Personal Injury

The majority of David’s practice for the past 30 years has been personal injury cases, including wrongful death. The bulk of the personal injury cases are car, tractor trailer and motorcycle accidents. In addition, David handles civil rights, medical malpractice and products liability cases. (See “Other Practice Areas” tab.) David can answer your questions.

Question 1: Do I need a lawyer?

If your injury will not or does not heal within six weeks and requires two or more doctor or hospital visits, you will probably benefit from an attorney.

Question 2: What will a lawyer do for me? 

1. Take the hassle out of dealing with the insurance company.
2. Take the hassle out of collecting the medical records and charges.
3. Make sure you collect all the insurance coverage you are entitled to by coordinating automobile coverage (including liability, medical payments, and uninsured/underinsured motorist benefits), health insurance benefits, Medicare, other public assistance, and employer plans.
4. Advise you on the value of your case.
5. Guide you through the legal process.
6. Most health insurance and public assistance require that you pay them back out of any verdict or settlement. An attorney should not just take his fee and run but work to maximize what the client takes home by knowing the rules and negotiating with the carriers.

Question 3: What is my case worth?

That is the question everyone asks but an attorney cannot accurately answer until he or she examines the medical issues (e.g, medical records and medical charges), reviews liability issues (e.g., witness statements, police report), and finds out the types and amounts of insurance involved. Usually a case cannot be evaluated until the client reaches maximum medical improvement. In other words, this important question can almost never be answered in the initial interview.

Question 4: How long will the process take?

The short answer is, it depends. The times vary from about three months to several years. Timing is greatly affected by how fast the client heals (reaches maximum medical improvement) from his or her injuries. It is usually best to wait until the client has reached MMI to settle the case or even file suit. Of course suit must be filed before the statute of limitations runs regardless of MMI. Once a client has reached MMI and suit is filed, Georgia law provides for six months for the attorneys to take depositions etc. After that time runs, it can take three to nine months, depending on the county, to reach a trial calendar, which usually lasts a week. Once on a trial calendar, the case works its way to the top by age. In some counties the case may be reached on the first calendar. In others it may not be reached for three or four calendars.

Schedule a consultation

To schedule a consultation with attorney David J. Blevins, call 706-671-2615 or contact us online.