Nearly, 30,000 people are killed in auto accidents each year across the United States. There are many thousands more that are injured, as reports have shown by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Auto accidents are very serious, but all too common events that continue to plague our country’s roadways. The injuries suffered due to auto accidents are often major, and can have a long lasting impact on those involved. If you or a loved one has been injured in a recent auto accident, you may be unsure of how to proceed forward. For the medical bills alone are a large enough burden, but often there is also further treatment needs, lost wages, and damages that must be paid for. If you have been seriously injured in a recent auto accident, you may be eligible for compensation for your injuries and damages. Hiring a skilled Atlanta attorney is your best chance at making the correct legal decisions moving forward for your best interests. At Ted A. Greve & Associates, P.A., our experienced Georgia auto accident attorneys will guide you through each and every step of this difficult legal process.
Why Should I File an Atlanta Car Accident Claim?
Under the state laws of Georgia, the purpose of a civil claim is to remake someone whole after they have sustained injuries due to the negligent actions of another. We understand that there is no way to bring a loved one back to life or to completely restore their health after permanent damage has been done. The law does allow for monetary damages to ease the heavy financial weight that is felt from the negligent act. Competent Atlanta car accident attorneys, like the ones on our legal team can ensure your rights are protected and a fair compensation is met for your recovery.
Georgia civil law classifies damages under three different categories. Economic damages are financial related, tangible, and can show present and reasonable estimated future expenses. These damages include property damage, lost wages, medical costs, and your potential lost earning capacity. Lost earning capacity means the decrease in the injured person’s ability to earn income. Non-economic damages are those that have a detrimental impact on your daily quality of life. These include mental anguish, pain and suffering, and the loss of consortium for your martial spouse. Punitive damages can be awarded in certain cases where the act of negligence showed a reckless disregard for others safety. Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a circumstance where these type of damages could be awarded. In the state of Georgia, punitive damages have a cap of $250,000 unless the at fault party acted with intent.
The prosecution of an auto accident can be best described in the following legal description. There is an existing duty, a breach of that duty, and then what’s left are the resulting damages. Under Georgia law, all drivers have a duty to operate a vehicle according to the rules of the road. For instance, a driver should not drive over the legal speed limit and fail to stop at a stop sign. In turn the driver hits another car. When a driver breaks these rules they breach their duty by not following the rules of the road and endangering others. This type of collision caused two types of damages, bodily injury and property damage. In order to prove that the other driver was negligent, we must show the insurance carrier and the jury that the at fault driver had a duty to operate his vehicle safely. He then breached that duty, and caused harm and damages to another.
Other examples of rules of the road include: obeying traffic lights and yielding to the right away of other vehicles when entering intersections. These two examples usually cause T-bone or head on collisions. Drivers must use caution when backing up there vehicles and drivers are to never operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Keeping a safe speed limit and making proper lane changes are just another few of the rules of Georgia roadways. Failing to adhere to these rules and others can cause immense harm and damages to other motorists.
What Personal Injuries Are Common for Atlanta Car Accidents?
Most of our injured clients seek medical treatment at the hospital, chiropractic clinic or specialty clinics. Often times, clients need specialized testing, such as magnetic resonance images (MRI), and other diagnostic tests for their injuries. We have dealt with clients who have both soft and hard tissue damages. In many serious cases, there are fractured bones, neck, shoulder, and back injuries that can include pain management treatments, orthopedic surgery, psychologists, and even neurologists. Orthopedic surgeons are able to perform surgeries to help move damaged discs within the spine. They can also repair ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. Neurologists can help treat nerves and extremity injuries. Psychologists mainly help to diagnosis post-traumatic stress disorder. Many times these more serious injuries never completely heal or take an extended recovery time to rebuild. In certain circumstances, specialized care and at home medical services may be needed.
Consult with a Georgia Auto Accident Lawyer to Learn Your Rights
Ted A. Greve & Associates, P.A. have a reputation for helping Georgia auto accident victims gain rightful compensation with their cases. Our legal team takes a personalized approach to each and everyone of our client’s cases. We understand how difficult and complex dealing with insurance companies and the legal system can be. We are here to help you navigate through the auto accident litigation process. Please contact our car accident lawyers in Atlanta today for your free initial consultation, or to answer any of your questions regarding your recent Georgia auto accident.
