Columbus
Broken Bones Lawyer

Make sure the insurance company takes your broken bones (and other injuries) seriously after an accident in Columbus. If you were not at fault, you might deserve compensation for your injuries. Thankfully, our Columbus broken bones lawyers can help.

Our team at John Foy & Associates has 20-plus years of experience helping injured clients. We help you pursue compensation for an accident that wasn’t your fault. Plus, there is no charge unless we win your case.

To get started with a free, no-risk consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.

Suing Someone for a Broken Bone in an Accident

When someone causes an injury accident in Georgia, they are responsible for the costs. If you were injured at no fault of your own, you can seek compensation according to OCGA §51-12-4.

You can bring a lawsuit against the at-fault party for the costs of your injuries, including broken bones. The amount you can recover depends on your personal injury damages.

Damages have two main categories:

• Economic losses
• Non-economic losses

Economic damages have set dollar amounts. These losses are about the pain and suffering you experience. You’ll need to calculate all of your damages before bringing a case against someone.

Recovering Financial Losses

According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), auto accidents are among the most common causes of broken bones.

Broken bones can be incredibly painful and costly. After your accident, you might have expenses like:

• Past, current, and future medical costs
• Lost wages
• Lost earning potential
• Property damage

You can prove these losses through bills, receipts, and other documents. If you need help gathering proof, talk to an experienced Columbus broken bones lawyer.

Recovering for Pain and Suffering

Non-economic damages are about how the accident has affected you.

Examples include:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Emotional distress
• Fear or embarrassment

When calculating pain and suffering, a lawyer will usually multiply the financial damages by a number between three and five.

Pain and suffering are more challenging to demonstrate than economic losses. You do not have to prove a specific amount for these damages, but you will need to determine what’s fair compensation.

How to Make Sure Your Settlement Offer Is Fair

Most injury claims settle before they go all the way to court. An insurance settlement is usually best because you avoid the costs and extended time of a trial.

However, don’t accept a settlement from the insurance company unless you know it’s fair.

A fair settlement looks different for every case. You’ll need to consider:

• The other side’s degree of fault (including any fault you might have)
• All of your accident damages
• The severity of your injuries and treatment you will need
• Any caps on what you can recover
• The likelihood of your outcome if you went to court

When you work with a lawyer, they will consider all of the above. A lawyer will help you know what type of settlement offer to expect—and how you can negotiate for a possibly better offer.

Sometimes, a settlement is somewhere between what the client hopes to receive and what the insurance company offers. An experienced lawyer will help you decide when it’s a good enough offer to accept.

Going to court is an option if you cannot settle. However, weigh the pros and cons with your lawyer before investigating time and money in a lawsuit. If you have a solid case, going to court could be the best course of action.

What Happens If You Reject a Settlement Offer?

Rejecting an offer will usually take that offer off the table. But you can potentially negotiate a better offer. Your lawyer will work to reach an agreement that works for both sides.

But make sure you take action within the deadline. You typically have two years from the accident date to bring a legal case. If you wait too long, you might be unable to recover anything.

If the at-fault party is a government agency, you have even less time. You might need to bring your case within six months. Talk to a lawyer as soon as possible to know your options.

What to Do After Broken Bones from an Accident

Here are some beneficial actions to take after the accident.

Call the Police

Call 9-1-1 to report the accident. The police will create an accident report that might contain helpful details. You’ll need a copy of this report for your case.

Take Pictures

If you have your phone or camera, you can put it to good use.

Photograph everything you can at the scene. Anything you record could help support your case.

Take pictures of:

• Your injuries from the accident
• Your vehicle damage
• Any other property damage
• The positions of all involved vehicle
• The entire accident scene

It’s easy for someone to change or clean up an accident scene quickly. But pictures don’t lie. Your lawyer can often do a lot with picture evidence you’ve taken from the location.

Don’t Talk About Fault

Avoid admitting any blame or fault for the accident. Even seemingly-innocent conversations might be used against you.

Also, don’t discuss the accident with anyone but your lawyer. That includes mentioning the crash on social media. It’s best to let your attorney handle communications and protect your rights.

Get Medical Treatment

If you have a broken bone, you’ll probably realize you need medical help. However, many people don’t notice how badly they’re hurt right after an accident. Adrenaline and other hormones can keep your body in “fight or flight” mode and suppress pain.

You might think you’re okay, but it’s important to get treatment as soon as possible. Get medical treatment at the scene or see a doctor afterward.

Getting medical attention will:

• Create a record of your injuries
• Uncover all of your injuries
• Give you an idea of what treatment costs you’ll have

Also, don’t wait to speak with a lawyer. A Columbus broken bones lawyer can help you seek the compensation you deserve. They will know how to build a strong case from start to settlement.

Talk to a Columbus Broken Bones Lawyer for Free Today

Our team at John Foy & Associates fights hard for our clients. We have over 20 years of experience, and there’s no fee unless we win. To get a free, no-risk consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.