If you were in an auto accident and experienced serious injuries, you may be facing long recovery times, significant medical costs, and lost time at work. When healing from a neck and back injury, your recovery times and expenses could be substantial.
Please contact Bader Scott Injury Lawyers today at (404) 888-8888 for a free consultation after a car accident. Our Johns Creek neck and back injury lawyer can help you quantify your losses and file a personal injury claim if your case warrants one.
Common Neck and Back Injuries After Accidents
Car accident injuries can range from mild bruising or abrasions to more serious and even life-changing injuries such as paralysis, broken bones, amputations, spinal cord damage, head, injuries, brain injuries, and injuries to the neck and back. Of these, one of the most commonly undiagnosed categories of car accident injuries is whiplash. Whiplash occurs when a victim’s head moves forward and backward or from side to side quickly after the vehicle is struck in an accident.
Whiplash can involve damage to the bones, muscles, nerves, and tendons in the neck, but it is not always immediately identifiable. Some people may suffer whiplash but may only have it formally diagnosed days or weeks after an accident. If you do not report your injuries soon after suffering an accident, you may forfeit your right to filing a claim, depending on the filing rules of your insurer.
The same applies to other neck and back injuries that car accidents often cause. Rear-end and frontal collisions are common causes of neck and back injuries. However, other accident types such as sideswipes and T-bone accidents can also lead to these kinds of injuries. Depending on where you were injured, you may face difficulties or restrictions in walking or bending. Such injuries can hamper your ability to not only move and perform basic tasks but to earn an income and live independently.
It is recommended that you treat your neck or back injury as quickly as possible. This is not only recommended for your health, but it will be important if you wish to seek compensation for your injuries.
For assistance with filing a claim, please contact us today at (404) 888-8888 for a free consultation. A Johns Creek neck and back injury lawyer from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can handle personal injury cases and can potentially assist you with your neck and back injury case.
For a free legal consultation with a neck and back injury lawyer serving Johns Creek, call (404) 888-8888
Determining Fault in the State of Georgia
Based on Georgia’s at-fault liability rules, the driver who was less at fault for an accident has a right to claim compensation from the other driver. Although this rule sounds straightforward, in practice, it can be quite complex to identify an at-fault party, prove his or her fault, calculate your damages, and file a claim. In Georgia, at-fault liability is calculated as a percentage of fault. This is also known as modified comparative negligence. For instance, evidence from the accident may deem you 40% at-fault in the crash.
An at-fault party is identified using evidence such as dashcam footage, eyewitness statements, and the police report on the accident. For instance, if a police officer ticketed the other driver for reckless driving and issued you no ticket, the fault may be clearer to determine in such a case. However, the percentage of fault can sometimes be more complicated to calculate.
The evidence from your accident can also be used to quantify your losses, as can any medical treatment invoices, car repair or maintenance expense sheets, and proof of lost income using pay stubs or wage slips.
Once you have identified the at-fault party and have proof of your losses, you can take the next step in the process.
You may be required to submit what is called a letter of intent to sue to the insurer of the at-fault party. In this letter, you must submit the evidence you collected for your accident and must state why you believe you should be compensated and how much you expect in compensation. You may also need to obtain a certificate of merit from a medical injury expert stating that your injuries are serious or severe enough to warrant compensation.
Johns Creek Neck and Back Injury Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Insurance Complexities
When you file an insurance claim, you may be able to seek compensation for bodily injuries, property damage, and other forms of losses, depending on coverage limits and filing requirements. However, there are many different insurance policies that may apply to your case.
According to the Office of Insurance and Fire Safety Commissioner (OCI), the state of Georgia does not require collision insurance coverage to protect your own vehicle in the event of losses. However, you may also have collision coverage with your insurance policy. It’s also possible that you may be dealing with an uninsured driver. If you elected a supplemental uninsured motorist policy when you purchased your auto insurance, then you can use this policy to compensate you for your losses.
You must file your claim within the statutes of limitations, which in Georgia is two years for personal injuries, as per the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §9-3-33. The filing timeline starts when an accident occurs. You must also consider any special evidence rules, relevant paperwork, and provide proof of coverage and the IDs of the parties involved in the accident.
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Vehicle accidents can have serious consequences to your life and health, including neck and back injuries that could leave you facing extended recovery times and large medical bills.
For assistance with a neck and back injury case, please do not hesitate to contact Bader Scott Injury Lawyers. Call our office for a free consultation at (404) 888-8888. Our Johns Creek neck and back injury lawyer can help you understand the claims filing process and will walk you through what you need to do to fight for compensation.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form