The aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming, leaving injury victims with emotional distress and a mountain of unpaid bills. If you’ve recently been injured in a wreck, understanding car accident compensation laws can help during this difficult time by helping you to ensure that you receive the restitution you are due.
Below, we explore two crucial facts every Peach State driver should know after suffering harm – especially catastrophic injuries – in a negligent motor vehicle accident.
Georgia’s modified comparative negligence system can offer a critical advantage. Unlike states that follow strict contributory negligence rules, you can still recover compensation if you are less than 50% to blame for an accident, but contributed to its causes nonetheless. The system allows victims to obtain partial compensation if a minor error on their part contributed to the crash. For example, if deemed 25% at fault, you may still walk away with 75% of the value of your harm via a damages award.
Georgia stands out by not placing a cap on compensatory damages for pain and suffering. It serves as a way to acknowledge how car accidents can inflict deep emotional scars alongside physical injuries. Beyond medical bills and car repairs, you can seek compensation for intangible losses that affect your quality of life, including the following:
Furthermore, Georgia recognizes the strain that accidents can place on marital relationships, allowing you to seek compensation for loss of consortium (intimacy and companionship).
Understanding these two facts can ensure you get a good start on your accident and injury claim. Consulting with a legal representative can add weight and strength to your claim, helping to ensure that it accounts for all of your losses.