Hawk Law Group | April 18, 2025 | Car Accidents
In Georgia, nerve damage settlements typically range from $50,000 to $1,500,000, depending on your specific situation.
If you’re suffering from nerve damage you’re likely facing not just physical pain, but also uncertainty about your future and finances.
We understand what you’re going through, and we’re here to help.
Your potential compensation will be influenced by several important factors that we will cover in this guide.
At Hawk Law Group, we’ve stood beside clients just like you, helping them secure the compensation they deserve during difficult times. Our successful settlements include:
- $1,200,000: Motor Vehicle Collision
- $840,000: Truck Accident
- $1,500,000: Catastrophic Injury
Ready to take the next step? Call our Augusta personal injury lawyers at (706) 480-8962 or contact us online for a free case review.
Expert legal advice for your injury claim
We know that after suffering nerve damage in an accident, dealing with the legal system is probably the last thing you want to focus on.
However, there are two important requirements to keep in mind:
- Your injury must be directly connected to the accident
- You must file your claim within Georgia’s two-year statute of limitations
Every person’s experience with nerve damage is deeply personal, and your pain, struggles, and circumstances are unique to you.
That’s why cookie-cutter legal approaches simply don’t work.
✔️Our compassionate attorneys at Hawk Law Group take the time to understand your specific situation, offering guidance tailored to your individual needs and concerns.
Nerve damage compensation in more detail
💡Living with nerve damage can transform everyday activities into painful challenges. The compensation you may receive depends greatly on how your specific injury affects your life, work, and future.
Below is a comprehensive breakdown of typical settlement ranges for different types of nerve damage resulting from car accidents in Georgia:
| Type of Nerve Damage | Settlement Range | Key Factors Affecting Compensation | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hand Nerve Damage | $50,000 – $250,000 | Dominant hand, occupation, permanence | Hand injuries can devastate careers requiring dexterity. The Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation recognizes these injuries significantly impact earning potential. |
| Sciatic Nerve Damage | $150,000 – $500,000 | Severity, pain levels, mobility | Affects the longest nerve in the body. Higher settlements with evidence of disc herniation. |
| Permanent Nerve Damage | $500,000 – $1,500,000 | Life expectancy, care needs, occupation | According to the Mayo Clinic, permanent nerve injuries often require lifelong care, adaptive equipment, and can severely limit a person’s ability to work. |
| Surgical Nerve Damage | $75,000 – $300,000 | Negligence, occurs during surgical procedures due to accident | Georgia Composite Medical Board reports these iatrogenic injuries form a significant percentage of malpractice claims, often involving multiple defendants. |
| Neck Nerve Damage | $100,000 – $750,000 | Severity, pain, spinal involvement | Present in 25% of serious accidents according to Georgia Department of Public Health. Higher settlements when surgical intervention is required. |
| Peroneal Nerve Damage | $75,000 – $350,000 | Mobility impact, foot drop | Often causes “foot drop.” These injuries significantly impact mobility and may require extensive therapy and orthotic devices. |
| Dental Nerve Damage | $50,000 – $200,000 | Pain, future procedures, eating impact | Augusta University Dental College of Georgia notes trigeminal nerve damage leads to chronic pain and difficulties with eating and speaking. |
| Ulnar Nerve Damage | $75,000 – $350,000 | Hand function, occupation, treatment | Controls grip strength and fine motor skills. Data shows these injuries often require surgery and extensive therapy. |
| Piriformis Syndrome | $50,000 – $250,000 | Pain levels, activity limitations | This condition is often misdiagnosed, leading to delayed treatment and prolonged suffering. |
If you’ve suffered nerve damage in a traffic collision, our Aiken car accident lawyers can help you navigate the complex legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
How to maximize a settlement amount
- Focus on your health first: Your well-being is the priority. Seek medical care immediately after your accident and follow through with all recommended treatments. This creates a clear medical record connecting your nerve damage to the accident.
- Keep a recovery journal: Document your medical visits, treatments, medications, and therapy sessions. Just as important, record how your injury affects your everyday life—the activities you can no longer enjoy, the pain you experience, and the emotional toll of your injury.
- Be mindful of social media: Even innocent posts about family gatherings or brief moments of relief from pain can be misinterpreted by insurance adjusters looking to minimize your suffering. Consider taking a break from social platforms during your recovery.
- Think about your future needs: Nerve damage often has long-term implications. Work with trusted medical professionals to understand what your future might look like, including potential surgeries, ongoing therapies, or lifestyle accommodations you may need.
- Partner with advocates who understand: Our compassionate team at Hawk Law Group has helped many people in situations similar to yours. We know how to properly assess the full value of your claim and will stand firmly by your side when dealing with insurance companies.
Factors influencing nerve damage settlement amounts
Several key factors will impact the final settlement amount for your nerve damage claim:
- Severity and permanence of the nerve damage
- Medical expenses (current and future)
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Impact on quality of life
- Strength of liability evidence
- Available insurance coverage
- Age of the victim
- Pre-existing conditions
Severity and permanence of the nerve damage
The extent and lasting nature of your nerve injury plays a key role in determining compensation. Temporary nerve injuries that heal within weeks or months typically receive lower settlements than permanent damages.
According to research from the Georgia Neurological Society, nerve damage is classified on a scale from neuropraxia (temporary loss of function) to neurotmesis (complete severing of the nerve). The more severe the classification, the higher the potential settlement.
📌Medical documentation from neurologists and other specialists using nerve conduction studies and electromyography (EMG) tests provide objective evidence of damage severity that can significantly strengthen your claim.
Medical expenses
Medical costs form the foundation of any nerve damage settlement. These expenses include emergency treatment, diagnostic testing, specialist consultations, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and adaptive equipment.
According to the Georgia Hospital Association, the average inpatient stay in 2022 cost around $15,500—though severe nerve damage treatments can be much higher due to complex procedures and extended care.
📌Future medical expenses are particularly important for nerve damage cases. These projections typically require expert testimony from medical professionals who can outline the anticipated treatments, procedures, and ongoing care needs based on your specific injury.
Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
Lost income includes both immediate time away from work and future earning potential. For cases involving permanent nerve damage, economists may provide testimony about lifetime earnings losses.
The Georgia Department of Labor data indicates that individuals with permanent nerve damage often experience a 20-40% reduction in lifetime earning capacity, depending on their occupation and the location of the nerve injury.
📌If your nerve damage prevents you from returning to your previous occupation, vocational experts may be needed to assess alternative career options and the associated income differential.
Pain and suffering
Nerve damage is notorious for causing intense, often chronic pain that can be resistant to treatment. The subjective nature of pain and suffering damages makes thorough documentation essential.
Keeping a detailed pain journal, obtaining psychological evaluations, and gathering testimony from family members about your changed quality of life can substantially increase this portion of your settlement.
📌A 2025 study reported by Pain News Network found that about 40% of adults with chronic pain experience clinical symptoms of depression or anxiety—an important factor to consider when calculating pain and suffering compensation.
Every case is different—let’s talk about what factors could impact your settlement. Reach out today.
Georgia car accident laws affecting settlements
Comparative negligence rules
Georgia follows a “modified comparative negligence” rule with a 50% bar. This means you can recover damages as long as you’re less than 50% at fault for the accident.
⚖️ Under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re awarded $100,000 but found to be 20% at fault, you’ll receive $80,000.
Insurance adjusters often try to assign higher percentages of fault to injured parties to reduce payouts. Our attorneys at Hawk Law Group fight aggressively against these tactics, working with accident reconstructionists and other experts to establish the true liability picture.
Statute of limitations
In Georgia, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. Missing this deadline typically means losing your right to compensation forever.
However, certain exceptions may apply. If the accident involved a government vehicle, notice requirements may be as short as six months. For minors, the statute may be tolled until they reach adulthood.
⚠️The Administrative Office of the Courts of Georgia emphasizes the importance of filing within these timeframes, as judges strictly enforce these deadlines in most cases.
Mandatory insurance coverages
Georgia requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of:
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person
- $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 for property damage
According to the Georgia Office of Commissioner of Insurance and Safety Fire, approximately 12% of Georgia drivers are uninsured, making uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) essential, though not mandatory.
For nerve damage cases that often exceed minimum coverage limits, identifying all potential insurance policies becomes key.
✔️Our attorneys investigate whether the at-fault driver has umbrella policies, whether employer liability exists (if they were driving for work), or whether third-party liability applies.
The process for nerve damage settlement cases
While you focus on healing, we’ll guide you through each step of the legal process with clarity and compassion:
Initial conversation and understanding your situation
- Judgment-free listening: During your free consultation, we’ll take the time to hear your story—not just the accident details, but how this injury has changed your life and what matters most to you going forward.
- Thoughtful evidence collection: With your permission, we’ll gather the necessary documentation, including police reports, witness accounts, medical records, and employment information—handling these details so you don’t have to.
Building your medical understanding
- Connecting with the right specialists: We’ve developed relationships with respected neurologists and specialists who can properly evaluate your nerve damage and clearly establish how it resulted from your accident.
- Planning for your future needs: We’ll work with medical experts who understand that nerve damage isn’t just about today’s pain, but also about tomorrow’s challenges—helping document the care you’ll need in the years ahead.
Advocating for fair compensation
- Telling your complete story: We’ll prepare a comprehensive settlement demand that goes beyond cold facts to show the real human impact of your injury and what constitutes truly fair compensation.
- Standing between you and insurance tactics: Our experienced team will handle all communications with insurance companies, protecting you from pressure tactics while persistently negotiating for the compensation you deserve.
Taking stronger action when needed
- Protecting your rights in court: If a fair settlement isn’t offered, we’ll file a lawsuit within Georgia’s timeline requirements, advancing your case while continuing to seek reasonable resolution.
- Building a compelling legal case: Through focused legal discovery, we’ll further strengthen your position while preparing to effectively present your story if a trial becomes necessary.
- Resolving your case with dignity: Whether through structured settlement discussions or trial presentation, our experienced trial attorneys will advocate for full recognition of your injuries and appropriate compensation.
Hypothetical scenario for a nerve damage case
Sarah, a 42-year-old dental hygienist, was driving home from work when another driver ran a red light and struck the driver’s side of her vehicle at approximately 45 mph. The impact caused her left arm to hit the door with significant force.
At the ER, Sarah reported sharp pain and numbness in her left arm and hand. Doctors suspected nerve damage and referred her to a neurologist. After comprehensive testing, she was diagnosed with ulnar nerve damage.
Despite surgery and six months of physical therapy, Sarah was left with:
- Permanent weakness in her grip strength
- Constant tingling in her ring and pinky fingers
These symptoms made it impossible for her to continue working as a dental hygienist. She retrained for an administrative role—earning significantly less. 💡 Case facts:
- Medical expenses: $85,000
- Projected lifetime earnings loss: $375,000
- At-fault driver’s liability policy: $100,000
- Sarah’s underinsured motorist coverage: $500,000
Her lawyers presented medical records and expert testimony to secure a total settlement of $475,000, the maximum available under both policies after medical liens.
✔️ This scenario shows how proper documentation, expert support, and strong insurance coverage can make a major difference in nerve damage settlements.
How Our Georgia Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
We’ve seen firsthand the profound impact nerve damage can have—not just on your physical health, but on your emotional well-being, your family dynamics, and your financial security.
This understanding drives our commitment to providing compassionate, comprehensive legal support when you need it most.
With over 71 years of combined experience and a history of securing hundreds of millions of dollars for our clients, we bring both expertise and genuine care to every case we handle.
We’re here for you with:
- Free, no-obligation consultations where we’ll listen to your story
- 24/7 availability because we know concerns don’t follow business hours
- Home and hospital visits if you’re unable to travel to us
- A commitment that you pay nothing unless we secure compensation for you
- Connections to respected medical specialists who understand nerve injuries
With five welcoming offices throughout the Central Savannah River Area, getting the support you need is always convenient. We’re neighbors helping neighbors through difficult times.
Don’t wait. Call (706) 480-8962 or visit online today for a free case review and let us start building your case.
FAQs
How long do I have to file a nerve damage claim in Georgia?
Generally, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for nerve damage injuries in Georgia. Missing this deadline typically bars you from recovering compensation.
Can I still recover compensation if I’m partially at fault?
Yes, Georgia follows modified comparative negligence rules. You can recover damages as long as you’re less than 50% responsible, though your compensation will be reduced by your fault percentage.
What if the at-fault driver’s insurance isn’t enough to cover my nerve damage?
If the at-fault driver’s insurance is insufficient, you may be able to claim against your own underinsured motorist coverage or pursue other sources of compensation, such as third-party liability.
How long does it take to settle a nerve damage claim?
Nerve damage claims typically take 8-24 months to resolve, depending on treatment duration, case complexity, and whether litigation is necessary. More severe cases often take longer to properly value.
What evidence is most important for my nerve damage claim?
Medical documentation is vital, including diagnostic tests (EMG studies, nerve conduction studies), specialist evaluations, and treatment records. Employment records and expert testimony about future implications are also valuable.