What Is the Average Personal Injury Settlement Amount?
July 31, 2025 | The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers
When someone gets hurt because of another person’s actions or negligence, they may be able to file a personal injury claim. This claim is a legal way to demand compensation (called a “settlement”) to cover medical bills, lost wages, pain, and other damages.
One of the most common questions people have is: “How much money can I get from my personal injury settlement?” The answer isn’t simple because every case is different. However, understanding how settlements are calculated and what factors can impact your case can give you a better idea of what to expect.
Understanding a Personal Injury Settlement
A personal injury settlement is money paid to a person who was hurt because of someone else’s negligence (in most cases). This money is meant to help the injured person recover financially from the accident. Most personal injury cases don’t go to trial. Instead, they are settled out of court through negotiation between lawyers and insurance companies.
Settlements usually include money for medical costs, lost income, pain and suffering, and sometimes other expenses like future medical care or emotional distress. They help the injured person avoid the stress and uncertainty of going to trial.
What Is the Average Settlement Amount?
There is no exact number that applies to every case. Every case is different and the long term effects of the injury often determine the value. For example, an injury that can cause someone pain for the rest of their life may be worth millions of dollars while an injury that heals completely in a few weeks may be worth much, much, less.
Each personal injury case is unique, so your specific settlement amount will depend on the details of your case. We look at the details of each client’s case to make sure to obtain justice for each client.
Key Factors That Affect Your Settlement Amount
Several important factors go into deciding how much money you might receive in a personal injury settlement. These include:
The Severity of the Injury
More serious injuries typically lead to higher settlement amounts. If you broke a bone, needed surgery, or faced a long recovery, your claim will likely be worth more than if you had only minor bruising or soreness. Long-term or permanent injuries can also increase the settlement value. In other cases, injuries that lead to disability or affect your ability to work can result in much higher compensation.
Medical Expenses
All medical costs related to the injury — doctor visits, emergency room treatment, surgeries, prescriptions, and therapy — are part of the settlement. The more medical treatment you need, the higher your medical bills will be, and the more you may be able to recover from a settlement. Also, if doctors expect you to need future treatment, that can be included in your claim. Still, the severity of the injury is the most important component.
Lost Wages
If your injury caused you to miss work or affected your ability to earn money, you can seek compensation for lost wages. If the injury affects your future earning ability, that loss can also be part of your settlement. A person who can no longer return to their previous job because of a serious injury will likely receive more than someone who only missed a few days of work.
Pain and Suffering
This part of the settlement covers the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the injury. While it is harder to put a dollar value on your pain and suffering, insurance companies often use formulas to estimate pain and suffering based on the severity and length of your injury. If the injury affects your ability to enjoy life or causes depression or anxiety, your compensation may be higher.
Fault and Liability
Georgia follows a modified comparative fault standard. This means if you are found to be partly at fault for the accident, your settlement may be reduced. For example, if you are 20% at fault, you can still receive money, but your compensation will be reduced by 20%. If you are found to be more than 50% at fault, you cannot collect any money under Georgia law.
So, the more clearly the other party is at fault, the better your chances of receiving a full settlement.
Insurance Policy Limits
Sometimes, the amount of money you can get is limited by how much insurance coverage the other person has. For example, if the person who caused your accident only has $25,000 in liability insurance, that may be the most you can recover — unless they have other assets or you have your own insurance that covers the gap. Still though, in situations where there is limited insurance coverage, the insurance company may take actions in “bad faith” and therefore be responsible for all of the damages – even if there is a lower policy. In many of our trials, the insurance company has refused a reasonable offer to settle and will be responsible for the entire verdict, regardless of the amount of coverage. Still, when insurance companies settle cases when they should, insurance coverage plays an important role in determining the final settlement amount, especially in car accident cases.
Contact a Macon Personal Injury Lawyer at The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
The average personal injury settlement amount depends on many different things, including how badly you were hurt, how much money you’ve lost, and how clearly the other person was at fault. No two cases are the same, though.
Working with an experienced personal injury law firm in Georgia can give you a clearer picture of your case’s value and help you get the money you deserve. If you or a loved one has been hurt, please contact The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers at your nearest location to schedule a free case evaluation today.
We have three convenient locations throughout Georgia:
The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Tifton Office
1603 US Hwy 41, Tifton, GA 31794
(229) 386-1376
The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Griffin Office
3317 Fayetteville Rd, Griffin, GA 30223
(404) 567-4546
The King Firm Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers – Macon Office
886 Mulberry St, Macon, GA 31201
(478) 292-7272
Or if you would prefer to reach out to us online, please visit our contact us page.
