Getting injured in an accident, whether at home or anywhere outside, can be a great source of discomfort and pain, especially if the injuries are serious in nature. The pain and loss from the injury increase when the incident becomes a legal concern due to the negligence or rashness of another party.
Navigating through the complex laws regarding personal injury and accidents in Atlanta, Georgia, requires in-depth knowledge and understanding of the laws and the legal process. At a time when you need to focus on recovering from the injury and the accompanying trauma, pursuing the legal process in order to attain justice and compensation can make the situation more stressful and painful. To make the process easier for you, hiring a good personal injury lawyer in Atlanta is important to maximize your chances for a favorable outcome.
But it is also prudent to understand the basics of Atlanta’s personal injury landscape so that you are not completely reliant on someone else to understand the law and also to make it easier for you when the lawyer guides and navigates you through the legal procedure.
Understanding Atlanta’s personal injury landscape
1) Car or road accidents: Atlanta follows the laws of Georgia State, which follows the fault-based system when it comes to car accidents and insurance. This basically means that the insurance of the party at fault will cover the expenses of the injured party. A personal injury lawyer in Atlanta understands the process involved in determining liability and will do the needful to ascertain the same.
2) Injury through falls and slips: Anyone can slip and fall at various places, like offices, public spaces like restaurants, theaters, etc., or private residences. If the accident occurs at someone else’s office or residence, the company or owner is deemed responsible for the injuries sustained on their premises. A due process is followed to ascertain the premise liability on the basis of which you may decide to be compensated.
3) Medical negligence or malpractice: Claims for medical malpractice are raised when the negligence of a healthcare professional or facility harms the patient; in certain cases, malpractice can also lead to the death of the patient. Medical and healthcare have a strong presence in Atlanta, and the cases cover anything from a range of injuries to surgical mistakes, misdiagnosis, and wrong advice. Dealing with the healthcare system and their insurance companies can be a lengthy and harrowing fight, which can be skillfully handled by an experienced personal injury lawyer on your behalf.
4) Injuries caused by animals: Animal attacks include being injured by pet dogs, cats, and other domesticated animals. As per the law in Georgia, the owners of the pet animal are liable for their pet’s behavior and are thus responsible for compensating the injured party.
5) Damaged products: Injuries caused by faulty or dangerous products are the responsibility of the manufacturers and their agents. The source of injuries can be anything from pharmaceuticals to defective or malfunctioning toys, machinery, and automobile parts.
6) Injuries at the workplace: The nature of injuries at the workplace can be caused by slipping and falling in the office, being seriously injured at a construction site, a manufacturing plant, or during loading and unloading goods. Consulting a personal injury lawyer will help you file a claim in accordance with the workers’ compensation law in Georgia.
7) Major claims: Major claims include wrongful death, dilapidating and serious injuries or damage to the spinal cord, the brain, severe burns, and amputations. Such injuries involve extensive medical expenses and long-term care. At times, such an injury can also lead to permanent damage or death, which is a catastrophic tragedy, and a personal injury lawyer will make sure to negotiate for comprehensive compensation and benefits for the injured person or their family.
Checklist of Things to do immediately After an Accident
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible.
- Carefully document the accident and collect evidence.
- File a report, and make sure to collect a copy of the report.
- Consult a lawyer.
- File a claim, preferably with the help of a good lawyer.
- Negotiate or litigate: As per the circumstances and situation, your lawyer will negotiate with the liable party and insurance companies for fair compensation or file and represent you in court.