An accident can flip life upside down in seconds. Medical bills start showing up. Work hours are missed. Daily routines no longer feel normal. A personal injury claim is a way to hold someone accountable when their carelessness caused the damage. But not everyone qualifies to file one. Knowing who is eligible is the first step to getting answers.
In Alpharetta, accidents happen on busy roads, in neighborhoods, and at work sites. An Alpharetta personal injury attorney can explain whether your case qualifies and guide you through the process while you focus on getting better.
Who Has the Right to File?
Most of the time, the injured person can file the claim themselves. If the injured person is under 18, a parent or guardian can take action for them. In serious cases where someone has passed away, certain family members or a legal representative may file instead.
The key factor is that another person’s carelessness caused the injury. Without that link, the claim won’t stand.
What Situations Are Covered?
Some common examples of personal injury claims include:
- Car or truck accidents
- Motorcycle crashes
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
- Slip-and-fall injuries on unsafe property
- Medical errors that cause harm
- Injuries from unsafe or defective products
Note that each case depends on proof. The clearer the evidence, the stronger the claim.
What Makes Someone Eligible?
Eligibility means more than being hurt. The injury must have created losses that affect daily life. That could be hospital bills, missed paychecks, or permanent pain.
For instance, people may have a claim if they slip on an unmarked wet floor and breaks a bone. The case likely doesn’t qualify if a warning sign was posted as well as ignored.
Why Legal Help Matters?
Proving fault is one part of the process. A lawyer also looks at the complete impact of the injury. That includes medical costs, time missed from work, and the way the injury changes daily living.
Personal injury law in Georgia has strict rules. Many people underestimate what their claim is worth or miss deadlines that close the case without guidance.
Deadlines for Filing
Georgia law gives most people two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. Missing this window usually means losing the right to seek compensation.
Some exceptions exist, like cases involving minors or certain claims against government offices. These details make it important to act quickly.
What Evidence Helps?
Strong evidence increases the chance of a fair outcome. Examples include:
- Medical records as well as treatment notes
- Bills from hospitals as well as clinics
- Police or accident reports
- Photos or video of the scene
- Witness statements
- Proof of lost wages
An attorney helps organize and present this evidence in the right way.
Key Points to Remember
- The injured person usually files. However, parents or family members may step in under certain conditions.
- Accidents that involve cars, medical errors, or unsafe products qualify.
- Losses like medical bills, missed work, or lasting pain must be shown.
- Georgia allows two years to file most claims.
- The right evidence as well as legal guidance can make a big difference.
Accidents leave people stressed and unsure of the future events. Learning who can file a claim gives families in Alpharetta a place to start as well as a path to move forward.
