What Damages Can I Collect For A Car Accident?
If you or somebody you care about has been injured in a vehicle accident caused by the negligent actions of another individual in Georgia, you may be able to recover various types of compensation. Typically, the at-fault driver is responsible for paying compensation to others involved. However, it may be necessary to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party to recover compensation in these situations.
Examining Car Accident Special Damages
After a vehicle accident occurs in Georgia, individuals are likely to incur significant expenses. In most cases, these expenses will be relatively calculable by gathering up the bills and receipts that come in after the crash happens. Special damages are also referred to as economic damages in a Georgia car accident case. Some of the most common special damages include the following:
- Emergency medical expenses related to the crash
- All follow-up medical treatment required
- Prescription medication or medical devices
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation expenses
- Chiropractic expenses
- Any out-of-pocket expenses associated with the crash
- Vehicle damage repair or replacement costs
- Lost wages if a crash victim cannot work
A skilled lawyer will gather up all of the bills and receipts their client receives to come up with a total for the economic damages associated with the crash.
Examining Car Accident General Damages
We have to look beyond economic losses when it comes to vehicle accidents and examine what is considered general damages, often referred to as non-economic losses. These types of losses are not as concrete because they do not necessarily come with bills or receipts. Some of the most common types of general damages after a vehicle accident occurs include a driver’s:
- Emotional and psychological distress
- Physical pain and suffering damages
- Scarring and disfigurement damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
We can consider these damages to be immeasurable, though an attorney will work diligently to quantify these types of losses. A lawyer could use a “multiplier method,” which means that they will take the economic damage total for the client and multiply this by a certain number (typically a number ranging from 1.5 to 5) to reach the non-economic total. For example, if an individual sustains $50,000 in total economic damage losses, an attorney could use a multiplier of “three” to reach a non-economic damage total of $150,000.
Overall, the attorney would ask for $200,000 for their client.
Working With a Car Accident Lawyer in Georgia
When working to properly determine how much compensation an individual should receive after a vehicle accident occurs in Georgia, an attorney will turn to trusted medical, economic, and financial experts. These individuals will fully evaluate all of the total losses the crash victim has already incurred and is expected to incur in the days, weeks, and months to follow. A lawyer will gather the evidence needed to prove liability and engage in vigorous negotiations with the insurance carriers involved. In the event the insurance carriers offer an unreasonably low settlement, or if they deny the claim altogether, an attorney will fully prepare the claim for a personal injury trial.
Yes, legal assistance will cost money, but most attorneys handle these claims on a contingency fee basis. This means the car accident victim will not have to pay any legal fees until after their attorney wins the case. Individuals who work with an Atlanta car accident attorney in these situations are much more likely to recover maximum compensation for their losses.