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How Long Do You Have to Report a Personal Injury After a Car Accident?

Car accidents can happen anytime, anywhere, even when driving at lower speeds. If you have been injured in a car accident that wasn’t your fault, you can sue the party-at-fault for damages. One of the first things to do after a car accident is reporting the incident to the police.

If you wait too long to report a personal injury, your insurance company may try to downplay your injuries and claim that it is related to a pre-existing condition.

Personal injury victims must waste no time in hiring a car accident attorney in Athens. Your personal injury lawyer will help you understand your rights as a personal injury victim. They will help you understand and abide by the statutory lawsuit filing deadline. The professional will investigate your case, collect evidence, and negotiate with different parties.

What To Do After a Car Accident?

How a personal injury victim acts after the accident can have a major impact on the outcome of their lawsuit. If you are involved in an accident, do not freak out. Be very patient. Do not lose your cool, and stay calm in conversations.

  • Call the police
  • Move your car to a safe spot. If the impact has rendered your vehicle non-drivable, arrange a tow
  • See a doctor as soon as possible
  • Exchange important information with the other driver. Do not admit fault. Avoid getting into a quarrel with the party-at-fault
  • Report the incident to your insurer immediately
  • File a claim with your insurer (the sooner, the better)
  • Do not give any recorded statements to the insurance company of the party-at-fault
  • Talk to eyewitnesses. Document everything that happened. Take pictures of the vehicles involved and the accident scene

Georgia Statute of Limitations for Filing a Personal Injury Lawsuit

In Georgia, there is a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims, meaning a personal injury victim involved in a car accident in any part of the state has two years to file a lawsuit from the date of the accident. If the limitation period expires before a personal injury victim files a claim, they may lose their right to sue.

Exceptions

Statute of Limitations can be extended if:

  • The plaintiff was mentally or physically incapacitated due to the accident and was unable to file a lawsuit
  • The victim was a minor or was mentally incapacitated at the time of the accident
  • The victim did not know nor did they have any means to know that they have been injured at the time of the accident

Have you been injured in a car accident? HURT 911 can connect you to the right car accident attorney in Athens. Our panel consists of some of the best personal injury lawyers in Athens. HURT 911 lawyers work on a contingency basis. For more information, call 1-800-522-2277.