Statute of Limitations for Georgia Personal Injury Cases
Georgia has a deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit, called a statute of limitations. After two years, you won’t be able to file a lawsuit for your injury unless there are special circumstances. This period usually begins on the date the injury occurred.
That means that you must finish the whole personal injury claim process and file a lawsuit before the two years have passed. You’ll usually try to settle with the insurance company first, which can take some time. A lawyer will also need time to investigate and prepare your personal injury case.
You should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible after your accident to get started on the process in time. Contact our legal team at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC today to see if you can get compensation for your injuries.
Compensation Available in Georgia Personal Injury Claims
You may be able to recover compensation for your injuries from the at-fault party after an accident. You can get several types of financial and non-financial compensation from either a personal injury lawsuit or settlement. Georgia accident victims can get compensation for damages such as the following:
- Special damages — These are your economic damages, such as medical bills, physical therapy, treatments, and lost wages at work.
- General damages — General losses are a little harder to put a number on. These include compensation for your pain and suffering, emotional distress, and lower quality of life.
If you have questions regarding what types of compensation you’re eligible for, a Stone Mountain personal injury lawyer can review your case and help you seek recovery for your losses.
What to Do After an Accident in Stone Mountain
Nearly 500,000 people in Georgia visited the emergency room for accidental injuries one recent year. You don’t expect an accident to happen to you. But if it does, you should be prepared. If you were in an accident caused by someone else, you should take the following steps:
- Call 911 — Even if an ambulance isn’t needed, an accident report can become a vital part of a personal injury case. The police can talk to you, the at-fault party, and any witnesses. This is helpful even if the person responsible is accepting fault. You never know when that might change or if the insurance company will try to find a way to blame you. An accident report can establish what happened from the start.
- See a doctor — This step is essential to document your injuries and connect them to the accident. If you’re not evaluated by a medical professional soon after the accident, the insurance company can argue your injuries happened later. Continuing with all prescribed treatments shows you’re serious about your recovery. You also never know when there are internal injuries or if symptoms will come up later. It’s always best to get checked out even if you think you’re okay.
- Gather evidence — Helpful evidence includes proof you can collect from the accident scene, such as photos, videos, and witness information. You should also request the accident report from the police. If it happened in public, there may be security cameras in nearby stores that got footage. A personal injury attorney will know what evidence to look for and how to get it.
- Keep records — You’ll also want to hold onto any evidence you get through the process that can help document your losses. This can include medical records, receipts for related expenses, and pay stubs showing you make less income now. It can also be helpful to keep a journal while you’re recovering. Your personal account of the pain and suffering you’re experiencing due to the accident can help value your losses.
- Contact an attorney — This is a lot to deal with yourself. A skilled Georgia personal injury lawyer knows the claim system inside and out. They can help determine fault, collect evidence, get you medical treatment, talk to the insurance companies, pursue a settlement, and take your case to court if needed.
Talk to Our Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers in Stone Mountain, GA Today
After an injury in a car accident, you need someone on your side. Financial recovery can be just as important as your physical recovery, especially if it means you can pay your medical bills. We want to provide you with the resources and honest guidance you need to recover and get back to your life.
Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our compassionate Stone Mountain personal injury attorneys.