A physical injury often means medical bills, lost wages, and other expensive damages. If you’ve been injured in Rome because of someone else’s mistake, you have a legal right to seek compensation.
A Rome personal injury lawyer can help. At John Foy & Associates, we’ve been fighting for victims for more than 20 years. Our main goal is full financial recovery with every case we take on. Contact us for a free initial consultation to discuss your personal injury claim.
Six Steps to Starting a Personal Injury Claim in Rome, GA
You can start building your personal injury case as soon as you’re injured. Here are the top six things you should do after your accident. Contact a personal injury attorney in Rome, GA, for tips on your specific case.
1. Get Medical Attention
The most important factor after an injury in Rome is your well-being. If you have life-threatening or otherwise severe injuries after your accident, get medical attention right away. Take care of yourself and anyone who was with you during the accident. Call for an ambulance if immediate treatment is needed.
If you are well enough to stay at the scene, you should still see a doctor very soon after the accident. Minor injuries can change quickly, and you want to document their severity as fully as possible.
Your doctor visits and medical records create a treatment timeline that shows the insurance company that your injuries were bad enough to need attention. Delaying medical treatment can mean larger bills down the road and less evidence to back up your damages.
2. Gather Evidence
Often, some of the most important evidence in a personal injury case is available at the scene of the accident. You can preserve the scene by taking pictures.
Use your phone to snap pictures of the entire accident scene, your injuries, and any property damage. Even if objects are moved or cleaned up the next day, you’ll still have a snapshot of what happened and what the damage looked like.
3. Talk to Witnesses
Most of the time, other people see an accident happen. If others in Rome saw your injury, talk to them. Ask for their names and contact information, and take notes about the conversation you had with them.
Witness testimony can be powerful in an injury claim. It may even help identify the responsible parties. Your Rome personal injury attorney will likely contact any witnesses later, so getting their information can be incredibly helpful.
4. Track Everything
Keep track of every expense related to your accident, including:
- Medical and hospital bills
- Prescription medications costs
- Missed workdays
- And property damage costs, such as repairs from a Rome car accident
Also, note any changes in your injuries. If they get worse with time, document this by taking pictures and going back to see your doctor. This helps your personal injury lawyer in Rome, GA, better understand your case and arrive at a fair compensation amount.
5. Don’t Trust the Insurance Company
Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, and they care about their bottom line above all else. Unfortunately, this means personal injury victims often get taken advantage of after an accident. The insurance company of the person or at-fault party may use tactics like:
- Offering you a lowball settlement upfront, hoping you’ll take it out of desperation.
- They may call and ask how you’re feeling, then use your words against you. For example, if you politely say you’re “okay,” they may try to say you weren’t hurt as badly as you claim.
- Taking a long time to answer your compensation claim.
- Trying to create a narrative where you are the negligent party.
It is not wise to accept the first offer or sign anything from the insurance company until you know the full extent of your damages. Your total costs (current and future) are likely a lot more than you would expect, so you want to pursue a settlement amount that covers everything.
6. Call a Rome Personal Injury Lawyer
Because injury cases can get complicated quickly, we recommend contacting a personal injury lawyer in Rome, GA, as soon as possible. Many offer free consultations so you can speak to a skilled attorney about your case at no charge.
During the consultation with our law firm, bring any documents related to your case and a list of questions to ask during the first meeting. The sooner you have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side, the better.
A personal injury lawyer in Rome, GA, can advise you on personal injury law, conduct research to identify the at-fault parties, and help you choose the best steps forward. If need be, an experienced lawyer can provide legal representation in civil court.
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Rome Personal Injury Lawyer Areas of Practice
Our personal injury lawyers in Rome, GA, handle a wide range of cases. Reach out to our legal team of experienced attorneys today and find out how we can help with your financial recovery.
Our law firm is comprised of:
- Rome bus accident lawyers: Busses are an important part of our transportation infrastructure, but when driven recklessly, they can cause catastrophic injuries and destroy lives.
- Rome car accident lawyers: Even minor car accidents can result in injuries, unforeseen expenses, extensive property damage, and lost wages. A Rome personal injury lawyer can help you understand your rights.
- Rome catastrophic injury lawyers: Life-changing injuries can mean a new way of living, the loss of enjoyment of life, and ongoing medical expenses. You deserve compensation when you weren’t the one at fault.
- Rome dog bite lawyer: Dogs may bite because they are scared, badly treated, or poorly trained. The pet owner is responsible for ensuring the safety of others around their animals.
- Rome slip-and-fall accident lawyers: A fall can change your life in an instant. If your accident happened because of the negligence of another party, you may be entitled to compensation.
- Rome truck accident lawyers: Large semi-trucks and 18-wheelers can cause catastrophic injury due to the recklessness of the driver or negligence of the trucking company.
- Rome workers’ compensation lawyers: If you are hurt at work, you may have lost your ability to earn a living. A skilled attorney can help you get the compensation you need.
- Rome wrongful death lawyers: When a loved one dies, it is always heartbreaking, but it is made worse when the negligence, recklessness, or illegal activity of another party causes their death.
Statute of Limitations for Rome Personal Injury Cases
The statute of limitations is a time limit for how long you have to file a personal injury lawsuit with the civil court system. In Rome and the rest of Georgia, that time limit is two years from the date of your personal injury accident.
There are a few exceptions to this rule, although they are rare. If you’re filing an injury claim against the government (city or county), the time frame is six months from the date of the accident that led to your injuries.
There are exceptions. For example, if the injured person is a minor at the time of the accident, the clock doesn’t start until they turn 18. Consult with your personal injury attorney in Rome, GA, for legal advice on your case.
Speak to a Rome Personal Injury Lawyer for Free
Don’t struggle through the pain of a personal injury case alone. At John Foy & Associates, we can help. Our goal is the maximum fair compensation for your damages. Let us handle your legal representation so you can spend your time and energy recovering and being with your family.
Our legal team has been representing personal injury victims for 20-plus years with more than $1 billion in settlements and verdicts to aid in their financial recovery. Working with us is risk-free because we don’t take payment unless we win you money — and you won’t have to worry about a cent until after your case is closed.
Contact us today for a FREE consultation.
762-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form