The average payout for a pedestrian hit by a car in Georgia ranges from $15,000 to over $1,000,000, though individual cases can vary.
Some victims may receive less, while others with more severe injuries or complex cases could secure significantly higher settlements, depending on various factors that influence the compensation amount in each case.
Factors influencing the settlement include:
- Medical costs
- Insurance coverage
- Fault in the accident
- The extent of injuries
- Lost wages and long-term care
Need help with Georgia pedestrian injury compensation?
If you’ve been injured as a pedestrian in Georgia, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Dealing with the claims process can be complicated, but our experienced pedestrian accident attorneys are here to help you get the settlement you deserve.
Find out how an Atlanta pedestrian accident lawyer can help you help in a free consultation. We serve clients across Georgia. Let us handle the legal work while you focus on recovery.
Pedestrian hit-and-run compensation
The average pedestrian hit-and-run compensation is approximately $500,000, depending on injury severity.
Minor injuries typically result in $15,000 to $75,000, while more severe cases like traumatic brain injuries or amputations can reach $1 million or higher. Settlements vary based on medical costs and other damages.
Several factors influence the compensation amount, including the extent of medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and the liable driver’s insurance coverage. Working with a car accident lawyer can also impact your final fair settlement, as they help ensure that all damages are properly accounted for and negotiated.
Pedestrian hit in a crosswalk settlement average
The average pedestrian hit in a crosswalk settlement ranges from $10,000 to over $500,000, depending on injury severity, liability, and case specifics. Insurance companies may initially offer low settlements, often increased through litigation or negotiation.
How to maximize pedestrian accident compensation
To maximize pedestrian accident compensation, there are several key steps you should follow. These steps ensure your case is well-documented, accurately represented, and handled efficiently.
Here are important actions you can take to help strengthen your pedestrian accident claim:
- Seek immediate medical attention: Prompt medical treatment not only protects your health but also provides documentation of your injuries, which is essential for your claim. Ensure that all injuries are noted and that follow-up care is tracked.
- Gather detailed evidence from the accident scene: Take photos of the scene, including your injuries, vehicle damage, road conditions, and traffic signals. Collect witness contact information and note the time and weather conditions, as these details can help establish fault.
- Report the accident to authorities and request a copy of the police report: Ensure that the accident is officially reported to the police. A detailed police report can provide an unbiased account of the incident, which is valuable evidence in your case.
- Consult an experienced pedestrian accident lawyer: Legal expertise is key in maximizing compensation. Our attorneys can navigate the complexities of personal injury law, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure that your rights are protected. This removes the burden from you so you’re able to recover more quickly.
- Document your injuries, treatments, and expenses: Keep track of all medical bills, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and any other accident-related expenses. This documentation is critical when calculating your compensation.
- Avoid quick settlement offers from insurance companies: Insurance companies often offer low initial settlements. Consult your attorney before accepting any offers to ensure the amount covers all current and future expenses related to your injuries.
- File your injury claim within the statute of limitations: In Georgia, you typically have two years to file a pedestrian accident claim. Missing this deadline could result in losing the right to seek compensation. Filing promptly ensures that your case remains viable.
Need further guidance? Contact a Savannah pedestrian accident lawyer from our firm to help you file a claim as soon as possible.
Factors that affect pedestrian injury settlements in Georgia
Severity of your injuries
The extent of injuries plays a major role in determining compensation. Severe injuries such as spinal cord damage, broken bones, or traumatic brain injuries often result in higher settlements due to long-term medical care and potential permanent disabilities.
For instance, if the injury results in chronic pain, loss of mobility, or cognitive impairments, the compensation may also cover lost wages, future earning potential, and necessary modifications to the victim’s home or vehicle.
In cases where the injury was caused by gross negligence or intentional harm, punitive damages may also be awarded. These are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future.
Liability and fault
Establishing fault is critical in Georgia pedestrian accident cases. If the driver is entirely at fault, the compensation will be higher.
However, Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning a pedestrian’s compensation could be reduced if they are partially at fault for the accident.
Economic damages
The total medical costs incurred, including emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, and ongoing rehabilitation, significantly impact the settlement amount. Compensation typically includes both current and future medical expenses.
If the injury prevents the pedestrian from working, they can recover compensation for lost wages. In cases of permanent disability, future lost earnings are also considered in the settlement amount.
Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life can increase the settlement. These damages are more subjective but often make up a substantial portion of the final compensation.
In evaluating these damages, courts and insurance companies consider various factors such as the severity of the injury, the duration of recovery, the impact on the victim’s daily life, and any ongoing or permanent limitations.
To quantify non-economic damages, attorneys may use methods like the multiplier method, where economic damages are multiplied by a factor (usually between 1.5 and 5) to estimate non-economic damages.
Alternatively, the per diem method assigns a daily monetary value to the suffering endured and multiplies it by the number of days the victim is expected to experience pain and suffering.
Victims can support their claims for non-economic damages by providing evidence such as:
- Medical records
- Testimony from mental health professionals
- Personal journals documenting their pain and emotional struggles
- Statements from family members or friends who can attest to the impact of the injury on their quality of life
Ultimately, the goal is to achieve a settlement that fairly compensates the victim for both the tangible and intangible losses they have suffered, ensuring they have the resources needed to move forward with their lives.
Insurance policy limits
In Georgia, the minimum required auto insurance coverage for personal injury, which can directly affect settlements in pedestrian accidents, is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident (for multiple persons).
This minimum coverage means that in the event of a pedestrian accident, the responsible driver’s insurance would cover up to $25,000 for a single injured person, and up to $50,000 total if multiple people are injured.
However, these amounts may not be enough to cover all medical bills, lost wages, and other damages, so the settlement can vary based on the specific details of the accident and the insurance policy limits of the at-fault driver.
Higher coverage amounts or additional policies, like uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, can provide more compensation in certain cases. This is essential for larger settlements, especially if the pedestrian’s injuries are severe.
Our pedestrian hit by car compensation examples
This is an example of the settlements we’ve won for pedestrians in personal injury claims:
- $310,000 Settlement: Pedestrian hit in a crosswalk.
Statistics highlighting the severity of pedestrian accidents
While we have handled many cases involving pedestrians hit by cars, we also want to highlight some key data on the severity of the problem in Georgia. Here are some examples that provide context on the challenges pedestrians face:
- Since 2011, pedestrian and cyclist deaths have surged by 64%, with an estimated 8,413 fatalities in 2022. Atlanta is one of the cities facing a significant share of this increase.
- There were 38 pedestrian deaths in Atlanta in 2022, marking a 23% rise from the previous year. According to a local advocacy group, most of these deaths (25 out of 38) occurred in predominantly Black neighborhoods, which often lack essential safety features such as sidewalks, crosswalks, and bike lanes.
- Georgia has one of the highest pedestrian fatality rates in the U.S. Data from the Governors Highway Safety Association reveals that pedestrian fatalities in the state increased by 57.8% between January-June 2019 and January-June 2022.
We’ll get you the maximum compensation for getting hit by a car that you deserve
If you’ve been hit by a car, securing the maximum compensation is essential for covering medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Our experienced team of attorneys is committed to fighting for the justice and financial recovery you need to move forward. We will negotiate aggressively with insurance companies and take your case to court if necessary.
Contact us today for a free consultation. Let us handle the legal complexities while you focus on healing and recovery! We proudly serve clients across Georgia, ensuring you get the compensation you deserve.
Key takeaways on the average settlement for a pedestrian hit by a car in Georgia
When considering the average settlement for a pedestrian hit by a car in Georgia, settlement amounts vary greatly based on the unique details of each case. Factors such as injury severity, the circumstances of the accident, and the insurance coverage available all impact the final settlement.
For minor injuries, settlements may be relatively modest, while serious injuries requiring long-term care or resulting in permanent disability can lead to much higher compensation.
In Georgia, a pedestrian’s compensation may also be affected by the state’s modified comparative negligence rule, which could reduce the settlement if the pedestrian is found to be partially at fault for the accident.
Lastly, having a good personal injury lawyer from our firm can help. We deal with insurance companies, gather evidence, and make sure you get compensated for things like medical bills and lost wages.