You were finally settling into your semester. Lectures had started, deadlines were coming fast and tuition had already been paid. Then a crash took you off the road and out of class. Whether it happened on GA 400 or near campus, an injury can turn a regular day into weeks of recovery. For students, that means dropping classes they already paid for and falling behind. Is there any way to get that money back?
Tuition loss can count as economic damage
In Georgia, personal injury claims can include more than just medical expenses. If another party’s negligence caused your accident, you may be entitled to recover other economic damages, such as academic fees.
Tuition does not always appear among standard damages, but you may file a claim if your injury clearly forced you to withdraw from school and lose non-refundable payments. To increase your chances of recovery, you will need documents that directly tie the accident to the semester you were unable to complete.
What makes these claims stronger
Insurance companies often challenge tuition-related losses unless you can clearly show how the injury forced you out of class and left you with costs you could not recover. Here are three types of documentation that can help support your case:
- Medical documentation: A doctor’s note or discharge summary that confirms the injury and recommends rest or limited activity
- School records: Proof of class withdrawal, refund denial or academic standing impact
- Payment confirmation: Receipts or account summaries showing what you paid and what you lost
The stronger the connection between your injury and the tuition loss, the better your chances of including it in a personal injury claim. Without that link, insurers may argue the expense is not related to the crash.
A crash affects more than your academics
An injury in college can delay graduation, affect your financial aid eligibility and even force housing changes mid-semester. For students who have already covered educational costs, the added stress and cost can be overwhelming. Remember, Georgia law gives you a path to claim what you lost—your time, your momentum and the fees you paid for.