If you or anyone you know has been involved in an accident caused by a negligent party, you have a legal right to compensation. Whether you need to recover costs for hospital bills, property damage, or even time missed from work, our law firm is here to help.
Known as the “Strong Arm of the Law,” we have successfully served Decatur, Georgia residents for over 20 years. Let our Decatur personal injury attorneys help you hold the at-fault party accountable and recover maximum compensation for your accident. Contact our law firm for a free legal consultation.
What Should I Do If I’ve Been Injured?
Take your health and well-being seriously, especially if you have severe injuries. However, even seemingly minor injuries can lead to major complications and skyrocketing medical bills later. An early treatment plan will speed up your recovery and decrease the risk of further problems.
Document your injuries and recovery process. Include all the details about how an accident caused your injury and the doctor’s assessment of your condition.
You can take simple steps to protect your rights. For example, the two most important things to do after an accident include signing nothing from the insurance company and calling a personal injury attorney.
Don’t Sign ANYTHING From the Insurance Company
In most cases, once you report your accident, the insurance company will want to settle quickly, offering to pay the least amount possible. However, while the initial sum may be tempting, it might not cover subsequent medical bills and lost wages.
Remember, when you sign a check from the insurer, you are signing away your right to the rest of the money you deserve. So put aside anything they send you and get a professional legal opinion first.
Contact a Decatur Personal Injury Lawyer
Dealing with insurance companies can be confusing, and they have a team of lawyers working against you. However, having a lawyer levels the playing field and shows that you will not settle for less than you deserve.
An experienced personal injury attorney in Decatur, GA, knows how to bargain with the insurance company and ensure they are the ones under pressure, not you.
How do I Know If I Have a Personal Injury Case in Decatur?
The only way you will know for certain is to contact a lawyer who understands these types of claims. Do not assume your injury was an “accident” or couldn’t have been prevented, and above all, do not blame yourself.
Under the law, most injuries are not accidents; usually, they are caused by someone’s negligence. Therefore, according to the law, if another person (or business) was careless or inattentive, and that’s why you got hurt, you have a valid claim and are eligible for financial recovery.
Never assume you don’t have a claim until you have talked to a lawyer.
The most frequent types of personal injury accidents include:
- Truck, car, motorcycle, and bike accidents
- Falls, trips, and slips
- Burn injuries
- Criminal assault
- Abuse in a nursing home or hospice
- Product liability claims
- Dog bites
- Faulty medical devices
- Workplace accidents
- Medical malpractice, including mixed-up prescription drugs or medication errors
- Wrongful death
Understanding the Role of a Personal Injury Lawyer
Any personal injury lawyer has to prove four things for most personal injury cases. If your attorney proves them against the at-fault party, chances are high that you’ll win your case. The four things are:
- Identifying the responsible party.
- Proving they acted negligently, that is, in a way that could hurt someone.
- Proving their negligence did, in fact, hurt you.
- Showing economic and non-economic damages caused by the injury.
The key to proving all these things is evidence. Our investigative team will leave no stone unturned, looking for proof to improve your chances of fair compensation. So, naturally, the insurance company will do its best to disprove these four things.
Will I Have to Go to Court for My Personal Injury Claim?
Usually, going to court is unnecessary because most personal injury cases don’t require a trial. Instead, an experienced attorney from our team will construct a well-documented argument showing how you were injured and the total cost of the accident.
Once our Decatur personal injury attorneys have a solid case, we take the insurance company to the negotiation table and push them to offer you a fair recovery. This is usually all it takes to get the money you need. Sometimes, unfortunately, the insurance provider won’t budge.
If this happens, we will advise whether we can win for you in the local courts. If you decide to go forward, we will represent you every step of the way and make the process simple. Whether or not to file a personal injury lawsuit is always your choice.
How Much does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in Decatur?
You should never pay anything upfront to speak to a personal injury lawyer in Decatur, GA. While many law firms charge up-front fees, this rarely works in your best interest: it puts you in the position of paying them whether they win your money or not.
At our law firm, we believe we should not get paid unless we succeed on your behalf. That’s why we only take our fee as a percentage of the money we recover for you. This method guarantees a no win, no fee arrangement, and no out-of-pocket expenses.
We want our legal help to be as simple and affordable as possible. That’s why:
- All initial consultations are offered FREE of charge.
- You pay nothing out of pocket, ever.
- You owe us nothing if we don’t win you money.
This creates a fair, no-risk way to get professional legal assistance. It also gives us a bigger financial incentive to work hard for you!
How Long Can I Wait to File an Injury Claim in Decatur?
Decatur personal injury claims must follow the strict deadlines laid out by federal and Georgia state laws.
The exact deadlines vary depending on the nature of the case, but in general, you have up to two years to file your claim, as per Ga. Code § 9-3-33. However, other cases may give less time from the date of your injury.
This time limit is in addition to insurance company requirements for reporting an accident, which can be much tighter. Never wait to file your claim. If the time limit expires, you could lose your chance to gain a financial settlement.
How do I Get Paid After I Win My Personal Injury Case?
This is another job for your lawyer. After your case is won, the negligent party has a deadline to deliver a check to your attorney for compensation. The lawyer then takes their percentage and passes the rest to you, often as a direct deposit.
If the insurer or liable party fails to pay in time, your lawyer can take legal action to compel payment. However, if an insurer is paying, this is exceedingly rare. This is because insurers know the possible consequences of nonpayment and want to avoid them as much as possible!
Talk to a Decatur, GA, Personal Injury Lawyer for Free
At John Foy & Associates, our policy is to put our clients first. We never side with large corporations or insurance companies, always with the accident victim. Our Decatur personal injury lawyers will help you navigate the legal process.
We work on a contingency-fee basis, so there is no risk. Call us or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today. We will answer your questions during the meeting and help you decide how to handle your claim.
