FAQ
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Legal Answers You Need
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General personal injury questions
What qualifies as a personal injury case in Georgia?
A personal injury case arises when an individual suffers harm because another person or entity acted negligently, recklessly, or intentionally. Personal injury law allows victims to pursue financial compensation for the damages they suffered as a result of the incident.
Common examples of personal injury cases in Georgia include:
• Car accidents
• Truck and commercial vehicle accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
• Premises liability incidents such as slip-and-fall injuries
• Defective product injuries
• Catastrophic injuries
• Wrongful death claims
In these cases, the injured person may have the right to file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit against the party responsible for causing the accident.
Do I need a lawyer for a personal injury case in Georgia?
While Georgia law does not require you to hire a lawyer to pursue a personal injury claim, having experienced legal representation can significantly improve your chances of recovering fair compensation.
Personal injury cases often involve complex issues such as:
• Investigating the cause of the accident
• Gathering medical records and evidence
• Determining liability among multiple parties
• Negotiating with insurance companies
• Calculating long-term damages
• Preparing a case for trial if necessary
Insurance companies frequently attempt to minimize payouts or deny valid claims. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can advocate for your rights and work to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
What damages can I recover in a personal injury claim?
If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover compensation for a wide range of damages. These damages are generally divided into two categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.
Economic damages may include:
• Medical bills and hospital expenses
• Rehabilitation and therapy costs
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Property damage
• Future medical treatment
Non-economic damages may include:
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Permanent disability or disfigurement
In some cases involving particularly reckless behavior, punitive damages may also be available under Georgia law.
What is the average settlement for a car accident in Georgia?
Settlement amounts for Georgia car accidents vary greatly, ranging from a few thousand dollars to $75,000 or more. The amount of compensation you can potentially get depends on several factors, such as:
- The severity of your injuries
- How many vehicles were involved in the accident
- If the responsible party was driving a commercial vehicle
- Extent of the property damage
- If the accident leaves you disabled and unable to work
Our car accident attorneys will thoroughly assess your accident and calculate the damages you’ve suffered to arrive at a fair settlement amount for you. Some expenses, like hospital bills, are easy to factor. Others, like trauma preventing you from getting behind the wheel again, aren’t so straightforward. The Scott Pryor Law Group has experience assessing damages and we can determine how much you may be entitled to.
After an accident
What should I do immediately after an accident?
1. Stay calm
2. Call the police
3. Don’t leave before you have a police report number
4. Take pictures
5. Exchange information with the other driver
6. Exchange information with any witnesses
7. Seek medical attention
8. Don’t talk to the other person’s insurance without first talking to The Scott Pryor Law Group!
What should I NOT do after an accident?
1. Don’t post on social media
2. Don’t give the other insurance company a statement
3. Don’t admit fault
4. Don’t leave the scene of an accident before everything has been documented
5. Don’t tell the police you’re OK (often times you have delayed symptoms and are in shock)
Should I talk to the insurance company after an accident?
Insurance companies often contact accident victims shortly after an incident to gather information or offer a settlement. While it is acceptable to report the accident, you should exercise caution when speaking with insurance adjusters.
Insurance companies may attempt to:
• Obtain recorded statements that can be used against you
• Encourage quick settlements before the full extent of your injuries is known
• Minimize the value of your claim
Before providing detailed statements or accepting an offer, it is often wise to consult with a personal injury lawyer who can help protect your interests.
What if the accident was not my fault?
If another person’s negligence caused your injuries, you may have the right to pursue compensation through an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Liability may fall on an individual driver, property owner, business, or other responsible party depending on the circumstances of the accident.
An attorney can investigate the incident, collect evidence, and determine who may be legally responsible for your injuries.
Compensation and Settlements
Can I recover compensation for pain and suffering?
Yes. Georgia law allows injury victims to seek compensation for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering.
Pain and suffering damages may account for:
• Physical pain caused by the injury
• Emotional trauma and mental distress
• Anxiety, depression, or psychological impacts
• Reduced quality of life
• Permanent limitations on daily activities
Because these damages are subjective, insurance companies often attempt to minimize them. An experienced attorney can help present evidence demonstrating the true impact of the injury.
What types of injuries qualify for compensation?
Personal injury claims may involve a wide range of physical and emotional injuries. Some of the most common injuries involved in personal injury cases include:
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones and fractures
• Soft-tissue injuries such as sprains or ligament damage
• Internal injuries
• Burns and lacerations
• Psychological trauma
The severity of the injury and its long-term effects will often play a significant role in determining the value of the claim.
Will my personal injury case settle or go to trial?
Many personal injury cases are resolved through settlement negotiations with insurance companies before reaching trial. Settlements can often provide compensation more quickly while avoiding the uncertainty of litigation.
However, if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, filing a lawsuit and preparing for trial may be necessary. An experienced attorney can guide you through the legal process and determine the best course of action for your case.
Georgia Personal Injury Law
How long do I have to file a personal injury lawsuit in Georgia?
Under Georgia law, the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury. This means that victims typically have two years to file a lawsuit against the responsible party.
Failing to file within this time period may result in losing the right to pursue compensation. Certain exceptions may apply depending on the circumstances of the case, which is why it is important to seek legal guidance as soon as possible.
Can I still recover compensation if I was partially at fault?
Georgia follows a legal rule known as modified comparative negligence. Under this rule, an injured person may still recover damages if they were partially responsible for the accident, as long as they were less than 50 percent at fault.
However, the amount of compensation may be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to the injured party.
What happens if the at-fault driver does not have insurance?
If the driver responsible for your injuries does not carry adequate insurance coverage, you may still have options for recovering compensation. These options may include:
• Filing a claim through your uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage
• Identifying additional liable parties
• Pursuing legal action against the responsible driver
An attorney can evaluate your situation and determine the most effective strategy for pursuing compensation.
Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer
How much does it cost to hire a personal injury attorney?
Most personal injury attorneys in Georgia use a contingency fee pricing structure. That means that they only make money with your case if you get awarded a settlement. If you do get a settlement, the attorney usually charges between 33–40% of the final amount.
Many car accident lawyers will say “we don’t get paid unless you do” — and this contingency fee structure is why. It also means your attorney is invested in your case’s success. Our team takes every car accident case seriously, treating you like family and working diligently to get you the justice you’re owed.
How long does a personal injury case take?
Personal injury claims in Georgia can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to get resolved. For minor accidents, the matter could be settled in just a few months. For more severe accidents that lead to serious injuries, the process could last much longer.
Personal injury claims in Georgia usually get resolved in one of two ways:
- With a settlement between the opposing parties
- At trial
The majority of cases are settled before they need to go to court. You and the at-fault party will come to an agreement that usually includes compensation for you. However, some cases don’t get resolved this way and must go to trial before a judge or jury.
Cases that go to trial can continue for many months and even years. At The Scott Pryor Law Group, our attorneys prepare every case for trial, so we’re ready to represent you if that’s what happens. We understand the process can feel long and drawn-out at times, and we’re here to support you and provide guidance every step of the way.
How do I choose the right personal injury lawyer?
You don’t want to work with just any personal injury attorney. You want someone who treats you like family, who’s willing to take your case all the way to court — and win. You want an attorney that will actually return your calls and emails and explain every step of your personal injury claim, ensuring you always have the most relevant information to make the best decisions.
Get Recommendations
Ask for recommendations from friends, family, and colleagues. If someone you know was in a wreck or experienced a personal injury, ask if they had attorney representation and what their experience was.
Do Your Research
Research personal injury attorneys online by checking their websites, reviews, and more. Their website will tell you what kind of cases they take on and reviews on Google, social media, and other review sites will let you know what other people’s experiences were.
Ask the Right Questions
When searching for an attorney for your Atlanta car accident claim, consider asking them the following questions:
- How long will my case take?
- What is my case worth?
- Who will handle my case?
- What are your fees?
- Do you think my case will go to trial?
- Have you handled cases like mine before? How’d they work out?
- What damages do you think I can recover?
- How should I handle the insurance company and adjusters?
- What kind of strategy will you use for my case?
- How will I be able to stay in touch with you as my case is ongoing?
- What will you need from me throughout the case?
If you want to hire a compassionate attorney who keeps your best interests as their top priority throughout the entire process, you should work with The Scott Pryor Law Group. We take the time to answer all your questions and ensure you fully understand the process.
Practice Area-Specific Questions
What are the most common causes of car accidents in Georgia?
Motor vehicle accidents may occur for many reasons, including driver negligence and unsafe road conditions. Some of the most common causes of accidents include:
• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Reckless or aggressive driving
• Failure to obey traffic signals or right-of-way laws
Understanding the cause of the accident is an important step in determining liability.
Do truck accident cases involve different laws?
Yes. Truck accident cases often involve additional legal complexities because commercial trucking companies and drivers must comply with federal and state safety regulations.
These cases may involve:
• Federal trucking regulations
• Commercial insurance policies
• Driver logbooks and maintenance records
• Multiple potentially liable parties
Because of these complexities, truck accident cases often require a more detailed investigation.
Can bicyclists recover compensation after an accident in Georgia?
Bicyclists injured due to negligent drivers may pursue compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost income, rehabilitation costs, and pain and suffering.
Drivers are required to share the road safely with bicyclists, and failure to do so may result in liability for injuries caused.
What damages can pedestrian accident victims recover?
Pedestrian accident victims may recover compensation for a variety of damages, including:
• Medical treatment and hospital expenses
• Rehabilitation and therapy costs
• Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Long-term disability or permanent injury
These cases often involve serious injuries because pedestrians have little protection when struck by a vehicle.
What is a premises liability claim?
A premises liability claim arises when a property owner fails to maintain reasonably safe conditions for visitors.
Common premises liability cases may involve:
• Slip and fall accidents
• Unsafe walkways or stairs
• Inadequate lighting
• Negligent security
• Dangerous property conditions
Property owners may be held responsible when their negligence leads to injuries on their property.
What is considered wrongful death in Georgia?
Wrongful death occurs when a person dies as a result of another party’s negligence, reckless behavior, or intentional wrongdoing. Georgia law allows certain surviving family members to pursue a wrongful death claim seeking compensation for the full value of the deceased person’s life.
These claims may arise from accidents such as vehicle collisions, dangerous property conditions, or other negligent acts.
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Our Referral Policy for Legal Partnerships
Legal firms across the nation regularly reach out to us for assistance with their clients’ specialized cases. We value those trusting relationships and carefully work collaboratively to maximize our firm’s resources and expertise in order to best serve the clients. If you’d like to discuss the possibility of referring a potential case to us, please call us at 470-777-9995.
For Referring Lawyers
The Scott Pryor Law Group accepts referrals for a wide variety of personal injury cases, including trucking accidents, automobile accidents, motorcycle and bicycle accidents, unsafe premises cases and many more.
Each case is different and we take special care to make customized arrangements depending on each individual cases’ circumstances. It’s just another reason why so many firms trust us to maximize the results for their clients.