Every personal injury claim is unique, so beware of lawyers who guarantee you a certain amount of settlement for your Georgia personal injury claim. At S. Burke Law, we can provide an estimate of the range of damages you might qualify for after we talk with you and investigate your case.
Tossing out a number with a guarantee without taking those steps is like throwing a dart at a dartboard. As a matter of integrity, we do not make unfounded promises.
Why Personal Injury Settlement Amounts Vary
Multiple factors can affect the amount of money damages you can get for your personal injury claim. For example:
- Two people riding in the same car can have vastly different injuries from a collision. A person who was wearing a seatbelt might walk away from a crash with only scrapes and bruises, but a person who got hurled through the windshield and ejected from the car might die from his injuries.
- People with similar injuries might heal differently because of underlying health issues. A person with severe diabetes might struggle with wound healing and have to undergo amputation for a foot injury that another person might recuperate from without complications.
- When a personal injury claim does not settle, it can become a lawsuit. Judges and juries decide how much money people get as compensation in personal injury lawsuits, and the result in one lawsuit can be much higher or lower than in another.
Missing the Deadline Can Cost You Everything
If you got hurt because of someone else’s carelessness, you need to be aware that you have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit seeking money damages for your losses. If you miss the deadline, you can lose the right to compensation. There are some exceptions to the deadline. Call our office right away to protect your claim.
A Walk-Through of Personal Injury Settlement Negotiations
After we investigate your personal injury incident and gather the relevant documents, like the police report for a car crash, your medical records, and your employer’s documentation of your lost wages, we will calculate the value of your injury claim. We will review this analysis with you and explain how we came up with the range of numbers for settlement.
With your authorization, we will send the insurance company of the at-fault person a demand letter. This letter:
- Tells the insurer what their insured did that was negligent,
- Describes the harm you suffered, and
- Informs the insurance company of how your injuries have impacted your life and your ability to support yourself through employment.
The insurance company might ignore the demand letter, deny your claim, or make a counteroffer. Our responses can include things like collecting additional evidence to support your claim, engaging in further negotiations or filing a lawsuit. If we decide that the insurance company will not pay you a reasonable amount for your losses, we can file a lawsuit that asks the court to award you money damages.
Types of Personal Injury Damages in Georgia
The actual compensation you can pursue will depend on the facts of your case, but it can help to know the common types of losses that you can seek in Georgia personal injury claims. Some examples are:
- Medical expenses, for the reasonable cost of the treatment you needed for your injuries. These expenses can include things like the ambulance, emergency room, hospital, surgery, x-rays, lab work, diagnostic procedures, prescription drugs, and physical therapy.
- Lost wages, for the days you missed from work without pay because of the accident and your recuperation time. This category can include wages, salary, self-employment, and other documentable income.
- Rehabilitation center, if you needed extended treatment at a specialized facility for devastating injuries like spinal cord damage or traumatic brain injury.
- Diminished earning capacity, if you cannot make as much money as before the accident because of your injuries.
- Disability, if your injuries leave you incapable of supporting yourself through gainful employment.
- Long-term care, if catastrophic injuries leave you in need of ongoing daily assistance with medical treatment and personal care.
- Pain and suffering, for the physical discomfort and emotional distress you experienced.
- Other intangible losses, like long-term depression or anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life, and your spouse’s claim for loss of consortium.
- Wrongful death, if someone’s careless or intentional act took the life of your close relative.
Getting Help with Your Georgia Personal Injury Claim
The personal injury team at S. Burke Law helps people who get injured at the hands of others. We work hard to get you the compensation you deserve so that you can rebuild your life. When we take care of your legal matters, you can devote your energy and attention to your health and well-being.