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When you’re involved in an accident in Ellenwood, the aftermath can be overwhelming. You may have to deal with hospital bills, time away from work, changes in your personal life, and a lot more. The accident can take an emotional, physical, and financial toll on virtually every aspect of your life.
A personal injury occurs any time there is an accident that harms you mentally or physically. When the cause of that injury was someone else’s wrongdoing or fault, a potential legal claim arises. It does not have to be completely their fault, but it should be at least partially someone else’s error. When those situations occur, it’s best to call an Ellenwood personal injury lawyer to help you review your legal options.
John Foy & Associates has been helping personal injury victims for over two decades. We know the system—and the law—inside and out. Our team can be an invaluable guide for you during this difficult time. We can help you not only navigate your legal claim, but also get you in touch with the right medical care and other resources that will make your life easier after an accident. Let us give you a free consultation. Call us at 404-400-4000 and get your free consultation today.
How Do I know If I Have a Personal Injury Case?
A personal injury case arises any time that you’re hurt (sometimes either physically or mentally, or both) by someone else’s actions. A situation that causes a personal injury may actually be much more common than you think. Even something as simple as tripping over a neighbor’s rake may trigger a personal injury lawsuit.
Some of the most common examples of personal injury cases include:
- Car accidents
- Truck crashes
- Assaults in a public location (like an apartment complex or gas station parking lot)
- Nursing home abuse
- Slip and fall accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Uninsured motorist claims
- Dog bites
- Bus accidents
This is only a sample of potential areas where a personal injury situation might arise. Just because your case doesn’t fit into a specific category of claims doesn’t mean you don’t have a legitimate case. The best way to find out if you have a personal injury case is to talk with an attorney in your area who knows Georgia personal injury law—like John Foy & Associates.
One of the most-often overlooked requirements of any personal injury case is damages. You may have been inconvenienced or upset by what happened, for example, but that alone is not enough for a personal injury case. The most common type of damage in a personal injury case is physical damage to your person, which is where this type of case gets its name. Generally, a trip to the hospital is enough “harm” to constitute a valid personal injury claim.
Who Is Involved in a Personal Injury Case?
When you begin a lawsuit, your personal injury case will be against the person or entity that caused you harm. In an auto accident case in Ellenwood, for example, your suit will generally be against the person driving the car. But, it could also be against others, as well.
Most insurance policies include a provision that states that they will defend their insured (often, the driver of the vehicle) in any situation where they are accused of causing harm. The insurance policy involved also likely has a limit that states how much it will pay for claims like yours. Money only comes directly from the at-fault person if the policy limits are not high enough to address your damages. So, even when your suit is against the driver, it’s the insurance company that is really calling all of the shots.
What Kind of Damages Are Available in a Personal Injury Case?
The term “damages” refers to the money that you can get through your personal injury lawsuit. These funds are designed to reimburse you for the losses you have suffered because of the accident. The amount of money that you may be able to receive is directly related to how much you lost due to the accident.
Some of the most common types of damages include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Essentially, any type of loss that you or your family experienced because of the accident should be discussed with your personal injury lawyer. You may be able to present evidence of these damages in court to recover for them.
How Long Do I Have to Start a Personal Injury Case?
Most personal injury cases in Georgia have a statute of limitations of two years. That means you must start your lawsuit within two years of the date of your injury. If you don’t follow this rule, your case will likely be dismissed and you won’t have any options to recover for your losses.
It’s important that you speak with an attorney long before this deadline to ensure they have enough time to investigate and prepare your case properly. Your attorney will want to immediately do the following when you start a case:
- Set up an interview or phone call with you to go over the facts of your case
- Obtain witness testimony and other information
- Get police reports
- Obtain photos of the accident, whether that is of the vehicles or the location where the accident took place
- Speak with the insurance company that will be defending the case
- Gather information about your damages, including lost time from work and medical expenses
This process can take a significant amount of time, so it is a good idea to talk to an attorney as soon as you can after an accident occurs.
Talk to an Ellenwood Personal Injury Lawyer for Free
If you were the victim of an accident, whether it’s a car accident, a slip and fall, or something else, you may have legal options—and you can explore those for free. Let the team at John Foy & Associates help you determine what your next steps should be after an injury. We’ll give you a FREE consultation. Call us at 404-400-4000, or fill out the form to your right to get your free consultation today.
