Georgia Personal Injury FAQs: Claim Deadlines, Damages & Free Answers
Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer Answers: 10 Key Questions After an Accident
If you were hurt because someone else didn’t act with reasonable care, you may have a claim. This guide shares straight answers from a Georgia personal injury lawyer—and what Bodewell Injury Group does to help people across Georgia pursue full, fair compensation.
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Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer Q&A: What You Need to Know Now
1) What qualifies as a personal injury claim?
Most claims come down to this: someone owed you a duty of care, breached it, and caused injuries and losses. Common examples include car, truck, and motorcycle crashes; pedestrian and bicycle collisions; slips and falls; unsafe properties; nursing-home neglect; medical errors; defective products; workplace injuries; and wrongful death.
2) How long do I have to file in Georgia?
Many claims must be filed within two years from the date of injury under Georgia law (with exceptions). Claims involving government entities can require special notices and faster deadlines (often called “ante-litem” notice). Some notices are shorter—call to confirm your exact deadline.
3) Do I really need a lawyer?
Insurance companies are built to minimize payouts. A seasoned attorney preserves evidence, calculates damages (including future needs), negotiates from a position of strength, and—if the insurer won’t be reasonable—prepares the case for a Georgia jury.
4) What damages can I recover?
- Medical bills (past and future)
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Rehabilitation, prescriptions, and in-home assistance
- Pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage and out-of-pocket expenses
- Punitive damages in limited, serious circumstances (subject to Georgia rules and potential caps)
5) How much is my case worth?
It depends on the injury severity, total medical care, time missed from work, long-term limitations, available insurance, and how fault is allocated. After we review the evidence and records, we provide an honest range—then build the proof to justify it.
6) How long will the case take?
Some straightforward claims resolve in months. Cases with disputed fault, serious injuries, or complex medical issues can take longer—especially in busy venues. We push for efficient progress without leaving money on the table.
7) What if I was partly at fault in Georgia?
Georgia uses modified comparative negligence: your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault, and you’re typically barred from recovery if you’re found 50% or more responsible. The earlier you act, the easier it is to protect evidence and fight unfair blame-shifting.
8) Will I have to go to court?
Many cases settle, but the best settlements come when the insurer knows your team is prepared to try the case. We develop every claim like it’s going to trial—so you’re never negotiating from weakness.
9) How do attorney fees work?
We handle injury cases on a contingency fee. You pay nothing up front, and no attorney fee unless we recover compensation. If we win, the fee is a percentage of the recovery, plus reimbursed case costs as agreed in the engagement contract.
10) What should I do right after an accident?
- Get medical care immediately and follow doctors’ instructions.
- Photograph the scene, hazards, vehicles, and visible injuries.
- Collect witness names and contact info.
- Save damaged property and keep receipts and treatment notes.
- Avoid social media posts about the incident or injuries.
- Don’t give a recorded statement to an insurer before speaking with counsel.
Common Causes—And the Proof That Wins
| Type of Case | What Usually Proves Liability | What Drives Value |
|---|---|---|
| Car / Truck / Motorcycle Crash | Police report, photos/video, vehicle damage patterns, phone records, dashcam, ECM/black-box data, witness statements | Injury severity, treatment plan, permanency, time out of work, insurance limits |
| Slip & Fall / Unsafe Property | Incident reports, surveillance, maintenance logs, prior complaints, photos of hazard, notice and timing evidence | Fractures/head injuries, length of recovery, future care, impact on mobility and daily life |
| Nursing Home Neglect | Medical charts, staffing records, care plans, facility policies, witness accounts, expert review | Extent of harm, preventability, ongoing needs, dignity/quality-of-life losses |
| Defective Product | Preserved product, chain of custody, recalls/complaints, design/manufacturing evidence, expert testing | Causation proof, future impairment, medical costs, punitive exposure (case-specific) |
Why Choose Bodewell When the Stakes Are High?
| What You Need | How Bodewell Delivers | How It Helps Your Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Fast evidence preservation | Immediate investigation, records requests, witness outreach, and scene documentation | Stops evidence from disappearing and strengthens liability |
| Full damage accounting | Medical review, future-care planning, wage loss documentation, and life-impact proof | Prevents undervaluation and “quick lowball” settlements |
| Trial-ready leverage | We build every case for court and negotiate like we mean it | Insurers take you seriously when they know you can win at trial |
| Clear communication | You get updates, next-step explanations, and answers without runaround | Less stress while your claim moves forward |
Alabama & Georgia Deadlines and Fault Rules (Quick Comparison)
- Georgia: Typically a two-year filing deadline for many injury claims; modified comparative negligence (often a 50% bar).
- Alabama: Typically a two-year filing deadline for many injury claims; contributory negligence can bar recovery if you’re found even slightly at fault; municipal notice deadlines can be shorter (often around 6 months).
Many claims must be filed within two years; some notices are shorter—call to confirm your exact deadline.
What to Do Now to Protect Your Claim
- Keep all medical appointments and ask for copies of discharge instructions.
- Write down symptoms each day (pain levels, sleep disruption, limitations).
- Save pay stubs and any work-restriction notes from your doctor.
- Forward any insurance letters to your attorney and avoid recorded statements.
Ready for answers specific to your case?
Call now or request a free consultation online. We’ll handle the paperwork, take on the insurance company, and pursue every dollar the evidence supports—so you can focus on healing.
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Disclaimer: Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. This page provides general information only and is not legal advice. Laws and deadlines can vary by facts and defendant; consult an attorney about your specific situation.