Section 51-1-32. Separate causes of action for personal injury and property damage caused by motor vehicle

   In cases arising from the wrongful or negligent operation of a motor vehicle in which the single wrongful or negligent act causes or results in both physical injuries to a person and injuries to the property of such person, the injured person shall have a separate and distinct cause of action against the person whose wrongful or negligent act caused such injury for the physical injury to his person and a separate and distinct cause of action for the injuries to his property. The injured party shall have the right, in his sole discretion, to prosecute each cause of action separately or to combine the two causes of action in one single action.

Code 1933, § 105-1301A, enacted by Ga. L. 1973, p. 295, § 1.