Car Accident Lawyer in Cumming, GA — Helping Injury Victims Get the Compensation They Deserve
No one walks out the door in the morning expecting to experience an injury. Unfortunately, this is a far too frequent outcome. In fact, getting behind the wheel of a vehicle is often one of the most dangerous things a person does on any given day. Thanks to negligent drivers and other reckless parties, thousands of vehicular collisions happen every day in America. When you’re in one of these incidents, it can lead to substantial loss and serious injuries. You might be confused about how to move forward, but a car accident lawyer in Cumming, GA may be able to help.
At Carl Chapman, P.C., our Georgia personal injury attorneys are committed to getting our clients the justice they deserve. At times, this may mean negotiating a fair car accident settlement with the at-fault party’s insurance company. However, filing a lawsuit to recover damages may also be necessary. Regardless of what it takes, our Cumming car crash lawyers work hard to secure the best possible outcomes for our clients. And since we offer a free case evaluation, there’s no risk in reaching out and discussing your case. Contact us today to schedule your confidential consultation.
Do You Have a Valid Car Accident Claim?
After being injured in a car accident, you may wonder whether you have a valid legal claim. After all, collisions can happen even in the absence of driver negligence. Additionally, victims often wonder whether their own negligence would restrict them from filing a claim. This is a complicated question that we’ll delve into further in the next section, but for now, it’s important to remember that there are three elements to any valid car accident claim or lawsuit.
- Duty of care: This may be the simplest element to prove. A duty of care essentially means that everyone has a responsibility to avoid actions which could harm others. For instance, every motorist has a duty to engage in safe driving while on the roads.
- Violation of duty: A duty of care must be violated in order for liability to be established. For instance, texting on a cell phone is a clear violation of the duty of motorists described above. In Georgia, it’s also against the law.
- Injuries or harm caused: Not every violation of duty results in liability. For instance, many people text while driving and manage to avoid accidents. However, a party may be financially liable when their violation of duty directly leads to injuries or other damages.
If these three elements exist, then it’s likely that there are liable parties responsible for your damages. However, it’s important to remember that there are nuances to the law. There have been many cases where motorists who clearly seemed to be at fault walked away with no consequences. This is just one of the many reasons why injury victims should seek out experienced legal advice. Securing fair compensation can sometimes be an uphill battle, but with an auto accident attorney in Cumming, GA on your side, you’ll have an advocate who can take on the burden for you.
Who Is At Fault for an Auto Accident?
If you have a valid car accident injury claim, it’s often clear who is at fault. For instance, someone who causes a collision by running a stop sign is often the only liable party. However, there are instances when multiple parties can share liability. In Georgia, each of these individuals or entities will have to pay compensation commensurate to their level of fault. However, you may be confused if you share any amount of fault.
Fortunately, Georgia is a modified comparative negligence state. This means that injury victims are still able to recover financial compensation even if they share liability in an accident. The only requirement is that their amount of fault not exceed 50%. As an example, a Georgia jury may decide that an accident victim was 20% at fault for their own accident. In this case, the victim could still recover 80% of total damages.
This can get fairly complex, so it’s ideal to have a Cumming car accident lawyer review your case to get a better idea of how to move forward. Contact our law firm today to get started.
What Are the Main Causes of Car Accident Injuries in Georgia?
If you’ve been in an automobile accident caused by a negligent driver or another party, assigning fault will be one of your most challenging tasks. However, this endeavor always starts by identifying the cause of the collision. While it may not be necessary to prove an exact cause (i.e., distracted driving vs. fatigued driving), it can help with the process of assigning liability. If you’ve been involved in a car wreck in Georgia, there’s a solid chance that the collision stemmed from one of the following causes:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Defective vehicles
- Aggressive driving
- Road hazards
- Fatigued driving
- Weather conditions
- Inexperienced drivers
Clearly, many negligent and wrongful acts can lead to an auto collision. When you or a loved one is injured due to such actions, it’s important that you take quick action. Our car accident attorneys in Cumming, GA are experienced with personal injury cases and ready to assist. We review all the available evidence, conduct investigations if necessary, deal with the other party’s insurance company, and file lawsuits on behalf of our clients if an insurer refuses to cooperate. You shouldn’t have to deal with these difficulties alone, and with our personal injury lawyers on your side, you won’t have to.
What Damages Might You Be Entitled To?
If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, the compensation you’re entitled to will depend entirely upon the circumstances of your case. Every case is different. For instance, a person who is unable to go to work for a month may be entitled to higher compensation than someone who was back in the office the next day. However, damages in these cases typically fall into one of three categories. They include:
- Economic damages: An at-fault driver pays economic damages related to financial loss. This can include medical care costs, lost wages, property damage, future medical expenses, and other monetary damages.
- Non-economic damages: Injured victims may also be entitled to financial recovery for non-monetary losses. These include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other losses that typically don’t have a dollar value.
- Punitive damages: Punitive damages are granted in addition to other losses. They are a way to punish negligent and reckless parties for particularly egregious actions. These damages are typically capped at $250,000 in Georgia.
An injury victim may not be entitled to each of these damage types — or they may be entitled to these and more (e.g., attorney fees). However, identifying what you deserve can be a difficult process without legal representation. You can bet that the insurance provider will not offer up additional compensation if they don’t have to. When you have an experienced attorney on your side, though, adjusters are more likely to offer a fair settlement. And if they don’t, a Cumming car accident lawyer can file litigation on your behalf. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. We’re ready to assist.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Cumming, GA Today
From physical harm to emotional trauma, the consequences faced by a car accident victim can be severe. Even relatively minor accidents can lead to high medical bills and lost income. And when a collision is more serious, catastrophic injuries can follow a person for the rest of their lives. It’s impossible to change what has happened already, but injury victims may be entitled to substantial damages. Dealing with adjusters after filing an insurance claim can be difficult, though, and going to court is even more challenging. This is why you should have a skilled legal professional on your side.
At Carl Chapman, P.C., our team of personal injury attorneys is here to help. Negligent and wrongful acts far too often lead to serious harm, and whether it was you or your passengers injured, you may have a valid legal claim. However, negligence laws in Georgia can be complex — and even proving liability can be tough. Fortunately, you don’t have to undertake this task on your own. If you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident, our experienced legal professionals are here to help. Contact us today by calling (470) 206-2169 to schedule your free consultation.
We cannot guarantee a specific outcome in your case, but our car accident lawyers in Cumming, GA fight hard to secure maximum compensation on behalf of each of our clients.