The Various Types of Personal Injury Claims in Georgia
An accident can quickly turn a perfect day into a nightmare. If you’ve suffered an injury and you’re wondering if you might have a personal injury case (or Personal Injury Claims in Georgia), read on and reach out to Greathouse Trial Law.
What is a Personal Injury?
Under Georgia state law, personal injury covers a variety of accidents, including:
- Car Truck Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
- Pedestrian
- Boating
- Construction
Personal injury is not limited to accidents. It also covers incidents including:
The physical damage that results may vary widely, from bruises to traumatic brain injuries. In the worst-case scenario, a loved one dies from severe injuries, and you are left to pick up the pieces.
No matter how the injury occurred, if someone else’s negligence played a part, you may be eligible to seek compensation under Georgia law.
Types of Personal Injury Claims Damage
Though the compensation can’t reverse your injury, it may ease your financial struggle. The damages you can seek under your Georgia personal injury claim include:
- Lost income
- Medical bills
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Pain and suffering
Lost income refers to wages you didn’t receive because you spent time away from work to recover from your injuries. Even if you have paid sick or vacation time from your employer, you can recoup these amounts since you are not using that time as you planned. In addition, lost income includes future wages that you may be prevented from earning due to your injuries.
Medical bills refer to expenses incurred due to treatment for your injuries immediately following the accident or in the future. These costs and the associated compensation vary widely. In general, health care is not cheap, but the amount may be astronomical if the accident resulted in life-long disfigurement, paralysis, disability, or brain damage.
Out-of-pocket costs include retail, medical supplies, and transportation to and from medical and physical therapy appointments. You can also seek compensation for the childcare and personal care you needed following the accident.
Pain and suffering fall under a category known as non-economic damage. You won’t have any paperwork or receipts you can use to illustrate these costs. You can think of it as compensation for the disruption to your everyday life. If your injuries were minor, you might receive little to no compensation for pain and suffering. If you were disfigured, your life changed dramatically, and your compensation may be significant.
Georgia also factors in comparative negligence to determine personal injury compensation. What does that mean? Essentially, if you are deemed partially at fault for the accident, you will receive less compensation. For instance, you slip and fall on a slippery patch of floor at your favorite restaurant, but you were running to make the start of a movie.
The court may decide that the restaurant was 90% responsible for not cleaning up the spill, but you were 10% responsible for running on the tile floor. In this case, if the damages are $20,000, you would only receive $18,000.
Did You Already Take the First Step?
Before you reach out to a personal injury attorney, the first and most crucial step is to seek medical care. A personal injury lawsuit may be a long, drawn-out process that takes months or years. You will need all the strength and stamina you can muster, and that begins with medical treatment.
In addition to monitoring your health, doctor and physical therapy appointments will generate medical records. Your personal injury attorney will use your medical records to illustrate your condition before your injury and after. It will be a vital part of your case.
The time we need to settle your case depends on factors, including the severity of your injuries and the complexity of the case itself.
We understand that you probably want the process to unfold quickly so you can put the accident and the lawsuit behind you. While the other party may offer a quick settlement, that fast money might not cover all of your damages.
We will take the time to get to know you, investigate the accident, review your medical records, and talk to expert witnesses. In many cases, after we put in the hard work and research, we can negotiate an out-of-court settlement. If your personal injury lawsuit goes to trial, we’re at the mercy of the court’s schedule.
While we will move forward diligently and efficiently, your personal injury timeline may take a few years. We will be by your side, looking out for your rights the entire time.
When Should You Contact a Personal Injury Attorney?
If you are considering a personal injury lawsuit, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. The statute of limitations in Georgia is two years and one year if your lawsuit is against the government. Do not let the clock run out on your right to seek damages.
A Personal Injury Attorney You Can Trust
If you want a trusted personal injury attorney in Georgia, call Greathouse Trial Law at 678-310-2827.
We look out for your best interests and will work hard to fight for your rights. We care about you and all our clients.
With offices in Atlanta, Georgia, we serve clients throughout the state. We have a record of success with personal injury cases, and we’re here to help. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
Copyright© 2020. Greathouse Trial Law. All Rights Reserved.
Disclaimer: The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information contained in this post should be construed as legal advice from the individual author or the law firm, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included in, or accessible through, this post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
Greathouse Trial Law
260 Peachtree Street NW
Suite 803
Atlanta, GA 30303
(678) 310-2827
