In this article, our car and auto accident settlement experts explain the Georgia car accident settlement payout process. With this information you can be better informed of the process that will be taken in the car accident settlement examples to payout your car and motor vehicle accidents case.
We have a lot of great things in Georgia, the “Peach State”. A growing city of Atlanta, a great music history (think Ray Charles), the Atlanta Braves, to name a few. One thing Georgia is also known for (especially Atlanta) is the traffic. So, if you happen to get into a car accident, it can be helpful to know how most car accident lawsuits and settlements work so that you can make sure your rights are protected. Below, we discuss the Georgia, the average car and auto accident settlement timeline, car accidents here, and auto accident lawsuits and settlement process and timeline.
Do I Need to Report a Car Accident in Georgia?
Under Georgia law, individuals who are involved in property damage in a Georgia car accident are required to report the car accident immediately to the police if there are injuries involved. You are also required to the police report the car accident lawsuits if there was property damage that exceeds $500.
We always recommend that you call the police immediately following any car accident in Georgia. Even if you think you are not injured at fault of driver’s negligence, some injuries take a little bit of time to manifest themselves. The shock of a car accident releases adrenaline, pain and suffering and you may not know the severity of your physical injuries until the next day. It is always good to call the police in order to make sure you have a police accident report to document what happened in the car the accident occurred. You can request a free copy of the crash report here.
Also, Georgia law mandates that you must provide your name, license, insurance, and contact information to any other driver or drivers involved in the car accident settlements the police reports the scene. Further, parties involved in a car accident in Georgia are required to offer help in getting any injured parties medical treatment or assistance and you are required to stay at the accident scene until police arrive.
Georgia Car Insurance Laws
Georgia, like other states, have minimum liability insurance coverage amounts that we are all required to carry in order to legally drive. They are as follows:
- $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person
- $50,000 for bodily injury or death of more than one person in the same accident
- $25,000 for damage to property
How to Car Accident Settlements Work in Georgia?
When the Georgia car accident settlement process comes to mind, the first thing people generally think of is a long, drawn-out battle about insurance coverage who is at fault, how much they should pay. However, the car accident claim process in Georgia can be stress-free if handled by an experienced Georgia car insurance adjuster or car insurance adjusters’ car accident claims” attorney.
Most Georgia car accident cases settle long before accident settlement before a bench trial after long legal battle and long personal injury settlement before average settlement before a jury trial. With a settlement, an injured party can get a guaranteed payout without the need to battle it out in the courtroom.
What is a Settlement?
A settlement of court case is an agreement between the court trial the parties to resolve the court case for an agreed upon amount of money. Then, the parties will dismiss the lawsuit and go on with their lives.
Granted, under Georgia law, settlement is not required. However, courts will encourage the parties to have a “settlement conference” to discuss the possibility of settling the car accident claim. Another option that we often help our clients with is something called “mediation”. We sit down with a neutral, third-party mediator and try to arrive at a settlement with experienced personal injury attorney on the other side before a trial. If you are currently involved in a car accident personal injury case, ask your car accident personal injury lawyer now about the settlement offer and possibility of mediation to get you the settlement you deserve.
What is the Average Car Accident Settlement in Georgia?
The question we get from people most often is how much their case is worth. The truth is that, because there are so many factors that go into a car accident settlement in Georgia, it is impossible to give a fully accurate estimate of fair settlement. A small fender bender will lead to a lower settlement than a tractor trailer or car crash which leads to catastrophic injuries.
When evaluating the amount of a potential settlement or insurance claim, car accident victims and their attorney will look at the following factors :
- Amount of damage to vehicles
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional damages
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages
How Long Do I Have to File A Car Accident Lawsuit in Georgia?
The car accident lawsuit process in Georgia can be complicated. Under Georgia law, an accident victim has two years from the date of the car accident to file a lawsuit for a personal injury claim. This time limit begins counting on the day of the car accident. It is important to consult the best Georgia car accident attorney that you can find as the car accident lawsuit process soon as possible. This will ensure that an experienced attorney can evaluate your personal injury lawsuit case and make sure you meet the filing deadline.
Talk to a Specialized Georgia Car Accident Lawyer About Your Potential Settlement.
Once you settle with insurance company in your serious injury case, the insurance company makes the settlement amount is final and can not be changed. Often, the insurance company will make you a very low settlement offer just to try to get you to accept it. We highly recommend finding and speaking to a specialized and experienced Georgia car accident lawyer before talking to insurance company about any settlement numbers.
Do I have a Georgia Car Accident Case? Can I Recover Compensation for My Injuries?
Georgia Auto Law is the premier law firm in Georgia exclusively helping clients win auto accident cases. We are the only law firm in Georgia handling only auto accident personal injury cases. Auto accidents personal injury claims are not just what we do, it’s all we do.
You are welcome to call one of our auto accident settlements attorneys at any time, day or night, at (404) 662-4949. You can also complete our free consultation call form, and one of our many car accident settlement specialists will reach out to you within minutes to discuss the auto accident settlement timeline and process. With our No Fee Pledge™, you pay nothing. We are here for you.
Conclusion
Understanding the Georgia car accident settlement lawsuit process can be overwhelming, especially while recovering from an accident. However, with the right knowledge and help from experienced attorneys, this process can be much smoother and less stressful.
The key takeaways from this article include the necessity of promptly reporting the accident to the police, understanding Georgia’s car insurance laws, and the importance of seeking legal assistance during the settlement process. Remember that the nature of your accident, extent of your injuries, damages incurred, medical expenses, and other related factors will influence your case’s worth. Thus, your legal representative experienced attorney should carefully consider these aspects when negotiating for a more fair compensation and settlement offer.
Finally, remember the two-year window within which a lawsuit for a personal injury claim can be filed. Don’t wait too long to consult with a competent Georgia car accident attorney. They can provide you with the best guidance and representation, ensuring your rights are protected and helping you obtain the compensation you deserve.
FAQs
Q1: Do I need to report a car accident in Georgia, and under what circumstances?
A1: Yes, under Georgia law, any insurance company or individual involved at fault driver in a car accident is required to report the accident scene incident immediately to the police if there are injuries involved or if property damage exceeds $500. It is recommended to call the police in every situation, as some injuries from car crashes may take time to manifest.
Q2: What are the minimum liability insurance coverage amounts in Georgia?
A2: The minimum liability insurance coverage amounts required in Georgia are $25,000 for bodily injury or death of one person, $50,000 for bodily injury or death of more than one person in the same accident, and $25,000 for damage to property.
Q3: How does the car accident settlement process work in Georgia?
A3: The car accident settlement process in Georgia typically involves negotiation between the involved parties or their attorneys. Most cases settle before going to trial. The settlement is an agreed upon amount of money to resolve the case. In some cases, mediation is used to arrive at a just settlement amount.
Q4: What factors are considered when determining a car accident settlement in Georgia?
A4: Several factors are considered in determining a car accident settlement in Georgia. These include the amount of damage to vehicles, physical, pain and suffering damages, emotional damages, past and future, medical expenses and medical bills due, and lost wages.
Q5: What is the timeline to file a car accident lawsuit in Georgia?
A5: Under Georgia law, an accident victim has two years from the date of the car accident to file a lawsuit to seek compensation for a personal injury claim. This time limit starts counting on the day of the car accident.