Were you recently injured and believe another person is responsible for the accident? If so, our attorneys can review the incident and determine the compensation you can sue for.
It is important to start your case quickly since you likely only have two years to file an injury claim. Our team can figure out how long before the statute of limitations passes and whether an exception will give you more time. You can even start building your case before the complaint is filed by reporting your accident right after it occurs and getting immediate medical care. Get eyewitness information if any saw you injured, and take photos if you are able. Our team can get accident reports and medical records and speak to witnesses to help settle your claim or fight it in court.
For a free and confidential case review with our Macon, GA personal injury attorneys, contact Rice Law today by calling (470) 287-3070.
When to File a Claim for Personal Injuries in Perry, GA
People have little time to waste after getting injured to pursue compensation for their damages. In most cases, injury victims have just two years from the date they were injured to file a claim under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. Our personal injury attorneys can immediately begin gathering evidence after taking your case and file your complaint before the deadline. Injury claims filed after the limitations period closes will be dismissed by the court unless an exception “tolls” to the time limit to file, which is rare.
Children and individuals with a legal disability are generally given more time to file under § 9-3-90. Once the victim turns 18 or the disability ceases to prevent them from understanding their legal rights, they have two years to file.
More time can also be given to injury victims when the defendant cannot be sued because of their location or deceit. If the defendant does not reside in Perry or anywhere in Georgia, § 9-3-94 will toll the statute of limitations until they return to this jurisdiction. The limitations period is also paused if the liable party uses fraud to deter a victim from filing their claim and will not run until the time the fraud is discovered, as per § 9-3-96.
The statute of limitations for medical malpractice cases differs depending on the circumstances. In most instances, victims must file a lawsuit two years from the date the healthcare provider’s malpractice occurred, according to § 9-3-71(a). The time limit will be different if the malpractice involves leaving a foreign object in the patient. According to § 9-3-72, claims for foreign bodies must be filed within one year of their discovery. In either case, no medical malpractice lawsuit can be filed five years from when the provider was negligent under § 9-3-71(b).
Steps to Take After Getting Injured in Perry, GA
Being injured in an accident can be overwhelming, but you can take a few steps to protect yourself and your legal claim. The first thing to do is remain calm and call for help. It is a good idea to get medical care immediately by calling 911. Paramedics can provide care on the scene and begin documenting your injuries. Suppose you decide against getting care on the scene or being transported in an ambulance. In that case, you should still go to the emergency room right after to document your injuries and check for internal damage you might not have noticed.
You should also consider reporting the accident to the police when you call 911 if it makes sense under the circumstances. For instance, if you were injured in a car accident, you should report it to the police. They will investigate the accident, speak to witnesses, and make observations of the scene, all of which will be recorded in the collision report. Police reports often serve as great places to start building a personal injury claim.
In other cases, reporting the accident to the police might not be necessary but should be reported to someone. For instance, if you slip and fall while shopping at the grocery store, you should report it immediately to a manager on duty. They will typically record details like when the accident happened and what caused it. Our lawyers can recover business accident reports after filing your claim, as well as any internal communications made regarding the incident once the report was made.
Before leaving for the hospital, you should speak to any eyewitnesses who saw your accident. You do not need to get every detail they know, but be sure to get their contact information so our team can interview them and determine if their testimony supports your claim. You might also need to speak with the person who injured you, like after a car accident, but only exchange the necessary information with them.
Knowing Whether to Settle a Personal Injury Lawsuit or Go to Trial in Perry, GA
While most cases settle before going to trial, knowing when to resolve a claim can be challenging. A good settlement offer will take into account the various economic and non-economic damages you have suffered and should be rejected if it does not.
For instance, you should not accept a settlement offer that does not include compensation for all your provable medical expenses and lost income. Settlements should also provide for non-economic losses, like for your physical pain and emotional suffering. Non-economic damages are subjective since they are based on your experiences, so they tend to be the issue most negotiated over during settlement talks.
If an insurance company refuses to pay all the compensation we are demanding, we can discuss whether you find the latest offer sufficient or worth it to continue to trial. If we go to trial, our team will take the evidence used during settlement negotiations and organize it so that it is prepared to be presented in court.
Contact Our Perry, GA Personal Injury Attorneys Today for Help Recovering Compensation for Your Losses
Call Rice Law at (470) 287-3070 to get your free case review with our personal injury lawyers.