Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer

What Types Of Compensation Can I Get?

Compensation for personal injuries comes in the form of financial restitution. Compensation is dived into 3 categories of damages; economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. Let’s look at these types of damages in further detail.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are financial losses, that are not subjective. These losses include medical costs, lost wages, property damage, etc. All economic losses have a clear amount and can be easily calculated.

Non-economic Damages

Non-economic damages are more difficult to calculate. These damages do not have a clear amount that they are worth. These include pain and suffering, emotional trauma, loss of enjoyment, loss of companionship.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are compensation that can be added to a claim if the negligence of the at-fault party was considered extremely negligent. The damages are added on as a punishment. An example of a case that would add punitive damages would be to a drunk driver who caused an accident due to being over the legal limit.

How Much Is My Case Worth?

The value of a personal injury case can vary greatly depending on the severity of the accident, extent of financial losses, and the injuries.  Insurance companies will often try to get a quick settlement by offering compensation quickly after the accident, but it is in your best interest to wait and contact a personal injury lawyer first.

An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to give you a better estimate of how much your case is worth, which is why it is important to hire one.

Can I Recover Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault?

You can still recover compensation even if you were partly responsible for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by the amount of fault that is assigned to you.

For example, if you are awarded $10,000 in compensatory damages but are found to be 25% at fault for the accident, then you will only receive $7,500.

You would not collect anything if you are equally, or 50% at fault. An example is if you and the other driver are in an accident where you both failed to stop at stop signs, or both entered an intersection at the same time you may be found partially responsible.

The Potential Impact of Comparative Fault

Sometimes fault or responsibility for the accident may be apportioned between the defendant(s) and the injured victim. This is referred to as comparative negligence.

Georgia is a modified comparative negligence state. You can recover damages for your injuries from the responsible party or parties even if you were partially at fault as long as your percentage of fault does not equal or exceed that of the other party responsible, or it does not exceed the proportion of fault of all other parties combined. Further, the damages awarded will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. In case you are both at 50% fault, then you will receive no compensation. This is not a good direction for your case.

How Are Personal Injury Cases Different From Other Legal Cases?

One of the key differences between personal injury and other types of lawsuits is that these cases are based on whether or not another party was negligent in some way which resulted in an accident, injury or death.

Another difference is that this type of case usually involves compensation for physical injuries suffered by someone who was hurt in some way due to another person’s actions. This means providing medical care (usually through reimbursement but sometimes through future medical expenses), lost wages, loss of enjoyment in life, or pain and suffering.  

With a personal injury case, you are required to file a personal injury claim within two years from the time of an accident. If you fail to make a claim within this statutory limitation window, you may lose the right to file a personal injury lawsuit.

The burden of proof in a personal injury case is relatively low compared to other legal cases because these cases are focused on compensating the plaintiff for their losses or injuries. To receive compensation, personal injury victims have to show that the defendant acted negligently, or did not act as a reasonable person would have in the same situation.

How Long Do I Have To File A Personal Injury Claim In Georgia?

Why Should I Call A Lawyer Before My Insurance Company?

You should call a lawyer before your insurance company because your lawyer will know how to get you a better settlement. Many insurance companies are looking out for their own best interests, not yours. They have attorneys on staff who are trained in minimizing payouts and giving the least amount possible.

An experienced injury attorney in Atlanta, GA will know what your case is worth and what you should be compensated for. This means that they can help you obtain a larger settlement since this is often accomplished by increasing the pressure on the insurance company.

In many cases, people choose not to hire an attorney because they feel as though doing so is unnecessary or because they cannot afford one. However, hiring a dedicated attorney may actually increase your chances of receiving a larger settlement from your claim as well as make it much easier to deal with the insurance company.

Who Can Be Held Liable For My Accident?

This can be a complicated process. In some cases, such as with car accidents, the fault is clear. The driver who hit you is at fault and will be liable for your injuries.

However, in other cases, it may not be so clear who is at fault. For example, if you slip and fall on someone’s property, they may be liable for your injuries even if there was no known danger on the property.

Determining fault can be difficult and it is often best to speak with an experienced lawyer to find out who is responsible for your accident.

You can still file a personal injury claim even if you were partly responsible for the accident. However, your compensation may be reduced by the amount of fault that is assigned to you.

How Long Will My Case Take?

The length of a personal injury case in Atlanta, GA can vary greatly. Some cases are resolved in a matter of months, while others may take years.

Factors that can affect the length of a settlement agreement include:

• The amount of evidence that needs to be gathered.
• Whether or not the case goes to trial.
• How long it takes the parties to reach a settlement.

How Much Does A Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?

Personal Injury Lawyers typically provide their legal services on a contingency basis.  A contingency-fee basis means there are no upfront fees or out-of-pocket costs. The fee agreement is finalized when you get a compensation settlement, and a percentage is held for legal fees.  An innocent victim of an accident should not have to endure additional expenses trying to pay out of pocket for an attorney. 

With a free, no-risk consultation to learn about your case, there is no reason not to call now! If you are an injury victim you need the legal expertise that only an experienced personal injury lawyer can offer.  With the best legal representation, you can focus on the road to recovery while your attorney focuses on getting you compensation. 

What Is Personal Injury Law?

• Experienced Atlanta personal injury attorneys will tell you that personal injury is actually a “specialty area” of law, meaning that it is one of the few areas in which you can become certified as an expert. This is because personal injury cases typically involve complex legal and factual issues, which can be difficult for someone without formal training to navigate.
• It typically follows a specific process.
  • The first step in any personal injury case is usually to file a complaint with the court. This document basically outlines the facts of your case and requests that the court takes action.
  • After the complaint has been filed, the defendant (the person or company you are suing) will typically file a response, and the case will then move into the discovery phase. This is where both sides will exchange information and documents in order to build their case.
  • After the discovery phase is complete, the negotiations begin. If an agreement cannot be made the case will go to trial.  But, trials can be very complex and expensive, which is why most personal injury cases are settled out of court.
  • Settlements are typically reached when both sides have exchanged all of the relevant information and both parties feel like they know what to expect if the case went to trial. Settlements can be for a variety of amounts, depending on the facts of each case.

How Do I Choose The Best Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer?

You can choose the best law firm in Atlanta by considering different factors such as:

• Experience and knowledge of their personal injury lawyers
• The size of the Law Firms
• Reputation and history 

Here are some of the options for selecting a good attorney:

• Ask another attorney: Experienced lawyers are aware of other leading firms. If you have ever worked with a lawyer for a separate case, ask them about a personal injury lawyer.
• Ask family or friends: Especially the ones closest to you who would have your best interests at heart.
• Consult bar associations: State and local bar associations often provide directories of their members. The State Bar of Georgia has both a basic law directory and an advanced search option.
• Check professional ratings: Many organizations allow their clients to rate their attorneys based on their experience and outcome of the cases. From the reviews, you may find the best Atlanta personal injury lawyer suited for your case.
• Try a google search: Typing in “personal injury attorney near me” will present you with a list of attorneys in your preferred location.
• Search social media: You can check out Georgia’s personal injury attorneys on social media, like Facebook and Twitter. Check their reviews as well.
• Request a Free Consultation with an Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer

You can request a free consultation with one of our Atlanta personal injury lawyers by calling us or through a live chat with us on our website. Our prowess in the legal arena comes from our combined years of trial and complex litigation experience.