Every day, we are at risk of suffering bodily harm or injury due to various types of accidents. You could get injured in a vehicular accident, knocked down by a car, slip and fall at a store, get injured due to using a dangerous or defective product, get bitten by a neighbor’s dog, or suffer harm in the hands of a negligent medical practitioner.
All these scenarios represent possible personal injury cases. Typically, these cases are a result of another person’s negligence. In such cases, the injured person may have the right to seek compensation from the at-fault party. However, proving negligence is key in such cases, and the legal assistance of an experienced Tyrone personal injury lawyer comes in handy.
At Wade Law, we understand the financial loss and agony that comes with personal injury cases. Our team of experienced lawyers can help you prove that another party was responsible for your injuries and help you recover compensation. If you have been injured in Tyrone, Georgia due to the negligence of another person, don’t hesitate to seek legal help. Call us today at 770-282-1188 to schedule a free consultation.
What Should I Do After an Injury?
If you have been involved in any kind of accident and suffered injuries, it is advisable that you don’t say anything or act in the heat of the moment. Preferably, you should take the following steps:
· Get medical treatment if you’re hurt, and be sure to keep all treatment records.
· Take photos or video of the scene, your injuries, and any property damage if you can.
· Get names and numbers of any witnesses present at the accident scene. For car accidents, get essential information regarding the other party, like contact and insurance policy information.
· Report the incident to the relevant authority. For a car accident, call the police to inspect the scene. For a slip and fall in a public or private premise, ensure that you report the accident to the premise owner or manager. Workplace accidents should also be reported to immediate supervisors.
· Never admit fault or say anything that can be used against you in your case.
· Call a personal injury lawyer as this is the best way to protect your right to get compensation for your losses and injuries.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer?
Getting a personal injury lawyer soon after the occurrence of an accident helps you understand your rights and options, and generally puts you in a good position with your claim. Specifically, a Tyrone personal injury lawyer will help you with the following:
Case Preparation
Before getting into negotiations with the defendant’s insurance company, your lawyer will prepare a solid case, including the facts of the accident and evidence to ensure that the insurance company awards you compensation.
Settlement Negotiation
Normally, personal injury will be solved through negotiations between the plaintiff and defendant through their insurance companies. Through their negotiation skills, a personal injury lawyer will help you secure reasonable compensation to cover all your losses.
Trial Preparation & Representation
Where negotiations fail, a personal injury lawyer will help you take your case to court. They will present the facts of the case and provide witness statements or depositions to convince the judge that the defendant was at fault for the accident and that you deserve to be compensated for your losses.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover?
In personal injury claims, victims can recover any of the following damages:
Economic Damages
These are also called special damages and are meant to reimburse you for any financial losses incurred as a result of the accident. They often include medical costs, rehabilitation costs, lost income, loss of earning capacity, and out-of-pocket costs.
Non-Economic Damages
These are also referred to as general damages and are meant to compensate you for the pain and suffering of the injuries suffered in the accident.
Punitive Damages
These may be awarded by a judge if the actions of the defendant are deemed gross negligence or willful misconduct. Punitive damages are meant to deter defendants from acting negligently in the future.
How Is Liability Determined?
In personal injury cases, the plaintiff has the burden of proving that the defendant acted negligently and in turn caused their injuries. To do this they must prove the following elements of negligence:
Duty of Care
The defendant owed the plaintiff a legal duty of care and was required to act as another reasonable person would in similar circumstances.
Breach of Duty of Care
The defendant didn’t do what another reasonable person would have done to prevent bodily harm to the plaintiff.
Causation
The accident caused by the defendant’s negligence is what led to the plaintiff’s injuries, and nothing else.
Damages
The plaintiff indeed suffered bodily harm as a result of the accident.
It is also important to note that Georgia is a comparative negligence state. Specifically, the state uses the modified comparative fault rule, which means that plaintiffs can recover monetary damages as long as the percentage of fault they bear in the accident doesn’t exceed 50%.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Georgia?
In Georgia, individuals who have been injured in an accident have 2 years from the date of the accident to file their claim. Failure to file within this time limits, their case might be voided and they may lose their right to seek compensation from the defendant.
Personal Injury Claims Process
Generally, the personal injury claim process will involve a couple of steps through which a lawyer can guide you to ensure you receive monetary damages for your injuries. This process involves:
Assessment
A lawyer will go through the facts of your case to establish whether you have a valid claim. Also, they will explain the legal options you have to determine the next step to take.
Consultation
Your lawyer will further consult experts like doctors and accident reconstruction experts to examine the facts of your case and find out how the accident has affected you. Essentially, this is important as it supports your claim.
Submission of Claim
Your lawyer will submit your claim to the defendant or their insurance company to notify them that you believe they are at fault for your injuries.
Settlement Negotiation
Normally, the defendant will deny or accept liability. If their insurer is willing to settle the claim out of court, your lawyer will negotiate on your behalf until an agreement is reached. If negotiations break down or the defendant denies liability, your lawyer will take your personal injury claim to court.
If negotiations go well, the defendant’s insurer will award you monetary compensation for your injuries, and you will pay your lawyer based on the agreed-upon percentage.
Trial If Needed
If negotiations break down or the defendant denies liability, your lawyer will take your personal injury claim to court.
How Much Will a Tyrone Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
At Wade Law, our lawyers work on a no-win, no-fee policy, meaning that you don’t pay anything until we win your case. After the compensation award is made, a part of it is used to pay your lawyer. Call us today to find out the percentage for lawyer fees and other costs that may accrue.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle at Wade Law
We handle a variety of personal injury cases in Georgia, including:
Wrongful Death
If a loved one lost their life due to the injuries suffered as a result of another person’s negligence, a wrongful death claim exists. We can help you file such a claim and receive the monetary damages you are entitled to.
Catastrophic Injury
We also help plaintiffs who suffer catastrophic injuries that lead to permanent impairments due to the negligence of another person. We handle such claims and assist plaintiffs in proving that the injuries suffered prevent them from engaging in any meaningful work.
Car Accidents
Plaintiffs who suffer severe injuries in car accidents often need help to prove that another driver was negligent, and we can represent them in such circumstances to ensure they receive the compensation they deserve.
Motorcycle Accidents
These accidents have the highest probability of injury or death, and we help victims who have been injured in motorcycle accidents file claims and ensure that the responsible party awards them compensation for their injuries.
Truck Accidents
Due to the sheer size and weight of trucks, accidents involving these vehicles are almost always fatal. Victims who survive such accidents often suffer life-long injuries that result in permanent disability. We handle such claims and can help such victims receive the monetary damages they deserve for their long-term injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
We also handle cases in which accident victims suffer traumatic brain injuries, which are usually some of the most severe injuries one can suffer in an accident.
Review Your Case for Free With a Tyrone Personal Injury Lawyer
Personal injury cases are common and are generally those cases in which the plaintiff suffers bodily harm due to the negligence of another party. Whether you have been hurt in a car accident, slip and fall on another’s premises, or have lost a loved one, you may have the right to seek compensation if another person was responsible for the accident.
Working with a personal injury lawyer helps you prove that the defendant was negligent and indeed at fault, prepare a solid case against the defendant, and negotiate reasonable compensation from the defendant’s insurance company.
If you have been injured in an accident that was a result of another person’s negligence, you need legal assistance to go through your claim process as smoothly as possible. At Wade Law, our lawyers are dedicated to representing you until you get the compensation award you deserve. Call us today at 770-282-1188 for a free case evaluation to find out the validity of your claim.
