Question 1

How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Georgia?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, Georgia law gives you 2 years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim. For wrongful death claims, the 2-year period runs from the date of death. Missing this deadline can permanently bar your right to recover compensation, which is why it is critical to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after an accident.

Question 2

How quickly should I contact a lawyer after an accident?

Accepted Answer

As quickly as possible. Evidence — skid marks, surveillance footage, black box data from commercial trucks — disappears fast. Insurance companies begin building their defense immediately. The sooner you have legal representation, the better your ability to preserve the evidence you need and the stronger your case will be.

Question 3

Do I have to pay anything upfront to hire Sutlive Law?

Accepted Answer

No. Sutlive Law works on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are absolutely no fees unless we recover compensation for you. Your initial consultation is free, and you owe us nothing if we do not win your case.

Question 4

What should I do immediately after an accident?

Accepted Answer

Seek medical attention first — even if you feel fine, some injuries are not immediately apparent. Call the police and get an accident report. Take photos and video of the scene, your injuries, vehicle damage, and any hazardous conditions. Collect contact information from witnesses. Do not give a recorded statement to the insurance company before speaking to an attorney.

Question 5

What types of cases does Sutlive Law handle?

Accepted Answer

Sutlive Law focuses on serious personal injury cases including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, rideshare accidents (Uber/Lyft), wrongful death, slip and fall / premises liability, traumatic brain injury, medical malpractice, abuse cases, and dog bites.

Question 6

What is Georgia's modified comparative fault rule?

Accepted Answer

Georgia follows a modified comparative fault rule. If you are partially at fault for an accident, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found to be 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover compensation at all. Insurance companies frequently try to inflate a victim's share of fault to reduce or eliminate their payment — which is why legal representation is so important.

Question 7

What damages can I recover in a personal injury case?

Accepted Answer

In Georgia, injury victims can typically recover economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, future medical expenses, lost earning capacity) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium). In cases involving egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available.

Question 8

Should I accept the insurance company's settlement offer?

Accepted Answer

You should consult with an attorney before accepting any settlement offer. First offers are almost always far below the actual value of your claim — and once you accept a settlement, you typically cannot seek additional compensation later, even if your injuries turn out to be more serious than initially apparent.

Question 9

Does Sutlive Law handle cases outside of Georgia?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Bryan Sutlive is licensed to practice in Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, North Carolina, and Alabama. We handle serious injury cases across the Southeast and do not need to refer out-of-state cases to other firms.

Question 10

How is Sutlive Law different from other personal injury firms?

Accepted Answer

Sutlive Law intentionally limits the number of cases it accepts so that every client receives focused attention. We have a physician's assistant on staff who assists with medical record analysis — a significant advantage in injury cases. Bryan Sutlive is also an active mediator, giving him unique insight into how insurance companies evaluate claims and what drives settlement decisions.

Question 11

Will I work directly with Bryan Sutlive or be handed off to staff?

Accepted Answer

You will work directly with the legal team handling your case. At Sutlive Law, clients are never passed off to a paralegal or case manager to handle their questions — the attorneys and key team members stay involved from intake to resolution.

Question 12

How long does a personal injury case typically take?

Accepted Answer

Timeline varies by case complexity. Many cases resolve through negotiated settlement within several months to a year. Cases that go to litigation can take 1-3 years or longer. Bryan Sutlive's experience as a mediator means he knows how and when to push for efficient resolution without sacrificing maximum compensation.

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