Personal Injury Questions Answered

Call 911, get medical attention, and make sure a police report is made. If you can, take photos of the scene, the vehicles, and your injuries, and collect contact information from the other driver and any witnesses. Avoid discussing fault, and don't give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company. Then talk with a lawyer as soon as possible so evidence can be preserved. For the weeks that follow, see our car accident checklist.

Yes. Some injuries, including concussions, internal injuries, and soft tissue damage, can take hours or days to show symptoms. Seeing a doctor promptly protects your health and creates a medical record linking your injuries to the accident. Waiting can give the insurance company a reason to argue that something else caused your injuries.

You don't have to, and it's usually best not to before speaking with a lawyer. Adjusters are trained to ask questions that can be used to reduce or deny your claim, and you aren't required to give them a recorded statement. You can politely decline and refer them to your attorney.

It's best not to. Insurance companies may review your public social media to look for photos, posts, or comments they can use to argue your injuries aren't serious. Avoid posting about the accident, your injuries, or your activities while your case is open. Don't delete existing posts, though. Talk with your lawyer about your accounts instead.

Many clients feel more comfortable working with a lawyer who shares their background and understands their community. That comfort leads to honest, open conversations about how an injury has affected your life, and that full story is what insurance companies and juries need to hear. At The Adebayo Law Firm, you'll be treated with respect and represented by someone who understands what's at stake for you and your family.

Your consultation is free, and there's no obligation to hire us. We'll listen to what happened, answer your questions, and explain your options.

No. Georgia lawyers can represent clients anywhere in the state. From our Atlanta office, we represent injured people throughout the metro area, including Marietta, Lawrenceville, Decatur, and many other communities.

Bring whatever you have, such as the police report, photos of the scene and your injuries, insurance information for everyone involved, medical records and bills, letters or emails from insurance companies, and names of witnesses. If you don't have these yet, that's okay. We can help you gather them.

We keep you informed from start to finish. You'll get updates as your case moves forward, and when you have questions, we answer them in plain language. Communication is one of the things our clients mention most in their reviews.

In most cases, Georgia gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit, and four years for damage to your property. Waiting too long can permanently end your right to recover, so it's best to speak with a lawyer well before the deadline. Read our full guide to the Georgia statute of limitations.

Claims against government entities come with much shorter notice deadlines. Claims against a city generally require written notice within six months, and claims against a county or the State of Georgia within twelve months. This can apply to crashes with government vehicles or injuries on public property, like sidewalks and government buildings.

Yes, as long as you were less than 50% at fault. Georgia follows a modified comparative fault rule, which reduces your compensation by your share of the fault. If you were 20% at fault, your recovery is reduced by 20%. If you are found 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover. Learn more about Georgia's comparative fault rule.

Yes. In Georgia, the driver who caused the crash, and their insurance company, is responsible for paying for the injuries and damage. Your claim is usually made against the at-fault driver's liability insurance. Learn more about how we handle car accident cases.

A surviving spouse has the first right to file, followed by the children, then the parents. If none survive, the personal representative of the estate can file on behalf of the next of kin. Learn more about wrongful death claims. See our guide on who can file a wrongful death claim.

You may be able to recover through your own uninsured motorist coverage, if you have it. This coverage protects you when an at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough to cover your injuries. We can review your policy to see what's available.

Georgia's minimum liability coverage is $25,000 per person for injuries, which is often not enough for a serious injury. Your own underinsured motorist coverage may help make up the difference, and other parties may share responsibility. We look for every source of coverage that applies to your case.

Usually not without talking to a lawyer first. Early offers often come before you know the full extent of your injuries, and accepting one generally means signing a release that ends your claim for good. Our case results show how far apart first offers and final settlements can be.

In the meantime, bills are often paid through your health insurance, medical payments coverage on your auto policy, or providers who agree to wait for payment until your case resolves. Health insurers may seek reimbursement from your settlement. We help you understand your options so you can keep getting the care you need.

It depends on your medical bills, lost income, how your injuries affect your daily life, whether your injuries are permanent, and the insurance coverage available. No honest lawyer can promise a specific amount at the start, but after reviewing your case, we can give you a realistic picture of what it may be worth.

Depending on your case, you may recover past and future medical expenses, lost wages, reduced earning ability, property damage, and pain and suffering. In cases involving especially reckless conduct, such as drunk driving, Georgia law may also allow punitive damages.

Simpler cases can resolve within a few months after medical treatment is finished. Cases involving serious injuries, disputed fault, multiple parties, or a lawsuit can take a year or longer. We'll give you a realistic timeline based on your situation.

Most personal injury cases settle without a trial. We prepare every case as if it will go to court, which puts you in a stronger position when negotiating. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair amount, we're prepared to file a lawsuit and try your case.

Under federal tax law, compensation for physical injuries is generally not taxable income. Some portions of a recovery, such as punitive damages and interest, may be taxable. Because every situation is different, talk with a tax professional about your specific settlement.

Truck cases involve federal safety regulations, larger insurance policies, more potential defendants, and electronic evidence like driving logs and black box data that can disappear quickly. They usually require faster action and more investigation. Learn more about truck accident cases.

If you were a passenger during a trip, the rideshare company's insurance generally provides at least $1,000,000 in liability coverage. If another driver caused the crash, that driver's insurance may also be responsible. Learn more about Uber and Lyft accident cases. Read more about who pays after a rideshare accident.

No. In Georgia, you generally need to show the owner knew or should have known about the hazard, and that you didn't know about it despite being reasonably careful. Strong evidence, like surveillance video and inspection records, often makes the difference. Learn more about slip and fall cases.