XII. How Long Do You Have To Bring A Personal Injury Claim in Georgia?

In Georgia, the statute of limitations for personal injury actions is TWO years. What is the “statute of limitations?” This is a legal time limitation for filing a legal claim. For Georgia car and truck wrecks, this means that if you do not file suit within two years of the date of the collision, you lose the right to pursue any legal claims based upon the wreck. Are there exceptions? Yes. For minors (people under 18 years old), mentally disabled individuals, and in some cases where there is a crime involved, Georgia law extends the time period allowed for bringing a personal injury claim; however, the best practice is to quickly retain a good lawyer to represent you. It is not a good idea to wait anywhere close to two years before beginning the claims or lawsuit process. Why? Often, key evidence must be preserved, witnesses must be interviewed, and wreck scenes must be photographed and inspected. After retaining a lawyer, you may wish to wait some period of time before making a settlement demand or filing a lawsuit in order to determine the severity of your injuries, assess the need for rehabilitation or surgery, and ensure that you have a handle on the total damage, both personal and property, caused by the collision at issue.