Hawk Law Group | April 25, 2025 | Car Accidents
The average payout for a head-on collision in Georgia ranges from $100,000 to over $1 million. But every case is different — your injuries, medical expenses, and recovery time all affect what your case is truly worth.
Head-on crashes are among the most devastating types of accidents. If you’re facing serious injuries, lost wages, or the loss of a loved one, you don’t have to handle the legal process alone.
Here are just a few examples of real results we’ve achieved for our clients:
| Case Type | Settlement Amount |
|---|---|
| Car Crash | $1,200,000 |
| Truck Accident | $840,000 |
| Fatal Accident | $1,850,000 |
Call our Augusta car accident lawyers today at (706) 397-3355 or go online for a free consultation. We’ve helped clients across Georgia recover the compensation they deserve.
Were you in a head-on crash and need help?
To get compensation for your car accident in Georgia, you need to:
- Be injured as a direct result of the accident
- File your personal injury claim within two years of the crash date (Georgia’s time limit according to Georgia Code § 9-3-33)
⚖️ Georgia courts understand how serious head-on crashes are. These aren’t just fender-benders – they’re often catastrophic accidents that change lives forever.
✔️We’ve been through this many times with accident victims across Georgia. With over 71 years of combined experience, our personal injury lawyers know what you’re going through, and we know how to help during this difficult time.
Getting the most for your head-on crash settlement
Here’s what you can do right now to help your car accident claim:
- Get medical treatment right away: Even if you feel okay, some injuries—like whiplash or internal damage—may not show symptoms immediately.
- Document the crash and your injuries: Take photos, write notes, and record details as soon as possible to preserve important evidence.
- Avoid recorded statements: Insurance companies may twist your words—talk to our lawyers first before saying anything on the record.
- Save physical evidence: Hold onto items from the crash scene, like broken car parts or torn clothing, that could help us build your claim.
- Follow all medical advice: Skipping appointments or failing to follow treatment plans can weaken your case and reduce your payout.
- Keep every bill and receipt: These documents show the true cost of your injuries, including medical care, lost wages, and out-of-pocket expenses.
- Talk to our car accident lawyers: We can guide you through the legal process, protect your rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
📌Doctors at Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center, a local Level I Trauma Center in Augusta, often discover hidden injuries in car accident victims days after the crash. Getting prompt medical treatment protects your health and helps support your injury claim.
Ready to protect your rights? Contacting us at Hawk Law Group is one of the smartest steps you can take. Insurance companies use tactics to reduce your payout—we’ve seen them all, and we know how to fight back.
What affects your settlement amount in Georgia
💡Head-on collisions account for a small percentage of total crashes in Georgia but cause a disproportionately high number of fatalities. According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, these types of crashes are among the deadliest due to the force of impact and likelihood of serious injury or death.
This is why these cases often result in settlements that are 15-34 times higher than other types of accident claims.
Here’s what can make your Georgia car accident settlement bigger or smaller:
Severity of your injuries
💡 More serious injuries usually lead to higher settlement amounts—especially when they impact your long-term health or ability to work.
If you suffered a spinal injury, traumatic brain injury, or permanent disability, your payout may increase to reflect the cost of ongoing medical care, therapy, lost income, and the overall impact on your quality of life. Insurance companies consider both current and future damages when determining compensation in these cases.
Who was at fault
⚖️ Georgia uses a modified comparative fault system—meaning fault directly affects your ability to recover compensation.
If you’re 50% or more at fault, you’re barred from receiving any damages. But if you’re less than 50% at fault, you can still recover compensation—reduced by your percentage of fault.
💡For example, if you’re awarded $100,000 but found 20% at fault, you’d receive $80,000. You can read more about this on the Georgia Judicial Branch website.
Insurance limits
⚠️ No matter how strong your case is, your settlement may be limited by the insurance coverage available.
Georgia drivers are only required to carry $25,000 per person in bodily injury liability coverage. If your medical bills exceed that amount, we work to uncover other sources of compensation, such as umbrella policies, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, or even third-party liability (like a vehicle manufacturer or employer).
Your evidence
📌 Thestrength of your evidenceoften determines the strength of your settlement offer.
Clear documentation—like police reports, eyewitness statements, medical records, and photos of the crash scene—can make or break your claim. The more organized and thorough your case file is, the harder it is for the insurance company to lowball your settlement.
Having the right personal injury attorneys
✔️ The lawyer you choose can make all the difference in the outcome of your head-on collision case.
Our car accident lawyers have recovered hundreds of millions for crash victims across Georgia. We understand how to build strong cases, handle aggressive insurance companies, and fight for the full compensation our clients deserve.
If you were injured in a head-on crash, don’t wait. Contact our Aiken car accident lawyers today for a free consultation. We’re ready to help.
Money you might get after your head-on collision
After a head-on crash in Georgia, you can seek different types of damages to help with your losses.
Economic damages for bills and financial losses
This covers real costs you can add up:
- Doctor and hospital bills (both now and future medical treatment)
- Lost wages and reduced ability to work
- Car repair or replacement and other property damage
- Physical therapy costs
- Other expenses caused by your accident injuries
According to the CDC, the average medical cost for a nonfatal crash-related injury requiring inpatient care was about $52,250 in 2019.
💡Head-on collisions often result in settlements much higher due to the severity of the injuries and long-term impact on a victim’s life.
Non-economic damages for pain and life changes
This helps with the non-dollar losses:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Not being able to enjoy activities you once loved
- Scarring or disfigurement
- Effects on your marriage and relationships
⚖️ Legal insight: In many cases, non-economic damages—like pain and suffering—can increase your settlement to two to five times your actual financial losses, depending on the severity of your injuries.
Punitive damages
⚖️ Punitive damages aren’t about reimbursing you—they’re about punishing the other driver.
If the driver who caused the crash was extremely reckless—such as driving under the influence, street racing, or intentionally running someone off the road—you may be entitled to punitive damages in addition to your compensatory award. These damages are designed to penalize especially dangerous behavior and deter others from doing the same.
💡 While not awarded in every case, punitive damages can significantly increase your total settlement when gross negligence or intentional misconduct is involved.
Want to know what your case could be worth? Contact us today for a free consultation—we’re here to help you fight for every dollar you deserve.
How settling your Georgia car accident settlement works
Here’s what happens when our personal injury attorneys handle your accident cases:
- Investigating the accident: We gather evidence, talk to witnesses, and review police reports to prove who caused the collision and document all damages for your car accident claim.
- Medical assessment: We make sure doctors fully document all your injuries and determine what future medical treatment you might need to maximize your personal injury claim.
- Demand letter: We send a detailed letter to the insurance companies explaining your injuries and requesting fair compensation for your settlement.
- Negotiation process: The insurance company usually offers a low initial settlement offer. We negotiate hard to get you a fair settlement amount.
- Filing a lawsuit if needed: If they won’t offer reasonable compensation, we can file a lawsuit. This often leads to a higher settlement because they know we’re serious.
- Resolving your case: Your car accident settlement in Georgia ends with either an agreed amount or a jury’s decision if we go to trial.
✔️Most personal injury cases—around 95%—settle before ever reaching trial, based on national trends. Insurance companies tend to offer higher settlements when they know your car accident lawyer is prepared to go to trial and won’t back down under pressure.
Hypothetical Scenario of how a head-on collision settlement works
💡 The accident: Sarah was driving home on Highway 25 in Augusta when a distracted driver—looking at his phone—crossed into her lane. The resulting head-on collision totaled Sarah’s car and left her with a broken leg, a concussion, and muscle and soft tissue damage.
📌 The medical treatment: Sarah was rushed by ambulance to Wellstar MCG Health Medical Center, where she underwent two surgeries to repair her broken leg. Her recovery required three months of physical therapy and six months away from work to heal both physically and emotionally.
The financial impact:
- The at-fault driver had only $100,000 in insurance
- Sarah’s medical expenses totaled $75,000
- She lost $30,000 in income during recovery
- She endured significant pain and suffering
⚖️ Legal help that made a difference: Sarah contacted an experienced car accident lawyer, who:
- Collected her medical records and proof of lost wages
- Consulted with doctors about long-term medical needs
- Obtained phone records showing the driver was texting
- Negotiated aggressively with insurance companies
📌 The breakthrough: When the driver’s insurer only offered the $100,000 policy limit, we discovered he was running a work errand at the time of the crash. That made his employer’s commercial insurance policy available to cover Sarah’s additional damages.
✅ The result:
Sarah received a total settlement of $450,000, covering:
- All current and future medical expenses
- Her lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Long-term care needs
✔️This example shows how the severity of the injury and having an experienced personal injury attorney can lead to a much higher settlement than initially offered.
We’ll fight for the settlement you deserve
We understand that a head-on collision can turn your life upside down—leaving you with injuries, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about the future.
With over 71 years of combined experience, our personal injury attorneys have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for accident victims across Georgia and South Carolina. Insurance companies recognize our firm’s reputation and take us seriously when we demand fair compensation.
We’ll handle all the paperwork, phone calls, and settlement negotiations while you focus on healing.
Ready to take the next step? Contact us today or call (706) 397-3355 for a free, confidential consultation.
Key points to remember about head-on collision settlements
- Most head-on collision settlements in Georgia range from $100,000 to $1,000,000
- The average car accident settlement depends heavily on the severity of your injuries
- You have two years from your crash date to file a claim in Georgia
- Your settlement amount depends on how badly you’re hurt, who was at fault, and having a good accident attorney
- Getting medical treatment quickly and documenting all damages helps maximize your settlement
✔️Having experienced car accident lawyers like us usually results in higher settlements
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after my car accident in Georgia?
You have two years from your crash date to file a personal injury claim in Georgia. If you miss this deadline, you’ll likely lose your right to compensation. That’s why it’s smart to talk to a car accident attorney as soon as you can.
What if the driver who hit me doesn’t have insurance?
If the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough coverage, you might be protected by your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage. Our accident attorneys can examine your policy and find all possible sources of compensation for your settlement.
How do you prove who caused the head-on collision?
We investigate using police reports, statements from witnesses, sometimes accident reconstruction experts, and any available video. In Georgia car accident settlements, how much fault each person has significantly impacts your compensation amount.
Can I still get a settlement if the crash was partly my fault?
Yes. In Georgia car accident claims, as long as you’re less than 50% responsible, you can still recover compensation. Your settlement amount will be reduced by your share of fault, but you can still receive money for your damages.
How long will it take to get my car accident settlement in Georgia?
Simple accident cases might settle in a few months. Cases involving more severe injuries or complex liability issues can take a year or longer to reach a fair settlement. We work to get your compensation as quickly as possible while ensuring you receive a fair settlement amount for all your damages.