Broken bones of any type are painful, impairing, and costly. It’s even worse when someone else’s actions are responsible for your injuries. If you were hurt in Athens through no fault of your own, you could have a legal case.
A personal injury claim helps you recover money for the costs you didn’t cause. But you won’t automatically get compensation. You’ll need to build a case and probably negotiate a settlement.
Learn your legal options during a free, no-stress consultation today. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
Can You Sue Someone for Breaking Your Bone?
If someone else caused your injury, you could sue them. But you might not have to. Injured people can often obtain a settlement offer outside of court. But the insurance company will try to offer as little as possible, so you’ll need to convince the insurer of what you deserve.
Here’s how it works:
- You’ll file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company.
- The insurance company will respond, often with a low settlement offer.
- You can accept the offer, reject it, or send a counteroffer.
- After back and forth negotiations, both sides may reach an agreement.
Most claims end with a settlement agreement. However, you can take the other side to court if you can’t achieve a decent offer. If you have broken bones, don’t accept less than you deserve. You might be able to negotiate a better offer, and in some cases, you might decide to sue.
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How Much a Broken-Bones Case Is Worth
Broken bones are costly to treat in the U.S. The cost of treating a broken bone ranges from $2,500 to $16,000 or more, according to CostHelper. For a broken leg, a patient might pay $35,000 or more without insurance.
And the above numbers just include physical medical treatment. An injury accident also causes non-economic damages like pain and suffering. If it was a car crash, there might also be:
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Lost income from missing work time
- Lost earning potential
- Medication costs
- Mental health counseling
Auto accidents, falls, and direct blows are common causes of broken bones, according to MedlinePlus. If another person or company was responsible, you shouldn’t have to pay. The money you deserve depends on your case details.
Your Total Damages
The “damages” in a legal claim are all of your losses from the accident. Economic damages are financial losses from the accident, as are medical bills, medications, and lost income. Since these damages have set dollar amounts, you can prove them through bills and other documents.
Non-economic damages are more complicated. Examples include:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
- Emotional stress
Most of the time, an attorney will first add up your economic damages. Then, they’ll multiply the total by a number between 1.5 and five to get your non-economic costs. You’ll need to know your damages before requesting compensation, then you can ask for a settlement that covers everything.
Who Caused the Accident
If more than one party is at fault, that will affect your case.
Georgia has partial fault laws, according to OCGA §51-12-33. If you get into an accident in Athens, you can recover money as long as you were less than 50% at fault. But the law will reduce your money by your percentage of fault.
If you were partly to blame, it will affect your settlement. But do not admit any fault without talking to a lawyer first. Discussing the details with anyone else will hurt your case.
Insurance Coverage
The at-fault party should have insurance to cover an accident situation. However, insurance policies have limits that might affect your settlement. A lawyer will help find out the insurance information before you file a claim.
Get a Free Consultation Today
Our team stops at nothing for our clients. We have one goal: getting you total compensation for your costs. We aim to “make you whole” as fully as possible with the ideal settlement.
Reach out today for a free case review. We’ll look at your case facts and discuss what you should do. If you choose to work with us, there is no fee unless we win you money.
Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for your free consultation.
What to Do After Suffering from Broken Bones
If someone else’s actions caused your injuries, you’ll need to protect your legal rights. Georgia law probably entitles you to compensation, but the other side will fight against you. Companies and their insurers don’t like to pay more than they have to.
Here are some actions that will help you after your accident.
Take Pictures
Snap photos of your injuries and the place where they happened. If a hazard caused your accident, get a picture of it too.
Photo evidence is powerful in an injury claim. Plus, it protects you if someone tries to cover up evidence.
See a Doctor
You hopefully got prompt medical attention for broken bones. But if not, see a doctor immediately. Waiting will hurt your case and possibly make your injuries worse.
Save all copies of your medical records and bills. You will need proof that you saw a doctor soon after your injuries. If you wait too long, the insurance company will use it against you.
Talk to an Attorney First
Do not discuss your injuries with anyone — especially the responsible party’s insurance company — before you have a lawyer. Even posting about the accident online can eventually hurt you.
Insurance companies look for reasons to pay less or blame the victim. A comment that you think was harmless could be used to undermine your claim. Play it safe by calling an attorney before you talk to anyone else.
Also, do not accept any money from the insurer. Taking cash could end up preventing you from winning anything else. Always consult with your lawyer before these types of actions.
Talk to an Athens Broken Bones Lawyer for Free
John Foy & Associates has over 20 years of experience helping injured clients. We’ll help you seek the compensation you need and deserve. Learn your legal options during a call with one of our trusted lawyers today.
Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for a free, no-risk consultation. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for you.
706-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form