[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/personal-injury-process-and-how-it-works-in-georgia\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/personal-injury-process-and-how-it-works-in-georgia\/","headline":"The Personal Injury Process and How It Works In Georgia","name":"The Personal Injury Process and How It Works In Georgia","description":"If you\u2019ve been hurt in Georgia in an accident that was someone else\u2019s fault, you may have the right to seek compensation through a personal injury claim. The personal injury process in Georgia can involve numerous steps: conducting a thorough accident investigation, submitting insurance claims or demand letters,...","datePublished":"2026-10-08","dateModified":"2026-11-05","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/author\/kenbernard\/#Person","name":"Ken Bernard","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/author\/kenbernard\/","identifier":7,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2c8989e3a6ded75e4fe0fae6e90fc6dfec65eaf7676e8cefa113ad6e8e2d6c66?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2c8989e3a6ded75e4fe0fae6e90fc6dfec65eaf7676e8cefa113ad6e8e2d6c66?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Sherrod & Bernard, P.C.","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/SB-Logo-1.png","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/SB-Logo-1.png","width":300,"height":109}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/man-injured-accident.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/man-injured-accident.jpg","height":667,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/personal-injury-process-and-how-it-works-in-georgia\/","video":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LLWOpVMmXAk#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LLWOpVMmXAk","name":"The Personal Injury Process and How It Works In Georgia - Sherrod & Bernard, P.C.","description":"For more about car accident cases, visit: https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/personal-injury-process-and-how-it-works-in-georgia\/\n__________________________________\nSherrod & Bernard, P.C. - Personal Injury Lawyers in Douglasville\n8470 Price Ave \nDouglasville, GA 30134\nPhone: (770) 920 - 8350\nwww.sherrodandbernard.com","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/LLWOpVMmXAk\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/LLWOpVMmXAk\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/LLWOpVMmXAk\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/LLWOpVMmXAk\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/LLWOpVMmXAk\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2025-07-10T18:07:44+00:00","duration":"PT2M56S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LLWOpVMmXAk","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCNK4EK-AuNLyADEP1Gsgx7w#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCNK4EK-AuNLyADEP1Gsgx7w","name":"Sherrod and Bernard","description":"When you are in a legal bind, you need an experienced attorney you can count on to provide you with skilled representation and sound legal counsel. Every lawyer under the sun will tell you that he or she is the right person for the job, but you need a firm backed with a successful track record. You need the firm of Sherrod & Bernard, serving the Douglasville area.\n\nAfter attending the University of Georgia together, attorneys John Sherrod and Ken Bernard founded the law firm of Sherrod & Bernard, P.C. in 1992. From the very beginning, the goal of our firm has been to provide each and every client with the quality personal service and skilled representation they deserve. You can count on our work ethic and our commitment to our clients.\n\nYou need a highly skilled attorney to successfully resolve your legal issues. One of our lawyers can help. Schedule a free consultation by calling our Douglasville office at 770-920-8350.","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/uK-5K9pyHHwlk4D1Wclej9JOOudzsipnxVRsoc1u0fyFTl1Ykw0P1mMXhCw6PbtfZAwzpbuF_A=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LLWOpVMmXAk#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LLWOpVMmXAk#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LLWOpVMmXAk&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=LLWOpVMmXAk#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":11}]]},"about":["Personal Injury"],"wordCount":1135,"articleBody":"If you\u2019ve been hurt in Georgia in an accident that was someone else\u2019s fault, you may have the right to seek compensation through a personal injury claim. The personal injury process in Georgia can involve numerous steps: conducting a thorough accident investigation, submitting insurance claims or demand letters, undertaking settlement negotiations, and going to court and trial if negotiations fail to produce a settlement.A knowledgeable lawyer from Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., can guide you through each step of the Georgia personal injury process.\ufeffWhat Is a Personal Injury Claim in Georgia?A personal injury claim allows an injured individual to obtain compensation from the parties legally responsible for the injuries and resulting financial and personal losses. Personal injury claims arise when a party commits a tort, including:Negligent torts, such as car accidents or medical malpracticeIntentional torts, such as assaultStrict liability torts, such as defective product accidentsStep-by-Step: The Georgia Personal Injury Claim ProcessThe duration of a personal injury claim depends on several factors. However, when a claim proceeds all the way through litigation, the primary steps of a Georgia personal injury case timeline include:Step 1 \u2013 Get medical care and protect your healthAfter an accident, a person should immediately seek medical attention to diagnose any injuries and begin treatment and recovery. Injured people should also remember to obtain copies of treatment and rehabilitation records, which can serve as key evidence.Step 2 \u2013 Talk to a Georgia personal injury lawyerInjured people should seek legal counsel from Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., as soon as possible to discuss their legal rights and the possibility of pursuing a personal injury claim to seek fair compensation for losses stemming from their injuries.Step 3 \u2013 Investigation and gathering evidenceA personal injury attorney at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., can help an injured party gather the evidence needed to build an effective compensation claim, including evidence from the accident that caused injuries and expert witness testimony.Step 4 \u2013 Demand letter and pre-suit negotiationsMost personal injury settlement negotiations begin with a formal demand letter, in which an injured party or their counsel lays out the evidence supporting their claim and requests a specific amount of compensation from the insurance company.Step 5 \u2013 Filing a lawsuit if a settlement can\u2019t be reachedWhen settlement negotiations fail to produce a fair settlement, an injured person may need to file a lawsuit to continue pursuing their personal injury claim in court.Step 6 \u2013 Discovery and case preparationDuring a personal injury lawsuit, the parties engage in discovery, exchanging documents and information and deposing witnesses to identify disputed issues for trial.Step 7 \u2013 Ongoing settlement negotiations and mediationEven while parties proceed through pretrial litigation, they may continue settlement negotiations or attend mediation to try to settle before trial.Step 8 \u2013 Trial, verdict, and post-trial issuesAt trial, parties present their cases to a jury or judge, who issues a verdict resolving the case. A party who disagrees with the verdict may make post-trial motions to challenge errors during the trial proceedings or appeal the verdict and judgment.How Long Does a Georgia Personal Injury Case Take?A personal injury case in Georgia can take several months to several years to resolve, with the duration of a specific case depending on various factors. Some of the circumstances that can affect the legal process’s timeline include:The nature and severity of injuriesThe types of evidence in the caseThe number of potentially liable partiesWhether the injured party may share some of the fault for their injuriesThe availability of insurance coverageWhether a personal injury lawsuit goes to trialAlthough medical bills and lost wages can pile up after an accident, injured parties should remain patient throughout the personal injury claims process.Settlement vs Lawsuit: What\u2019s the Difference?Most personal injury cases end through the negotiation process with an out-of-court settlement. However, a legal claim may require a lawsuit that goes to trial.In a settlement, the parties negotiate the compensation the defendant pays to the plaintiff in exchange for a release of claims. Conversely, in a personal injury lawsuit, the parties turn to the courts to have a jury or judge determine the defendant\u2019s liability for the plaintiff\u2019s injuries and the amount of compensation the defendant should pay.The benefits of settling include providing a plaintiff with compensation more quickly than going to trial in a lawsuit and avoiding the additional costs and risks of trial litigation. However, a plaintiff typically releases the defendant from any further liability in a settlement. That means the injured person cannot go back for more compensation if it becomes apparent that the injuries were more severe than first thought.A trial in a personal injury lawsuit could provide a plaintiff with more compensation than they would obtain in a settlement. However, litigation can take a long time and put the plaintiff at risk of losing at trial and recovering nothing for their injuries.Georgia Statute of Limitations and Other DeadlinesUnder the statute of limitations for personal injury in Georgia (O.C.G.A. \u00a7 9-3-33), an injured party typically has two years from the date of their injury to file a lawsuit against the parties responsible for the injuries. However, parties may have more time to file suit, such as when a minor has a personal injury claim other than medical malpractice, or when an injured party does not immediately know about their injury or has no reason to discover it.Other deadlines also apply in personal injury cases against state government entities. Under Georgia law, a party with a personal injury claim against the state must send notice of their claim within 12 months of the date of their injury or the date they should have discovered their injury (O.C.G.A. \u00a7 50-21-26).What to Expect from Our Georgia Personal Injury LawyersWhen you choose Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., you get a legal team you can trust to:Investigate your personal injury case promptlyDocument proof of your ongoing and future lossesVigorously negotiate on your behalf for a settlement or advocate your case in court if necessaryOur attorneys have over 85 years of combined experience and a 30-year-plus track record of serving injured people in Georgia. At our law firm, you can expect to feel like a member of our family.Contact a Georgia Personal Injury LawyerThe personal injury claim process is complex, but legal representation from Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., can minimize the stress of pursuing your claim and improve your chances of recovering maximum compensation.Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced Georgia personal injury attorney to learn more about what to expect in a personal injury case and how to pursue yours.    "},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"The Personal Injury Process and How It Works In Georgia","item":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/personal-injury-process-and-how-it-works-in-georgia\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]