If you’ve ever seen a legal drama, you’re familiar with this scene. A plaintiff comes into the courtroom wearing a neck brace. Their attorney explains that they are so injured, they can no longer work. Within minutes, a jury agrees to award their client millions of dollars in damages. The client hugs their lawyer and then is set for life.
In the real world, it doesn’t work this way. In order to receive a large award for damages, you have to suffer really serious injuries. This is because you can only demand damages for losses or injuries you’ve actually suffered. Suffering whiplash, for example, is not going to entitle you to hundreds of thousands in damages. It may garner you a few thousand at most. And it certainly won’t entitle you to millions of dollars.
If you’ve suffered a personal injury, it’s a good idea to hire an experienced injury lawyer in Atlanta. This gives you the best odds of receiving the damages to which you’re entitled. They can separate fact from fiction. They also know how to prove that the other party was at fault. Finally, they know how to prove damages. This also allows you to focus on recovering from your injuries. The last thing you’ll want to do is fight with the insurance company or be taken advantage of.
What Sort of Damages Will You Be Entitled to in Georgia?
If you’re hurt in any sort of accident, you may be entitled to damages. In most personal injury cases, your attorney is going to demand some or all of the following:
- Medical Expenses – If you need medical treatment after your accident, the defendant should have to cover them. This includes things like the ambulance ride and emergency room visit. It also covers the costs of any medical tests and surgeries you may need. If you aren’t physically injured, there won’t be a demand for future medical care.
- Lost Wages – Depending on how badly you were hurt, you may miss a significant amount of time from work. If it’s more than a few weeks, you may be entitled to lost wages. Your attorney in Atlanta can also demand lost future wages. This would be the case if you weren’t able to return to work after your accident.
- Property Damages – If you’re involved in a motor vehicle accident, you’ll probably suffer damage to your vehicle. You can demand compensation for this. The defendant will be responsible for the costs to repair or replace your car, truck or motorcycle.
The last kind of damages your Atlanta injury lawyer will demand is pain and suffering. These damages may make up the lion’s share of your case.
Why Would Your Pain and Suffering Damages Be So High?
Not all plaintiffs are entitled to pain and suffering. These damages are reserved for cases involving severe mental and physical anguish. However, if your Atlanta personal injury lawyer is able to prove pain and suffering, you can expect a significant amount of damages. The general rule is that your pain and suffering will be equal to about three (3) times your other damages. So, if your other damages add up to about $100,000, your attorney may demand as much as $300,000 in pain and suffering.
In order to receive any damages for pain and suffering, your lawyer still needs to prove that you were hurt. This may be the hardest thing to do aside from proving fault.
Call an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney in Atlanta, Georgia
Winning a personal injury case is a lot harder than most people think. Just because you’re involved in an accident, that doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed damages. You need an experienced personal injury lawyer to prove your case. They know how to deal with insurance adjusters. They also know what it takes to prove your damages.
If you or your loved one have been hurt in any sort of accident, call our office right away. Let one of our skilled injury lawyers review your case and let you know what your options are. They can let you know how strong your case is. They can also give you an idea of what your case may be worth. It’s better to have a realistic idea of what kind of money you may be entitled to.
Call our local injury law firm in Atlanta today and schedule your initial consultation. Sit down with one of our compassionate attorneys and tell them your story. The initial consultation is free and you don’t pay anything until you settle your case.
