Savannah Personal Injury Lawyers

A personal injury lawsuit is a civil lawsuit in which the injured party sues the negligent party for compensatory damages after they were harmed.

Some of the most common types of personal injury accidents include:

• Car Accidents
• Trucking Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Slips and Falls
• Medical Malpractice
• Work Injuries

If you were involved in one of these types of accidents and are suffering an injury, a personal injury attorney is the best way to ensure that you receive compensation.

Hiring a personal injury attorney will not cost you any upfront fees because they work on a contingency fee basis. A contingency fee basis means that your attorneys only collect a small percentage from your final settlement.

Working on contingency is very beneficial to clients because they can rest assured knowing that their attorney will do everything in their power to maximize their settlement.

If you are involved in a personal injury accident, much can be included in your settlement, though it depends on the type of accident. In most personal injury cases, settlement amounts include compensation for:

• Property Damage
• Medical Bills
• Loss of Wages
• Pain and Suffering
• Emotional Pain or Loss of Enjoyment
• Loss of Consortium

It is important to have an experienced team evaluate your case to determine what should be included in your settlement and ensure that you get maximum compensation. 

Types of Compensation

The type of claim, amount of damage, the extent of injuries, and the amount of insurance coverage, will determine the value of your case. 

The amount of compensation awarded can range from thousands to even millions of dollars. Your Savannah Attorney will most likely include the following types of expenses during settlement negotiations: 

• Out-of-Pocket Expenses:  Anything incurred as a direct result of the accident. For example, in car accidents where your car was totaled, you would need a rental car or taxi service. This includes any expenses you would have never incurred if the accident had not happened.
• Medical Expenses: No matter the severity of your injuries, you are owed compensation for your medical care and pain and suffering. Your attorney will demand reimbursement for your treatments, prescriptions, and other medical bills. 
• Lost Income: This includes lost wages from having to miss work as a direct result of your accident. This may also include future wages if you cannot return to work due to your accident. A letter from your employer stating your pay rate and hours lost or will lose is required.
• Property Damage: Any damage to property due to the accident, including physical property, such as a car or motorcycle.
• Pain and Suffering: After an accident, you can be compensated for the physical and emotional stress that the accident caused. 
• Loss of Consortium: If a loved one is injured, it affects more than just them. If your marital relationship suffered due to the accident, you might be able to claim loss of consortium.

Personal injury lawsuits can vary when it comes to the period of time it will take to settle. You should never rush to receive fair compensation.

First, it depends on how soon after your accident you contact an attorney and file your claim for damages.

Second, the severity of the accident and injuries can add on extra time. Insurance companies will wait until the victim is completely healed and all medical treatments are completed. Your attorney can set up a medical lien so that you do not have to pay your medical bills until your case is settled.

Finally, it depends on the size of the settlement and when you can get a court date. Some cases can be resolved within a few months. If you are going after a larger settlement and must go to trial, it will take longer.

There are set laws called "statute of limitations" that determine how long an individual has to file a claim after a specific accident.

In Georgia, the personal injury statute of limitations is two years for personal injury victims.

The two-year statute begins the day of your accident. If you do not file your claim within this window of time, the courts will not hear your case.

You will lose your right to claim both non-economic and economic damages.

The sooner you speak to an experienced attorney after your accident and file your claim, the greater the chance of a larger settlement you have.

Whiplash Injury

Whiplash occurs when the body moves forward and backward at high speeds causing the muscles and ligaments to stretch.

Symptoms of whiplash may include pain in the neck, headaches, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, fatigue, muscle weakness, numbness in the arms or legs, tingling sensations, loss of balance, memory problems, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and even paralysis.

Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injuries occur when there is trauma to the spinal column.

Symptoms of spinal cord injury may include weakness, numbness, tingling, burning sensation, pain, paresthesia, bowel and bladder dysfunction, sexual dysfunction, spasticity, sleep disturbance, cognitive impairment, seizures, and coma.

Brain Damage

Brain damage is the third most common type of injury following neck and back injuries. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are also a result of these types of accidents.

There are many different types of TBI including contusions, lacerations, fractures, hematomas, edema, hemorrhages, and traumatic brain swelling. These devastating injuries are generally associated with blunt force trauma, falls, and motor vehicle crashes.

Common symptoms of brain damage include headache, confusion, disorientation, difficulty thinking, slurred speech, inability to remember things, lack of coordination, visual impairments, and hearing loss.

Concussion

A concussion occurs when the brain moves inside the skull after being hit by an external force.

Most people who suffer from concussions have no symptoms at first. However, if left untreated, it may cause permanent damage to the brain.

Symptoms of concussion include headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, fatigue, irritability, memory loss, confusion, depression, and difficulty concentrating.

Broken Bones

A broken bone or fracture is any break in the continuity of a bone. Fractures occur when the body experiences extreme trauma, such as a car accident.

If not treated properly, fractures can lead to serious complications including infection, deformity, and disability.

Common types of fractured bones include wrist, ankle, elbow, hip, knee, ribs, and shoulders.

Sprains and Strains

Sprains and strains are injuries caused by sudden twisting motion of joints. These injuries often result in pain and swelling.

Sprains and strains usually happen in the ankles, wrists, elbows, knees, neck, back, shoulders, and fingers.

Burn Injuries

Burns are injuries where the skin is damaged by heat.

Skin burns can range from superficial to deep depending on how long they last and what type of burn they are. Superficial burns involve only the top layer of the skin while deep burns go deeper than the skin.