Types of Damages You Can Recover From a Georgia Car Accident

Car accidents are no fun, but you may be entitled to compensation in Georgia. Find out what damages you can be awarded.

1. What Types of Damages Can You Recover in a Georgia Car Accident Lawsuit?

   From a dent on the bumper to a totaled vehicle, the damages awarded to car accident victims vary greatly depending on the severity of the collision. In 2018, there were 1,407 fatal crashes in Georgia, which resulted in 1,504 deaths according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
   While a significant number of these fatalities occurred in cities like Atlanta, Macon, Albany and other urban areas, 34 percent of those deaths were on rural roads.
   
   If you decide to seek financial compensation for your accident, it’s best to have an experienced Georgia attorney on your side who can help you get the most possible damages awarded to cover your losses and expenses.
   
   Here are the different types of damage compensation you might be eligible for:

2. 1. Economic damages

   Economic damages usually involve past and future loss of wages and earnings, damage to personal property and its loss of value, and medical expenses. These costs are quantifiable and can be easily calculated to come up with a dollar number that should be awarded to the plaintiff.

3. 2. Non-economic damages

   Non-economic damages are intangible losses, such as loss of consortium, pain, and suffering, inconvenience, emotional distress, and anxiety. These costs are more difficult to calculate because they are somewhat subjective and more difficult to quantify.

4. 3. Punitive damages

   Also known as “exemplary damages,” punitive damages are rare in most car accident cases but can be awarded in certain drunk driving and hit-and-run cases. The court typically awards these damages to the plaintiff when the defendant is found to be guilty of reckless conduct and blatant disregard for other people’s lives and well-being while driving. Punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant for their malicious behavior, rather than compensate the victim.

5. Georgia damage caps

   There’s a limit — or “cap” — in the state of Georgia on how much a car crash victim can receive in punitive damages.
   
   The maximum amount an individual can receive in punitive damages under Georgia law is $275,000. A majority (75 percent) of this award goes to the state treasury. The exceptions are product liability cases, intended negligence, and car accident cases where driving under the influence (DUI) was involved.

6. Car accident settlements in Georgia

   Plaintiffs who pursue legal action in Georgia for car wreck injuries and damages can receive anywhere from a couple hundred dollars for a minor accident to millions of dollars in the most severe cases, such as when someone is extremely injured or a person was killed due to another driver’s recklessness.
   
   In order to receive such damages, the plaintiff must argue a strong case against the insurance company and any other parties involved. This requires thorough documentation and concrete evidence that your lawyer must gather to help win your case.

7. When to hire a Georgia car accident attorney

   Have you or a loved one suffered from a car wreck and now face medical expenses, property damage, and a significant decrease in your quality of life? If so, you will want to reach out to an experienced car accident attorney near you who can give your case the time and attention it deserves.