There is no one-size-fits-all average settlement value for bus accidents. Each case brings its unique set of circumstances, from the severity of your injuries to the impact on your quality of life. Factors such as medical expenses, lost wages, and the degree of fault play crucial roles in determining the settlement value. Additionally, the emotional distress and potential long-term effects on your lifestyle are significant considerations.
An Atlanta bus accident lawyer can provide you with guidance and support during the legal process and determine the fair settlement value in your case.
The Severity of Your Injuries Will Influence Your Settlement Value
The severity of injuries sustained in a bus accident is a critical factor that significantly affects the settlement value of your claim. Injuries from such accidents can range from minor to life-altering, directly influencing the amount of compensation required to cover medical expenses, ongoing care, and rehabilitation. A more severe injury not only leads to higher immediate medical costs but may also necessitate long-term medical treatment, significantly impacting the settlement value.
Injuries a victim may suffer in a bus accident could include:
- Broken bones
- Spinal cord injuries, potentially leading to paralysis
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Severe burns
- Amputations
Each of these injuries requires a different level of medical care, from emergency treatment and surgery to prolonged physical therapy and rehabilitation. For instance, a traumatic brain injury could require extensive neurological care, cognitive therapy, and even lifelong assistance, drastically increasing the cost of medical care. Similarly, spinal cord injuries might necessitate modifications to your home, specialized medical equipment, and ongoing personal care support.
The necessity for comprehensive medical treatment underscores the importance of accurately evaluating the severity of injuries when determining a bus accident settlement. The more severe the injury, the higher the compensation required to cover the extensive medical care. An Atlanta catastrophic injury lawyer can help you accurately assess these needs to ensure that your settlement reflects the full extent of the injuries you suffered.
For a free legal consultation, call 404-214-2001
Your Quality of Life Will Affect Your Settlement
Beyond the immediate physical injuries, the accident can have far-reaching effects on your daily living, emotional well-being, and overall lifestyle. Non-economic damages play a crucial role in compensating for these losses, although they are not as easily quantifiable as medical bills or lost wages. These damages include:
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for the physical pain and discomfort caused by the injuries.
- Emotional distress: Covers the psychological impact of the accident, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: Compensation for the inability to enjoy hobbies and activities you once participated in before the accident.
- Loss of consortium: This pertains to the impact your injuries have on the relationship with your spouse or partner.
Your settlement value should aim to acknowledge the profound changes in your life and offer compensation that reflects them. For example, severe injuries may prevent you from engaging in activities you love, contributing to a loss of enjoyment in life. The emotional toll of adjusting to a new way of living can lead to long-lasting psychological conditions that affect not only you but also your family.
It’s important to clearly convey the effect of these damages in your claim. They are subjective and vary greatly from one individual to another. An Atlanta personal injury lawyer can manage this process for you. They can articulate how the accident has reshaped your life and ensure that the settlement reflects the true extent of these changes.
How Fault Is Distributed Will Also Affect Your Settlement
Georgia’s contributory negligence laws could significantly impact the settlement value of your claim if you are found to share some degree of fault for the accident. Under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you may be barred from recovering any compensation.
Here’s how it works:
- If you are determined to be 10% at fault for the accident, and your total settlement amounts to $100,000, you would be eligible to receive 90% of that amount, or $90,000.
- Conversely, if you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you would not be eligible to receive any compensation under Georgia’s contributory negligence laws.
A bus accident lawyer can protect you from being assigned a greater degree of fault by the insurance companies. Your personal injury lawyer has the knowledge to navigate the complexities of these laws, gather necessary evidence, and argue effectively on your behalf. By doing so, your attorney ensures that your right to fair compensation is preserved.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
Your Settlement Should Also Include Economic Damages
In addition to the physical injuries and impact on your quality of life, bus accident settlements may also encompass a range of other significant damages.
Economic losses represent the financial expenses directly stemming from the accident. These are quantifiable costs that include but are not limited to:
- Lost wages: Compensation for the income lost during the recovery period.
- Loss of earning capacity: If the injuries prevent you from returning to your previous employment or working at all, this damage compensates for future lost earnings.
- Property damage: Costs to repair or replace your vehicle and any personal property damaged in the accident.
Accurately documenting these losses is crucial for ensuring that the settlement compensates for all expenses related to the accident.
Wrongful Death Damages
In tragic circumstances where a bus accident has taken a loved one’s life, your family may pursue wrongful death damages. These are intended to compensate for the financial and emotional losses resulting from your loved one’s death. Wrongful death damages can include:
- Funeral and burial expenses: Costs associated with funeral services and burial or cremation.
- Loss of income and benefits: The financial support the deceased would have provided to your family over a lifetime.
- Medical costs incurred prior to death: If the deceased received medical care before succumbing to their injuries.
- Loss of companionship and emotional support: Compensation for the emotional pain and suffering endured by your family members.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Kaine Law Can Help You Determine the Fair Settlement Value in Your Bus Accident Claim
Call Kaine Law today for a free case consultation. Our attorneys can help you and your family fight for the fair settlement of your personal injury claim.
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
