Average Settlement for Broken Arm in Car Accident in Georgia
Our team at Atlanta Accident Lawyers is dedicated and experienced car accident lawyers based in Atlanta, Georgia. We focus exclusively on helping victims of car accidents recover maximum compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages. We handle cases involving fractured arms, severe injuries, rideshare collisions, hit‑and‑runs, and more.
A broken arm from a car accident can cause serious pain, high medical expenses, and lost income. In Georgia, the average settlement for a broken arm in a car accident depends on the severity of the fracture, the medical treatment needed, and the impact on your daily life. Victims often face costs for surgery, physical therapy, and months of recovery. Understanding how settlements are calculated and what factors influence compensation can help you protect your rights and work toward fair compensation.
In this blog, you will learn how broken arm settlements are determined in Georgia, what factors influence the value of your claim, and why working with an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer can help you secure fair compensation.
Understanding Broken Arm Injuries in Car Accidents
Broken arm injuries are common in car accidents and can lead to significant medical expenses, lost wages, and long-term pain. Understanding the types, severity, and treatment options for these injuries can help victims pursue a fair settlement for a broken arm in a car accident.
Types of Broken Arm Injuries
A broken arm can involve different types of fractures. Simple fractures are clean breaks where the bone stays aligned. Compound fractures occur when the bone pierces the skin and often require surgery. Multiple fractures involve more than one break in the arm and can lead to higher medical costs. Arm fractures may also extend to the wrist, elbow, or shoulder, which can complicate recovery.
Severity of the Fracture
The severity of the injury affects both the medical treatment needed and the potential settlement value. Severe fractures may require surgical repair with plates or screws. Compound fractures and injuries involving multiple breaks often result in longer recovery times, more physical therapy, and higher pain and suffering damages. Chronic pain or limited arm function can increase the value of a personal injury claim.
Medical Treatment Needed
Medical treatment for a broken arm after a car accident can include emergency care, surgery, physical therapy, and follow-up visits. Victims often need medical imaging such as X-rays or MRIs to confirm the fracture and monitor healing. In severe cases, recovery may take months and require specialized rehabilitation to restore strength and mobility. The extent of medical treatment directly impacts settlement amounts for broken bone claims.
Georgia Car Accident Laws That Affect Your Settlement
Georgia car accident laws directly impact the average settlement for a broken arm in a car accident. Knowing these rules helps victims protect their rights and secure fair compensation.
Fault and Comparative Negligence
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33. If you are partly at fault for the accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are 50 percent or more responsible, you cannot recover damages. This rule affects settlement amounts for broken bone injuries because fault percentage influences the final payout.
Statute of Limitations
Under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, you have two years from the date of the car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this deadline usually means you lose the right to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Acting quickly after a broken arm injury ensures you meet legal timelines.
Minimum Insurance Requirements
Georgia requires drivers to carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage under O.C.G.A. § 33-7-11. These limits can affect settlement values because insurance coverage may not fully cover severe injuries such as compound fractures or multiple breaks. In these cases, victims may need to pursue additional claims against other liable parties.
Average Settlement for a Broken Arm in a Car Accident
The average settlement for a broken arm in a car accident depends on the severity of the injury, medical expenses, and the effect on the victim’s life. Settlement values can range widely in Georgia.
Typical Settlement Ranges
A mild fracture that heals with basic medical treatment may result in settlements starting around $20,000. Severe fractures, such as compound fractures or multiple breaks requiring surgery, can reach $100,000 or more. Extended recovery times, chronic pain, and permanent limitations can push settlement values even higher.
Factors Influencing Settlement Value
Several factors determine the settlement value for broken bone claims. The severity of the fracture is a major factor because severe injuries require longer treatment and more extensive rehabilitation. Medical expenses, including surgery, physical therapy, and follow-up care, increase the total settlement amount. Lost wages or reduced earning capacity also raise the value. Pain and suffering compensation accounts for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury. Insurance coverage limits and the skill of your car accident attorney also affect the final settlement.
Impact of the Injury on Daily Life
The effect of a broken arm on daily activities influences the settlement amount. A serious arm fracture can prevent victims from working, driving, or caring for themselves for weeks or months. In personal injury cases, this loss of independence and reduced quality of life is part of non-economic damages. Severe fractures that cause long-term impairment often result in higher compensation.
The Settlement Process in Georgia for Broken Bone Claims
The settlement process for a broken arm in a car accident in Georgia involves several steps from medical treatment to final payment. Understanding each stage helps victims protect their rights and seek maximum compensation.
Step 1: Get Medical Treatment and Documentation
After a car accident, seek medical treatment immediately. Emergency care, X-rays, and follow-up visits create medical records that prove the extent of your broken bone injury. These records are essential in calculating medical expenses and pain and suffering damages.
Step 2: File a Personal Injury Claim
Your car accident attorney will file a personal injury claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. This claim includes medical bills, accident reports, lost wages, and evidence of pain and suffering. Filing promptly ensures you meet Georgia’s legal deadlines.
Step 3: Negotiate with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often try to settle broken bone claims for less than they are worth. Negotiation focuses on securing fair compensation for medical costs, lost income, and non-economic damages. An experienced attorney uses medical records and expert opinions to justify a higher settlement value.
Step 4: File a Lawsuit if Needed
If negotiations do not result in a fair settlement, your attorney may file a personal injury lawsuit. In Georgia, you generally have two years to do this. The lawsuit process may involve depositions, expert testimony, and preparation for trial.
Step 5: Reach a Final Settlement or Go to Trial
Most personal injury cases settle before trial. A final settlement will include payment for economic and non-economic damages related to your broken arm. If the case goes to trial, the court will determine the amount based on evidence and testimony.
Contact an Experienced Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer Today!
If you have suffered a broken arm in a car accident, you deserve a fair settlement that covers your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The insurance company may try to undervalue your claim, but you do not have to accept less than what your case is worth. Our team at Atlanta Accident Lawyers has the experience, knowledge, and dedication to handle broken bone claims and fight for maximum compensation.
Contact us at 864-444-2062 for a free case consultation today!
