Permanent injuries from car accidents change lives. They affect the body, mind, and ability to work. In Georgia, these lasting injuries often lead to higher claim values because they require ongoing medical treatment, limit daily activities, and cause pain that does not go away. If you or a loved one suffered permanent damage after a crash, it is important to understand how these injuries affect your right to compensation and why strong legal guidance from a car accident lawyer matters.
In this blog, we explain how permanent injuries affect the value of a car accident claim in Georgia and why working with an experienced Alpharetta car accident lawyer can help you recover the full compensation you deserve.
What Are Permanent Injuries?
Permanent injuries affect accident victims long after a crash ends. These injuries change a person’s ability to function, work, or live as they did before the incident.
Definition of Permanent Injuries
Permanent injuries are long-term physical or mental conditions caused by trauma. They do not fully heal and often require ongoing medical treatment. These injuries may affect certain body parts, such as the spine, brain, or limbs, and can result in permanent damage to mobility, memory, or physical abilities.
Examples of Permanent Injuries
Common examples include:
- Spinal cord injuries that limit movement or cause paralysis
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) that affects memory, mood, or thinking
- Severe neck injuries that restrict motion or cause chronic pain
- Amputations or injuries that lead to the loss of use of a limb
- Burns or scarring that change the structure of the skin or muscles
These types of injuries impact daily life, job performance, and independence.
Lasting Impact on the Human Body
Permanent injuries disrupt normal function in the human body. Damage to the spine can impair walking. Brain damage may change how a person thinks or behaves. Mental damage can affect relationships and the ability to hold a job. These effects often require support from medical professionals over time.
Need for Continued Medical Care
Permanent injuries often demand lifelong medical care. Accident victims may need surgeries, physical therapy, or mental health treatment. They may also need help from specialists to manage pain or regain limited abilities. Medical treatment does not always restore full function, but it can improve quality of life.
Proof and Diagnosis
To prove a permanent injury, victims need clear medical evidence. Physicians must diagnose the condition and explain how it affects the body. This includes physical exams, scans, and expert opinions. The diagnosis supports the injury claim and shows the long-term impact.
How Permanent Injuries Impact Car Accident Claim Value
Permanent injuries increase the value of a car accident claim because they create long-term damage to a person’s health, income, and daily life.
Severity of the Injury
The more severe the injury, the higher the claim value. Injuries that cause brain damage, spinal cord injuries, or the loss of use in body parts result in greater compensation. These injuries often lead to permanent disability, pain, and the need for medical care for the rest of a person’s life.
Medical Treatment and Future Care
Accident victims with permanent injuries often need surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term treatment options. The cost of care does not stop after the crash. It continues for months or years. A claim must include future medical costs and the need for ongoing support from medical professionals.
Loss of Income and Earning Ability
A person who cannot return to work due to permanent injuries may lose wages for years. If the injury prevents them from doing the same job, or working at all, the value of lost future income rises. This loss can be proven with employment records and expert opinions. A strong claim includes both current and future lost wages.
Pain, Suffering, and Mental Damage
Compensation is not limited to physical costs. Permanent injuries often cause mental damage, emotional suffering, and pain that does not go away. This includes anxiety, depression, and reduced quality of life. These effects are harder to measure but still raise the value of a car accident claim in Georgia.
Role of Insurance Companies
Insurance companies often try to lower claim values by arguing that the injury is not permanent or not as severe. They may question medical records or delay payment. A car accident attorney helps prove the full impact of the injury and holds the insurance company accountable.
Learn how permanent injuries impact car accident claim value in Georgia and why legal help is key to securing full compensation.
Proving Permanent Injuries in a Georgia Car Crash Case
To receive full compensation for permanent injuries, accident victims must present strong evidence that proves the extent and lasting effects of the damage.
Importance of Medical Records
Medical records are key to proving a permanent injury. These records must show the diagnosis, the body parts affected, and the type of treatment received. Detailed reports from physicians help establish the severity of the injury and the expected recovery outcome.
Expert Testimony and Diagnosis
A medical professional must confirm that the injury is permanent. This often involves testimony from doctors or specialists. In Georgia, expert testimony is allowed under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-9.1, which supports claims involving medical issues. The expert must explain how the injury affects the body and why full recovery is unlikely.
Supporting Evidence from Medical Professionals
Accident victims may need support from a team of medical professionals, including surgeons, neurologists, or physical therapists. These experts can describe the treatment options used, the physical or mental damage suffered, and the expected impact on the rest of the person’s life.
Documenting Employment Impact
Permanent injuries often affect a person’s job. Proof of lost wages, missed workdays, and reduced ability to earn money strengthens the claim. Financial records, employer statements, and job evaluations show how the injury has changed the victim’s ability to work.
Role of a Car Accident Attorney
A car accident lawyer helps gather, organize, and present the evidence needed to prove permanent damage. The attorney works with doctors, reviews all documents, and ensures that the case includes every detail the insurance company or court needs to see.
Compensation You May Be Entitled To
Victims of permanent injuries from car crashes in Georgia may receive compensation for both financial losses and the lasting impact on their quality of life.
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover direct costs caused by the injury. This includes medical treatment, surgery, therapy, medication, and future medical care. It also includes lost wages from missed work and loss of future income if the person cannot return to their job. Bills, pay stubs, and financial records help prove these losses.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages pay for pain, suffering, and mental damage. Permanent injuries often cause chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment in life. These effects are personal and may differ by case. Georgia law allows compensation for these losses under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-4, which includes future harm and emotional suffering.
Permanent Impairment Compensation
In cases where the injury causes lasting damage to certain body parts, such as the spine, brain, or limbs, a person may receive compensation for permanent impairment. This includes both physical and mental harm. Medical professionals must confirm that the damage is permanent and explain how it limits daily activities or work.
Total Value Based on Severity
The final value of a claim depends on the severity of the injury, the cost of care, and how the injury affects the victim’s life. A person with traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injuries may receive more than someone with minor physical damage. Strong evidence and expert support increase the chance of full compensation.
Contact an Experienced Alpharetta Car Accident Attorney Today!
If you or someone you care about has suffered permanent injuries in a car crash, you should not have to face the legal and financial challenges alone. The lasting effects of brain damage, spinal cord injuries, or other serious conditions can impact every part of your life. Our team at Horst Shewmaker understands how much is at stake.
Contact us at (404) 400-1175 for a free case consultation today!
