If you live in Georgia and have recently been in an accident that took place due to someone else’s negligence, hiring a personal injury lawyer to file a claim against the at-fault party can help you recover damages. Bringing the right attorney on board is necessary — one who has not only the expertise but also experience to protect your rights and present your case in the best light to get you maximum compensation for your injuries.
Personal Injury Claims in Georgia
In Georgia, injured individuals have a two-year deadline to file a lawsuit and claim damages from the at-fault party. The state follows a comparative fault rule, which allows the injured party to recover damages from the at-fault party only if they are less than 50% responsible for the incident. The compensation in every claim is based on many factors, such as total medical expenses, lost income, psychological suffering, etc.
8 Questions to Ask Your Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer
Before you hire a personal injury lawyer, have an initial consultation to ask the following key questions to make the best choice for your case.
1. How Many Similar Cases Have You Handled and What Were the Results?
Ask your lawyer about their track record with cases like yours, and for the exact number and the success rate, to understand whether they’ll be the right fit for your matter. A lawyer who has already handled many other cases like yours will have ready strategies to tackle your matter.
2. What Is Your Fee Structure?
This is an important question because most personal injury lawyers in Georgia use a contingency fee structure, meaning they only charge you if you get compensation. As per industry standards, they might charge 33⅓% for out-of-court settlements and about 40% for cases that go to trial, as trials take more time and require strict adherence to court procedures.
3. What Is the Value of My Case, and What Strategy Will You Follow to Prove the Defendant Was At Fault?
Based on the case facts, the lawyer should be able to provide you with an estimate of the compensation that can be claimed. Ask them about their strategy for proving the other party at fault and maximizing your case’s worth. Most lawyers submit a demand letter prior to filing the lawsuit, so if that’s their plan of action, dig for its details.
4. How Quickly Can I Expect the Results?
This is not an indication of impatience; it’s simply about having foresight about the duration of the case. Based on the cases they’ve handled in the past, the lawyer should be able to say how long it might take from filing to resolution.
5. Are There Any Facts Related to My Case That Worry You?
Personal injury cases always have some hidden challenges, so it’s important that your lawyer identifies any early on. If a challenge comes up, and they don’t have an action plan, it might slow down the case and make it harder for you to win.
6. Who Will Be Handling the Case, You or Someone Else?
Sometimes, lawyers will take on multiple cases at the same time and not be able to devote enough time to many. As a workaround, they might pawn off your case to a less experienced colleague. You don’t want that.
7. How Do You Manage Client Communication?
How the lawyer communicates will tell you if working with them will be hard or easy. Someone who is committed to transparency will value your peace of mind and make honest efforts to keep you on top of your case at all times.
8. How Will You Decide If We Should Settle the Case or Go to Trial?
Asking your attorney this question is necessary so that you understand their reason for choosing to litigate or settle a case. They might make this decision before any settlement offer is received, and might even test the insurance company’s willingness to negotiate, especially in complex cases where the fault might be disputed.
The Bottom Line
Many people hesitate to inquire about the credentials of the lawyers they engage, but you don’t have to be one of them. Do your research to shortlist the best attorneys in the state, read client testimonials on their websites, conduct thorough due diligence, and come up with your own set of questions to ask. After all, it is your case they will be handling, so it is important that you remain actively involved from the start.
