Can I Still Get Compensation If I Was Partly to Blame for My Injuries?
Georgia law includes a “modified comparative negligence” rule. It can reduce or eliminate how much money you’re entitled to based on your share of fault in the accident that injured you. As long as you’re less than 50 percent responsible, you can recover compensation, but it will be reduced by your fault percentage.
Here’s an example of how this works. Say a drunk driver runs a red light and hits you, causing $200,000 in losses. If the jury finds you to be 30 percent at fault for speeding slightly, you’d be eligible to recover $140,000, which is 30 percent less than your total losses. However, if the jury determines you were 50 percent or more at fault, you won’t be allowed to recover anything.
Insurance companies take advantage of this rule aggressively. They’ll claim you weren’t paying attention, that you were speeding, or that you didn’t do everything you could to avoid the accident. Even when their client is obviously at fault, the insurer can come up with arguments that could push your percentage of fault higher. Having an attorney who understands these tactics and knows how to defeat them is crucial for protecting the amount of money you can recover.
How Long Do I Have in Georgia to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit?
Under state law, you have two years from your injury date to file a personal injury lawsuit in Georgia courts. If you miss this deadline, you won’t be able to seek compensation at all, even if you have a solid case.
Some situations modify this timeline. Injuries to minors might not start the time to file until they turn 18. Claims involving government entities often require notice within six months or less. In rare circumstances, the discovery of hidden injuries or fraud could extend deadlines.
Hiring an Augusta, GA personal injury lawyer soon after the accident matters for reasons beyond just filing deadlines. Witnesses might move away or forget important details. Security footage can get deleted. Evidence can disappear. Medical records may become harder to obtain. The sooner we at Dr. Ted Injury Law begin investigating and preserving evidence, the stronger your case becomes.
Get in touch with us today for your free, no-obligation case review and discover how we can make a difference in your personal injury claim.
How Long Does a Typical Personal Injury Case Last?
Because each accident case is different, the timeline can vary. Straightforward cases with clear liability and moderate injuries might settle within four to six months. Severe injury cases requiring extensive treatment often take 12 to 18 months. Complex cases involving multiple at-fault parties or disputes over who’s responsible for the accident can extend beyond two years.
Several other factors have an influence on the timing of your case, such as the following:
- The duration of your medical treatment
- The defendant’s insurance coverage and their willingness to negotiate
- Whether expert witnesses are necessary
- The court’s schedule, if the case must go to trial
Going to trial adds significant time, but it sometimes becomes necessary when the wrongdoers refuse to offer the kind of settlement that a case deserves. At Dr. Ted Injury Law, we strive to be as efficient as possible in fighting for maximum compensation. Quick settlements that shortchange your recovery help nobody except insurance companies. You deserve better.
What Are Common Personal Injury Cases?
We at Dr. ted Injury Law have strong experience in many types of personal injury cases, including the following:
- Car Accidents – Distracted drivers, speeders, and traffic law violators cause thousands of preventable crashes annually.
- Truck Accidents – Commercial vehicle collisions often result in catastrophic injuries due to size and weight differences.
- Motorcycle Accidents – Riders suffer severe injuries when drivers fail to watch for motorcycles sharing the road.
- Drunk-Driving Accident Injuries – Impaired driving crashes are entirely preventable and often qualify for punitive damages.
- Medical Malpractice – Healthcare providers who harm patients through negligence must answer for their mistakes.
- Wrongful Death – Families deserve justice and compensation when negligence takes their loved ones.
- Work-Related Injuries – Job site accidents may result in both workers’ compensation and third-party liability claims.
- Premises Liability – Property owners are responsible for injuries caused by dangerous conditions they have ignored.
- Slip-and-Fall Injuries – Hazardous surfaces, wet floors, inadequate lighting, and hidden dangers injure thousands yearly.
- Dog Bites – Pet owners must control their animals and compensate victims of attacks.
Even if your injury stems from something else, we encourage you to contact us today for a free case evaluation with a personal injury lawyer in Augusta, GA. If we can prove that another party is responsible for the harm you have suffered, we can work to hold them accountable.
What Types of Injuries Happen Due to Personal Injury Accidents?
Accidents cause injuries that range from temporary discomfort to permanent disability. Some of the most common injuries our firm has helped clients recover compensation for include the following:
- Head trauma, which disrupts brain function, potentially causes memory loss, personality changes, or cognitive impairment lasting years.
- Spinal cord injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis, with devastating results for every aspect of the victim’s life.
- Neck and back injuries create chronic pain that affects every daily activity.
- Fractures might seem straightforward, but they often require surgery, hardware implantation, and months of rehabilitation.
- Joint injuries can lead to early arthritis and eventual replacement surgeries.
- Internal organ damage creates immediate life-threatening emergencies and long-term health complications.
- Psychological injuries deserve as much attention as the physical ones. Post-traumatic stress, anxiety, and depression following accidents are real injuries requiring treatment. Many accident victims develop a driving phobia or cannot return to activities they previously enjoyed.
Dr. Ted’s medical expertise helps us identify injuries that others may overlook. He recognizes when “minor” injuries signal serious underlying damage. This knowledge allows us to know when to seek settlements that account for future surgeries, ongoing therapy, and permanent limitations, not just current medical bills.
Contact an Augusta, GA Personal Injury Lawyer Today
The road ahead can feel uncertain and even scary after an injury. Having the right legal team on your side, fighting the deep-pocketed insurance companies while you focus on healing, can make a world of difference.
Contact Dr. Ted Injury Law today for your free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced Augusta, GA personal injury attorney. You pay nothing for us to get started on your case, and there are no fees unless we successfully resolve your matter.
Don’t be misled — call Dr. Ted!
