People get hurt every day. You could be walking down the street and a piece of equipment falls on your head. Or, you could be in a supermarket and fall on a slippery floor. Most people chalk this up to bad luck or an accident. However, under the law, there’s no such thing as a simple accident.
Most personal injuries are caused by something called negligence. Negligence is when someone doesn’t behave the way they should. Because of their carelessness, someone else gets hurt. If this happens, the defendant needs to be held responsible.
If you’ve been injured in any sort of accident, the person who was negligent should be held accountable. Your personal injury lawyer near Sandy Springs will help make that happen. They’ll help you file your insurance claim. And, if your claim is denied, they’ll try to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company.
If the insurance adjuster refuses to settle, your attorney will have no choice but to file suit on your behalf. They’ll fight hard to get you the compensation you deserve. If you or a loved one have been injured, you should contact the Weinstein Firm and schedule your free initial consultation.
What Injuries Qualify as a Personal Injury in Georgia?
Most personal injury cases are based on negligence. In order to prove negligence, your injury lawyer near Sandy Springs will have to show the following four (4) things:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care. In car accidents, for example, this is easy to prove. All drivers owe a duty of care to everyone else they encounter on the road.
- They breached this duty – If the defendant in the above example was speeding at the time of the crash, they will be held negligent. They broke the law by driving above the speed limit. This is evidence that they breached their duty.
- You were injured – Your attorney near Sandy Springs must show that you were injured. The easiest way to do this is to submit your medical records. This is why it’s so important that you go to the hospital immediately after your accident.
- Your injuries were caused by the defendant’s breach – You will have to show that your injuries were caused by the defendant’s behavior. This is usually not that difficult. However, if you don’t go to the hospital for treatment, it can be hard to prove the timing of your injuries.
The best way to know for sure if you’re entitled to compensation is to talk to an experienced personal injury lawyer near Sandy Springs. Schedule your free consultation and see if you may have a legal claim for damages.
Who Actually Pays My Damages?
Some people think the defendant is the person who has to pay for your injuries. Technically, this is true. However, in most personal injury cases, the defendant’s insurance is the one who actually pays your damages.
Regardless of the type of accident you’re involved in, the defendant probably has insurance to cover your injuries. The type of insurance policy will depend on the type of accident. Here are some examples of the types of insurance companies that may need to pay your claim:
- Car insurance – Everyone who drives in Georgia must carry car insurance. Their insurance will be responsible for your damages whether you’re another driver, pedestrian or bicycle rider.
- Property insurance – Residential homeowners and businesses must carry insurance that covers almost all accidents that take place on their property. Some people are surprised to learn how much is covered. For example, if a homeowner’s dog bites you, their insurance will likely cover your damages.
- General liability insurance – Businesses, amusement parks, and hotels have to carry special insurance. This insurance covers any injuries that their guests suffer. This is usually the case no matter how the accident took place. As long as you can prove the defendant was responsible, the policy should cover it.
Keep in mind, most cases are paid by insurance companies. However, that isn’t always the case. There are situations where the defendant is personally liable for your damages. If they don’t have insurance, or if your damages exceed their coverage, the defendant will be personally liable.
How Much is My Personal Injury Case Worth?
If you’ve been injured in any sort of accident, you may be entitled to damages. These damages include the following:
- Your Costs – The defendant may be liable for your medical expenses. This includes your current medical bills as well as your future medical treatment.
- Lost Wages – If you missed time from work due to your injuries, you should be reimbursed. Your personal injury lawyer will submit proof of your lost wages.
- Pain and Suffering – If your injuries are serious, you may be entitled to pain and suffering. These damages represent the physical and mental anguish caused by your injuries.
- Property Damage – If you were in a car accident, you probably suffered some damage to your car. The defendant will be responsible for the costs to repair or replace your vehicle.
It isn’t always easy to determine your damages. Your injury lawyer will need to prove your injuries. They’ll submit copies of your medical bills and timesheets. They’ll also have experts and other people testify as to your pain and suffering.
The insurance company has their own way of determining what your case is worth. The general rule is that they’ll take your actual expenses (medical bills, etc.) and multiply them by three (3). This is the amount they’ll offer as a settlement. Of course, this is only a rule of thumb. It’s not a hard-fast rule.
Is it Expensive to Meet with a Lawyer?
At the Weinstein Firm, we don’t believe our clients should have to pay out of pocket for legal representation. Our goal is to provide our clients with the help they need. We work hard to get you the compensation you deserve. And, if we don’t win your case, you pay absolutely nothing.
Our cases are handled on a contingency basis. This means that we don’t get paid until you win or settle your case. Our firm gets a percentage of your settlement. This should give you peace of mind, knowing you won’t pay upfront for our excellent legal services.
We offer our personal injury clients a free initial consultation. You can sit down with an attorney who has handled cases just like yours. They’ll let you know what your case may be worth. They can also answer any questions you may have.
Sandy Springs Injury Cases We Handle
At the Weinstein Firm, we handle all sorts of personal injury cases. Our staff has decades of experience handling cases just like yours. Regardless of the type of accident you’re involved in, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced attorneys at our firm know what it takes to get our clients justice.
Some of the types of personal injury cases we handle include the following:
Car Accidents
If you’ve been involved in a car crash in Sandy Springs, you may suffer some pretty serious injuries. Our attorneys will review your case and help decide if the other driver was at fault. They’ll help you file your insurance claim. If your claim is denied, your personal injury attorney will try to negotiate a settlement with the insurance adjuster. If they won’t settle, they’ll file a lawsuit on your behalf. Chances are, you’ll have medical bills that need to be paid. You will also need to repair or replace your vehicle. You need to focus on recovering from your injuries. Let your car accident attorney focus on the legal side of things.
Bicycle Accidents
With people going green, it means a lot more people riding their bikes these days. You may ride your bicycle to work or school. Or, you may just decide to go for a long bike ride one sunny afternoon. Unfortunately, if drivers aren’t careful, they can end up hitting a cyclist. With nothing to protect you other than a plastic helmet, you need to be extra careful. If a car or truck driver hits you while on your bike, you’ll suffer pretty serious injuries. A bike accident attorney can fight to get you compensation for your injuries.
Bus Accidents
It seems like buses usually drive pretty slowly. But, once they get going, they become large and powerful machines. If you’re a passenger on a bus that gets into an accident, you may suffer severe injuries. There will be a few people who could be responsible for your damages. The bus driver may be personally liable if they’re drunk at the time of the crash. You’ll also have a possible claim against the bus company. If there was mechanical failure, you may have a claim for damages against the mechanic who serviced the bus. Your bus accident lawyer near Sandy Springs will review your case and see who you need to pursue.
Hit and Run Accidents
Hit and run accidents can be very frustrating. Whether you’re in the car when it’s hit or not, you’ll be upset. You may have suffered physical injuries. Or, you may have experienced significant damage to your car. It can be hard to track down the person who hit you. Your personal injury attorney may have to file an uninsured motorist claim on your behalf. Your hit and run accident lawyer will talk to the police and see if they have any information on the person who hit you. They’ll work hard to make sure the right person is held responsible.
Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents tend to be some of the most serious we see. This is because a motorcycle rider is at the mercy of the other drivers on the road. There’s nothing to stand between a rider and a two-ton vehicle. Some of these accidents can prove deadly, especially if the rider was going fast at the time of the crash. If you or your loved one were injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, you need help. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer near Sandy Springs can get you justice. This way, you can focus on getting better.
Pedestrian Accidents
Some of the most vulnerable accident victims are pedestrians who are hit by cars or trucks. When you’re on foot, there’s nothing you can do to protect yourself. Pedestrian accidents usually result in very serious or even fatal injuries. The impact of a motor vehicle is just too much for most bodies to handle. Hopefully, the person who hits you will stick around until the police come. If this is the case, you’ll be able to file a claim against their insurance. If they take off, your pedestrian accident attorney will contact the police and try to locate them.
Truck Accidents
Most people are afraid to share the road with tractor-trailers. They’re big and powerful machines. It seems like truck drivers have no regard for other people on the road. While this isn’t really true, it doesn’t change the fact that truck accidents are extremely dangerous. A passenger vehicle doesn’t stand a chance against a large truck. If you get into a truck accident contact a truck accident lawyer to review your potential claim against the driver, his company and the mechanic who serviced the vehicle.
Uber Accidents
Rideshare companies are one of the best inventions of the last ten years. They have helped cut down on the number of drunk drivers on the road. They also help people who would otherwise have to rely on public transportation. However, Uber drivers aren’t professional drivers. They’re no different than you or me. They’re just as likely to get into a crash as anyone else. You may have a claim against the Uber driver or Uber. The good news is an Uber accident attorney can acquire auto insurance coverage available to cover your injuries.
Uninsured Motorist Accidents
The law in Georgia requires that you carry auto insurance. That doesn’t mean everyone has insurance. Some people either can’t afford insurance or they don’t care about the law. If you get into a crash with someone who doesn’t have insurance, you could be in trouble. Someone needs to be responsible for your injuries. One option you may have is to file a claim against your uninsured motorist insurance. Your uninsured motorist accident attorney can help you do this.
Wrongful Death
Sadly, some accidents are so serious that their victims never recover from their injuries. If your loved one is killed because of someone else’s negligence, you need to contact a wrongful death lawyer right away. They’ll look to see if you may have a claim for wrongful death. If the defendant caused your loved one’s death, they’ll be liable for damages. This will include funeral and medical expenses. It will also include things like lost earnings.
If you or your loved one have suffered any of these injuries, contact our office today.
Schedule Your Free Consultation with a Personal Injury Attorney Near Sandy Springs
If you or your loved one have been injured in any sort of accident, you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney right away. The attorneys at The Weinstein Firm injury law firm in Georgia has the skills necessary to get you the compensation you deserve.
Call our injury firm near Sandy Springs today at (770) HELP-NOW and schedule your free initial consultation. The defendant will have a lawyer working for them and you should too.
