Personal Injury FAQs

Immediately. Georgia’s statute of limitations for personal injury is two years from the date of the crash (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33), but the most critical evidence—camera footage, black box data, witness memories—disappears quickly. Early attorney involvement directly affects the fault percentage outcome.

Under Georgia’s statute of limitations, most personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the date of the accident. There are exceptions — for example, when a government vehicle is involved — but waiting too long can permanently bar your right to compensation. If you have been injured in a motor vehicle collision, do not delay in consulting with a qualified Georgia personal injury attorney.

This is one of the most common insurance defense tactics. Georgia law uses the “eggshell plaintiff” doctrine — a defendant takes a victim as they find them. If a pre-existing condition was asymptomatic or stable before the accident, and the collision aggravated or accelerated it, the defendant is liable for that aggravation. A pre-existing condition does not eliminate your right to compensation; it may simply require more careful medical documentation to demonstrate the collision’s role in your current suffering.

Determining the value of a personal injury claim in Atlanta takes into consideration a number of factors. Medical expenses incurred as a result of the injury are a pressing issue for determining the value of a claim.

Some injuries are more expensive to treat than others, while some require ongoing treatment and care. The type of injury also matters on more than just a financial level, as many injuries are permanent and will mean lifelong changes and care.

Sometimes the types of negligence that occurred can have an effect on the value of the claim. In particularly egregious cases of negligence, punitive damages might be assigned as well. For example, a lawsuit involving a DUI or DWI might include punitive damages as a further deterrent to these actions.

No two cases are the same.  If you have any further questions, please give us a call at (844) 428-4529. That is 844-HAUG LAW. We look forward to speaking with you.

What to do when injured at work?

When you’re doing your job, you make sure that nobody, including yourself, could get hurt. But unfortunately, things don’t always go as planned, and now you’re suffering from an injury. By learning what to do when you are injured at work, as well as taking the right steps after your accident, you can get the compensation you deserve.

You may think that your only option is to file a workers’ compensation claim, which would involve seeking out benefits from your employer. But if your employer was not fully responsible for the accident, then going after workers’ comp is not your only option. You need a personal injury lawyer to step in and seek damages for you.

For more information, you can visit Haug Law Group’s Personal Injury Legal Definitions and Terms page, and then learn more about third-party workplace injuries.

What are third-party workplace injuries?

Third-party workplace injuries happen when you’re hurt on the job, but you and your employer aren’t fully responsible for the injury. Liable third parties could include:

• A client who comes into your office
• A partner or vendor your company does business with
• A random person who injures you when you’re outside of the office but still working

Here are some examples. Let’s say that you regularly take the company car to go to the post office and mail out packages for your employer. On one of your trips, a FedEx driver hit your vehicle and left you with injuries. Even though you were on the clock, you could hold the FedEx driver responsible and get a personal injury lawyer involved.

In another example, a vendor came into your workplace and dropped a heavy box on your foot. Now, you have a broken toe and your medical expenses are piling up. You could call a personal injury lawyer to help you pay for your expenses.

Just to clarify, if you are using a machine at work and it suddenly goes off the rails and hurts you, or a similar incident occurs, then you would need to file a workers’ compensation claim instead.

What To Do When You Are Injured at Work

If your injury isn’t too serious, the first thing you should do when you’re injured at work is to collect evidence. Stay on the scene and take notes about what happened. Gather witness statements from coworkers and anyone else who saw what transpired, and take photographs of what injured you as well as your injuries and any damage to your personal belongings.

If somebody injured you, then get their information, including their name, phone number, and the company they’re working for, if applicable. For instance, say that you were driving the company car when a FedEx driver hit you. You’d need the driver’s information.

You should also see if there was a security or traffic camera that captured what happened in case you need the footage to prove your claim.You should also alert your supervisor about what happened and insist you put the incident in writing. It’s a good idea to get a copy of the report. Don’t rely on a verbal exchange or agreement; get everything in writing every step of the way.

Whether you’re at work or running errands for your company, let your supervisor know what happened so you can generate a report. If you got into a car accident, then you should call the police as well so you have it on record.

It’s important to get medical treatment as soon as possible, or else the defendant’s insurance company could try to say that something else caused your injuries. Go to your nearest hospital and let the doctor know about any pain you are experiencing, even if it’s not so bad. You never know if back or neck pain, for example, could feel worse over time.

Also, ask your doctor to take X-rays to ensure there is no internal damage. If they give you a treatment plan, follow it accordingly.

If the defendant’s insurance company gets in touch with you to offer you a settlement, do not take it. It won’t be high enough to cover your medical bills and other expenses since insurance companies try to get away with paying out as little as possible.

Even if it seems like enough, you don’t know the extent of your injuries yet, so it’s best to hold off on asking for a settlement. Also, keep in mind that you don’t need to hand them over any information, but if you do, you can confirm basic details about the accident like when and where it occurred. Don’t mention your injuries, either, because this information could be used against you.

Rejecting a Defendant’s First Settlement Offer

After you get home from the hospital, the defendant’s insurance company might call you to find out details about what happened. Sometimes, they do this to try to blame the accident on you so that they won’t have to compensate you. Instead of providing details, it’s best to decline to speak to them.

Additionally, they might try to offer you a settlement so that you don’t get a personal injury lawyer involved. It’s critical that you don’t accept their offer. Insurance companies do not like paying people the proper compensation, so their offer is going to be too low.

For instance, they may offer you $1,000 when your medical bills could reach $10,000 depending on the severity of your injuries. And if you accept their offer, you won’t be able to pursue a larger one later on.

Instead, make sure you reach out to a personal injury lawyer, such as one of the professionals at Haug Law Group. For more information, you can visit the

Personal Injury Legal Definitions and Terms page on Haug Law Group’s website before giving us a call.

Why You Should Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer

Sometimes, you’ll be able to get workers’ comp for your injuries. Other times you won’t. That’s why it’s important to call up a lawyer who can let you know the difference and tell you if you have a personal injury case on your hands.

If they can help you, it won’t cost you a dime. Personal injury lawyers give you a consultation and then decide if they want to work with you. They’ll only take on your case if they believe they can win because their pay comes out of your final settlement.

They will work hard on your behalf to negotiate a higher settlement that will cover your medical bills, lost wages, loss of future earnings, loss of companionship, and any other damages that may apply. Since you need to focus on getting better, they will handle collecting all the necessary paperwork, like your medical records.

All you have to do is give your lawyer any information you have, keep going to your appointments, and stay in touch

Get In Touch With a Personal Injury Lawyer

Now that you know what to do when you are injured at work, it’s time to call a personal injury lawyer who can help you. They will collect your evidence or help you get all the evidence you need such as photographs, witness statements, and medical and police records.

They’ll also negotiate with the insurance company so you don’t have to go back and forth with them. If the initial settlement is too low, your lawyer will work hard to get you a better settlement. Included in the settlement could be damages like:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of enjoyment
• Loss of future earnings
• Pain and suffering

The damages you could receive depend on the extent of your injuries. For example, if you suffered from brain damage, this is a lifelong injury that will now affect what kind of jobs you can do and activities you can partake in. You could receive a much higher settlement to cover your bills and future treatment, as well as compensate for the fact that you’re much more limited in your abilities now.

To find out what kind of compensation you may be entitled to, reach out to the personal injury lawyers at Haug Law Group today. We are standing by and ready to help you in your time of need.

Why do I need an attorney?

You see those ads for lawyers on television all the time. They say they’re committed to the fight for justice and getting you the compensation you deserve. But they don’t always address your first questions: “Why do I need an attorney? Aren’t they expensive? I have no reason to get involved in a lawsuit… right?”

The truth is that if you’ve been injured or suffered other damages, you could benefit from having an attorney. Hiring an attorney will allow you to get back on track and move forward after a difficult situation without having to pay a cent out of your own pocket.

Learning more about why attorneys are useful will help you make a decision on whether or not you’re going to hire one.

Attorney Myths and Facts

There are many myths about attorneys floating around out there. To make your decision, you’ll have to learn the truth first.

For instance, some may say that attorneys are in it for themselves, and they bring about legal action unnecessarily. That couldn’t be further from the truth. In reality, attorneys are in it for their clients. They protect their clients from predators who want to rip them off and not give them what they deserve.

Without attorneys, people would be much more vulnerable.

Additionally, many lawyers work on contingency. For instance, personal injury lawyers will either give you a free or low-cost consultation to discuss your case and will only take a commission out of a settlement they win for you.

Essentially, you don’t have to pay them anything out of pocket. Lawyers will only take on cases they are confident they can win because they are looking for a percentage of the award.

Another myth is that all attorneys are very aggressive and tough. You can certainly find a lawyer like that if you want, but they’re not going to behave that way toward you. If lawyers were contentious with clients, it would be bad for business.

Good attorneys are willing to fight for justice and the compensation you deserve, which may mean getting assertive with a tough plaintiff. But they aren’t there to challenge or intimidate you.

You may have heard people call lawyers ambulance chasers, or claim they all go to the scene of an accident or the emergency room to coerce victims to file a lawsuit. This is an unethical practice and most lawyers do not do this.

If you want to learn more about the myths and facts about lawyers and lawsuits, visit Haug Law Group’s Personal Injury Legal Definitions and Terms page.

Now, here’s why you need an attorney.

You’ve Been Injured

If you were recently in an accident that wasn’t your fault, then calling an attorney is a good idea. Right now, you probably have medical bills to pay and maybe even damage to your car and personal belongings. It’s not fair that you should have to pay for all these expenses that came out of nowhere when the accident was not your fault.

A personal injury attorney will collect the details of your case, along with your medical records, witness statements, police record, photographs, and other evidence to try and get a settlement for you.

As a result, your medical bills and other damages would be taken care of, and you can focus on healing instead.

An Insurance Company Offered You a Low Settlement

Many times, after an accident, the responsible party’s insurance company will call you and attempt to offer you a settlement. But keep in mind that this settlement is going to be low. Insurance companies are not in the business of paying out and typically offer very low settlements to people who don’t know any better.

If you’re thinking, “Why do I need an attorney? I’ll just ask for more money,” you should know that an attorney is there to negotiate a higher settlement for you. You will not be given what you think you need just because you asked for it.

Don’t accept any settlement from an insurance company, even if it seems like enough. You never know how high your medical bills are going to be and you may need a much bigger settlement than you previously thought.

You Can’t Afford Your Medical Bills and Car Repairs

Unfortunately, many people are uninsured or underinsured and cannot pay their medical bills and car repairs. A lawyer will work with you so that you can get the medical care you need as well as pay for your car repair so you don’t sink into debt.

You’re Busy

Are you too busy to fight with the defendant’s insurance company? Or, are you simply too tired because you’re dealing with an injury? A lawyer will take the burden off of your shoulders and do the negotiating for you. All you have to do is hand over notes about what happened as well as any evidence you may have.

Contact Haug Law Group Today

Now that you know the answer to “Why do I need an attorney?” call Haug Law Group today for your free consultation. We’re standing by and ready to help.

In the city of Atlanta, judges value a personal injury case depending on the types of damages awarded: compensatory and punitive. Each personal injury case is unique, and the amount of compensation a victim receives will depend on a number of factors.

Compensatory damages are awarded to a plaintiff to repair loss. In other words, these damages pay for exactly what was spent. Compensatory damages may be awarded to reimburse a victim for medical care, lost wages and property loss. Additional compensation may be awarded for pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment and loss of consortium.

As much as is possible, a judge will use bills and receipts to determine the amount of money to be awarded. In instances where bills and receipts are not available or do not apply, such as in loss of enjoyment, a judge will determine a fair amount of compensation.

A personal injury case may also result in being awarded punitive damages. This type of compensation is rare, and it is meant to punish the at-fault party. A judge will award punitive damages in cases of severe misconduct or neglect in order to deter the at-fault party from behaving in the same manner in the future.

Any person who is injured in an accident should consult with an attorney experienced in personal injury law for assistance in determining what their case may be worth. Each case is unique, and the amount awarded in one case is not an accurate reflection of what may be awarded in another.

In the city of Atlanta, bodily injury is a term used most often in negligence and liability cases. Bodily injury is any physical injury, sickness or disease, including death, sustained by a person.

In the insurance world, bodily injury coverage is what will cover a person that is injured in an accident when you are found at fault. If you are sued for damages in court, this coverage will provide for your legal defense. When a person seeks damages for bodily injury after a car accident, they may be compensated for medical expenses, legal fees, lost wages, pain and suffering and funeral costs.

When a person purchases bodily injury coverage, there are two amounts on the policy. The first amount is the maximum limit of coverage if one person is injured. The second amount is the maximum amount of coverage if two or more people are injured. If the costs associated with the injury total more than the maximum limits of coverage, the at-fault party is responsible for the rest.

While many people want to save as much money as they can on their auto insurance coverage, it is a good idea to purchase the highest amount of bodily injury coverage that is affordable. In the event of a serious vehicle accident that results in severe injury or death, lower amounts may not cover the actual costs. If you have been injured in a car accident, an experienced personal injury attorney can help you determine the amount of compensation you may be entitled to.

In the city of Atlanta, there are a variety of types of injuries in a personal injury case. When a person is injured in an accident at which another person is at fault, they have the legal right to file a personal injury case. Minor injuries are not typically able to be brought to court, nor are those that are not the result of personal negligence or error. Injuries that may be involved in a personal injury case include:

• Those sustained in a car accident (including bicycle and pedestrian accidents)
• Those that are incurred on someone’s property
• Those that are incurred in a business
• Medical malpractice-related claims
• Injuries sustained from a faulty product

A person can sustain any type of injury and seek compensation. This includes broken bones, contusions, lacerations and more. If the injury sustained requires medical attention, the victim can sue for damages. People may recover the costs associated with medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering and loss of consortium. Further damages may be awarded depending on the unique details of the case.

Any person who is injured in an accident should consult with a Atlanta personal injury attorney. Beyond being injured, a person must prove that someone was negligent, that the negligence was a direct result of the injury, and that damages were sustained as a result of the injury. An experienced personal injury attorney can assist a victim in determining if they are able to prove the necessary elements in order to proceed with a successful personal injury claim.

Why does negligence matter?

People are injured in accidents on a daily basis. From minor slips and falls to major car accidents, someone is injured with every tick of the clock. In many cases, people get up, brush themselves off and get on with their day. In more severe cases, people are put into financial constraints that have them seeking compensation for injuries and property damage.

While any person has the right to file a personal injury lawsuit, not every case will be accepted into court or, if it is accepted, will be successful. If a person is injured through the fault of someone else, that person must be able to prove negligence. In Georgia, a person has a reasonable duty of care of their property and their behavior.

For example:

John gets in his car in the morning and leaves for work. He has a reasonable duty to operate his car in accordance with traffic laws. John is distracted by his cell phone as he approaches an intersection and fails to stop, striking the car ahead of him. The person in the vehicle that has been hit suffers a neck injury. That person may have a successful lawsuit because John was negligent in his duty of care.

Negligence is an element that must be proven in all personal injury lawsuits, no matter the plaintiff, the incident or the injury. Accidents happen. When that accident is caused because someone failed to behave in a reasonably safe manner, the victim has the right to compensation. Due to the complexity of proving negligence in some cases in Atlanta, it is important to discuss any potential case with an Atlanta personal injury attorney.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE INJURED BY AN EMPLOYEE OF THE STATE, CITY, COUNTY OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT?

When a person is injured by a private citizen, they have the right to file a civil lawsuit seeking damages for lost wages, medical bills and more. There is a statute of limitations that is in effect. The clock starts ticking from the moment of the injury or accident. In many cases, the statute of limitation is two years.

When a person is injured by an employee of the state, city, county or federal government who is acting in the scope of their duties at the time of the accident, the victim has the same right to file a lawsuit as they do if the accident involved a private citizen. The difference is something called ante-litem.

Any person who is injured by a government employee has the right to seek damages in court. Before that can happen, however, the victim must give the government office that employs the at-fault party notice that they intend to sue. The government office or agency then has a right to either deny or accept the notice, particularly at the federal level.

If a victim fails to first notify the government agency of their intent to sue and goes ahead with the filing of a civil suit, the case may be dismissed by a judge before it is heard, if its filing is accepted at all.
If you have been injured in Atlanta, an experienced personal injury attorney can assist you in ensuring that you follow the proper procedures in filing a lawsuit seeking damages.

Any person who is injured by a government employee in Georgia has the right to file a lawsuit to retrieve damages. Filing a lawsuit against a government worker is a bit different from filing against a private citizen. Ante-litem, or notice of intent to sue, is required when suing the government.

There are certain requirements in the state that may differ from what is required in other states. If you do not adhere to these requirements, your case will not be heard. They are as follows:

• The notice that you intend to file a claim against the government must be received in writing within 12 months of the incident.
• The written notice must be mailed using certified mail or statutory overnight delivery with return receipt requested. If delivered personally, a receipt can be obtained by the person accepting the notice.
• If there has been no written notice of intent filed and delivered, no court will have jurisdiction over the case.
• When a complaint is filed, it must include the receipt of delivery of the notice of intent.

The notice of claim must include:

• The name of the government entity
• The acts or omissions asserted as a basis for claim
• The time and place of the occurrence
• The nature of loss
• The amount of loss claimed
• The acts or omissions that resulted in the loss claimed

Any person who has been injured by a government employee or entity should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney before proceeding with a lawsuit.

How long after an accident can you sue?

After an accident, you have the right to sue almost immediately. There is no time limit where you will no longer have the right to sue for damages. The important thing is to be ready for the proceedings at the moment that you first file suit. In lawyer speak, we call that ripeness.

You’ll need to have an understanding of how the case will progress, what information you will need to gather along the way, and all of the evidence you have. In short, you should be ready to go to trial before you even file the papers to start your suit. Having an attorney on your side from the start helps you file your lawsuit at the exact moment it can be most effective.

A lawyer can help you pinpoint exactly what you need so you don’t waste a lot of precious time and resources, especially if you need time to recover from a car accident attorney in Atlanta. Give us a call at (844) 428-4529. That is 844-HAUG LAW; we look forward to speaking with you.

How long do I have to report an accident?

When you are involved in a car accident in Atlanta, you must immediately report it to the authorities. Any time that your vehicle strikes personal or government property, you’ll need to notify the police immediately. An officer will come to the scene and investigate the accident.

The liability of the case will largely be decided based on the impressions of the officer who arrives at the scene, so this is an important part of the process if you plan to file a lawsuit. The officer acts as an objective witness in the moments following the accident.

If you fail to report an accident where someone’s personal property is damaged, you can still report it after the fact, but it will lose some of its weight as evidence in the courtroom. You never want to wait to report an accident involving government property, like a stop sign.  

If you have any further questions, please give us a call at (844) 428-4529. That is 844-HAUG LAW. We look forward to speaking with you.  

A demand letter is a time sensitive offer of settlement made to an insurance companies after you’ve suffered an injury in Atlanta. Time sensitive means that there is a limited amount of time that the demand letter is in effect.

Before filing a demand letter, it’s important to have all of the evidence gathered for the lawsuit. This will include all documentation of your injury, the treatment you received, and the liability issues resolved.

You’ll need to be as prepared to present as your case as if you were heading to trial. Particularly in circumstances where liability is easy to ascertain, a settlement can be in the best interest of the insurance company. There are also some particular legal aspects that need to be addressed in a demand letter.

As your attorney, we will help you navigate the demand letter so that it executes your rights going forward. If you have any further questions, please give us a call at (844) 428-4529. That is 844-HAUG LAW. We look forward to speaking with you.