Have you recently been in a car accident in the Dunwoody area of Georgia? If you have been, and you have not yet attempted to find legal counsel, you should consider speaking with our office. It is important to address this as quickly as you can. There is a statute of limitations in Georgia regarding personal injury cases. At the very least, you can understand what your rights are, and what type of damages you can pursue, as a result of your accident. If you would like to speak with one of our competent Dunwoody personal injury lawyers, you can call us today at (404) 875-7800.
Essential Steps To Take Directly After Your Car Accident
If you are injured in a car accident, there are steps that must be taken right after the incident occurs. Initially, you will examine yourself, assessing your own injuries, and the injuries of others that are with you. Those that are mobile, and can get out of their vehicle, should seek safety. You will then want to contact the local authorities. It is important to document every aspect of this experience which will include taking videos and pictures of the incident.
If possible, you should also record your thoughts at that time so you have the clearest account of what has happened. As you speak to the police, provide them with your assessment of what has happened, and never admit fault for what has occurred. Subsequently, getting medical attention is always important, regardless of the severity of your injuries. The medical report will serve you well when this does go to court, identifying the number and severity of your injuries. You will then want to contact a local Dunwoody personal injury lawyer that can help you prepare a lawsuit to obtain some type of settlement.
Why Is It Necessary To Contact a Dunwoody Personal Injury Lawyer?
Contacting a lawyer in the Dunwoody area is going to be very helpful. You can present your evidence, and your account of what has happened, along with your official police and medical reports. They will be able to assess what has occurred and provide you with a potential course of action. If that involves filing a lawsuit, they can help you in preparing for this case. This will include filing the papers for the lawsuit and working on settlement negotiations. If negotiations cannot be reached, they can then prepare to go to trial and defend their right to receive damages for what has occurred.
Different Types Of Damages You May Be Entitled To
In the state of Georgia, you may be entitled to a monetary settlement in three different ways. This can come in the form of non-economic, economic, and what are called punitive damages. The first two types of damages are regarded as compensatory. You will be compensated for the injuries and damage that have occurred as a result of the negligence of another person. Non-economic damages will pertain to elements like pain-and-suffering, emotional duress, and the loss of consortium.
The award of compensation is based upon the assessment of the court as to what has happened. Economic damages are based upon the actual injuries you have sustained which have led to hospital bills, loss of income, and the damage that has been done to your vehicle and other items. Punitive damages, or exemplary damages, are awarded as a result of the level of negligence on the part of the defendant.
How Are All Of These Damages Assessed?
The assessment of the total amount of damages that will be awarded is based upon the level of negligence of the defendant. They will first look at the duty of care that the defendant had in regard to making sure those around them are safer. If they have breached that duty of care, the court will determine how significant that breach was.
They will also look at causation, and how their breach of duty of care played a role in causing the accident. Based upon this information, the damages will then be assessed. What is awarded to the plaintiff will also be based upon this amount. Although receiving a settlement for what has happened is possible, it must be done within a specific timeframe.
When Does The Statute Of Limitations Run Out In Georgia For Personal Injury Claims?
According to laws in the state of Georgia, personal injury claims must be presented to the court within two years from the date of the accident. By not adhering to this time limitation, you stand to potentially lose any money that could be awarded to you through the court. They will not consider any lawsuit filed beyond this defined date.
How Much Does It Cost To Retain A Dunwoody Personal Injury Lawyer?
Personal injury attorneys in Georgia offer their services based upon a contingency fee. Once the court has awarded the plaintiff a specific amount of money, their payment will come as a percentage of the total amount of this money. However, if the personal injury attorneys are not able to win the case, they will not be paid any money at all. Therefore, it does not cost any money to retain a personal injury lawyer in Georgia to represent your case.
What Types Of Personal Injury Cases Can You Bring To The Bethune Law Firm?
Our law firm will handle a multitude of personal injury cases. This will include vehicular accidents involving both regular and commercial drivers. They will also assist with accidents involving rear-end accidents, wrongful death incidents, and commercial vehicle accidents. By contacting our law office, we can discuss your case with you to determine if you are the right fit for our law firm.
Contact a Dunwoody Personal Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation
People that are injured in a vehicular accident need to have legal representation. Most people are not able to represent themselves in a court of law. That’s why it is important to speak with competent attorneys that are skilled at tort law in the state of Georgia. If you are in Dunwoody Georgia, and you need a Dunwoody personal injury lawyer, contact the Bethune Law Firm right away. You can contact us by calling (404) 875-7800 to schedule your free consultation.
