Atlanta PI Attorney Describes the Process of Submitting a Demand for Settlement in Georgia

Riah Greathouse Esq.April 4, 20260 comments

Summary

This source outlines the legal procedures involved when a personal injury lawyer in Georgia initiates a settlement demand against an insurance provider. State regulations require these companies to receive at least 30 days to evaluate and respond to the formal request. The attorney clarifies that a successful payout is not guaranteed, as insurers may choose to deny responsibility or request additional time for review. Furthermore, the response might include a settlement offer that falls well short of the victim’s initial expectations. Ultimately, the video serves as a guide for clients on the unpredictable outcomes that can follow the submission of a claim.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How long does an insurance company have to respond to a settlement demand in Georgia?

Under Georgia law, insurance companies must be given at least 30 days to respond to a demand for settlement. This specific timeframe is a legal requirement that allows the insurer sufficient time to process the request.

Is an insurance company required to offer a settlement after receiving a demand?

No, insurance companies are not legally obligated to respond to a demand with a settlement offer. While they must respond within the required timeframe, their answer may involve a refusal to settle or a denial of the claim.

What are the possible responses from an insurance company regarding a demand?

Typical responses from insurance providers include requests for more time, denials of liability, or lower settlement amounts than requested. They may also state that they are not interested in pursuing a settlement at that specific time.

What happens if an insurance company denies liability in a Georgia claim?

If an insurance company denies liability, they are formally asserting that they are not responsible for the claim. This is one of the several standard legal responses an insurer may provide after a demand is submitted.

Can an insurer offer less money than what was requested in the demand?

Yes, insurance companies frequently respond to demands by offering amounts well below the requested settlement. This is a standard part of the negotiation process following the 30-day review period.

Transcription of the Video

It is now time to submit the demand for settlement in your case. This is the part where we sit back and wait. Under Georgia law, the insurance company must be given at least 30 days to respond to your demand. The kicker is that they do not necessarily have to respond with a settlement offer. There are several answers we could receive from the insurance company: we need more time to respond, we are not interested in settlement at this time, we are not liable for the claim, or they could offer you an amount much less than what we requested.

Riah Greathouse Esq.

Since being admitted to practice law in the State of Georgia, Riah Winston Greathouse has been counsel of record in over 5000+ criminal and civil matters throughout the state with a high rate of success. Mr. Greathouse earned his undergraduate degree at Hampton University and his law degree from the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas, where he graduated in the Top 10% of his law school class. During his law school tenure, he gained invaluable experience with internships with Judge Clarence Cooper of the United States District Court in the Northern District of Georgia, as well as Chief Judge Myra H. Dixon of the State Court of Fulton County, Georgia. The respective judicial internships allowed him to gain a keen insight on the method in which judges operate, and how many of them expect attorneys to be prepared when appearing on clients' behalf. Following law school, Mr. Greathouse joined a premier DUl defense firm, where he zealously represented numerous individuals charged with DUI. While representing DUI clients, Mr. Greathouse earned his certification in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration DUI Detection & Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, and attended the National College for DUI Defense at Harvard. Mr. Greathouse has also served his community as an Assistant District Attorney in Fulton County, Georgia for several years, where he prosecuted cases ranging from drugs to violent felonies throughout the county. His service as a prosecutor yielded a tremendous amount of courtroom experience, which allows him to attack cases with tenacity, often times proving to be beneficial in securing a favorable resolution. After leaving the Fulton County District Attorney's Office, Mr. Greathouse joined a nationally recognized plaintiff's firm, where he represented injured victims as well as estates on behalf of decedents in wrongful death actions.