Back and Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer in Savannah

Back and spinal cord injuries can result in paralysis, disability, and other lasting physical impediments. If you hurt your back due to someone else’s negligence, a Savannah personal injury lawyer can help you recover damages.

John Foy & Associates has been representing accident victims in Georgia since 1999. If you injured your back in an accident that wasn’t your fault, a back and spinal cord injury lawyer in Savannah can help you pursue compensation.

How a Savannah Back and Spinal Cord Injury Lawyer Can Help

A Savannah back and spinal cord injury lawyer from John Foy & Associates can help with many aspects of your claim.

Specifically, we will:

• Collect evidence: We will gather police reports, medical records, CCTV footage, witness testimony, and all of the other evidence you need to strengthen your claim.
• Calculate your damages: We will assess the severity of your accident, the extent of your injuries, legal precedent, and how much your symptoms have affected your life to determine your claim’s value.
• Negotiate with insurance companies: Insurers may dispute liability, question the severity of your condition, or offer less than your claim is worth. We will attempt to negotiate a settlement that reflects your losses.
• Take your case to court: If settlement negotiations fail, we will file a lawsuit and present your case in the State Court of Chatham County.
• Provide legal advice: We will answer all of your questions and inform you of all of your legal options.

How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer in Savannah Charge?

The Savannah personal injury lawyers at John Foy & Associates don’t charge anything upfront. Our lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means that if we can’t recover compensation for you, you don’t have to pay us.

There is no financial risk when you work with us. You could lose far more filing and negotiating your claim alone than if you did so with a strong lawyer by your side.

What is the Typical Settlement for a Spinal Cord Injury?

There is no typical settlement for a spinal cord injury because every case is unique. Compensation can range from thousands of dollars for minor injuries to hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars for catastrophic injuries.

Other factors that will affect the value of your claim include the circumstances of the accident, the severity of your condition, the available evidence, and the insurance coverage or other assets available to pay a settlement or judgment.

A back and spinal cord injury attorney in Savannah from John Foy & Associates can take on your case and help you pursue the maximum possible settlement.

Types of Damages for Back and Spinal Cord Injuries

There are two types of damages you need to be aware of for back and spinal cord injuries: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are easily calculated and typically have a fixed value. Examples include lost wages, medical expenses, vehicle repairs, and property damage. Non-economic damages, which are more difficult to quantify, include mental anguish, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Regardless of the damages you have, a back and spinal cord injury lawyer in Savannah from John Foy & Associates will help ensure that everything is accounted for before you file your claim.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim in Georgia?

You typically have two years from the date of a back injury to file a personal injury claim in Georgia under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33.

However, certain circumstances can change the deadline for your case. For instance, if your claim involves government agencies, delayed injuries, or wrongful death, a different statute of limitations may apply.

If you miss the applicable deadline, you will lose the right to recover compensation, which is why you should reach out to an attorney from John Foy & Associates as soon as possible.

What If I Was Partially At Fault?

You may still be able to recover compensation for a back or spinal cord injury if you were partially at fault. According to O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33, which enforces Georgia’s modified comparative negligence rule, you can recover damages as long as you are less than 50% responsible.

However, under this rule, if you share fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. In addition, if you are assigned 50% or more of the responsibility for the accident, you will be barred from recovering damages.

Insurance companies may try to shift blame to you to reduce their financial responsibility. An attorney from John Foy & Associates can help gather evidence to disprove these claims.

Common Causes of Back and Spinal Cord Injuries

Back injuries can occur in many settings, including roadways, construction sites, commercial properties, and private residences.

Common causes include:

• Car accidents: Crashes on I-16, I-95, Abercorn Street, and other Savannah roads can cause herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, and spinal cord damage.
• Truck accidents: Commercial truck crashes can generate tremendous force, resulting in severe spinal fractures, nerve damage, and other injuries that require extensive rehabilitation.
• Slip-and-fall accidents: Wet floors, uneven walkways, broken stairs, and poorly maintained properties can cause falls that damage the victim’s back or spinal cord.
• Workplace accidents: Falls from ladders, falling objects, heavy lifting, and unsafe equipment can cause serious back injuries.
• Motorcycle accidents: Riders have limited physical protection during collisions, increasing their risk of spinal fractures and nerve damage.
• Pedestrian and bicycle accidents: Being struck by a vehicle can cause severe trauma to the spine, particularly when the victim is thrown onto the pavement or into another object.
• Defective products: Faulty machinery, unsafe equipment, or defective vehicle components may contribute to spinal injuries.
• Medical negligence: Certain medical errors, including mistakes during surgery or treatment, can damage the spine or surrounding nerves.

What to Do After a Back Injury in Savannah

The steps you take after a major back injury can affect your ability to pursue compensation.

Be sure to:

• Report the accident: If you were involved in a serious car accident, notify the Savannah Police Department. If you were injured at a business or another property, report the incident to the owner or manager and request a copy of the incident report.
• Document the scene: If it is safe to do so, photograph the accident scene, hazardous conditions, your injuries, and any other relevant details.
• Talk to witnesses: Collect contact information from anyone who saw what happened.
• Get medical attention: Visit Memorial Health University Medical Center, Candler Hospital, or another nearby hospital to receive treatment and document your injuries.
• Keep records of your losses: Save medical bills, receipts, pay stubs, employment records, and documentation of missed work.
• Be careful when speaking with insurers: If your policy requires you to notify your insurer, avoid speculating about fault or the severity of your condition.
• Follow your doctor’s treatment plan: Attend all follow-up appointments and adhere to your doctor’s treatment plan.
• Consult an attorney: A lawyer from John Foy & Associates can break down the deadlines and evidence requirements that apply to your claim.

Talk to Our Savannah Back and Spinal Cord Injury Lawyers Today

A back injury can affect every part of your life. If you sustained one in an accident that wasn’t your fault, a Savannah back and spinal cord injury attorney from John Foy & Associates can assist with your claim, deal with the insurance company, and help secure the compensation you need to get back on your feet.

Book a free consultation to learn more about your legal options.