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The Wilson PC - Atlanta's Top Personal Injury Lawyers
The Wilson PC - Atlanta's Top Personal Injury Lawyers
The Wilson PC

Personal Injury FAQs

Straight answers to the questions accident victims ask most — what to do after a crash, how injury claims work, what your case may be worth, and how a personal injury lawyer can help. Browse by topic below.

Workers' CompensationInjuriesWorking With a LawyerAfter an AccidentYour Claim & CompensationLegal Basics

Workers' Compensation

Are Independent Contractors Covered By Workers’ Compensation In Georgia?Generally, no — true independent contractors are not covered by Georgia workers’ compensation. But the label on your paycheck does not control.…

Can I Be Fired While on Workers’ Compensation in Georgia?Georgia is an at-will state, so an employer can generally terminate employment for many reasons, but firing you cannot automatically end your…

Can I Choose My Own Doctor for a Workers’ Compensation Claim?In Georgia, you usually must treat with a doctor from your employer’s posted panel of physicians, which must list at least six providers. You can…

Can I Get Disability After A Workers’ Comp Settlement?Yes. A workers’ compensation settlement does not disqualify you from Social Security Disability — they are separate systems with different standards.…

Can I Get Workers’ Comp And Still Sue A Third Party?Yes. Workers’ comp is your exclusive remedy against your employer, so you generally can’t sue your employer — but if someone other than your employer…

Can I Get Workers’ Comp For A Repetitive Stress Injury?Yes. Georgia workers’ compensation covers injuries that develop gradually from repetitive job duties — such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis…

Can I Get Workers’ Comp If My Pre-Existing Condition Was Aggravated By My Job?Yes — Georgia workers’ compensation generally covers an injury when a job-related incident or repetitive job duties aggravate, worsen, or accelerate…

Can I Get Workers’ Compensation If The Accident Was My Fault?Yes. Georgia workers’ compensation is a no-fault system, so you are generally covered even if your own carelessness or a simple mistake caused your…

Can I Sue My Employer for a Work Injury?In most cases, Georgia's workers' compensation system prevents you from suing your employer directly for a work injury, but you can file a workers'…

Do I Need a Lawyer for a Workers’ Compensation Claim?You are not required to hire a lawyer for a Georgia workers’ compensation claim, but legal help is often valuable when your claim is denied, your…

Does Surgery Increase A Workers’ Comp Settlement?Usually yes. Surgery tends to raise a Georgia workers’ compensation settlement because it increases medical costs, extends time out of work, and…

How Does Workers’ Compensation Work?Workers' compensation is a no-fault insurance system that pays for medical care and lost wages when you are hurt on the job in Georgia. You generally…

How Is A Workers’ Compensation Settlement Calculated In Georgia?A Georgia workers’ compensation settlement isn’t set by a fixed formula — it’s a negotiated lump sum. The value depends on your average weekly wage…

How Long After A Workers’ Comp Settlement Do I Get Paid?In Georgia, a workers’ compensation settlement must be approved by the State Board of Workers’ Compensation before any money is paid. Approval…

How Long Can You Stay On Workers’ Comp In Georgia?For a non-catastrophic injury, Georgia generally limits temporary total disability benefits to 400 weeks from the date of the accident under O.C.G.A.…

How Long Do I Have to Report a Work Injury in Georgia?In Georgia, you should report a work injury to your employer within 30 days, and you generally must file a workers’ compensation claim (Form WC-14)…

How Much Does Workers’ Compensation Pay for Lost Wages?Georgia workers’ compensation generally pays two-thirds of your average weekly wage for lost income, up to a maximum set by state law. If you can…

Is Workers’ Compensation Taxable In Georgia?Workers’ compensation benefits are generally not taxable — not by the IRS and not by the State of Georgia. Under 26 U.S.C. section 104(a)(1), amounts…

What Benefits Does Workers’ Compensation Cover?In Georgia, workers' compensation covers reasonable medical treatment, a portion of lost wages, permanent disability benefits, vocational…

What If My Employer Has No Workers’ Compensation Insurance In Georgia?You still have options. In Georgia, almost any business with three or more employees must carry workers’ compensation insurance. If your employer…

What If My Workers’ Compensation Claim Is Denied?If your Georgia workers' compensation claim is denied, you have the right to appeal by filing a Form WC-14 with the State Board of Workers'…

What to Do After a Workplace Injury?After a workplace injury in Georgia, report the accident to your employer immediately (in writing if possible), get prompt medical treatment from an…

What Workers’ Comp Lawyers Won’t Tell You?The things most often left unsaid are practical: most Georgia settlements permanently close your future medical care, the treating physician is…

When Will Workers’ Comp Offer A Settlement?There is no fixed timetable. In Georgia, a workers’ compensation insurer usually makes a serious settlement offer once your treatment stabilises…

Injuries

Does Workers’ Compensation Cover A Shoulder Or Rotator Cuff Injury In Georgia?Yes. Georgia workers’ compensation covers shoulder injuries and rotator cuff tears whether they happen suddenly — from a fall, an awkward lift, or a…

How Are Burn Injuries Handled in a Personal Injury Claim?Burn injuries are handled like other personal injury claims in Georgia: you must prove someone else's negligence caused your burns, then pursue…

How Long Do Whiplash Symptoms Last After a Crash?Most whiplash symptoms ease within a few days to several weeks, but more serious cases can last months or become chronic. Recovery time depends on…

What Is a Knee Injury and How Can a Lawyer Help?A knee injury caused by someone else's negligence may entitle you to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A personal…

What Should I Do After a Neck Injury?Neck injuries from car accidents, falls, and other incidents range from whiplash to serious cervical fractures, and if someone else's negligence…

What Is a Soft Tissue Injury?A soft tissue injury is damage to the body's muscles, ligaments, tendons, or other connective tissues—commonly caused by the sudden force of a car…

What Is a Traumatic Brain Injury Worth in a Claim?There is no fixed dollar figure for a traumatic brain injury claim in Georgia. Its value depends on the severity of the injury, your medical costs…

What to Do After a Back or Spinal Cord Injury?After a back or spinal cord injury, get emergency medical care immediately, avoid moving the injured person unless necessary, document the accident…

Working With a Lawyer

Can I Change Lawyers In The Middle Of My Personal Injury Case?Yes — you have the right to change attorneys at almost any point in your personal injury case, and it usually costs you nothing extra out of pocket.…

Do I Need A Lawyer For A Minor Car Accident?Usually not, if nobody was hurt and the only issue is vehicle damage — you can generally handle that yourself. The thing to be careful about is…

How Do You Find the Best Car Accident Lawyer in Atlanta, GA?To find the best car accident lawyer in Atlanta, look for a local attorney who focuses specifically on personal injury law, has the resources to give…

Is It Worth Getting An Attorney For A Car Accident?It depends on whether you were injured. If nobody was hurt and the damage is minor, you can usually handle the property-damage claim yourself. Once…

Should I Get A Lawyer If The Accident Wasn’t My Fault?Clear fault helps, but it does not guarantee a fair offer. The other driver’s insurer still has an interest in paying less, and the usual routes are…

When Should You Consult A Lawyer After A Truck Accident?Sooner than after a car crash — ideally within days. Trucking companies often dispatch investigators to the scene immediately, and the electronic…

Why Do You Need an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer?You need an Atlanta car accident lawyer because insurance companies are trained to pay you as little as possible, and an experienced attorney…

After an Accident

Can You File A Car Accident Claim Without A Police Report?Yes. A police report is not required to file a car accident claim in Georgia, and its absence does not defeat a valid claim. It does make the claim…

Do I Have To Give The Insurance Company My Medical Records?No — you are not required to hand the at-fault driver’s insurer your entire medical history. They often send a blanket authorization designed to dig…

Do I Have To Report A Minor Car Accident To The Police In Georgia?Yes, if the crash involves an injury, a death, or property damage that appears to exceed the state’s reporting threshold. Even when a report isn’t…

How Do You Get A Copy Of Your Georgia Accident Report?Most Georgia accident reports can be purchased online through BuyCrash.com, the online service the Georgia State Patrol and most city and county…

How Does Car Insurance Work After an Accident?After a Georgia car accident, the at-fault driver's liability insurance is generally responsible for covering your injuries and property damage, but…

How Do You Navigate the Aftermath of a Distracted Driving Accident?After a distracted driving accident in Georgia, check for injuries and call 911, seek medical care, gather evidence at the scene, get a police…

How Is Fault Determined In A Georgia Car Accident?Fault in Georgia is decided by evidence, not by the police report alone. Insurers and courts weigh the crash report, physical damage, traffic laws…

Should I Give A Recorded Statement To The Insurance Company After A Car Accident?No — you are generally not required to give a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company, and you usually should not do so without…

Should I See A Doctor After A Car Accident If I Feel Fine?Yes. You should see a doctor within about 72 hours of a car accident even if you feel fine, because adrenaline can mask serious injuries like…

What Happens If Someone Else Was Driving My Car In An Accident?In Georgia, insurance generally follows the car rather than the driver. If you gave someone permission to drive your vehicle and they cause a crash…

What Should I Do After a Pedestrian Accident?A pedestrian accident occurs when a person on foot is struck by a vehicle, and in Georgia, injured pedestrians generally have the right to recover…

What Should I Do After a Motorcycle Accident?After a motorcycle accident in Georgia, get to safety, call 911, seek medical care right away, and document everything you can at the scene. Then…

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident?After a bicycle accident in Georgia, call 911, get medical attention, document the scene and your injuries, exchange information with the driver, and…

What To Do After A Bus Accident?After a bus accident in Georgia, move to safety, call 911, document the scene and your injuries, and seek prompt medical care—then contact a personal…

What To Do After A Car Accident in Georgia?After a car accident in Georgia, stay calm, check for injuries and call 911, move to safety if you can, report the crash to police, exchange…

What to Do After a Dog Bite?After a dog bite in Georgia, get to safety, seek immediate medical care, report the bite to animal control, gather the owner's information, document…

What to Do After a Head-On Collision?After a head-on collision in Georgia, call 911, seek immediate medical care, document the scene and other driver's information, and avoid admitting…

What To Do After A Hit And Run Accident?After a hit and run in Georgia, get to safety, call 911, document everything you can about the fleeing vehicle, gather witness information, and seek…

What to Do After a Multi-Vehicle Pileup?After a multi-vehicle pileup, move to safety if you can, call 911, get medical attention, document the scene, and avoid admitting fault. Because…

What to Do After a Rear-End Collision?After a rear-end collision in Georgia, move to safety, call 911, get medical attention right away, document the scene and damage, exchange…

What to Do After a Rideshare Accident (Uber and Lyft)?After an Uber or Lyft accident in Georgia, call 911, get medical care, document the scene, report the crash through the rideshare app, and avoid…

What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Georgia?After a slip and fall in Georgia, report the incident to the property owner, get medical care right away, photograph the hazard, gather witness…

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Georgia?After a truck accident in Georgia, call 911, get immediate medical care, document the scene and the trucking company's information, and avoid giving…

Who Is at Fault in a Left-Turn Accident?In most cases, the driver making the left turn is at fault for a left-turn accident because Georgia law requires turning drivers to yield to oncoming…

Who Is At Fault In A T-Bone Accident In Georgia?In most T-bone (side-impact) accidents, the driver who failed to yield the right of way is at fault — usually the driver who ran a red light, missed…

Who Is At Fault When A Pedestrian Is Hit Outside A Crosswalk In Georgia?A pedestrian struck outside a marked crosswalk is not automatically at fault. Georgia law requires pedestrians crossing outside a crosswalk to yield…

Why Do You Need a Drunk Driving Accident Lawyer in Georgia?You need a drunk driving accident lawyer in Georgia because DUI claims involve complex evidence like BAC results and may allow for punitive damages…

Your Claim & Compensation

Can I Still Recover If I Was Partly At Fault For A Car Accident In Georgia?Yes — as long as you were less than 50% at fault. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule, so you can still recover compensation if…

Can I Sue For Emotional Distress After A Car Accident In Georgia?Yes — emotional distress is generally recoverable in Georgia as part of the non-economic damages in a personal injury claim, alongside physical…

Do I Have to Go to Court for a Personal Injury Claim?No, most personal injury claims in Georgia settle out of court without a trial. You typically only go to court if the insurance company refuses to…

Do I Have To Pay Back Health Insurance From My Settlement?Often, yes. If your health insurer, Medicare, or Medicaid paid for your accident-related treatment, they may have a right to be reimbursed out of…

Does Insurance Cover Car Seat Replacement After An Accident?Usually yes. Most auto insurers will pay to replace a child car seat that was in a vehicle during a crash, because manufacturers and federal safety…

How Are Slip And Fall Settlements Calculated In Georgia?A Georgia slip and fall settlement is calculated by adding up your economic damages (medical bills, lost wages) and non-economic damages (pain and…

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Georgia?In Georgia, you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. Some claims, such as property damage or…

How Long Do Slip And Fall Settlements Take?Most Georgia slip and fall claims resolve in several months to over a year, and they typically take longer than car accident claims of similar value.…

How Long Does A Car Accident Settlement Take In Georgia?Most Georgia car accident settlements take a few months to a year, though it can be longer. The timeline mainly depends on how long your medical…

How Long Does a Personal Injury Lawsuit Take?Most Georgia personal injury cases resolve in several months to two years, depending on the severity of your injuries, the complexity of liability…

How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost in Georgia?Most Georgia personal injury lawyers, including The Wilson PC, work on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay nothing upfront and owe an attorney fee…

How Much Does Car Insurance Go Up After An Accident In Georgia?There is no fixed figure, but an at-fault accident in Georgia commonly raises a premium by roughly 20 to 50 percent at renewal, and the surcharge…

How Much Is My Personal Injury Case Worth in Georgia?Your Georgia personal injury case value depends on the severity of your injuries, your financial losses, who was at fault, and how much insurance…

Is My Personal Injury Settlement Taxable In Georgia?Mostly no. Compensation for physical injuries or physical sickness — including related medical expenses and pain and suffering — is generally not…

Should I Accept The First Settlement Offer From An Insurance Company?Usually no. The first offer is almost always low and arrives before your full damages — including future medical care, lost wages, and pain and…

What Damages Can I Recover In A Georgia Personal Injury Claim?In Georgia you can generally recover economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, lost earning capacity, property damage), non-economic damages (pain…

What Happens If The At-Fault Party Has No Money Or Insurance?You may still be able to recover — most often through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, other applicable policies like…

What Happens If The Insurance Company Denies My Car Accident Claim In Georgia?A denial is not the end of your claim — insurers deny or lowball claims for many reasons, some legitimate and some not. You can request the denial in…

What If I Was A Passenger Injured In A Car Accident?As an injured passenger in Georgia, you are almost never at fault, which makes your claim especially strong. You can file against whichever driver or…

What If The At-Fault Driver Was Driving Someone Else’s Car?In Georgia, auto insurance generally follows the car first, so the vehicle owner’s liability policy is usually primary, often with the driver’s own…

What Is a Personal Injury Claim?Yes, you can legally file a personal injury claim in Georgia without an attorney, but doing so puts you at a disadvantage against experienced…

What If The Other Driver Has No Insurance In Georgia?If an uninsured or hit-and-run driver hurts you in Georgia, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage can step in to pay for your…

What If The Police Report Says The Accident Was My Fault?Don’t panic — a Georgia police report’s statement of fault is just the officer’s opinion, not a binding legal ruling, and these reports are generally…

What Is A Diminished Value Claim In Georgia?A diminished value claim recovers the resale value your vehicle loses simply because it now has an accident on its history report — even after…

What Is MedPay Coverage And Do I Need It In Georgia?MedPay (Medical Payments coverage) is optional auto insurance that pays your and your passengers’ reasonable medical bills after a crash, regardless…

What Is The Average Settlement For A Car Accident In Georgia?There is no reliable “average” settlement for a Georgia car accident. Published averages blend minor and serious claims; real value depends on injury…

What Is Wrongful Death and Who Can File?A wrongful death occurs when a person dies because of another party's negligent, reckless, or intentional act. In Georgia, the deceased person's…

Why Is My Car Accident Settlement Taking So Long?Most delays come from one of four places: you are still treating and the final cost is unknown, fault is disputed, there is a lien or…

Will Filing A Car Accident Claim Raise My Insurance Rates?Generally no — if you were not at fault, filing a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance should not raise your own rates for that accident…

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