Decatur Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have been injured by someone else due to their negligent actions, they are legally obligated for any damages you sustained.

As the plaintiff in a personal injury case, the burden of proof is your responsibility. This means you must prove your injuries were caused by the defendant’s reckless actions or negligence.

You can schedule a free consultation with an attorney at our firm where we will review the details of your case, your medical bills, and any other pertinent information surrounding your injury, and then advise you on your options moving forward, and how we can help you.

Personal injury lawyers offer their clients legal counsel about their case and represent their best interests during settlement negotiations and, if necessary, at trial. We also do a lot of behind the scenes work that you might not be aware of, including:

• Communicating with all insurance companies involved in the claim on your behalf
• Helping make sure you find the right doctors and rehabilitation centers for your injury
• If your vehicle was involved, ensuring any rental or transportation services will be covered
• Reviewing all related medical files and documentation, to ensure both all parties have up-to-date information about your total damages
• Reviewing studies and research conducted by experts in the field in regard to defective products, medical treatment, roadway design, business safety violations, etc.
• Compiling evidence and documents to help prove liability by another person or entity
• Conducting discovery, which includes deposing witnesses and gathering evidence from the defense.

For a deeper breakdown of these responsibilities, read our full guide on what a personal injury lawyer does for your case.

Only about 5% of personal injury cases result in a trial. The average injury claim ends when the plaintiff and defendant agree upon a settlement amount.

The time that it can take to reach this settlement is difficult to predict and can vary depending on many factors that affect each case uniquely.

Typically, a claim that involves more serious injuries and a large amount of money will take longer to settle because the insurer will try to pay as little as they can.

Liability can also result in how long a case will ultimately take to settle. Having the help of an attorney can often motivate an insurer to provide a fair offer earlier in the process. Learn more about what affects your case’s settlement value.

Marks Law Group works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and owe us nothing unless we win your case — that’s our promise of No Fees Unless We Win.

Our fee is a percentage of your final settlement or verdict, so our interests stay aligned with yours: the harder we fight for a larger recovery, the better the outcome for you.

See how a contingency fee works and get a full breakdown of what hiring a personal injury lawyer in Georgia actually costs, or schedule your free consultation to discuss your case with no obligation.

There is no single “average” settlement — every claim is valued individually based on the severity of your injuries, total medical expenses, lost wages, and how clearly liability can be proven against the at-fault party.

Claims involving catastrophic injuries or a wrongful death typically settle for significantly more than claims involving minor, fully-recoverable injuries.

Read a full breakdown of what determines a car accident settlement amount in Georgia, or contact us for a free case evaluation to get a realistic estimate for your specific situation.

There are many factors that affect the value of an injury claim. It depends on what happened, the type of injuries sustained, the cost of any medical treatment, how liable all parties involved are found to be, and lost wages if you have to take time off work to recover or cannot continue working your current job.

For example, a serious injury like head trauma from a car accident will typically result in a larger settlement than a broken leg from a slip and fall.

There are laws that set a time limit known as the “statute of limitations,” which set the date that you have to file a personal injury case and legally serve the defendant. The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury or wrongful death case in Georgia is generally 2 years from the day the injury occurred.

There are some exceptions that extend this time frame, like if the injured party was under 18. The sooner you hire an attorney, the better your case will be.

They will have more time to collect all of the necessary medical documents, get relevant evidence like CCTV footage, and other steps that strengthen your claim which can take time.

Your lawyer will need time to build your case, properly prove all damages you sustained, and settle your case before the statute of limitations expires. If you’ve lost a loved one, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim on their behalf.

What you do in the minutes and days after an accident can significantly affect your ability to recover full compensation. In general, you should:

• Call 911 and get medical attention, even if your injuries seem minor at first
• Document the scene with photos or video, including vehicle damage, road conditions, and visible injuries
• Get the other party’s insurance and contact information, along with any witness statements
• Avoid admitting fault or giving a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney
• Keep every medical bill, receipt, and record related to the incident

Read our full step-by-step guide on what to do after a car accident, or if you’re unsure whether you need legal help, see when you should get a lawyer after a car accident.

When meeting with a lawyer to determine if you would like them to handle your case you should bring a few documents to help them fully evaluate your situation. You should bring:

• Copies of any relevant insurance policies
• The most recent copy of your medical records
• A copy of the police report if one was filed
• A copy of workplace injury reports if it occurred on the job
• Copies of pay stubs and proof of time you had to take off work if applicable
• The names and contact information of any doctors who have treated you
• Copies of all medical bills you have received
• Any photographic evidence of the scene the injury happened, and pictures of the injury

If you do not have access to all of this information, we can help you get what you do not have. Bring as much of it as you can to a free consultation and we can handle the rest if you chose to work with us.

Yes — an early settlement offer is rarely the best one you’ll receive. Insurance companies are businesses, and their adjusters are trained to close claims quickly and for as little money as possible, often before the full extent of your injuries or losses is even known.

Once you accept and sign a settlement offer, you typically give up your right to seek any further compensation, even if your injuries turn out to be worse than expected. Learn more about how insurance adjusters can undermine your injury claim, and read when you should get a lawyer after a car accident before signing anything.