If you suffered an injury in Decatur, your financial situation could suddenly be turned upside down. If your injury resulted from another person’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation.
A legal claim could cover your medical bills, replace your lost income, and provide other compensation related to your injuries. A Decatur personal injury lawyer from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers could assist you every step of the way.
Call us today to get started with a free consultation.
The Types of Damages that Could Be Available to You
There are different categories of monetary damages available in a personal injury lawsuit. You could seek a recovery for many or all of your accident-related losses.
Some of these categories include:
- Medical bills: If you suffered severe injuries, your medical bills could be substantial. You might also require ongoing medical care for years after your accident occurred. You could be entitled to recover damages for these medical expenses.
- Lost wages: You could also be entitled to recover any income you missed out on due to your injuries. Not only could you recover your lost wages before the lawsuit, but you could also recoup future lost earnings, as well.
- Pain and suffering: Another common type of compensation recovered through a personal injury lawsuit is pain and suffering. These damages can compensate you for the physical pain you sustained.
- Property damage: In some cases, you may be eligible to demand compensation for repairing or replacing your property—most often, this applies after auto accidents.
For a free legal consultation with a Personal Injury lawyer serving Decatur, call (404) 888-8888
Types of Claims Our Decatur Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help With
When an injury results from negligence, this could lead to a claim for monetary compensation from the liable party. Our personal injury law firm handles all types of injury cases. Our attorneys are:
- Decatur Car Accident Lawyers: If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Decatur, an attorney can help you seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. We handle negotiations with insurers and fight for the best possible outcome.
- Decatur Truck Accident Lawyers: Truck accidents often result in severe injuries due to the size and weight of the vehicles involved. Our attorneys understand federal trucking regulations and trucking laws and can help hold negligent drivers and companies accountable.
- Decatur Motorcycle Accident Lawyers: Motorcycle accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries, and riders often face bias when seeking compensation. We fight to protect your rights and pursue the damages you deserve.
- Decatur Delivery Accident Lawyers: Accidents involving delivery drivers, such as those working for Amazon or DoorDash, can be complex. Our attorneys investigate liability and help pursue compensation for your injuries.
- Decatur Dog Bite Lawyers: If a negligent dog owner or facility is responsible for a dog bite or attack, they could be liable for your medical expenses.
- Decatur Bus Accident Lawyers: Whether you were a passenger, pedestrian, or another driver, bus accidents can cause life-altering injuries. Our attorneys can help determine liability and seek fair compensation.
- Decatur Bicycle Accident Lawyers: Cyclists are vulnerable to serious injuries when hit by motor vehicles. We can help you manage the legal process and pursue compensation from negligent drivers.
- Decatur Medical Malpractice Lawyers: The injuries that occur when doctors or other healthcare workers make mistakes can result in viable legal claims for compensation. The Decatur personal injury lawyers at Bader Scott represent victims in medical malpractice lawsuits.
- Decatur Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers: If your loved one has suffered abuse or neglect in a nursing home, we can help hold the facility accountable and seek justice for your family.
- Decatur Pedestrian Accident Lawyers: Pedestrians hit by vehicles often sustain severe injuries. Our attorneys work to protect your rights and pursue compensation for your medical expenses and pain and suffering.
- Decatur Premises Liability Lawyers: If you were injured due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property, we can help you pursue a premises liability claim and hold negligent property owners responsible.
- Decatur Product Liability Lawyers: You could also pursue a civil lawsuit for any injury caused by a defective product. Lawsuits against the manufacturers of defective drugs, appliances, or food are commonplace.
- Decatur Slip and Fall Accident Lawyers: Another frequent cause of personal injury cases is slip and fall accidents that result from a property owner’s negligence. These injuries could involve anything from sprained ligaments to brain injuries. A Decatur slip and fall accident lawyer could fight for the compensation you need.
- Decatur Traumatic Brain Injury Lawyers: Traumatic brain injuries can have long-term effects on your health and livelihood. We work to secure the compensation needed for ongoing medical care and support.
- Decatur Workers’ Compensation Lawyers: If you’ve been injured in a workplace accident, you may be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. Our attorneys can guide you through the claims process and fight for what you deserve.
- Decatur Wrongful Death Lawyers: Losing a loved one due to someone else’s negligence is devastating. We can help your family pursue a wrongful death claim and seek justice on your behalf.
Our firm’s Decatur personal injury lawyers could assist you with any of these personal injury claims. Your compensation could cover your medical bills and other expenses if we succeed.
Services Our Personal Injury Lawyers in Decatur Offer Accident Victims
After a serious injury, many are hesitant to take legal action because they have so many other things to worry about. At Bader Scott Injury Lawyers, we hope to provide legal representation that lessens those worries. Here are some of the services our legal team offers personal injury victims in Dekalb County:
- We file your case according to state and local laws.
- We track and fulfill deadlines, so your right to compensation is protected under the statute of limitations.
- We gather evidence to demonstrate the fault of the responsible party.
- We use your medical bills and other documentation to estimate a fair settlement.
- We negotiate with the insurance company for an appropriate personal injury settlement.
- We communicate with the at-fault party and their insurance company on your behalf.
- We prepare your case for litigation if a settlement cannot be reached.
- We provide frequent case updates and answer any questions you have.
Because we understand what injured people go through in the aftermath of a serious accident, we know that financial instability may lead you to believe you can’t afford a lawyer. Thankfully, we operate on a contingency-fee basis. This payment arrangement allows us to represent you without upfront costs or fees.
Decatur Personal Injury Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Recovering Compensation Even if You are Partially to Blame
Even if you are partially at fault for an accident, you could seek partial compensation for your damages. Georgia operates under a legal theory known as comparative negligence. According to O.C.G.A. §51-12-33, a plaintiff is not inherently barred from pursuing an injury lawsuit if they were partially responsible for causing it.
However, they cannot recover compensation if the court finds their degree of responsibility is 50 percent or greater. For example, you are injured in a motor vehicle accident due to another person’s negligence. While the other driver was primarily responsible for the accident due to being intoxicated and running a red light, you were also speeding during the crash.
Your degree of fault for the accident will be determined to assess your total compensation, along with the amount of losses you sustained. In this example, if your final damage award was $100,000, but you were found to be 25 percent at fault, you could receive $75,000.
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How a Decatur Personal Injury Attorney Can Help You
A personal injury lawyer can make a huge difference in your case. Suppose you’re injured in a car accident, and the other driver’s insurance company denies responsibility, for example. In that case, a lawyer can gather key evidence like traffic camera footage or witness statements to prove fault. They also negotiate on your behalf to secure a fair settlement, ensuring your needs are met. Here’s how they can help:
Assessing Your Case and Building a Plan
A personal injury lawyer will carefully evaluate the details of your case. They’ll review evidence, talk to witnesses, and analyze important documents to identify who is responsible for your injuries and calculate the value of your claim. This process includes examining police reports, eyewitness accounts, and expert testimony to establish fault. When estimating your claim’s worth, they consider factors such as:
- Medical bills and future treatment costs
- Lost income and earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
By honestly assessing your case’s strengths and potential challenges, they create a tailored strategy to maximize your chances of success.
Dealing with Insurance Companies
Handling insurance companies can be overwhelming and stressful. Insurance companies often aim to minimize payouts at the expense of injured claimants. A personal injury lawyer is your advocate, managing all communications with insurers to protect your rights. They will:
- Review and counter low settlement offers
- Gather evidence to strengthen your claim
- Shield you from pressure tactics used by adjusters
- Negotiate for the settlement you deserve
This support ensures you don’t have to handle the legal process, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Preparing for Court
If negotiations with the insurance company don’t result in a fair settlement, your lawyer will prepare your case for court. They handle all aspects of litigation, including:
- Filing necessary paperwork
- Presenting evidence such as medical records, accident reports, and expert testimonies
- Calling witnesses and crafting persuasive arguments
Your lawyer keeps you informed throughout the process, ensuring you understand your rights and options. Their advocacy provides confidence and support during a challenging time.
Offering Additional Support
Beyond legal representation, a personal injury lawyer connects you with valuable resources to aid your recovery. These may include:
- Doctors for quality medical care
- Financial advisors to manage costs related to your injury
- Experts who provide insights to strengthen your case
By coordinating with trusted professionals, your lawyer ensures that every aspect of your recovery and legal claim is addressed. They also help you document your injuries and long-term consequences, making your case as strong as possible.
Why Choose a Decatur Personal Injury Attorney from Our Firm?
With a dedicated Decatur personal injury lawyer on your side, you have someone who will fight tirelessly to protect your rights, secure fair compensation, and help you move forward after your injury. They will take the time to understand your unique situation, ensuring that every decision made reflects your best interests.
Whether it’s negotiating with insurance companies, gathering vital evidence, or preparing your case for court, they will handle each step with care and precision. Their experience with and knowledge of personal injury law ensures you have a strong advocate who knows how to manage your claim effectively. With their unwavering commitment, you can focus on your recovery, confident that you have a trusted partner working to achieve the best possible outcome for your case.
Discuss Your Case During a Free Consultation with A Decatur Personal Injury Lawyer
Our firm understands that you likely have questions regarding your legal rights following a serious injury. These questions might involve the legal process in general or your claim in particular. Our firm offers all injury victims free initial consultations to address these questions. Your initial consultation is a valuable resource.
You will have the chance to ask questions regarding the compensation you might recover, as well as any challenges that might arise during your case. Ask any questions you might have regarding your legal claim during this consultation.
Not only is the initial consultation free, but there is also no obligation to move forward with our firm at the end of our meeting. That said, we are confident your initial consultation will show you that our team is ready to fight to maximize your financial recovery.
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Understanding Modified Comparative Negligence in Georgia
Georgia’s comparative negligence laws allow you to recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for an accident. This system helps distribute responsibility fairly among all parties involved. Let’s dive into what this means and how it works.
What is Comparative Negligence?
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule under O.C.G.A. §51-12-33. This law states that if you are less than 50% at fault for an accident, you can still recover compensation. However, your total compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. Here’s an example:
- If you are 25% at fault for an accident and your damage award is $100,000, you would receive $75,000 after a 25% reduction.
It’s important to note that if you are found 50% or more at fault, you are not eligible for any compensation. Accurately determining fault is crucial to ensure a fair outcome.
How Fault is Determined
Determining fault involves a careful review of the evidence to understand what happened during the accident. Key sources of evidence include:
- Accident Reports: These documents often provide a detailed summary of the incident and preliminary fault assessments.
- Video Footage: Traffic or security camera recordings can offer visual proof of events.
- Expert Testimony: Professionals like accident reconstruction experts can analyze the scene and provide insights.
- Witness Statements: Testimonies from individuals who saw the accident can clarify disputed details.
Insurance companies and courts weigh all available evidence to assign a percentage of fault to each party. For instance, they might analyze a police report for clarity on who violated traffic laws or review footage to confirm key events. Having a lawyer ensures your fault isn’t exaggerated unfairly. For example, if an insurer claims you were speeding, your lawyer could use camera footage or eyewitness accounts to demonstrate you were driving responsibly, reducing your percentage of fault.
Real-Life Examples of Shared Fault
Here are some common scenarios to illustrate how shared fault works:
- Car Accidents: If another driver ran a red light, but you were speeding, both parties share responsibility. With a $100,000 damage award, being 30% at fault would still allow you to recover $70,000.
- Slip-and-Fall Cases: Imagine slipping on a wet floor in a store. If the store failed to clean the spill, but you were distracted by your phone, you might share fault. With a $50,000 final damage award and 20% responsibility, you’d receive $40,000.
These examples show how shared fault affects compensation and highlight why accurately determining fault is essential.
Why You Shouldn’t Handle Your Personal Injury Case on Your Own
Comparative negligence cases can be complex. A personal injury lawyer can:
- Gather Evidence: Lawyers collect and analyze critical evidence to strengthen your case.
- Challenge Fault Assignments: They push back against efforts to unfairly increase your share of fault.
- Negotiate with Insurers: Attorneys ensure you receive a fair settlement offer.
- Represent You in Court: If necessary, they advocate for you before a judge and jury.
With legal guidance, you’re less likely to be overwhelmed by the process.
You Need to Act Quickly to Pursue Compensation for Your Injuries
If another person or entity caused your injuries, you have the right to hold them accountable through the insurance company or by filing a lawsuit. By pursuing legal action, you could recover compensation for your injuries. Keep in mind that you have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit in Georgia.
According to O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, you have two years to do so. We recommend getting started on your case as soon as you can to keep your legal options open. Taking on a personal injury claim alone is never easy, as you can expect the defendant to rely on their attorneys or insurance provider to assist with their defense.
Call Today for Help from a Decatur Personal Injury Attorney
A Decatur personal injury lawyer from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can help protect your rights and deal directly with the defendant’s legal counsel. To discuss your case with our team, call for a free consultation right away.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form