Head injuries can happen at any time during an accident in Macon. After a blow to the head, someone else might be responsible for the costs you face. Our head injury lawyers in Macon can determine if you deserve compensation for your accident.
John Foy & Associates has been working on accident cases for over 20 years. Our Macon personal injury lawyers know what it takes to win. You also don’t pay us unless we win you compensation. Call or contact us online to get a free, no-risk consultation.
Is a Head Injury Lawyer Worth It?
You are not required to hire a lawyer after a head injury. But it’s a good idea in many cases. Head injuries are complicated. Symptoms vary from person to person, and every accident is different. You will also need to provide concrete proof of negligence and your damages while protecting your rights.
A head injury lawyer in Macon can help by:
- Pursing all forms of compensation for your injuries
- Making sure the insurance company doesn’t take advantage of you
- Outlining all your damages from the accident
- Calling on expert witnesses to support your claim
- Handling complicated disputes with the insurance company
These are just a few examples of how our attorneys can help. We also will not charge you a thing unless we win your case. Our fee is simply a percentage of your settlement or court award.
We can step in to help if you sustained a head injury in a car wreck, truck accident, fall accident, or motorcycle wreck in Macon.
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How to Build Your Claim After a Head Injury
With or without a head injury lawyer in Macon, there are steps you can take to build your head injury claim. Here are some actions we recommend taking after your head injury accident.
Get Treatment ASAP
Head injuries left untreated can be very dangerous. Plus, it will hurt your case if you wait to get medical attention. Insurance companies may use your lack of seeking medical care as proof that your injuries and damages aren’t serious.
Even if you feel okay, see a doctor after your accident. Your doctor can evaluate you for any and all possible damage. They can run tests and determine if you need additional attention. It’s also important to know the warning signs for moderate and severe head injuries. Concussions can have symptoms like:
- Headaches that don’t go away
- Brain fog
- Dizziness
- Memory issues
- Mood swings
- Trouble waking up
- One pupil larger than the other
If you have odd symptoms or feel off, schedule a follow-up with your doctor. Be sure to document all physical changes and your treatment costs. We can’t stress this enough, if you suspect you have any injuries whatsoever, even minor ones, please seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
Save Evidence of Your Costs
Keep track of all bills and receipts from your expenses. It can help to maintain a folder with these items. You’ll need to provide proof when you file a claim. Retaining and documenting your expenses from your head injury will also help our lawyers calculate your settlement value.
Don’t Talk About the Accident
Only discuss your injuries with your lawyer. Avoid talking to the other driver, the insurance company, or anyone else. Don’t post about what happened on social media. Anything you say about your accident could get turned around on you. Play it safe and wait until you can speak with a lawyer first. Your attorney will handle the rest.
How do You Put a Value on Your Head Injury Case?
If someone else is responsible for your injury, you’ll need to know your damages. Every head and brain injury is different. You can only value your case by looking at the details.
A common question we get is, “What can I expect in terms of a settlement?” While every case is different, head injuries tend to be expensive. Mild brain injuries can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Moderate to severe injuries can be hundreds of thousands or several million to treat. And that’s not including other damages.
Future Medical Care
A head or brain injury can affect your entire life. You might struggle to live and do things as you could before. That may include long-term care costs.
You and your Macon head injury attorney will need to consider current and future treatment costs for your injuries. That can include:
- Surgeries
- Imaging tests, such as MRIs
- Medications
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation
- Mental health counseling
- Assistive medical equipment
You shouldn’t have to pay for any costs that result from an injury you didn’t cause.
Lost Wages
A head injury can impact cognitive ability. You might have to quit working or do lower-paying work. Any lost income and lost earning potential should be factored into your claim. Your bills won’t stop just cause you’re injured, so we will ensure that you get all the pay you missed out on.
Non-Economic Damages
Head injuries can cause a lot of emotional distress. Thankfully, the law allows you to recover non-economic losses like:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Your lawyer can help calculate these damages. They’ll use a formula to determine a fair value for what you’ve suffered.
Can I Collect Punitive Damages for a Head Injury?
Under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) § 51-12-5.1, punitive damages punish the at-fault party responsible for an accident. The punishment is a fine they must pay that can get rewarded to you in addition to your settlement. To qualify for punitive damages, your head injury case needs to show that the at-fault party:
- Was egregiously negligent in their actions
- Intentionally tried to harm you or cause your head injury
- Committed an illegal act while causing your head injury
For example, if your head injury happened due to another person assaulting you, it’s possible to recover a reward for punitive damages. Of course, not all cases will qualify. But if yours does, we will ensure you get rewarded accordingly.
Fighting for a Good Settlement Offer
Most head injury cases settle before going to court. However, too many injury victims end up accepting less than they deserve. But there is hope. With an experienced lawyer, you’ll have the best chance of winning fair compensation.
Your head injury lawyer in Macon will know how to negotiate with the insurance companies. If you get a low offer, you don’t have to take it—your attorney will be ready to fight. You could receive fair compensation without having to set foot in court. If you do need to bring a lawsuit, your attorney will be there every step of the way.
How to Determine Liability for a Head Injury Accident
Any injury claim comes down to liability. When someone’s actions directly cause an injury, that party is liable, or legally responsible for the costs. Most of the time, the liable party has insurance coverage to pay for accidents. The liable party has been negligent. Negligence is a legal term for carelessness. So, you will need to identify the negligent party.
In Georgia, there’s also something called modified comparative negligence. Under this law, more than one party might be partially at fault for an accident. That means you could have more than one insurance claim to file.
Statute of Limitations for Head Injuries in Macon
The statute of limitations for head injuries in Macon is two years under OCGA § 9-3-33. Unfortunately, two years can pass quickly, and many people have let the statute of limitations expire. Don’t wait until the last minute to start building a solid case for your claim.
Evidence and other important details surrounding your case can become lost with time. Your case is the strongest right after your accident. If you don’t know where to begin or how to get started, our head injury lawyers are here to help you.
Talk to Our Macon Head Injury Lawyers for Free
Get the legal help you need and deserve after a head injury. The Macon head injury lawyers at John Foy & Associates can examine your case and determine your rights. Contact or contact us online for a free consultation today.
478-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form