What Is the Personal Injury Process Like in Georgia?
Every day, Atlanta residents fall victim to personal injuries. If you or your loved one is hurt because of someone else’s carelessness, you have the right to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and other types of damages resulting from your injuries.
If the responsible party’s insurance company is refusing to offer you a fair claim payment, you can pursue a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. Personal injury cases aren’t criminal cases; thus, the defendant (the person you’re suing for your injuries) can only be found liable or not liable for their actions and your injuries.
Filing a personal injury claim can get you the compensation you deserve, but you’ll be solely responsible for proving the defendant’s fault. This is where working with a personal injury lawyer can be of tremendous help. An experienced attorney will guide you through the entire process, negotiate compensation on your behalf and increase your chances of recovering financial damages.
What Are the Most Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Georgia?
- Car accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Construction accidents
- Dog bites
- Medical malpractice
- Slip and falls
- Boat accidents
- Birth injuries
What Are the Steps in My Personal Injury Claim?
You don’t have to take your personal injury case to civil court to recover damages. In fact, most personal injury claims are settled outside of court before they ever reach the trial phase. Such cases are typically negotiated by lawyers representing each side (your lawyers and the defendant’s insurance company lawyers). However, if the defendant’s insurance company isn’t willing to make a fair claim payment offer, your attorney shouldn’t hesitate to escalate your case to civil court.
There are several steps you need to take before you can file a personal injury claim. If your accident resulted in injuries, time is of essence. You’ll need to act fast by doing the following:
- Get medical help as soon as possible, preferably within the first 24 hours after the accident
- Call the police and get a copy of the accident report (request corrections if there are inaccuracies in the official report)
- Gather medical documentation and receipts of medical expenses related to your injury
- Take pictures or video of the accident scene and get contact information from the eyewitnesses
- Exchange insurance information with the other driver
- If you’re injured at work, report your injury to a supervisor as soon as possible
- Consult an experienced personal injury lawyer for legal help
- Notify your insurance company about your accident
- File a claim against the at-fault driver with their insurance carrier
As previously mentioned, you’ll be responsible for proving the other party’s fault in your personal injury claim. Before the insurance company can offer you a settlement, they will need to thoroughly investigate your case. You’ll likely be asked detailed questions and will need to provide documentation of your accident-related injuries and expenses.
Keep in mind, the other driver’s insurance company wants to pay you as little as possible. Paying claims is essentially a business loss for them. If they can’t get out of paying you, they’ll want to pay you as little as possible. It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to offer you an amount that is substantially less than you deserve.
This is why you should strongly consider hiring a personal injury lawyer before filing your claim. An experienced attorney will know how to successfully negotiate on your behalf because they’ll understand the extent of your losses and know how much compensation you’re potentially entitled to.
How Much Time Do I Have to Pursue a Personal Injury Claim?
Under Georgia’s statute of limitations, you’ll have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim. This may seem like a long time, but if your claim becomes a drawn-out lawsuit, it’s in your best interest to act quickly. You’ll want to give your attorney plenty of time to gather evidence and build a compelling case.
Memories can also get foggy, and evidence can get lost over time. The sooner you act, the more details you and witnesses will remember.
Let Us Help You Find the Right Personal Injury Lawyer in Atlanta
Pursuing a personal injury claim with the help of an attorney is vital to a successful resolution of your case. A skilled lawyer can help you maximize your compensation so you can recover both physically and financially from your injuries. At ATL Elite Lawyers, we’ve identified skilled local Atlanta lawyers who are committed to fighting for the compensation their clients deserve. You can find one of these lawyers by visiting our lawyers page.
