How Long Do You Have To File Your Injury Claim?

Published on: | by

After an accident occurs, it is unlikely that the first thing on your mind will be filing a personal injury claim or speaking with a personal injury attorney in Atlanta. Instead, you are worried about your injuries, finding the right doctor and getting your life back to normal. While you do have a little time to focus on those things, it is important to get your personal injury claim started before the statute of limitations has passed.

Statute of Limitations in Georgia

While some states give individuals up to six years to pursue injury claims, the statute of limitations in Georgia is only two years. Once two years have passed from your initial injury due to negligence, the Georgia courts will no longer consider your claim. If there is no specific “accident date,” your personal injury lawyer may have two years to file after you become aware of your injury.

If A Government Entity Is Responsible

If the responsible party is a governmental entity, such as the state of Georgia, a city or a Georgia county, the time period for reporting your Atlanta personal injury claim may be shortened. The law requires you to provide the governmental entity with an ante-litem notice of your potential claim prior to filing. For cities and municipal corporations, you must send this ante-litem notice within six months of your injury event. Notices for counties and the state must be filed within 12 months. Any ante-litem notice must meet strict requirements for effective notice, so it is in your best interests to have our lawyers pursue your claim.

Seek Medical Care Immediately

If you have been injured in an accident, especially one that was caused by someone else’s negligence, McAleer Law encourages you to seek medical care right away. Your case will be stronger if you have documentation of receiving medical care and treatment from a doctor. Our Atlanta personal injury attorneys encourage you to see a doctor as soon as is possible, even if you do not believe you are seriously injured. Soft tissue injuries in particular can initially present themselves as mild, but end up being more severe over the long term.

Once you have seen a doctor about your injuries, we encourage you to speak with a member of our personal injury law firm in Atlanta. We can help you to build a strong case for your injuries and gather the appropriate evidence to prove your injuries and sustained damages in court.