At any moment, someone else’s negligent or reckless actions can cause a serious accident, leaving you with medical bills you can’t afford to pay. While filing a personal injury claim allows you to collect compensation for your monetary and non-economic losses, victims are often understandably confused by the complexity of the system and unsure how to proceed. Below are a few questions you might have about protecting your rights in such a case.

Common Inquiries About Personal Injury Claims

Should I Accept the Insurer’s Settlement Offer?

It’s not uncommon for insurance companies to approach victims with a settlement offer, sometimes before they’ve filed a claim. While the adjuster may seem sympathetic to your situation, these initial offers are almost always designed to minimize the insurer’s losses, not fairly compensate you for yours. In general, it’s best to avoid communicating with them until you’ve consulted with a personal injury attorney.

What Can I Claim Compensation For?

At a bare minimum, your injury settlement should reimburse you for income lost as a result of the accident and cover the costs of medical treatment. Depending on the severity of the situation, an attorney may also claim compensation for your pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and the impact on your quality of life.

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

Each state places strict time limits for bringing an injury claim to court, after which you may lose your right to compensation. In Georgia, for instance, victims must file a claim within two years of their accident or the date they learned of their injury.

Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Personal injury law is complex, and insurance companies employ a variety of strategies to minimize payments to accident victims. Hiring a personal injury attorney is the best way to ensure that the liable parties are held accountable and you get the compensation you deserve.

From their offices in Dalton, GA, Goddard & Hammontree LLC provides aggressive representation and sound legal advice to accident victims throughout the Atlanta area. Their personal injury attorneys devote attention to each client, so you’ll always work directly with a lawyer, not a paralegal or assistant. Visit the website for more on how they can help after an accident, or call (706) 278-0464 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.