Average Settlement for Rear-End Collision in Georgia

According to the Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety, 7,620 individuals suffered severe injuries, and 1,664 died on Georgia’s roads in 2020. Rear-end accidents can be common in the state, especially in urban areas. If you or a loved one got hurt in a crash, you might wonder about the average settlement for rear-end collisions in Georgia. However, as no two car crashes are the same, there is no such thing as an average settlement. You could qualify for various damages, such as medical expenses, car repair or replacement, income loss, and awards for pain and suffering.

Going it alone can be a mistake, especially if you experienced severe injuries and significant expenses due to a rear-end crash. An experienced car accident lawyer at Morgan & Morgan can help you determine the worth of your potential settlement and fight tirelessly for what you deserve. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation evaluation to find out more.

Factors Determining Your Settlement Amount

Compensation in rear-end accidents will vary from one case to another as payments are calculated individually. Settlements could range from several thousand dollars up to multiple six figures. Generally, the factors determining your settlement amount include the following:

Severity of Injuries

The severity and permanence of your injuries directly impact the amount of your accident settlement. Physically severe injuries can have devastating consequences on a victim and can cause much pain and anguish. Significant injuries will also take more time to heal, meaning an extended time away from work and considerable loss of wages. Broken bones, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord damage, and other severe injuries generally result in higher settlements.

Medical Treatment Cost

When injured in a car accident, the cost of medical treatment and care can be considerable. If someone else is responsible for your rear-end crash in Georgia, you are entitled to receive a settlement including all medical expenses arising from your accident injury, such as:

• Surgery
• Hospital stays
• Specialist appointments
• Diagnostic tests such as x-rays, MRIs, and others
• Medical devices
• Medications
• A home health aide
• Physiotherapy
• The costs of adapting your home or vehicle to your needs
• Ongoing care expenses

Medical expenses can make up a large, if not the largest, portion of your final settlement.

Wage Losses

Loss of earnings could be considerable if you were badly injured. Apart from your regular wage, you could also lose out on promotions, bonuses, overtime, and commissions. If someone else is responsible for your accident and injuries, you should receive a settlement reflecting all your income losses and potential future income loss.

Pain and Suffering

Severe accidents are not only physically damaging but can also cause significant emotional trauma. Victims may suffer from lingering anxiety when or refuse to drive a car again. Affected individuals are generally entitled to an adequate settlement reflecting both their physical and emotional injuries.

Property Damage

If your car was significantly damaged in the rear-end crash, you generally qualify for repair or replacement expenses from the at-fault party’s insurance. However, you could also receive amounts for all other property damaged or destroyed in the crash, such as:

• Clothing
• Jewelry
• Eyeglasses
• Cell phone
• Laptop or tablet

Remember to retain the damaged items. Insurance adjusters typically require proof of your losses and may want to value your damaged possessions.

Other Damages

Depending on your unique circumstances, you may qualify for other damages. After an accident, it can be critical to speak to a car accident attorney and explain all effects the accident has had on your life. Perhaps you now have to hire help to manage your household and yard or to complete other tasks you could perform before getting hurt. You may now rely on rideshare services or taxis for doing errands or getting to doctor’s appointments. All these accident-related expenses could be compensable.

Protecting Your Right to Compensation After a Rear-End Collision

Protecting your legal rights after a rear-end collision in Georgia can maximize your settlement amount. Critical steps you can take to protect your right to compensation include:

Promptly Get Medical Advice

Many individuals leave the accident scene feeling fine. However, the chaos and stress of an accident can help to mask injuries. You may experience pain and stiffness in the hours or days after the accident pointing to underlying injuries such as whiplash or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Therefore, seek medical help as soon as possible after a crash to rule out serious conditions. Seeing a doctor will also help document your injuries. A medical report is crucial for proving your injuries and pursuing a fair settlement later.

Leaving it too long to see a doctor can be a severe mistake providing the at-fault party and their legal representation with ammunition to deny you compensation. If you did not see a doctor immediately, the other side could argue that you exaggerated your injuries or that they do not stem from the crash.

Gather Crucial and Time-Sensitive Evidence

Presenting comprehensive evidence of the other party’s fault and your damages can be essential for getting the rear-end settlement you deserve. Vital evidence you can collect at the accident scene or in the days after the crash includes:

• Pictures of the accident scene and vehicle damage
• Contact and insurance details of all involved drivers
• Names and contact details of witnesses
• Receipts of your out-of-pocket costs, such as transport expenses, medications, and others
• A medical report documenting your injuries and treatments
• Receipts of repairs to your vehicle
• Proof of wage loss, such as pay stubs and bank statements
• Police accident report

A car accident attorney from Morgan & Morgan can help you gather the evidence you need to prove your claim.

Get Help From a Car Accident Lawyer

Unless you were involved in a fender bender with minor property damage and no injuries, speaking to an experienced attorney can be critical for maximizing your settlement for a rear-end collision in Georgia. If you suffer severe or life-changing injuries, professional legal advice can save you from making crucial mistakes that could cost you dearly. Insurance companies typically dig in their heels and fight claims tooth and nail when a lot of money is at stake. A Morgan & Morgan car accident lawyer knows how to protect your rights and fight for maximum potential compensation.

Causes of Rear-End Collisions in Georgia

There can be many reasons for car accidents, such as poor road design, bad weather, and vehicle defects. However, according to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), the number one cause of crashes is driver error and negligent driving behaviors, such as:

• Driving distracted
• Speeding
• Drowsy and fatigued driving
• Tailgating
• Intoxicated driving
• Violating traffic laws
• Generally reckless driving

If a negligent or reckless driver caused your accident, you could hold them accountable and receive compensation.

The Driver in the Back Is Not Always to Blame

There is a common misconception that the driver in the rear vehicle is always at-fault for a rear-end crash. However, this is only sometimes true. The person in front could be liable in the following circumstances and others:

• Their brake lights were defective
• They reversed into the vehicle behind
• They suddenly slammed on the brakes

However, proving that the driver in front was responsible can be particularly tricky and may require solid evidence, such as traffic camera footage and a professional accident investigation. Rear-end accidents are not always clear-cut and can be tough to understand, particularly in a multi-vehicle pile-up. Getting a lawyer on your side can be critical for defending your best interests.

When to Hire a Lawyer for a Rear-End Collision in Georgia?

Even a seemingly harmless low-speed rear-end crash could have dramatic consequences for victims and result in a life-altering or chronic injury. Morgan & Morgan understands that an accident can turn your life upside down in a split second and cause physical pain, emotional distress, and financial chaos. Seeking legal advice promptly can help you to mitigate the consequences of an accident on your future life.

If someone else caused your crash and losses, they should make you “whole again,” and a dedicated attorney can help you pursue a fair settlement. Working with an attorney can be critical if:

• You suffered severe injuries in the crash
• The accident aggravated a pre-existing condition
• You have astronomical medical expenses
• The other side denies fault for the accident
• You have some responsibility for the accident
• The insurance unfairly denied or reduced your claim
• A loved one died in the rear-end crash

It is not uncommon for insurance companies to delay or minimize rear-end accident claims. However, an experienced attorney can negotiate aggressively with the insurance company. If the insurer keeps refusing a settlement, we can fight them in court.

What Are Common Rear-End Collision Injuries? 

Rear-end crash injuries can range from mild to disabling and fatal. Common examples of accident injuries include the following:

• Whiplash
• Head and brain injuries
• Soft tissue injuries, such as bruises and sprains
• Dislocated discs and other back injuries
• Spinal cord injury and paralysis
• Broken bones
• Lost limbs
• Seatbelt and airbag injuries
• Internal bleeding
• Emotional injuries such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

You could be entitled to compensation for all your accident-related damages, including physical and emotional injuries.

How Can Morgan & Morgan Help Rear-End Crash Victims in Georgia?

Morgan & Morgan has been handling car accident claims for over three decades, helping injured victims all over the country receive the help and compensation they need to rebuild their lives. Over the years, we have recovered more than $13 billion in damages for our clients. You are in good hands with Morgan & Morgan. We can handle all aspects of your claim while you can concentrate on your health. We can:

Negotiate With Insurers

Insurance companies, especially when they realize you lack legal representation, may try to get away as quickly and cheaply as possible. Accepting a lowball offer from an insurer can be a severe mistake and could leave you out of pocket later. Morgan & Morgan never settle for less because we know your future may depend on a fair settlement. Our attorneys understand the true value of your case and will leave no stone unturned in recovering what you deserve.

Build a Comprehensive Case Against the Responsible Party

Gathering critical evidence and building a good case against the liable driver or another party can be vital for getting what you deserve, especially if fault for your rear-end crash is contested. Our attorneys will work hard to obtain evidence such as traffic camera footage, witness statements, and expert witness testimony to add weight to your case.

Fight for Maximum Potential Compensation

Car crash victims often mistakenly assume that an insurance company has their best interests at heart. However, insurers are businesses wanting to make a profit. With Morgan & Morgan by your side, your best interests always come first. We want you to have the best shot at getting the total worth of your claim, whether with an out-of-court settlement or trial verdict. Unlike other personal injury law firms, we never shy away from fighting your case at trial to recover maximum compensation.

Your Shoulder to Lean On

Our clients are like family to us. We can provide you with the personal attention, empathy, and compassion you deserve. Handling a rear-end accident claim alone can be stressful and intimidating. Let us take the worry and stress away so you can concentrate on getting your life back. Morgan & Morgan can be here for you during the most difficult moments of your life. 

Contact Us Today for Free Advice

If you have an injury claim and would like to learn more about the average settlement for rear-end collisions in Georgia, we could help. You only pay if and when we win. Contact us now for a free case review to determine your next best steps.