If someone else’s negligent actions have caused you injury, you might face a lot of pain, stress, and financial costs as a result. An accident can leave you with medical bills, lost income, and even property damage. You shouldn’t have to be responsible for these costs on your own.
If you need help getting compensation for your losses, contact a Stonecrest personal injury attorney. At John Foy & Associates, we help injured people and their families recover their costs. If you were not at fault, you might deserve full compensation.
What to Do If You’ve Been Injured
The first thing to do if you’ve been injured is, as always, make sure you’re alright. If there is any danger in your vicinity, get to somewhere safe as soon as possible. If your injuries need immediate medical attention, call an ambulance.
As soon as you know you’re safe, there are some steps that you can take to help your chances of having a successful claim. After an injury, you should:
- Take pictures or videos of the scene of the accident
- Get the contact information of any witnesses
- Write down your own account of what happened
- Go to a doctor for diagnosis and treatment
- Keep any bills and documents related to your accident
- Get in touch with a personal injury lawyer in Stonecrest as soon as possible
After an injury, the negligent party, their lawyer, or the insurance company may try to get in contact with you. Be polite with them, but don’t tell them anything they don’t need to know–basically, only give them your name, contact information, and the contact information of your attorney. Anything else you say could be used against you.
That’s why you should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as you can. They will know what to say and how to negotiate so that you can avoid being taken advantage of. We offer free consultations, so don’t hesitate.
What a Personal Injury Lawyer in Stonecrest Can Do for You
Once you get in contact with one of our personal injury lawyers, they will listen to your story and assess your situation. After that, they will get to work to prove that you were the victim of someone else’s negligence. To do that, they will:
- Gather evidence
- Calculate your damages
- Negotiate with the other party’s representation and the insurance company
- Represent you in court if necessary
At your initial consultation, your personal injury attorney in Stonecrest will walk you through the steps of your case and tell you what you can expect. Our team will stick with you every step of the way so that you can focus on recovery while we handle your case.
How to Know If You Have a Personal Injury Claim
Your personal injury lawyer will be able to tell you if you have a valid claim. You might have a claim if:
- You suffered a personal injury that was not your fault
- Someone else’s negligence led to your injury
“Negligence” is an absence of care that ordinarily careful people would have, according to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §51-1-2. Negligence is a legal term for carelessness. When someone is negligent, they act in a way that can cause harm.
If someone is at fault for your injury, you can take legal action. You have a right to file a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. Most of the time, this starts with an insurance claim. Examples of personal injury cases include:
If you have any questions about whether your injury qualifies for a claim, you can always get a free consultation with our team.
Personal Injury Insurance Claims vs. Lawsuits
You might deserve compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and more. If the at-fault party has insurance covering the incident, you can file a claim there first. Most of the time, injury cases end with an insurance settlement.
Getting the compensation you deserve can be challenging. Unfortunately, insurance companies rarely make it easy. The insurer will look for ways to pay you as little as possible.
Thankfully, a Stonecrest, GA, personal injury lawyer can help. Your lawyer can negotiate with the insurer for a fair settlement. If all goes well, you’ll receive payment for your injury costs. If you cannot get a fair offer, you and your lawyer might decide to file a lawsuit.
What Damages Can I Claim in My Personal Injury Case?
If you were not at fault for your injuries, the law is on your side. The person or party who caused your accident is responsible. Your claim should outline each damage you have from your accident, including:
- Medical treatment costs, like doctor bills, hospital bills, and medications
- Future medical care, such as physical therapy or rehabilitation
- Lost wages from having to miss work because of your injuries
- Loss of earning capacity if your injuries impact your work ability
- Pain and suffering, such as mental anguish or loss of enjoyment of life
Some damages are easier to calculate than others. For example, you can prove lost wages and medical costs with documentation. However, pain and suffering doesn’t have a set dollar amount.
An experienced lawyer can determine the full value of your damages. You’ll need to outline each and assign a dollar amount to your claim. At John Foy & Associates, we know how to help you do this.
The Deadline to File a Personal Injury Claim in Georgia
In Stonecrest and the rest of Georgia, you must file a personal injury claim within the statute of limitations. According to OCGA §9-3-33, the deadline is two years. You have even less time in some situations.
If you miss the statute of limitations, you probably cannot recover any of your damages. Even if you file a claim, the court will likely throw it out because too much time has passed.
It’s best to get started on your claim as soon as possible. You will need time to:
- Gather evidence from the scene of your injury
- Collect proof of the at-fault party’s negligence
- Compile documentation of your damages
- Calculate your total accident damages
- File your claim with the insurance company
- Negotiate for a fair settlement amount
- Take your case to court, if necessary
Two years go by quickly when a legal case is involved. To make sure you stay on track, talk to a personal injury lawyer today. Your lawyer can handle all the above while you focus on healing and being with family.
How Much does a Personal Injury Lawyer in Stonecrest Cost?
The short answer is that a lawyer costs nothing. Many personal injury lawyers work on contingency, which means:
- You don’t pay your lawyer unless they win you a settlement or court award.
- There are no upfront costs, so you can get started for free.
- Any legal fee comes from what your lawyer wins you (and you keep the rest).
Our personal injury lawyers in Stonecrest, GA, always work on contingency. We understand the importance of winning you the maximum compensation after your injuries. Every case for our clients is our most important one.
We also start with a FREE consultation to review your entire case. We’ll match you with the best lawyer for your needs. You can ask questions and learn about your best legal options.
Talk to a Stonecrest Personal Injury Lawyer Today
Don’t wait to get help after a personal injury accident. At the very least, it’s a good idea to schedule a consultation. You can learn a lot about your options and your rights during a free case review.
The Stonecrest personal injury lawyers at John Foy & Associates know what it takes to win cases. Our team has over 20 years of experience, and many people know our founder as the “Strong Arm.” We’re not afraid to stand up to the insurance companies and fight for you.
You don’t pay our team unless we win you money. Every case is personal for us, and we’ll fight tirelessly for what you deserve. Learn more during a FREE, no-obligation consultation. Call or contact us online. We are available 24/7 to take your call.
