Can a Georgia Attorney Change the Outcome of an Auto Accident?
There were 1,164 traffic fatalities in the state of Georgia in 2014, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Two hundred and seventy-eight of those fatalities were related to alcohol impairment, while 213 were related to excessive speed. Of those fatalities, 364 were not wearing a safety belt. As the number of vehicles on America’s roadways continues to increase, it follows that more auto accidents will also occur.
In areas which are especially congested, the likelihood of being involved in an auto accident increase exponentially. In fact, across the United States, it is estimated that drivers average one auto accident every 17.9 years. While even minor fender benders are included in that statistic, if you drive, you have a fairly good chance of being in 2-3 auto accidents over the course of your lifetime.
If you have an experienced Georgia personal injury attorney by your side who fully understands the intricacies of dealing with insurance companies, you have a much better chance of obtaining a positive outcome. The period following your auto accident is likely to be filled with stress and anxiety. Your injuries could be severe enough to prevent you from returning to work, and your bills could be piling up at an alarming rate. Evans Litigation and Trial Law brings a long history of success to the table, on behalf of each and every client.
Catastrophic Car Accidents
Insurance companies are, by and large, indifferent to the fact that a car accident with resulting serious injuries has changed your life forever. Catastrophic injuries, which leave victims with permanent, life-altering injuries, deserve better than the system provides. Catastrophic injuries can require victims to have constant supervision or assistance, potentially undergoing a lifetime of surgeries, rehabilitation, and a never-ending stream of medical expenses.
Obviously, catastrophic injuries put extreme amounts of stress on the victim and the victim’s family. Time can be extremely limited for the victim of catastrophic injuries following a car crash. Evidence may be lost – or disappear – witnesses can relocate, and memories simply become less clear. A carefully prepared case not only identifies the liable party, but it clearly documents the impact that the accident had on all aspects of your life.
The Various Types of Georgia Car Accident Claims
- Negligence: A claim of negligenceis generally the “backbone” of any lawsuit stemming from a car accident. While we may use the word “negligent” in everyday conversation, when it relates to a car accident, four distinct elements must be proven: (i) The plaintiff must show the negligent driver owed a “duty of care,” meaning that he or she was obligated to drive reasonably and safely. (ii) The plaintiff must show that the other driver breached that duty of care, and (iii) that breach caused the injuries sustained by the plaintiff. (iv) Finally, the plaintiff must clearly show that he or she was damaged or injured.
- Manufacturer Liability: When your injuries are the direct result of a vehicle defect, your attorney may be able to file a claim against the manufacturer of your vehicle, the other driver’s vehicle, or the manufacturer of a specific vehicle part for manufacturer liability. You, as the plaintiff, must show that the vehicle was being operated in the manner intended, the vehicle’s performance had not changed since it was acquired, and that the defective vehicle or vehicle part was “unreasonably dangerous.”
- Road Defects and Issues: Faulty road construction, road design or road maintenance may have been responsible for your car accident. Some instances of faulty road design include embankments, which are overly steep or improperly elevated, as well as poorly designed or placed guard rails, barriers, speed bumps, medians, or curves. Overgrown trees or bushes that block the view of oncoming traffic can also be responsible for car crashes.
Levels of Compensation That You Can Expect from Your Georgia Auto Accident Claim
The lost wages and loss of future income that you and your family would have received, had your career not been cut short by the negligence of another, will be accurately calculated by your attorney. Of course, each accident is different, with varying levels of injury; however, those who have suffered such serious injuries as the following could be entitled to extra damages:
- Paralysis
- Burns
- Scarring
- Injuries to the spinal cord
- Traumatic brain injury
- Loss of limbs
- Loss of vision
- Any disability which is considered permanent
- Damage to joints such as the knee or hip, as well as back, neck and bone injuries
- Wrongful death
If you are entitled to economic damages as a result of injury or death from your auto accident, those damages may include the following:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future wages
Noneconomic damages can be much more difficult to prove, and can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Punitive damages
Types of Cases That Evans Litigation and Trial Law Can Help With
At Evans Litigation and Trial Law, our car accident attorneys can assist you with many different types of automobile accidents including rear-end, side-impact and sideswipe collisions, head-on collisions, rollovers, multi-car accidents, accidents caused by reckless or distracted driving, and accidents caused by a drunk or impaired driver. While television commercials portray car insurance companies as trusted friends who will “be there,” full of concern for your condition, and ready and willing to pay your medical expenses, the truth is, insurance companies are in the business of turning a profit.
For over 13 years, Alfred Evans has defended trucking cases, automobile cases, and premises cases. He has worked for the insurance companies, so he has great insight into the mindset of the insurance industry.
This means that you could be left, through no fault of your own, with serious injuries resulting in medical expenses that continue to mount, with no way to work and make a living – this can leave you in constant pain, with nowhere to turn. Evans Litigation and Trial Law will offer you skilled legal guidance, which will level the playing field against the almost-unlimited resources of insurance companies. Call us today at 1-404-334-8009 or fill out our confidential contact form for more information.