Columbus Personal Injury Lawyer

What Damages Are Available to Columbus Accident Victims?

Columbus personal injury victims may be eligible to receive compensation for their economic and non-economic losses.

Economic damages are financial in nature and can be proven with bills, statements, and receipts. Examples include:

Your medical bills for healthcare services and treatment
Future medical expenses if you need continuing care and follow-ups
Lost income and job benefits
Diminished earning capacity
Out-of-pocket costs for travel, childcare, etc.
Property damage
Physical therapy

Non-economic damages are more subjective to each victim and represent the personal losses you might face after an accident and injury, such as:

PTSD, anxiety, and emotional distress
Pain and suffering
Discomfort
Inconvenience
Loss of companionship
Physical impairment, disfigurement, or disability

Georgia courts may also award punitive damages in a limited number of personal injury cases. These damages serve to punish and deter defendants from engaging in similar misconduct in the future.

How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth in Columbus?

The value of your Columbus personal injury claim will depend on your unique situation and circumstances, as every case is different.

When we’re assessing your damages, we’ll evaluate:

The severity of your injuries and every way they negatively affect your quality of life
Whether you are expected to make a full recovery
The extent of your medical costs and out-of-pocket expenses
Your lost wages
Whether you can return to your job in the same capacity as before your accident
Whether you share any fault for causing the accident – and your level of responsibility
The pain, suffering, and mental anguish you’ve endured
The identity of the at-fault party

Typically, the more severe and life-altering your injuries, the more your claim will be worth. However, multiple other factors will also dictate the value of your case.

What If I'm Partially At Fault For the Accident?

Georgia law implements a modified comparative fault system with a 50% bar to financial recovery. Simply put, if you share 50% or more responsibility for an accident, you cannot recover compensation from another involved party.

However, you can receive a proportionately reduced award if you are less than 50% to blame. For example, suppose you are 40% responsible for causing a pedestrian accident in Columbus. The other party, a distracted driver, is found to be 60% at fault. They are only responsible for paying 60% of your damages to account for your portion of responsibility.

It’s no surprise that insurance companies use comparative negligence to attempt to reduce the amount they have to pay to claimants. If you’re being blamed, contact an experienced Georgia personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After an Accident in Georgia?

The majority of Georgia personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years pursuant to the statute of limitations. That means you’ll have just two years from the injury date to take legal action against the at-fault party. If you lost a family member in a fatal accident, you have two years from their date of death to file a wrongful death claim.

There may be limited exceptions to the general two-year deadline, so it’s crucial to seek guidance from a skilled personal injury lawyer as soon as you can. If you fail to file your case within the applicable time frame, you’ll lose your legal right to compensation under Georgia law.