How Much Should I Receive From My Auto Accident?

You should receive enough compensation to cover all your losses after an auto accident caused by someone else’s negligence. The specific amount of compensation you receive will depend on the extent of your losses and other factors.

An Atlanta car accident lawyer can review your situation and calculate a fair value for your claim. An attorney can also explain the types of compensation available to you. For example, you may receive funds to pay for your medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repairs, pain, and suffering.

How Much Money Should You Receive From Your Car Accident?

You should get enough money to pay for the economic and non–economic damages you face after a motor vehicle accident. Therefore, the funds you receive will depend on the full scope of your losses.

You may receive funds to pay for your:

Medical Expenses

In the aftermath of a car accident, you may get money to pay for all of the medical treatment you need to recover. For example, the liable party may have to pay for your:

• Emergency medical treatment
• Time in a hospital
• Medical diagnostic tests
• Medical procedures and surgeries
• Over-the-counter and prescription medications
• Physical therapy appointments

Your lawyer can track your medical expenses and include all of them in your personal injury claim. The amount of money that you receive for your medical bills will depend on the severity of your car accident injuries.

For example, individuals with a spinal cord injury (SCI) will receive more compensation than individuals with minor injuries.

Lost Pay

The at-fault driver may need to cover all the wages you lose while healing after a motor vehicle collision. You may also receive funds to cover your lost earning potential if the crash caused you a disability.

Property Damage

The average car accident settlement will include funds to cover vehicle repairs. The responsible party may also need to pay for any other property damaged in your collision with another vehicle.

Pain and Suffering

Finally, you may receive money to cover the non-economic losses you experience after a motor vehicle accident. For example, the at-fault driver may need to pay for your:

• Emotional distress
• Mental anguish
• Physical pain that stops you from enjoying your life
• Loss of consortium
• Loss of companionship

An attorney can provide more information about the non-economic damages available to car accident victims. So, how much should you receive from your car accident? The funds you can expect to receive will vary on a case-by-case basis.

Will You Receive Punitive Damages?

In some situations, you may receive punitive damages after a crash. These damages do not count as compensatory damages because they do not directly cover your losses. Instead, they serve to punish the individual responsible for your collision.

How much should you receive from your auto accident? The amount of punitive damages you qualify to receive will vary. Your lawyer can provide more information about these funds.

How Do You Receive Money After a Car Accident?

You have two primary options available to receive compensation after a motor vehicle accident. Your Atlanta personal injury lawyer may help you secure maximum compensation through:

An Insurance Settlement

Your lawyer may help you get the money you need to cover your losses by negotiating with the insurance company representing the at-fault party. An attorney will need to provide evidence to demonstrate the extent of your losses and review any offers made by the insurance company.

Your lawyer will not simply accept an average settlement. Instead, you can rely on an attorney to push back against deals that fail to cover all of your losses, countering lowball offers to ensure that you get fair compensation for your loss of income, medical costs, pain, and other losses from the at-fault driver.

A Personal Injury Lawsuit

In some cases, the insurance company will refuse to provide a fair settlement offer after a crash. In this situation, you can rely on your attorney to help with a lawsuit against the liable party, potentially bringing you financial recovery through a verdict in your favor.

Common Misconceptions About Car Accident Claims

Some common misconceptions about car accident claims include:

• Insurers will not pay an outrageous sum of money just to avoid the cost of a trial. They will pay what you can prove is a fair amount, based on the severity of your injuries. (It is true, however, that if they think you would win at trial, they are quicker to negotiate.)
• There is no formula to determine the amount you get paid. It isn’t double or triple your medical bills, as some may claim. It’s different in each individual case.
• You do not have to go to trial to win your claim. Most claims (but not all) will settle out of court.

Likewise, you should remember that claims are usually worth more if a lawyer handles them. Trying to negotiate with the insurance company yourself, without a background in law, leaves you without the leverage and the expansive toolkit of strategies that an experienced lawyer can bring.

You Can Discuss Your Case With a Personal Injury Attorney for Free and Get Valuable Advice

Personal injury lawyers typically offer a free meeting to discuss any potential car accident claim. Take advantage of it. It costs you nothing and could help you win thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars.

Talk to Us About Available Compensation for a Car Accident

So, how much should you receive from your auto accident? The amount of compensation you should receive after a crash will depend on your situation. In some cases, you may receive millions of dollars in compensation.

Contacting an attorney is the easiest way to find out what your claim is worth. Our team at John Foy & Associates offers a free consultation with some of the most experienced and respected personal injury lawyers in Georgia.

Fill out the form to your right or call us to speak to an experienced member of our team.