If you suffered injuries due to someone else’s negligence in Georgia, you have the right to seek financial compensation for your losses resulting from the incident. However, the timeline to take legal action is not indefinite. Georgia’s statutes of limitations place deadlines on filing various types of legal claims. Filing before the time limit expires is crucial to protect your right to compensation.
Georgia Personal Injury Statute of Limitations
In most situations, the personal injury statute of limitations in Georgia allows two years from the date of an accident to file a lawsuit. This means you have two years from the date of the injury to file suit against the liable party or risk being unable to pursue compensation for your losses through the courts.
Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, and dog bite cases are examples of personal injury claims. Medical malpractice claims also fall under personal injury law but have more complex time limits.
Exceptions to the Rule
There are some exceptions to the two-year statute of limitations under Georgia law.
For example, if a government entity is liable for your injuries, you could have as little as six to 12 months to file what’s called an ante litem notice. You must send a notice of claim to the agency within this timeframe or lose your right to pursue compensation forever.
In other cases, the statute of limitations may be tolled or paused. This might happen if you were a minor at the time of your injury, mentally incapacitated, or if the injury or its cause wasn’t reasonably discovered within the two-year limitations period.
These are only some of the possible exceptions to the personal injury statute of limitations in Georgia. Your attorney will help you understand which deadline applies in your case and ensure a timely filing.
Why Timeliness Matters
It can take time to understand the full consequences of your injuries. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to initiate legal proceedings as soon as possible. It takes time for a personal injury lawyer to gather and review evidence, develop a strong case on your behalf, and meet all applicable filing deadlines.
Most critically, failure to take action before the statutory period lapses means you’ll never be able to pursue the fair compensation you deserve.
How a Georgia Personal Injury Attorney Can Help
A Georgia personal injury lawyer can help you fight for justice and compensation by handling every aspect of your case. They will investigate the circumstances leading up to the accident, gather compelling evidence, identify all liable parties, and negotiate with those parties and their insurance companies for a full and fair settlement for you. If settlement talks break down, your attorney can advise on taking your personal injury case to trial.
Hiring a lawyer to take your case allows you to focus on healing while knowing that an experienced and knowledgeable legal professional is safeguarding your rights.
Contact a Georgia Personal Injury Attorney Today
Don’t let a technicality like the statute of limitations cause you to miss out on the compensation you deserve after an accident. Let the Georgia personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. fight your legal battle. Call or contact our law firm now for a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer.
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