Vinings is an area that combines historical and trendy, small-town and bustling. It’s the home of our founder and managing partner, Darl Champion. Unfortunately, it’s a place where accidents can happen. If you were injured in an accident in Vinings, it helps to have an experienced personal injury attorney nearby and on your side.
The Types of Accident Cases We Handle
It is impossible to count all the ways one person’s negligence can injure another. However, some ways are more common than others. We have helped clients who suffered severe injuries from:
- Car accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bus accidents
- Uber/ Lyft accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Medical malpractice
- Premises liability
- Dog bites
- Slip and fall accidents
- Product liability
We have even helped surviving family members seek justice after negligent acts resulted in the wrongful death of a loved one.
In addition to many types of accidents, the clients we serve also come to us with many different types of injuries. These life-changing injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Serious bone fractures
- Limb amputations
- Burn injuries
- Wrongful death
The Damages That Our Clients Have Recovered
Injuries can cause an enormous financial burden. Georgia’s personal injury laws are designed to prevent those who are injured due to someone else’s negligence from shouldering that burden. Georgia law categorizes damages in the following two categories:
- Economic damages: These are actual monetary expenses suffered by the victim due to injuries, including medical expenses, property damage such as the damage done to the victim’s vehicle in a car accident, lost wages due to missing work while you recover from your injuries and attend medical appointments, and the loss of future earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to work or holding the same occupation as before the accident.
- Non-economic damages: Injuries don’t come with just a financial cost, but physical and emotional ones as well. Non-economic damages include compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, the loss of your quality of life, and permanent disability.
There is a third category of damages known as punitive damages. Punitive damages can only be sought in cases where the at-fault party’s negligence was particularly egregious or willful. Punitive damages are capped at $250,000 unless the case involved product liability, the defendant’s actions were purposeful, or the defendant was under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident.
Georgia Personal Injury Law
Those filing personal injury lawsuits in Georgia must show that the defendant’s negligence caused their injuries. Negligence is established by proving:
- The defendant owed the plaintiff the duty of care.
- The defendant’s actions breached that duty of care.
- The breach in the duty of care resulted in the plaintiff’s damages.
The “reasonably prudent person” standard is used in Georgia courts when determining whether a defendant breached a duty of care. A reasonably prudent person is one whose actions are responsible, such as a driver who obeys traffic laws.
Here are some other highlights of Georgia personal injury law:
- The statute of limitations on most personal injury cases is generally two years from the date of the injury. An exception to this is if a claim is being made against a governmental entity. Personal injury cases involving government agencies may have much shorter deadlines and other rules that differ from personal injury claims made against an individual or business. Plaintiffs may file product liability cases ten years after the injury.
- Georgia law grants immunity from personal injury lawsuits to those whose negligent actions caused injuries to family members.
- Personal injury lawsuits may involve multiple defendants. Examples include accidents caused by both a negligent driver and a defective product, or an accident caused by a negligent employee during the course of his or her employment for which the employer also bore liability. Although these cases are more complex, they often involve more insurance resources.
- Family members of a deceased person, including the decedent’s spouse, children, or surviving parents if there is no surviving spouse or children, can file wrongful death lawsuits in Georgia.
Must-Have Qualities for a Personal Injury Attorney
When it comes to hiring a personal injury attorney in Vinings, choose one who has ample experience in handling cases like yours. Some other must-have qualities for a personal injury attorney include:
- Personal attention: No one wants to feel like just a number or a case. Your attorney should provide you with the attention that he or she would want in your situation.
- Communication: Your attorney should never leave you in the dark when it comes to your personal injury case. Your attorney should willingly answer your questions, provide guidance as you make important decisions, and keep you in the loop when new developments arise in your case.
- Convenience: Recovering from injuries poses enough challenges. You shouldn’t have to go through an ordeal just to meet with your personal injury attorney. Your attorney should have an office near you and should visit you at your hospital room or home if necessary.
- Results: Your attorney should have a proven track record of successful cases and should provide you with examples of settlements and judgments received in cases like yours.
Call The Champion Firm Today if You Are Struggling With an Injury Someone Else Caused
If you were injured in an accident due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve an experienced and compassionate personal injury attorney who will answer your questions. For your free consultation and case review, contact us at The Champion Firm online or by calling (404) 596-8044.
