Frequently Asked Questions
Traumatic injury due to the negligence of another driver, an employer, or a company that makes or installs a defective product can leave victims and their families hurt and overwhelmed. Medical bills, disabilities, and financial and emotional stress often present more questions than answers. Consider the following frequently asked questions or call Bowen Painter Trial Lawyers for a consultation.
What Kinds of Cases Do Personal Injury Lawyers Handle?
Personal injury lawyers handle cases involving a situation in which an individual is injured as a result of someone’s negligence or intentional actions. The most common types of cases include slip and falls, car accidents, work accidents, medical malpractice, product liability, and wrongful death.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Car Accident?
If you do not need a lawyer, our attorneys will tell you so. However, if a car wreck has left you seriously injured, you will want an experienced and knowledgeable advocate to look after your interests. Call our Savannah injury lawyers at Bowen Painter Trial Lawyers to help you make your choice. The insurance company has one goal in mind—settle for as little as possible as fast as possible—and the odds are in their favor as they often overlook long-term care, ongoing operations, and a fair and equitable estimation of future earnings potential.
I’m Seriously Injured From a Car Accident and Have Medical Bills Due Already; Is the Compensation process Lengthy?
Not necessarily. The insurance company of the at-fault driver may delay payments for a variety of reasons. We have solutions—such as working with doctors to accept payment after recovery—and we know how to put pressure on insurance companies to reimburse bills in a timely manner. For more information, call Bowen Painter Trial Lawyers’ coastal Georgia and South Carolina office to ask a direct question or to schedule a consultation.
Should We Take the First Offer From the Other Insurance Company?
Probably not. It is ultimately your decision to determine what you think is fair. However, accepting the first offer is usually a mistake because it often doesn’t fully compensate you for your loss and protect you from future complications. An experienced environmental and personal injury attorney can best help you decide, providing you with the direction and advice needed to make an informed choice. If exposure to hazardous waste has left you or a loved one seriously injured, call Bowen Painter Trial Lawyers for a consultation.
What are Hazardous Waste Toxic Torts?
Toxic Torts are lawsuits that address the serious and life-altering effects of exposure to a toxin. These cases include lead paint, pesticides, and unsafe drugs exposures.They can be complicated and difficult to determine without proper legal counsel. If your injury, disease, or illness stems from exposure to a toxic agent, contact Bowen Painter Trial Lawyers for a consultation today.
What Do I Do If My Injury Is a Result of Exposure to a Hazardous Material.
After you’ve received medical treatment and are ready to act on your case, you should contact an attorney experienced in hazardous materials litigation. In the greater Savannah area, Bowen Painter Trial Lawyers has an unprecedented knowledge and record of success with hazardous material cases. Our attorneys can help you determine the level of compensation you deserve for medical costs, injuries, or other damages caused by a wrongdoer’s recklessness or negligence.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Georgia?
In most cases, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Georgia is two years from the date of the injuries or damages sustained. There are exceptions to this deadline in some cases, including injuries involving minors and government agencies. When the defendant is a government agency, there are different notice requirements and a shorter deadline.
The statute of limitations for medical malpractice claims is also two years, but regardless of any exceptions, this type of claim can never be brought more than five years after the incident occurs, unless the case is initiated because a medical professional left a foreign object inside the body.
Always speak with a personal injury lawyer right away to determine how long you have to file a claim.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. Under a contingency fee agreement, the lawyer doesn’t get paid unless they recover money for you, so there’s no risk in bringing forth a claim.
Their fees are paid by taking a percentage of the award or settlement that they win for you. The range of what most lawyers charge is usually between 33% and 40%.
Will I Have To Go To Trial For My Personal Injury Case?
While it’s possible that you will go to trial, most personal injury cases are settled out of court before they reach a trial phase. Due to the time and expense brought about by litigation, many claimants and defendants prefer to settle through negotiation or mediation instead of going through a lengthy trial process with an uncertain outcome.
What Kind of Compensation Can Be Recovered in a Personal Injury Claim?
An injury victim can most commonly be compensated for medical and health-care related expenses, lost wages owed to them due to the time off it took to recover from injuries, pain and suffering endured during the process, and property damages incurred as a result of the accident. Other remedies such as compensation resulting from loss of consortium may also apply in some cases.
In some cases, punitive damages can be recovered. Punitive damages serve to punish and deter the defendant from engaging in similar behavior going forward.
How Do I Know How Much My Claim is Worth?
The value of an accident claim varies depending on a variety of factors such as the severity of your injuries, the nature and scope of required medical care, property damage involved in a crash, and future income losses resulting from the incidents. A reasonable estimate can be determined by consulting with a legal professional experienced in personal injury cases.
Contact our attorneys today online or call (912) 335-1909 for a free case evaluation.