If you’ve sustained injuries in any type of accident in Stone Mountain, you might qualify for significant financial compensation. This compensation could assist in covering medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages resulting from your injury.
Regrettably, numerous injury victims are unaware of the availability of this compensation, and insurance companies are unlikely to facilitate its acquisition. Don’t find yourself burdened with expenses for an injury that wasn’t your fault. It’s essential to consult with a Stone Mountain personal injury attorney at Pound Law.
What Should I Do After an Injury in Stone Mountain?
Empowering yourself as your own advocate is crucial. You don’t need to be a legal expert to assert your rights effectively. Here are some fundamental steps we advise every injury victim to take:
Document What Happened
Following your accident, it’s crucial to promptly record your own account of the events, ensuring to include as many details as possible. If feasible, consider taking photographs or video recordings of the accident location, such as capturing images of vehicles involved in a car accident or the area where a slip and fall incident occurred.
Be Careful What You Say
Frequently, we encounter accident victims minimizing the severity of their injuries or assuming responsibility when they’re not at fault. While these statements may be made with good intentions, they can be leveraged against you in the future. Refrain from apologizing or claiming to be fine if you’re truly experiencing pain or discomfort.
Don’t Sign Anything from the Insurance Company Until You’ve Talked to a Lawyer
Insurance companies employ various tactics to evade paying out claims and aim to persuade you to waive your rights. They might present you with a swift cash offer before you comprehend the full extent of your injuries, or prolong the claims process for months until you’re in a vulnerable state.
In both scenarios, their objective is to coerce you into accepting a minimal settlement and signing a waiver that prevents you from seeking additional compensation. Refrain from signing any documents or providing recorded statements until you’ve consulted with a lawyer.
Get a Lawyer’s Opinion
Navigating the intricacies of personal injury claims can be daunting, and it’s challenging to determine the appropriate steps to take independently. This is why we offer a simple and complimentary avenue for you to obtain professional assistance. A single free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Stone Mountain could be all you need to determine the optimal course of action for you and your family.
What Are the Categories of Personal Injuries?
In personal injury law, we commonly encounter two types of cases: unintentional torts and intentional torts. A tort refers to any action that causes harm to another individual. Torts exclusively pertain to civil wrongs and do not constitute criminal offenses, which are prosecuted by the government.
In the case of an unintentional tort, also known as a negligent tort, injury or damage results from someone else’s carelessness. This type of personal injury case is frequently handled by us and necessitates negligence.
To establish the negligence of the at-fault party, your personal injury attorney must demonstrate that they owed a duty of care (the reasonable level of care expected towards others) and breached this duty.
In contrast, intentional torts involve deliberate harm inflicted upon you, such as assault, battery, or trespassing. These actions are often addressed in criminal court and typically fall outside the scope of personal injury law. However, there are instances where you may need to pursue legal action against someone for their intentional harm, and we can provide assistance in such cases.
What Kinds of Injuries Qualify for a Personal Injury Claim in Stone Mountain?
Virtually any type of injury may qualify for a personal injury claim. The primary criterion for such claims is negligence. In legal terms, negligence encompasses any form of carelessness that results in harm to another individual. Negligence can manifest in various ways:
A railing on a set of stairs that is loose or broken.
Spilled milk in a store that has not been cleaned up.
A driver changing lanes without using their turn signal.
In these scenarios, the intention to harm is absent, and all parties involved are likely good individuals. However, they share a commonality: someone exercised poor judgment and neglected to undertake a common-sense action that could safeguard others. Should such situations result in an injury, they constitute valid claims.
The most prevalent types of injuries we encounter include:
The most common types of injuries we handle include:
- Car accidents
- Pedestrians or cyclists struck by cars
- Slip and fall incidents
- Injuries stemming from criminal attacks
- Neglect or abuse in nursing homes
- Dog bites
- Defective products
- Adverse effects from prescription drugs
- Errors in medication provided by pharmacies
- Malfunctioning medical devices
During your consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers in Stone Mountain, they will evaluate your circumstances and provide guidance on the available options for your case.
What Is Comparative Fault?
Even if another party caused your accident, you could still be deemed partially at fault. This is commonly referred to as comparative fault or contributory negligence, as outlined in the Official Code of Georgia (OCGA) Annotated § 51-12-33.
Under the comparative fault rule, your compensation for the accident may be reduced proportionally to the degree of fault attributed to you. For instance, if you were found 20% at fault and the other party 80% at fault, your compensation would be diminished by 20%. Therefore, if you were entitled to $10,000, you would receive $8,000 instead.
This underscores the importance of constructing a robust case to secure the maximum compensation possible. By gathering evidence demonstrating that the other party bears full responsibility for the accident, a personal injury attorney in Stone Mountain can enhance your chances of receiving adequate compensation to cover your damages.
Will My Stone Mountain Personal Injury Claim Go to Court?
Typically, going to court is not necessary and only occurs if negotiations with the insurance company fail. Pound Law is well-versed in navigating the Dekalb County courts, and if your case proceeds to trial, we will guide you through the entire process.
However, more often than not, court appearances are avoided altogether. Instead, settlements are reached through straightforward negotiations. Pound Law has earned the moniker “the Strong Arm” due to our track record of prevailing over insurance companies during negotiations.
We initiate an in-depth investigation into your injury, gathering comprehensive evidence to bolster your claims. Subsequently, we vigorously advocate on your behalf until the insurance company offers a fair settlement. In many cases, this approach yields significantly larger financial recoveries for our clients.
How Much does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost in Stone Mountain?
At Pound Law, we believe it shouldn’t come at a cost to consult with a lawyer. Hence, we provide straightforward payment terms:
- All consultations are complimentary.
- There are no upfront costs.
- You only pay us if we win you money.
We believe this approach offers the fairest and lowest-risk method for you to obtain legal assistance. Prior to retaining one of our Stone Mountain personal injury lawyers, we will mutually agree on their fee structure, which will only be applicable upon winning your case. Following your successful claim, they will receive a portion of your compensation, forwarding the remainder to you.
What Are the Deadlines for Filing My Personal Injury Claim?
The time frames vary depending on your case, but they’re typically stringent. As per OCGA § 9-3-33, individuals filing personal injury claims have a two-year window from the date of the accident to take legal action. However, there are exceptions to this rule, so it’s crucial to consult with your lawyer to ascertain your specific time constraints.
Nevertheless, it’s not advisable to wait until the statute of limitations expires. Memories fade, and evidence diminishes over time, making it increasingly challenging to establish fault in your case. That’s why it’s imperative to seek the counsel of a personal injury attorney at the earliest opportunity.
Talk to a Stone Mountain Personal Injury Attorney for Free
For over two decades, we’ve been dedicated to aiding victims and their families, assisting them in rebuilding their lives. Originating as a small local law firm, we’ve evolved into one of Georgia’s most esteemed and proficient legal practices. Our allegiance lies with those who have suffered injuries – never with the formidable insurance companies.
At Pound Law, our Stone Mountain personal injury lawyers are driven by one goal: helping individuals who have been harmed. Allow us to meet with you for a complimentary consultation to delve into your case and explore your options. Don’t delay until the deadline approaches. Contact us or complete the form on your right to secure your free consultation today.