In Georgia, the average payout for nerve damage in a car accident is typically between $50,000 and $300,000, depending on the severity of the injury and various factors.
Nerve injury claims can result in hefty settlements. This is especially true when nerve damage involves permanent damage, impact on quality of life, or loss of earning potential.
For expert legal guidance, find out how an Augusta personal injury lawyer can help you.
Nerve Damage Compensation in More Detail
The claim amount depends on the type of nerve structure affected, the severity of the injury, and long-term consequences. Below, we break down common nerve injuries and their insurance claims for car accidents in Atlanta, Georgia.
Nerve Damage in Hand
The average settlement for nerve damage in a hand in GA typically ranges from $50,000 to $150,000.
This range varies, depending on whether the injury affects the dominant hand, the level of impairment, and any associated pain or loss of function. Injuries resulting from car accident cases that damage the median nerve, leading to carpal tunnel syndrome, often see higher payouts due to the long-term impacts on fine motor skills.
Sciatic Nerve Damage
The average sciatic nerve injury settlement in GA typically ranges from $100,000 to $300,000.
Sciatic nerve injuries can be debilitating and can lead to chronic pain or paralysis in severe cases. Settlements tend to be higher when the injury results in long-term medical care.
Permanent Damage
Typical permanent nerve damage settlement amounts are $100,000 to $500,000. When nerve injury is permanent, it may lead to life-altering consequences such as chronic pain, paralysis, or loss of motor skills.
What is the Average Settlement for Nerve Damage from Surgery?
Payment for nerve injury after surgery in Georgia typically ranges from $75,000 to $300,000.
If nerve damage occurs as a medical malpractice, such as a botched procedure or medical negligence, settlements can skyrocket. Higher payouts are often linked to cases where additional surgeries are needed to correct the damage.
Nerve Damage in the Neck
A typical settlement for a neck nerve injury is between $100,000 and $400,000. Neck nerve injuries often involve damage to the cervical nerves, which can lead to issues such as chronic pain, numbness, or even paralysis.
Peroneal Nerve Damage
An average peroneal nerve damage settlement ranges from $75,000 to $250,000.
Injuries to the peroneal nerve can result in foot drop, which severely affects mobility. Payouts are typically higher if the injury leads to permanent impairment or requires surgical intervention.
How Much Compensation for Dental Nerve Damage
Claims for dental nerve damage range from $50,000 to $150,000.
Dental nerve injuries are often caused by dental malpractice or trauma. These incidents can lead to chronic pain, numbness, or loss of sensation in the mouth.
Ulnar Nerve
Typical ulnar nerve injury car accident settlements tend to be from $75,000 to $250,000.
Ulnar nerve injuries, often referred to as “funny bone” injuries, can severely affect hand function. Settlements may be higher if the injury impacts a person’s ability to work, especially if they do manual labor.
Piriformis Syndrome
Average piriformis syndrome car accident settlements are from $50,000 to $200,000.
This condition occurs when the piriformis muscle irritates the sciatic nerve, causing pain in the buttocks and legs. The settlement amount often depends on the severity of the pain and whether it results in long-term treatment or disability.
No matter the type of nerve damage you’ve suffered, a personal injury lawyer in Savannah from our firm can help you
How to Maximize a Settlement Amount
Maximizing a settlement amount requires a proactive approach. By following these key steps, you can increase the likelihood of a higher payout.
- Document all medical treatments: Keep thorough records of doctor visits, injury treatments, and diagnoses related to nerve damage. These records will serve as crucial evidence in proving the extent of nerve damage following a car accident.
- Consult a specialist: Ensure a detailed evaluation from a medical professional specializing in nerve injuries to support your claim. Their evaluation will strengthen your case and offer professional support for your claim.
- Hire an experienced lawyer from our firm: Our expert personal injury attorneys can solve the complexities of nerve damage claims and negotiate with your insurer. Our lawyers will prioritize your best interests, ensuring you receive the highest possible settlement.
- Preserve evidence: Maintain any documentation, witness statements, or photos related to the incident and injury. Properly stored evidence can boost the credibility of your claim.
Factors Influencing Settlement Values
Several key factors come into play when determining settlement values for nerve damage lawsuits. These elements can significantly influence the final payment you may receive:
- Extent of Injury: The more severe the nerve damage, the higher the potential for compensation. This includes whether the nerve damage is temporary or permanent, as well as how it impacts daily life.
- Type of Nerve Affected: Severe or irreversible damage to crucial nerves, such as those in the spinal cord, can increase the claim amount.
- Loss of Functionality: If the injury leads to partial or total loss of functionality in a limb or other body part, it will significantly affect the claim.
- Chronic Pain: Nerve damage often causes chronic pain, and the severity and longevity of this pain can influence compensation.
- Disability and Mobility: Permanent disabilities that impair a person’s ability to work or perform daily activities can increase the settlement value.
- Cost of Medical Care: Expenses related to surgeries, therapies, medication, and long-term rehabilitation play a significant role.
- Future Medical Care: In cases where ongoing treatment is needed, including physical therapy or pain management, future medical costs are factored.
- Specialized Treatments: Nerve damage often requires costly treatments, including neurologists, pain management specialists, or even psychological care for pain management.
- Current Lost Wages: Compensation can cover wages lost due to time off work for treatment and recovery.
- Future Loss of Earnings: If nerve damage affects a person’s ability to continue in their career or reduces their future earning potential, it can greatly affect the claim’s value.
- Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for physical pain, emotional suffering, and loss of quality of life are commonly included in nerve damage claims. This is especially important if the injury results in long-term suffering or affects relationships and mental health.
- Permanent Disability: If the injury leads to permanent nerve damage or disability, the potential for higher compensation increases. This includes long-term inability to work, loss of mobility, or permanent pain.
- Disfigurement: Visible physical damage resulting from nerve injury, such as scars or deformities, may lead to higher compensation.
- Clear Liability: Establishing who is responsible for the injury is critical. In Georgia, the modified comparative negligence rule applies, meaning the plaintiff’s compensation can be reduced if they are partially at fault for their injury.
- Proving Negligence: Strong evidence that shows another party’s negligence directly caused the nerve damage is key to maximizing the claim.
- Policy Limits: The insurance policy of the at-fault party plays a significant role. If the policy limits are low, it may cap the amount that can be recovered, even if damages exceed that amount.
- Personal Uninsured Motorist Coverage: If the responsible party lacks sufficient insurance, the injured person’s own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage might come into play.
- Experience of the Personal Injury Lawyer: The experience and skill of the attorney handling the nerve damage case can have a significant impact on the outcome. Our expert attorneys will be able to accurately assess the value of the case, gather evidence, and negotiate effectively with insurance companies or in court.
- Aggravation of Pre-existing Injuries: If the nerve damage aggravates an existing condition, this will need to be proven to ensure compensation reflects the new harm rather than attributing it to the pre-existing issue.
- Mental Health Effects: Nerve damage can lead to depression, anxiety, or PTSD, particularly if the injury affects mobility or leads to chronic pain. Compensation may include coverage for emotional distress and the cost of psychological treatment.
- Medical Experts: Testimony from neurologists or other specialists can substantiate the extent of the nerve damage and the need for future medical treatment.
- Vocational Experts: If the injury affects the person’s ability to work, experts can provide testimony on how the injury impacts future earning potential.
- Local Courts: The specific court in which the case is filed may impact the potential compensation. Some courts in Georgia may have a history of awarding larger or smaller amounts in personal injury cases.
Our North Augusta personal injury lawyers are available for a free consultation today to help you seek compensation
Georgia Car Accident Laws Affecting Settlements
Several legal factors in Georgia can affect the lawsuit for cases for those who suffer nerve damage. Following a car accident, be mindful of the following:
- No-fault/comparative fault. Georgia follows a modified comparative fault rule. This means that if you are found to be more than 50% at fault for the accident, you may not recover damages.
- Statute of limitations. In Georgia, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is two years from the date of the accident. If you fail to file a lawsuit within this period, the court will no longer entertain your claim.
- Mandatory insurance coverages, such as UM/UIM. Georgia requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance. However, additional coverages such as uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) insurance can affect the amount recoverable in nerve damage claims.
- Vehicle damage threshold. Car damage does not need to meet a specific threshold before a personal injury claim can be filed. However, the extent of the vehicle damage can still be a factor when determining fault and the severity of the accident.
- Punitive damages: In certain cases, Georgia allows damages to be awarded, particularly if the driver was reckless or intentional.
The Process for Nerve Damage Settlement Cases
Here’s a concise list of the typical process for nerve damage settlement cases:
- Seek Medical Attention: Immediate evaluation and treatment of the nerve damage.
- Hire a Personal Injury Attorney: Engage our lawyers so we can help you seek the compensation you deserve.
- Investigation and Evidence Gathering: We will collect medical records, accident reports, witness statements, and expert opinions. We also assess the impact on work, daily life, and future medical care.
- Determine Liability: Establish fault or negligence through evidence.
- Calculate Damages: This includes medical expenses (current and future), lost wages and diminished earning capacity, and pain, suffering, and emotional distress.
- File a Claim: Our car accident lawyers will submit a claim to the at-fault party’s insurance company on your behalf.
- Negotiation: Our attorneys will negotiate a settlement with the insurance adjusters.
- Lawsuit Filing (if needed): If a settlement can’t be reached, we will file a lawsuit within Georgia’s two-year statute of limitations.
- Trial (if necessary): If the case goes to trial, a judge or jury determines the outcome.
- Settlement or Verdict: The case concludes with either an agreed settlement or a court-awarded compensation.
How We Can Help
At Jamie Casino Injury Attorneys, we understand the devastating impact nerve damage can have on your life. Our experienced legal team is dedicated to securing the compensation you deserve.
We will thoroughly investigate your case, gather medical evidence, and work with experts to calculate the full extent of your damages, including medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Whether through settlement or trial, we will fight aggressively for your rights. With our proven track record in personal injury cases, we are committed to ensuring you receive the maximum compensation for your nerve damage. Let us help you rebuild your future.
Contact us today at 912-214-3133 or use our online contact form for a free consultation.