Accidents happen regularly in Sharpsburg and throughout the state. In most cases, they result in personal injuries, which can inflict losses, ranging from severe physical pain and suffering to hefty medical bills and expenses.
If you or a loved one has sustained injury due to reckless, careless, or negligent actions of another party, you are eligible for compensation for the medical bills, emotional distress, and other damages. However, you need the help of an experienced Georgia personal injury lawyer. The Wade Law Firm has handled many cases in this field, including medical malpractice, wrongful death, car accidents, truck crashes, pedestrian accidents, slip and falls, etc.
Our seasoned Sharpsburg injury lawyers will help you pursue the compensation you deserve. So, call us today at (770) 282-1188 and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
What Should I Do After an Injury?
The steps you take after an accident can have an impact on your personal injury claim. As such, it’s important to be prepared and know what to do. That said, here are steps you need to take:
Seek Medical Attention
It goes without saying that seeking medical attention should be the first thing following an accident. If it’s an emergency, call 911 so that an ambulance may be sent to your location. Getting treatment early is a great way to improve the chances of not only complete recovery but full compensation.
Take Photos or Videos If You Can
If you have a smartphone at hand, take photos and videos of both the injuries and the accident scene. If you can’t record the incident immediately, do so as soon as possible after the accident. Keep in mind that this information will come in handy when proving your case.
Collect Names and Contact Information of Any Witnesses
It is also important to note down the names and contact information of any eyewitnesses as they will play a vital role in helping tell your version of the story. Do not compromise the chance of a
Report the Accident
It is important to notify the relevant parties of the accident. If it’s a car accident, you need to report it to the authorities. If it is a workplace-related injury, report it to your supervisor. If it’s a slip and fall at a business premise, notify the manager. Also, make sure you get a copy of the accident report.
Never Admit Fault
Never apologize to the other party or admit fault in an accident for the resulting damages or injuries. This should be the case even if you believe you could be partly responsible for the incident.
Seek Legal Assistance
If you have sustained injury due to the negligence or reckless actions of another party, it’s advisable to call a Sharpsburg personal injury lawyer with experience in all kinds of personal injury claims including slip and falls, car accidents, defective product claims, dog bites, etc. The Wade Law Firm handles all types of personal injury cases in Sharpsburg and surrounding areas in Georgia.
You need a legal representative that will protect your rights and interests. So reach out through the phone or the online form for further details about your legal options.
Why Should I Get An Attorney?
Personal injury law is complex and the fact that you need to focus on recovery does not make the claim process easier. You need a professional to do all the heavy lifting. Here are some of the reasons you should get a personal injury lawyer:
Case Preparation
If you get injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, it is up to you to initiate the claim process by reaching out to a qualified attorney. The personal injury lawyer will go through your case, injuries and tell you the available legal options. Our team will then conduct a thorough investigation and gather the necessary evidence. Lastly, we will file a lawsuit with the aim of seeking compensation for
Settlement Negotiation
Before even considering taking your case to trial, your attorney and the at-fault party’s legal representative will try to reach a settlement. At this stage, the party at fault is expected to agree to pay a particular amount in order to be released from liabilities. If all is good, then the claim ends here.
Trial Preparation & Representation
If both parties don’t reach a settlement, your claim will go to court. Most individuals and even insurance companies try to avoid this, particularly due to the time and money it takes to conclude a case. During the trial, the jury will determine if the defendant is liable. If so, the judge will set the damages to be awarded. A Wade Law Firm personal injury lawyer will provide competent legal representation throughout the case trial.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover in Georgia?
There are various types of damages available for personal injury victims in Georgia. These include:
Economic Damages
Also known as special damages, economic damages cover the monetary losses experienced as a result of the injury. These are easy to calculate as they are tangible. Types of economic damages include lost wages, property damage, utility bills, medical expenses, etc.
Non-Economic Damages
Also known as general damages, non-economic damages cover the pain and suffering the victim and their family has experienced as a result of the injury. They are intangible in nature and hard to calculate as they do not come with objective documentation like receipts. Types of non-economic damages include emotional distress, pain and suffering, tarnished reputation, loss of companionship, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Punitive Damages
In situations where the defendant was extremely negligent, careless, or reckless, punitive damages can be awarded. They are designed to punish the wrongdoer and discourage them, as well as, the general public from engaging in similar actions in the future.
How is Liability Determined in Georgia?
For a defendant to be held liable for personal injury in the state of Georgia, you need to prove:
Duty of Care
The first aspect of negligence that you need to prove is that the other party owed you some level of obligation. This is referred to as duty of care. It includes anything from driving safely and following traffic rules, to doing the necessary inspections before driving a truck.
Breach of Duty of Care
The second aspect of negligence that you need to prove is that there was a breach of the aforementioned duty of care. This may include disobeying traffic rules or skipping the necessary vehicle inspections.
Causation
Third, you need to show that the breach of duty of care was the direct cause of the accident. An example is running a spotlight and colliding with another vehicle as a result.
Damages
Lastly, you need to show that the incident led to physical pain, injury, damage to property, emotional distress, or any other form of damage.
Keep in mind that the state of Georgia follows the proportional comparative fault principle. This means that a percentage of blame is assigned to every party involved in the accident. Although one party can be held 100% liable, that is not always the case. Usually, the parties involved share varying levels of fault.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Georgia?
In civil lawsuits, there’s a law known as the statute of limitations, which applies to personal injury cases as well. The statute of limitation for personal injury lawsuits in the state of Georgia is two years. This means you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim.
How Much Will a Sharpsburg, Georgia Personal Injury Attorney Cost?
Most personal injury victims tend to hesitate to involve a personal injury lawyer in their cases due to the legal fees. Fortunately, you do not have to worry about the cost because, at The Wade Law Firm, we work on a contingency basis. This means you don’t pay a cent unless we win your case. The amount your end up paying is based on the agreed-upon percentage of the settlement.
Types of Injury Cases The Wade Law Firm Handles
You can count on us to provide top of the line legal services in the following types of personal injury cases:
- Slip and fall
- Workers’ compensation
- Medical malpractice
- Wrongful death
- Spinal cord injuries
- Brain injury
- Burns
- Broken bones
- Dog bites
- Motorcycle accidents
- Auto accidents
- Premises liability
Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer Today!
Personal injuries can be devastating to victims and their loved ones. If you have sustained an injury due to the negligence of another party, you can count on The Wade Law Firm. We have a team of skilled and seasoned personal injury lawyers who will work round the clock to ensure you get the best legal representation.
What you do following a personal injury accident can have a major impact on your life. So, do not take chances. Get in touch by calling our office at (770) 282-1188 today for a free, no-obligation initial consultation!
