How Can I Prove Negligence in a Georgia Personal Injury Claim?
So how exactly do you prove the other party was negligent in your Georgia personal injury claim?
At Geiger Legal Group, LLC, our Dalton personal injury lawyers can help you collect the following types of evidence to support your case:
Physical evidence – Examples of physical evidence that could be useful include the clothing you were wearing when the incident occurred, any tools or weapons involved, your damaged vehicle, or any defective products or drugs you used.
Evidence from the accident scene – If you were injured in a single incident, evidence from the scene can be extremely important to your claim. This type of evidence may include photos of the scene, video footage of the incident occurring, and documentation of hazardous conditions.
Evidence of your injuries – Demonstrating the nature and extent of your injuries is one of the most critical elements in a personal injury claim. Your medical records are typically a vital source of evidence, so it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible after an accidental injury.
Evidence of your financial losses – You’ll also need documentation of any financial losses you suffered due to your injuries. This includes copies of your medical bills, receipts from travel to medical appointments, and pay stubs or bank statements to show reductions in income.
Other documentation – Depending on the circumstances, different types of documentation that could support your case include police traffic crash reports, workplace injury reports, and other types of official accident reports.
Eyewitness statements – If any eyewitnesses were present when your injuries occurred, their testimony can be a valuable addition to your claim. Statements from a third-party eyewitness with no interest in the outcome of your case are more likely to be considered unbiased and reliable.
Expert witness testimony – Expert witnesses, such as medical professionals and accident reconstruction specialists, can also provide useful evidence for a personal injury claim. These experts can examine the facts of a case to draw insightful conclusions about how and why your injuries occurred.
What Should I Do After Suffering an Injury from an Accident?
When you suffer an unexpected injury, it can feel like your whole world is upside-down. In the shock of the immediate aftermath, you may be unsure of what to do next. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to protect your rights and get your recovery off to a good start:
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible and follow your doctor’s recommended care plan
- Attend all follow-up medical appointments as scheduled
- Gather as much evidence as possible, including photos or video footage of the scene and statements from eyewitnesses
- If necessary, report the accident to your employer, the property owner, or your local police
- Document everything you can remember about the incident and record daily observations about your injuries in a “pain journal”
- Watch what you say to others about the incident, and especially avoid apologizing or admitting fault for any aspect of your injuries
- Keep your statements brief, truthful, and to the point when you speak to the insurance company
- Never guess or estimate when answering questions from the insurance company and never agree to provide a recorded statement
- Avoid sharing or posting any photos or comments on social media while your injury case is pending
- Contact a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer as soon as possible for a free initial consultation
Compensation Available in Georgia Personal Injury Claims
With the help of an experienced Dalton personal injury lawyer, you could recover compensation for the following types of losses in a personal injury case:
- Medical bills
- Incidental costs
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Lost quality of life
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims in Georgia
Like all states, Georgia imposes strict limits on the amount of time you have to take legal action after suffering an injury or other loss. These time limits are outlined in § 9-3-33 of the Georgia statute of limitations, which gives you up to two years to file for most types of personal injury cases.
This two-year period typically begins on the date when you originally sustained the injury. If you don’t file a personal injury lawsuit before the deadline, you will likely no longer be able to pursue legal action, no matter how strong your case may be.
Contact Our Experienced Personal Injury Attorneys in Dalton, GA Today
The dedicated legal team at Geiger Legal Group, LLC in Dalton, GA is eager to review your situation and how we can help you achieve the best outcome possible. Contact us today to discuss your legal options with a knowledgeable Dalton personal injury attorney in a free initial case review.