A personal injury lawyer helps people who have been injured because of another person’s negligence or wrongful conduct pursue compensation for their losses. In Georgia, an attorney may investigate the accident, gather evidence, determine who may be legally responsible, calculate damages, negotiate with insurance companies, and file a lawsuit when necessary.
Personal injury cases can involve car crashes, truck accidents, motorcycle collisions, pedestrian accidents, dangerous property conditions, dog bites, and other incidents. Although every case is different, a lawyer’s role is generally to protect the injured person’s legal rights while handling the claims process from beginning to end.
How Does a Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer Investigate a Claim?
One of a lawyer’s first responsibilities is determining how an injury occurred and whether another party may be legally responsible. Most Georgia personal injury cases based on negligence require evidence showing that the defendant owed a duty of care, breached that duty, and caused injuries and damages as a result.
Depending on the circumstances, an investigation may involve collecting:
- Accident or incident reports
- Photographs and video footage
- Medical records and bills
- Witness statements
- Employment and wage records
- Vehicle or property records
- Electronic or digital evidence
- Expert opinions when necessary
Evidence can disappear or become more difficult to obtain over time. An attorney can identify potentially important evidence and take steps to preserve it as the claim is built.
How Does a Lawyer Determine Who Is Responsible?
Determining liability can involve more than identifying the person who directly caused an accident. Depending on the case, potentially responsible parties could include drivers, employers, property owners, businesses, manufacturers, or other individuals or entities.
This can be especially important in serious car accidents or commercial truck accident claims, where multiple parties or insurance policies may be involved.
A lawyer can review the available evidence, applicable Georgia law, and insurance coverage to determine which parties may bear responsibility.
Compensation a Personal Injury Lawyer Can Pursue
A personal injury attorney also evaluates the financial and personal effects of an injury.
Depending on the facts of the case, compensation may be available for losses such as:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical treatment
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability or loss of enjoyment of life
The value of a claim depends on factors including the severity of the injuries, expected recovery, available insurance coverage, financial losses, and evidence of fault.
How Georgia Comparative Negligence Affects a Claim
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule. An injured person who shares some responsibility for an accident may still recover damages if they are less than 50% responsible. However, their compensation is reduced according to their percentage of fault. A person who is 50% or more responsible generally cannot recover damages.
For example, someone found 20% responsible for an accident could generally have an otherwise recoverable damages award reduced by 20%.
A personal injury lawyer can evaluate allegations of shared fault and present evidence concerning how responsibility should be allocated.
Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Negotiate With Insurance Companies?
Many personal injury claims are resolved through insurance negotiations rather than trial. A lawyer can communicate with insurers, submit supporting evidence, evaluate settlement offers, and negotiate on the injured person’s behalf.
If the parties cannot reach an acceptable resolution, an attorney can file a lawsuit and continue pursuing the claim through litigation. Filing deadlines are important. Under Georgia law, actions for injuries to the person generally must be filed within two years after the claim accrues, although exceptions and different deadlines can apply in some situations.
Contact Starks Byron, P.C. to Speak With a Kennesaw Personal Injury Lawyer
If you were injured because of someone else’s negligence in Kennesaw, Georgia, Starks Byron, P.C. can help you understand your legal options. The firm handles personal injury matters, including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian accidents, slip and falls, and wrongful death claims.
A Kennesaw personal injury lawyer can investigate your accident, evaluate your damages, handle communications with insurers, and pursue compensation through settlement negotiations or litigation when appropriate.
For more information, don’t hesitate to contact our team at Starks Byron, P.C. to schedule a free consultation in Kennesaw, GA today.
We proudly serve Cobb County and its surrounding areas:
Starks Byron, P.C.
1275 Shiloh Rd NW Ste 2710, Kennesaw, GA 30144
(404) 795 5115
