INJURY LAWYER FOR ATHENS, GEORGIA
If you are hurt by someone else in or around Clarke, County, you may be considering retaining an injury lawyer that serves Athens, Georgia. Life can come at you fast. In fact, you can be following all of the rules and be extremely cautious and still get injured due to the actions of someone else. If you suffer injuries that are the fault of another person, then you may be able to file a claim or lawsuit to receive compensation. These legal actions are known as personal injury lawsuits.
Each year, thousands of personal injury lawsuits are filed, and millions of dollars in damages are awarded to victims because of their injuries and losses. If you have been injured as a result of another person’s actions, then the law limits the time that you have to file a lawsuit. Therefore, it is important to contact an attorney as soon as possible if you have been injured. At Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, our experienced personal injury attorneys offer free consultations to the citizens of Athens who have been hurt in automobile accidents, falls, and by negligent healthcare providers. To schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys, call 833-LEGALGA. We also invite you to continue reading for the answers to questions we regularly receive about Athens injury claims.
Do I Have a Case?
In order to succeed in an Athens, Georgia, personal injury case, you will need to show that your injuries were caused by the negligent, reckless or intentional acts of the person or company that you intend on suing. You also have to prove that the other persons actions caused your injuries (i.e. the injury did not exist before the incident).
For example, if you are driving and are struck from behind by a driver while they were texting, then you may be able to sue and receive compensation from that driver. Texting while driving is not only illegal, but it can serve the basis of a personal injury lawsuit if texting is the reason why the accident happened.
Whether you have a case will also depend on timing. Georgia law limits the time you have to bring a lawsuit. This law is known as the statute of limitations. Depending on the type of claim that you are filing, this time period may be as short as one year from the date of your injury. However, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within 2 years of the date of loss. Remember that not every injury that you suffer will result in a personal injury claim which is why you should discuss your situation with an attorney for guidance and direction.
Damages (Compensation) After an Athens, Georgia Personal Injury
Determining that you have a valid claim is just the first step after a personal injury in Athens. In order to receive compensation, you must also prove that you have suffered damages. You may be embarrassed if you slip and fall, but if you have not suffered injuries, then it is unlikely that you will be compensated. You’ll have to show that you have incurred injuries, damages or losses of some sort as a result of the actions or inactions of another person. Having to pay medical bills for the treatment of your injuries, or having to deal with the loss of income because you are unable to work while recovering, are both examples of things that justify compensation in an Athens personal injury claim.
Damages may also include the loss of enjoyment in doing something that you were once able to do. For example, if your leg is injured in a car crash and you are now unable to dance—something that you have always enjoyed doing—then you may be entitled to damages for that loss. Similarly, if your injuries cause you to be unable to be intimate with your partner, then you may be entitled to compensation.
Damages may also include emotional or psychological harm. Think of the pain and suffering you might endure after an injury. Think of the mental damage that might come from that injury including anxiety and depression. It can be devastating to learn of permanent injuries that you sustain because of someone’s carelessness.
Here’s a few personal injury cases that our firm handles in Athens:
Athens, Georgia Car Accidents
Athens, Georgia care accidents are the cause of the vast majority of personal injury cases brought in Athens courts. From distracted driving to driving while intoxicated, it comes as no surprise that car collisions are on the rise throughout the country. When these motor vehicle accidents happen, the violent forces of the impact can have a ruinous effect on your body. Whiplash, broken bones, permanent scarring, and chronic pain are just a few of the common injuries you may suffer in a car crash. If you have suffered an injury due to the negligence of another driver, then you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit and receive compensation.
Medical Malpractice by Medical Providers in Athens, Georgia
We routinely put our faith in medical professionals when we seek treatment. Unfortunately, sometimes doctors and other medical providers in Athens make mistakes that can cause injuries or even death. In order to receive compensation for your injuries in a medical malpractice lawsuit, you must be able to show that your doctor not only made a mistake, but that their mistake caused your injuries and that their diagnosis or treatment was below the industry standard. This can be accomplished by analyzing your medical records and getting the expert opinion of other medical professionals who can weigh in on what went wrong.
In some cases, it may take a while to realize that you were the victim of medical malpractice. It could take months or years to discover that you have sustained harm. For example, misdiagnosed conditions may take years to discover. Unfortunately, Georgia law typically will only give you two years to file a medical malpractice claim. So, if you suspect that you are the victim of medical malpractice, then you must act fast. This means touching base with a qualified medical malpractice attorney to determine your next steps.
Slip and Fall Cases in Athens, Georgia
Slip and fall cases are considered premises liability personal injury claims that victims bring against negligent property owners in Athens, Georgia. These lawsuits are usually filed as a result of injuries suffered while you are on someone else’s unsafe property. Business owners have a responsibility to maintain their businesses so that others are not injured while on their premises. What this means is that if you are at your local grocery store and you slip and fall on the icy walkway leading up to the entrance, then you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. If a store owner knows about a spill on aisle three, fails to timely clean it up, and you slip and break your hip because of that spill, then you might have a slip and fall case to bring against that store owner.
You may also be able to file a premises liability claim if you are injured as a result of negligent security at a business. Business owners who know that their property attracts dangerous criminals may be held responsible for injuries that you suffer at the hands of those suspicious visitors. You may be able to file a premises liability lawsuit if you can show that the business owner did not take reasonable steps to ensure your safety.
School and Daycare Injuries
Your child’s safety and well-being is not something that you take for granted. If you are like most people, then you will likely send your child to school or daycare at some point. Unfortunately, children can fall victim to the careless or even intentional acts of those who you entrust with their safety. If your child suffers injuries while at school or in daycare, then you may be able to file a school or daycare injury claim to receive compensation. These cases usually turn on whether you will be able to prove that the school or daycare provider caused the injuries. Much like premises liability claims, a lawsuit filed against a school or daycare provider may be successful if you can show that the conditions at the facility were unsafe.
Athens, Georgia Motorcycle Accidents
Due to not having the safety features and protection that a car can provide, motorcycle riders in Athens, Georgia are exposed to a greater chance of injury if they are involved in an accident. While a helmet may provide some protection, the sheer force of a collision with a car can wreak havoc on a motorcyclist’s body. To make matters worse, these smaller vehicles are often overlooked on the road by other motorists. Some car drivers have little-to-no regard for the safety of motorcyclists. Due to these factors, if you are involved in a motorcycle accident, then chances are that you have received significant injuries. If your injuries were caused by the negligence of another driver, then you may be able to receive compensation if you hire an experienced personal injury attorney.
Big Truck Accidents in Athens, Georgia
Often carrying loads that weigh several tons, big commercial trucks can cause catastrophic injuries when they are involved in a crash with a passenger car or motorcycle. Since 2010, the number of fatal truck accidents has increased by over 40%. Of course, if a truck driver’s carelessness is to blame for the crash, then you may be entitled to compensation. The law requires that large scale trucks undergo certain maintenance and weight checks to ensure that they are safe to travel the roads. Unfortunately, not every trucking company adheres to these rules. Some truck accidents are caused by fatigued drivers who drive past their legally allowable driving time. When truck drivers and their employers fail to follow the law, then they may be held liable if you are injured. Because finding out who is liable, and why they are liable, for your injuries may involve considerable investigation, you should retain a lawyer with experience in truck accidents to help you in your matter.
Personal Injury Attorney for Your Athens Claim
If you have been injured because of someone’s careless, reckless, or intentional actions, you should consult with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible for your Athens claim. At Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, our experienced injury attorneys will help ensure that your rights are protected and that you get fair compensation and justice. To learn more about how the skilled Williams Elleby Howard & Easter personal injury attorneys can help you in your case, call (833) 534-2542 or contact us online for a free consultation.
