There’s no worse experience than minding your own business only for an accident to upend your life suddenly. Severe injuries may have long-term debilitating effects on the body and significantly impact the quality of life you live. If you were injured because of the reckless actions of another party, you have the legal right to seek compensation.
But you’ll need the help of a skilled and seasoned Atlanta personal injury lawyer. Having a dependable lawyer by your side can give you considerable mileage when it comes to building a solid case against the at-fault party. This way, you have the best chance of getting the compensation you are owed for losses and injuries suffered.
The experienced personal injury attorneys at Hartley Rowe & Fowler know how the court system in Atlanta works and can help secure your payout. Call our Atlanta law offices at 678-825-6004 if you want to get an expert Atlanta personal injury lawyer to represent you. Book a FREE initial consultation and case review today!
What Should I Do After an Injury?
The moments following an accident are hectic and every action you take matters. It’s normal to be confused about what’s happening, which is why you need guidelines to follow. Here’s what you should do:
Get Medical Treatment and Keep Documentation
Even if you don’t feel any pain, getting medical aid immediately should be your priority. It helps guarantee you have a clean bill of health and also assists in claiming damages. A record of the treatments administered will show the severity of your injuries and help come up with a figure for medical costs incurred.
Take Photos/Video and Speak With Witnesses
If it is safe to do so, make sure to take a lot of photographs and videos of the site. This way, there is visual evidence of the accident when it’s fresh.
The contact info of witnesses is integral especially when it comes to tracking them and getting their view of the moments leading to the accident.
Report the Incident
Call the police if it’s a vehicle accident, report workplace accidents to supervisors, etc. This way, there’s an authoritative figure that is aware of the accident that occurred. Also, official reports can be reviewed by the insurer.
Never Admit Fault
Admitting fault can seriously damage your case. You may find yourself being the defendant and have to pay out reimbursement. So even if you know you were partly at fault, don’t discuss the moments leading to the crash with anyone except your lawyer. Insurance adjusters may try to trick you into admitting fault.
Reach Out to an Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer!
Call the law offices of Hartley Rowe & Fowler at 678-825-6004 for a free consultation. We will assist you with your case so that you can focus on your recovery.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer?
Here are some of the reasons to get a lawyer for your personal injury case in Atlanta.
Case Preparation / Filing a Lawsuit
When you seek legal counsel from an experienced personal injury attorney, they begin by conducting their own independent investigation into the accident to determine the at-fault party. This will entail acquiring witness statements, your medical records, police reports, photos, and/or videos, recreating the site, and uncovering anything that may be of use to the personal injury claim. All this information will assist them to build an airtight case.
When sufficient evidence of the accident has been gathered, your attorney can proceed to file a lawsuit if the at-fault party is reluctant to enter into settlement negotiations.
One thing about the court system is that if you file your suit incorrectly, you risk the case being thrown out of court. Don’t risk your financial future by handling the case yourself.
Settlement Negotiation
Most personal injury cases are resolved with an out-of-court settlement. Don’t try to enter negotiations without a lawyer present. Insurance companies and adjusters will try to offer a low amount that isn’t enough to cover the cost of damages and injuries suffered.
A lawyer can discern whether the insurance company and/or the at-fault is not serious about the negotiations, and are probably buying time as they try to discredit your claim. Our Atlanta personal injury lawyers at Hartley Rowe & Fowler always treat case preparation as if they are heading to trial. So, if they see the offer is unsatisfactory, they are ready to represent you in court.
Trial Preparation & Representation
In most cases, personal injury cases are solved out of court as the negotiation stage. But if the negotiations break down, the attorney is free to go to court. They will push for your restitution before a jury and/or judge. Nobody loves going to court given how litigation is often a costly, complicated, and long process for all parties involved, but Hartley Rowe & Fowler’s Atlanta personal injury attorneys are up to the task and will fight to win the maximum compensation for you.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover in Atlanta?
There are three categories of damages in personal injury cases.
Economic Damages
These damages are intended to return the plaintiff to the financial situation they were in before the said accident. Examples include medical bills, property damage, loss of earning capability, rehabilitation, and lost wages.
Non-Economic Damages
Not all damages or injuries suffered have a monetary value. Non-economic damages aren’t calculated with financial records and can vary depending on the case. These may include depression, pain and suffering, scarring and disfigurement, loss of consortium, and so on.
Punitive Damages
These damages are rarely awarded in personal injury claims. They are given to act as punishment to the at-fault party and prevent future wrongdoing. It ultimately comes down to the exact circumstances surrounding your case. Punitive damages are awarded when there’s clear evidence that the actions of the at-fault party were willful and resulted from gross negligence, misconduct, or recklessness.
How Is Liability Determined?
Knowing who is liable in a personal injury case is crucial. To prove liability, these are the main elements that are considered.
- Duty of Care: The plaintiff must prove that the defendant had a duty to act in a certain manner, in other words, to act how a reasonable individual would act in the same situation.
- Breach of Duty of Care: The plaintiff must show that the defendant was negligent and didn’t fulfill their duty.
- Causation: The defendant’s recklessness was the cause of the accident.
- Damages: The accident led to injuries and damages. Damages you may recoup include financial expenses and pain and suffering.
Does Comparative Negligence Apply in Atlanta?
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence law that allows you to pursue damages as long as you are less than 50% liable for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 40% responsible, you can only recover 60% of the value of your claim. You are not entitled to recover anything if you are found to be 50% or more at fault.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Atlanta, Georgia?
The statute of limitations on personal injury lawsuits in Georgia is typically two years following the accident date. To file a claim against a government entity, you must make a report within 6 months following the accident.
How Much Will an Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
At Hartley, Rowe & Fowler, we offer our legal expertise on a contingency fee basis. This generally means you can get our legal services free of charge with no upfront charges. You pay us after winning your personal injury claim. If we don’t win your case, you pay us nothing.
Types of Personal Injury Cases Handled at Hartley Rowe & Fowler
We have experience handling various kinds of personal injury cases. Some of the cases we encounter most often include:
Car Accidents
Atlanta car accidents can end up costing you thousands of dollars in medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. Hartley Rowe & Fowler will fight for you tirelessly to ensure that the liable parties and/or their insurance providers are held accountable. Our team of lawyers will establish the exact cause of the auto accident and ensure you are fully compensated.
Truck Accidents
Imagine driving on the road and then unexpectedly getting involved in a truck accident. Sadly, car passengers are usually the ones hurt and the injuries may be debilitating if not fatal. The personal injury attorneys at Hartley Rowe & Fowler will make sure that you get the legal representation you deserve and build a strong case to hold the at-fault party liable.
Wrongful Death
An unexpected loss often leaves the family dealing with financial burdens as well as grief. When someone dies because of negligence by another person or entity, Georgia law allows family members to file a wrongful death claim. The process of filing a wrongful death lawsuit is complex, so it’s important to get help from an experienced attorney. Call Hartley Rowe & Fowler today for a free consultation.
Consult With an Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer Today!
If you or someone close to you have been the victim of somebody else’s recklessness or carelessness, whether in a car accident, truck accident, or any other kind of accident, you can seek compensation. However, the process of filing a personal injury claim is complicated. You need a skilled personal injury lawyer to build a strong case and get fair compensation for all your damages.
Hartley Rowe & Fowler has been serving clients since 1975. We will use our vast experience to fight for the compensation you deserve. You can reach out to our Atlanta law offices at 678-825-6004 to get a FREE initial consultation.
