Jonesboro and the entire state of Georgia are subject to accidents on a daily basis. These accidents can result in personal injuries which can lead to substantial losses. These losses include severe suffering, pain, and high-end medical bills.
If you or a loved one of your family could be entitled to damages for medical expenses and emotional pain, along with other damages that result due to the reckless or negligent conduct by another party. You will need to seek advice from a Jonesboro personal injury lawyer. Wade Law Firm has dealt with numerous cases in this region that include medical negligence and wrongful death.
Our Jonesboro injury attorneys will assist you in obtaining the compensation you deserve. Call today at 770-282-1188 to schedule an appointment that is free and comes with no obligation.
What Should I Do After an Injury?
Your personal injury claim could be affected by the actions you take following an accident. As such, it’s important to be prepared and know what to do. That said, here are actions you should take:
Find Medical Attention
Following an accident, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. You should call 911 immediately if are in an emergency so an ambulance can be sent to your spot. Being treated early can greatly improve the chances of not just complete recovery but full compensation.
Take Photos or Videos If You Can
If you’re carrying a smartphone in your pocket, snap photos and videos of both injuries and the accident scene. If you aren’t able to record the incident right away, do so as soon as possible after the accident. Keep in mind that this record will prove useful when you need to prove your case.
Get Contact Information and Names of Any Witnesses
It is also essential to keep track of the names as well as the contact information of witnesses as they can be crucial in retelling your version of the story. Don’t compromise your chance of recovering compensation.
Report an Accident
Notifying the proper parties of the accident is essential. If it’s a vehicle accident it is important to report it to authorities. If it is a workplace-related injury, you should report it to your supervisor. If it’s a slip and fall at a business premise, notify the manager. Also, be sure to get a copy of the accident report.
Never Admit Fault
Do not apologize or admit to fault in the event of injuries or damages incurred through an accident. Even if you think that you’re partially to blame that should not be the norm.
Get Legal Assistance
Jonesboro personal injury attorneys are there to assist you in the event that you’ve been injured by the negligent or reckless actions of a third party. They are experienced with every type of personal injury claim, such as dog bites, slip and falls, car accidents, defective products lawsuits, truck accidents, and wrongful death. The Wade Law Firm handles all types of personal injury lawsuits within Jonesboro as well as surrounding areas in Georgia.
A legal representative is necessary to protect your rights. So reach out by calling 770-282-1188 using or online form to get more information regarding your legal options.
Why Should I Get an Injury Attorney?
Personal injury law is complex and the fact that you must focus on recovery will not make the claims process easier. For the job of lifting heavy weights, you need the assistance of a professional. Here are some reasons to work with a personal injury lawyer:
Case Preparation
You are entitled to file a claim if you were injured in an accident that was not your fault. A personal injury attorney will go through your case, injuries and offer legal alternatives. Our team will conduct an extensive investigation and gather all the relevant evidence. Finally, we will start a lawsuit with the purpose of claiming compensation for
Settlement Negotiations
Before even thinking about proceeding to trial, your attorney and the legal representative for the defendant (or more commonly their insurance) will work to negotiate a settlement. At this point, the person at fault is required to pay a particular amount to release them from liability. The claim is closed if all goes as planned.
Trial Preparation & Representation
The claim will be filed in court if the parties cannot reach a settlement. This is a situation that many insurers and people want to avoid, mainly because of the cost and time involved in settling a case. During the trial, the jury will determine whether the defendant is legally responsible. If so then the judge will establish the amount of damages that will be given. Your Jonesboro personal injury lawyer will be able to give legal counsel that is competent throughout the trial.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover in Georgia?
There are a variety of damages available for people who have suffered personal injuries in Georgia. These include:
Economic Damages
Also known as special damages, economic damages cover the monetary costs incurred because of an injury. They are tangible and straightforward to calculate. Different types of economic damage include losses in wages, property damages and utility bills medical expenses, etc.
Non-Economic Damages
Also called general damages, non-economic damages take care of any pain or suffering that the family member or victim has endured as a result of the accident. They aren’t tangible and difficult to calculate since they do not have tangible evidence such as receipts. Examples of non-economic damages include emotional suffering, pain, and distress in the form of tarnished reputation and loss of friendship as well as loss of enjoyment of life.
Punitive Damages
In cases where the defendant was extremely reckless, negligent, or careless, punitive damages might be given. These damages are intended to penalize the perpetrator and also deter others from repeating the same mistake.
How Does Liability Determination Work in Georgia?
To be held accountable for personal injuries in the state of Georgia, the defendant must have acted negligently. You need to prove the following four elements.
Duty of Care
The first element of negligence that you need to show is that the person who was liable owed you some level of obligation. This is known as a duty of care. This means everything from following the traffic rules and safely to performing the required inspections before driving a truck.
Breach of Duty of Care
You must also prove that negligence occurred by breaching the obligation of care. This could be due to not observing traffic rules or not having performed a thorough vehicle inspection.
Causation
The third step is to establish that the accident was caused by a breach of duty of care. One example is driving under a spotlight and colliding with another vehicle in the process.
Damages
Additionally, you should prove that the incident contributed to physical injury, damage to property, emotional distress, or any other form of damage.
Keep in mind that the state of Georgia follows the modified comparative negligence principle. This means that a percentage of the blame is assigned to all parties involved in the incident. While one party might be held to be 100% responsible, this is not always true. Most of the time, there are varying degrees of fault between the parties.
What Is the Time Limit to Start a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Georgia?
The statute of limitations is a law that governs civil lawsuits. It also applies to personal injuries cases. The time limit for personal injury lawsuits in the state of Georgia is two years. That means that you have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim.
What Does It Cost to Hire a Jonesboro Personal Injury Lawyer?
The majority of victims of personal injuries have a tendency to be hesitant about involving lawyers for personal injury on their behalf due to the legal fees. Luckily, you do not need to be concerned about costs because, at The Wade Law Firm, we operate on a contingency basis. This means that you will not spend a penny unless and until we win your case. The agreed-upon percentage is the basis of how much you end up paying.
Kinds of Injury Cases That Wade Law Handles
We are able to provide top legal solutions for the following types of personal injury cases:
- Slip and fall
- Workers’ compensation
- Medical negligence
- Wrongful death
- Spinal cord injuries
- Brain injuries
- Catastrophic injuries
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Dog bites
- Motorcycle accidents
- Auto accidents
- Truck accidents
- Premises liability
Find a Jonesboro Personal Injury Lawyer Now!
Personal accidents can be extremely devastating for the victims and their families. Wade Law Firm can aid you if injured by the negligence of a third party. We have a team of highly skilled and experienced personal injury lawyers who will all hours of the day to ensure that you receive the best legal assistance.
What you do following a personal injury accident can have a major impact on your life. Therefore, don’t risk it. Contact us at 770-282-1188 today to get a no-cost and no-obligation consultation!
