When you lose a loved one, it’s natural to be overcome with grief. You might feel like you can’t think straight or take care of yourself and your family. You also might feel like there aren’t any good choices. However, if the death was caused by someone else’s negligence or reckless behavior, you could be owed compensation for lost wages, medical bills, and funeral expenses. If this is your situation, working with a wrongful death lawyer in Macon, GA, who has experience handling these cases is critical.
Waiting Too Long to File a Claim
A wrongful death lawyer will help you understand your legal rights and options. The statute of limitations for wrongful death claims in Georgia is three years, which means you have a limited time to file a claim. If you wait too long to file, the court will not hear it.
Trying to Handle the Legal Process Yourself
If you have lost a loved one, it can be tempting to handle the legal process independently. While this may seem like the easiest way to go about things, you will likely make mistakes that could hurt your case. For example:
- You might miss essential deadlines in filing damages or other paperwork.
- An attorney can advise on how much compensation is fair based on what happened while finding evidence to support your claim.
- Attorneys know how insurance companies work and how best to negotiate with them.
Blindly Accepting an Insurance Company’s Offer
You want the best possible settlement, so you must consult a wrongful death lawyer in Macon, GA. Although it may seem like a good idea to accept the first offer that comes your way, it is not. You should always consult an attorney before taking any offer. The insurance company will try to set terms for their benefit, so don’t let them dictate the terms of your settlement!