If you’ve been hurt in Savannah, Georgia, understanding your legal rights is essential to protecting your future. Personal injuries take many forms. This guide will help you understand injury claims in Georgia and how you can begin to protect your legal rights.
What Is a Personal Injury Claim?
A personal injury claim lets you seek payment when someone else’s careless actions hurt you.
Statistics kept by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show the yearly national impact of these injuries:
- More than 200,000 people die from injuries each year
- Millions visit emergency rooms
- Medical costs reach billions of dollars
- Many injured people will work due to injuries
These numbers show why it’s essential to understand your legal options after getting hurt.
How Long Do I Have To File a Claim?
In Georgia, you usually have two years to file an injury claim. The Official Code of Georgia sets this time limit. Missing this deadline could mean losing your right to payment. Be sure to talk to a lawyer before the last minute.
Key timing rules include:
- Two years for most injury claims
- Less time for claims against the government
- Possible extra time in special cases
- Earlier deadlines for some claims
Understanding these deadlines helps protect your right to compensation. A lawyer can explain which deadlines apply to your case. Again, you must contact an attorney before the last minute.
What Types of Payment Can I Get?
Georgia law allows several types of payments to help make things right after an injury. Each type covers different losses you might face.
Economic damages cover money you’ve lost or spent:
- Medical bills from doctors and hospitals
- Lost wages when you can’t work
- Damage to your car or other property
- Future medical care you’ll need
Non-economic damages include harder-to-measure losses:
- Pain and suffering from your injuries
- Emotional distress and mental health effects
- Changes in your daily life
- Impact on your family relationships
Every case is different. The details of your specific case will determine how much you can receive. We can help you assess your case’s worth.
What if the Insurance Company Calls?
Insurance companies often call right after an accident. They might seem friendly but want to pay you as little as possible.
Here is how to handle these calls:
- Don’t give recorded statements without a lawyer
- Don’t take quick settlement offers – they’re usually too low
- Keep conversations brief and stick to basic facts
- Write down who called and when
- Let your lawyer handle questions about your injuries
- If you feel pressured, ask the insurance representative to stop calling you. If you do this, write down the date and time you made the request
Following these guidelines helps protect your rights to fair compensation. Insurance companies have lawyers on their side – you should, too.
How Does Fault Work In Georgia?
Georgia uses modified comparative fault rules in injury cases. You can still get payment even if you were partly at fault or not primarily to blame.
Here’s how it works:
- You can get payment if you’re less than 50% at fault
- Your payment goes down based on your share of fault
- The other side might try to blame you to reduce their liability
- Evidence helps show who was really at fault
After an accident, protect yourself. Do not speculate or make statements about your fault that can be used against you later. Having a lawyer helps prove who caused your injuries and protects your right to payment.
When Should I File a Lawsuit?
Several things affect when to file your case, and here’s what matters:
- Legal deadlines approaching
- Evidence that might disappear
- Your ongoing medical treatment
- Progress of settlement talks
- How busy the courts are
- Finding all responsible parties
A lawyer can help you choose the best time to file. Filing too early or too late could hurt your case.
What Records Should I Keep?
Keeping good records makes your case stronger and helps prove what happened.
You should save:
- Medical bills and records
- Accident scene photos
- Police reports and incident forms
- Letters from insurance companies
- Names and contact info for witnesses
- Work records showing missed time
- Receipts for injury-related expenses
These documents help prove your losses and get fair payment for your injuries. After an accident, designate one place to put all documents. It can be a notebook, folder, or shoebox, but keep everything together. When in doubt, if it pertains to your accident, keep it.
How Is Compensation Decided?
Your compensation depends on many factors, including the following:
- All your medical bills so far
- Future medical care you’ll need
- Income you’ve lost from missed work
- Damage to your property
- Your pain and suffering
- How much you were at fault
- Available insurance coverage
Each case is different, and there is no set amount for each type of injury. A lawyer can help determine a fair amount. We know what similar cases have been worth.
What Happens During Settlement Talks?
Settlement talks follow several steps to reach a fair agreement:
- We prepare a detailed demand for payment
- We share evidence proving your losses
- Insurance companies make offers
- We review your medical records
- Expert opinions support your claim
- Both sides discuss fair value
- We negotiate for your best outcome
Having a lawyer handle these talks typically leads to significantly better results. Studies by the Insurance Resource Council show that personal injury victims receive up to 3.5 times more compensation if represented by an attorney. We know the tactics insurance companies use.
How Can I Help My Case?
Strong cases need good preparation.
Here are key steps to take:
- Follow all your doctor’s orders
- Keep records of everything
- Write down how injuries affect you
- Save all evidence you find
- Stay off social media
- Answer requests promptly
- Meet all deadlines
Taking these steps can improve your chances of success. An attorney can guide you through each step.
A Savannah Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help With Your Claim
Having experienced legal help makes a difference in injury cases.
At Bowen Painter Injury Lawyers, we offer a free initial consultation, contingency fee arrangements, personal attention to your needs, and a proven track record.
Contact our Savannah personal injury attorneys at (912) 335-1909 for your free case review. We’ll help protect your rights and fight for fair payment.