How Long Will It Take to Settle My Auto Accident Claim in Georgia?
Resolving a personal injury automobile accident claim in Georgia usually takes several months or even years, depending on the severity of the injury and the length of time that the injured party requires medical treatment.
Normally, when you are injured in a car accident and wish to make a claim, there could be several steps involved, including:
- Reporting the injury to your insurance company and the at-fault driver’s insurance company to establish the claim;
- Obtaining information regarding the available insurance coverage;
- Seeking medical treatment;
- Gathering information regarding the accident. For example, you may want to obtain a copy of the police report and ascertain whether the at-fault driver received a citation. Or, you may want to take photographs of the damage to your car or of your injuries;
- Obtaining medical records and bills evidencing your injuries;
- Asking the insurance company for a settlement of your claims;
- Filing a lawsuit against the at-fault driver in court if a settlement cannot be negotiated.
The length of time it takes to resolve your claim depends on factors such as how severe your injury is or whether the insurance company accepts or denies liability of the at-fault driver or company. Claims that are settled pre-suit are normally done so within a 4 to 8-month period; however, it is difficult to make or settle a claim without complete medical treatment. That is, if you are so injured that you require additional medical treatment, it is difficult to make a demand for a specific dollar amount until you are discharged from such treatment. Thus, it is advisable to wait until you are finished with medical treatment before engaging in the negotiation of a settlement.
In Atlanta and in the state of Georgia in general, the statute of limitations or the time frame in which you can bring a lawsuit for personal injury is two years. Thus, if you or a loved one is injured in Georgia and requires a lifetime of care, it may be advisable to make a demand quickly and file suit quickly to preserve your claim. However, if you are not severely injured and require treatment such as a few months of physical therapy, then you are likely able to wait until your treatment is finished to make a claim.
In sum, it is difficult to determine the length of time it will take to resolve a personal injury automobile wreck claim in Georgia. However, with the advice of a Georgia injury attorney, you should be able to maximize your recovery. For a consultation with an auto accident attorney in Georgia, please call The Davis Injury Firm at (404) 647-0722. We have offices conveniently located in Hapeville, Georgia, or Atlanta, Georgia, and are always happy to come to you if you cannot make it to our offices.