Reviewed by an attorney at Dan Chapman & Associates. Last updated April 2026.
If you or someone you love has been hurt in Georgia — in a car wreck on I-20, a truck crash on I-285, a fall at a store in Conyers, or any other incident caused by someone else’s negligence — the questions pile up fast. How long do I have to file? What’s this going to cost me? What kind of lawyer do I even need? This page answers the five questions Georgia injury victims ask most, in plain English, with the same answers our attorneys give when someone calls our Conyers or Tucker office for a free consultation. If your situation isn’t covered below, call us at (770) 929-8292 — the consultation is free and we only get paid if you do.
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Georgia?
In Georgia, you generally have two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit, under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. Claims against a city or county must be filed within six months, and claims against the State of Georgia within one year. Missing the deadline usually ends the case.
Georgia’s two-year statute of limitations is one of the shorter deadlines in the country, and it runs from the date the injury occurred — not the date you finished medical treatment or the date the insurance company denied your claim. A handful of exceptions can pause (“toll”) the clock:
- Minors. If the injured person was under 18 at the time of the accident, the two-year clock generally doesn’t start until their 18th birthday.
- Incapacity. If the injured person was mentally incompetent at the time of the injury, the clock may be tolled until capacity is restored.
- Discovery rule. For injuries that couldn’t reasonably have been discovered right away (certain medical malpractice cases, for example), the clock can start on the date the injury was or should have been discovered — but there is a five-year outer limit for medical malpractice under Georgia’s statute of repose.
- Government defendants. Ante litem notice requirements are short and strict: six months for municipalities, 12 months for the State.
- Wrongful death. Two years from the date of death, which may be later than the date of injury.
Don’t try to interpret these on your own — one missed deadline wipes out the entire case. If you’re anywhere close to the two-year mark, call a Georgia personal injury attorney today.
What should I do if I have been injured in an accident in Georgia?
After an accident in Georgia: (1) call 911 and get medical attention, (2) report the incident and get a police or incident report number, (3) photograph the scene, vehicles, and injuries, (4) collect names and contact info for witnesses, (5) do not give a recorded statement to the at-fault insurer, and (6) call a personal injury attorney before accepting any settlement.
The first 72 hours after an accident shape the rest of your case. Here’s what Georgia injury victims should do, in order:
- Get medical care, even if you feel “fine.” Adrenaline masks symptoms — concussions, soft-tissue injuries, and internal bleeding often show up 24–48 hours later. Gaps in treatment are the #1 thing insurance adjusters use to argue you weren’t really hurt.
- Report the incident. Car crash: call 911 for a GA Uniform Motor Vehicle Accident Report. On the job: report to your supervisor in writing. Fall or store incident: ask for a written incident report and a copy before you leave.
- Document everything. Photos of the scene, vehicles, debris, skid marks, your injuries, the weather, the surrounding signage. Take more than you think you need.
- Get witness information. Names, phone numbers, and where they were standing. Witnesses disappear fast.
- Don’t talk to the other side’s insurance company. They will call within 24–48 hours and ask for a recorded statement. Politely decline until you’ve spoken with an attorney.
- Preserve evidence. Don’t repair the vehicle, throw away the shoes you fell in, or delete anything off your phone.
- Call a Georgia personal injury lawyer. Most offer free consultations and work on contingency — there’s no reason to wait.
See our full checklist: What to Do After a Car Accident in Georgia.
What are the common types of personal injury cases handled in Georgia?
The most common Georgia personal injury cases are motor vehicle crashes (cars, trucks, motorcycles, rideshare), premises liability (slip-and-falls), workers’ compensation, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse and neglect, wrongful death, products liability, and dog bites. Motor vehicle crashes make up the majority of claims filed across the state every year.
Personal injury is a broad umbrella. At Dan Chapman & Associates we handle the full range of cases that make up Georgia’s injury docket:
- Motor vehicle accidents — the largest category: passenger cars, commercial trucks and 18-wheelers, motorcycles, rideshare (Uber/Lyft), pedestrian and bicycle crashes, boating accidents.
- Premises liability — slip-and-falls, trip-and-falls, negligent security, swimming pool accidents, and other injuries on someone else’s property.
- Workers’ compensation — injuries on the job, covering medical care and a portion of lost wages regardless of fault.
- Social Security Disability — for Georgians unable to work due to injury or illness.
- Medical malpractice — surgical errors, misdiagnosis, birth injuries, medication errors.
- Nursing home abuse and neglect — bedsores, falls, malnutrition, physical or emotional abuse.
- Products liability — defective vehicles, tires, medical devices, consumer products.
- Wrongful death — when a loved one is killed by someone else’s negligence.
Each case type has its own rules on evidence, damages, and deadlines. The short answer is: if someone else’s carelessness caused you harm, it’s probably a personal injury case — and it’s worth a free call.
What is the average cost of hiring a personal injury attorney in Georgia?
Most Georgia personal injury attorneys work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing upfront and nothing at all unless they win your case. The standard contingency fee is 33⅓% of the settlement if the case resolves before a lawsuit is filed, and up to 40% if the case proceeds to litigation or trial.
“Contingency” means the attorney’s fee is a percentage of the recovery, not an hourly rate. In Georgia the typical fee schedule looks like this:
- 33⅓% (one-third) for cases that settle pre-suit — the most common outcome.
- 40% once a lawsuit is filed and the case is in active litigation.
- 40–45% if the case is tried to a jury verdict or taken up on appeal.
These percentages come off the gross settlement before case expenses (court filing fees, medical record retrieval, expert witness fees, deposition costs, accident reconstruction) are reimbursed. Reputable Georgia firms, including ours, advance all case expenses — you pay them back only out of the recovery, and only if there is one. If there’s no recovery, there’s no fee and no expense bill.
At Dan Chapman & Associates there is never a fee unless we win. The initial consultation is always free, and we will tell you honestly whether we think the case is worth pursuing.
How can I find a reliable personal injury lawyer in Conyers?
To find a reliable personal injury lawyer in Conyers, look for (1) attorneys licensed in Georgia with trial experience, (2) a physical Conyers office and Rockdale County courtroom familiarity, (3) strong verified reviews on Google and Avvo, (4) a free, no-pressure consultation, and (5) a contingency fee with no upfront cost. Ask about prior results in cases like yours.
A reliable Conyers personal injury lawyer shares a handful of traits worth screening for:
- Local presence. An attorney who actually practices in Rockdale County knows the judges, the mediators, and the local adjusters — that matters.
- Trial experience. Most cases settle, but insurance companies offer more when the firm across the table has a real track record of taking cases to verdict.
- Focus. Personal injury is a specialty. A firm that also handles divorce, bankruptcy, and business law isn’t focused on PI.
- Verified reviews. Google reviews, Avvo ratings, and BBB records tell you what past clients actually experienced.
- Transparent fees. Everything in writing. Contingency only. No upfront costs. Case expenses clearly explained.
- Responsiveness. Call the firm. If you can’t reach a real person in the first 24 hours, you won’t be able to reach them during your case either.
Dan Chapman & Associates has served Conyers and all of Georgia for over 30 years, with attorneys combining more than 100 years of experience. Our office is at 900 N. Main Street in Conyers, and consultations are always free. Learn more about our Conyers practice.
Talk to a Georgia personal injury attorney — free consultation
You don’t pay us unless we win. Call (770) 929-8292 or schedule a free case review. Offices in Conyers and Tucker, serving all of Georgia.