicle and property damage, and figuring out when you’ll be ready to return to work.
The idea of a personal injury lawsuit on top of that stress can seem like too much, but the good news is that car accident lawsuit settlements in Georgia can be very large, and having a skilled personal injury attorney by your side can take a lot of the weight off your shoulders. Studies show that hiring a personal injury attorney will not only increase the likelihood of getting a settlement, but that the settlement you receive would be considerably higher than if you didn’t have an attorney.
What To Expect Depending on The Type of Accident
It’s hard even for attorneys to estimate the amount of settlement money a client will get as it can range depending on a number of factors. Some cases can settle for mere thousands, others for well over a million. The average settlement for a car accident in Georgia for the year 2019 was $18,000. However, that doesn’t truly give clients an idea of what they could receive in a settlement, as settlements vary greatly depending on a number of factors, especially the severity of the accident.
Factors that could affect your settlement amount include:
- The severity of the injury sustained.
- The permanence of those injuries.
- The cost of medical treatment.
- Lost wages and loss of future earning potential.
- Your credibility and the credibility of any witnesses.
- Insurance coverage.
- Who was at fault in the accident.
- Level of vehicle and property damage.
Generally, one could expect minor collisions with minimal property damage and minor injuries to result in settlements between $2,500 and $25,000. For Accidents resulting in severe injuries, the range sits at anywhere between $50,000 and $200,000, or possibly more. Fatal car accidents often results in settlements of $1,000,000 or more.
Studies Show Settlements Tend to Be Higher with an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney By Your Side
The IRC, or the Insurance Research Council, is an independent nonprofit research organization. Their mission is to provide unbiased research and insights into the policy issues affecting the insurance industry. In a comprehensive study on insurance claim payments, results were clear that having an attorney not only increases the odds of getting a settlement, but also increases the size of your settlement. The IRC found that in 85% of cases where a settlement was reached, the victim was represented by an attorney. And for the represented 85% of victims, their settlements tended to be three and a half times higher than the 15% of victims that didn’t have an attorney advocating for them. The results clearly show that having an attorney by your side can be a great benefit, as you’re more likely to receive a settlement and as that settlement statistically would be higher.
Fayetteville Car Accident Attorney
The expert team at Richard D. Hobbs & Associates has over thirty years of experience practicing personal injury law and have served thousands of clients throughout the great state of Georgia. Our offices are based in Fayetteville, but we proudly serve the people of Peachtree City, Newnan, Jonesboro, McDonough, Hampton, and beyond. We are well-equipped to meet all your auto accident and greater personal injury needs. Our team will handle all aspects of your case, from investigation, preparing witnesses and evidence, to negotiation, and a settlement. If we cannot reach a settlement that addresses the full extent of your losses, we are prepared to take your case to court so that you can get the justice you deserve. Contact us today and let us get started fighting for you!