Georgia personal injury attorneys meet with new clients every week. The first question most of them have is how much their case is worth. As much as we would love to give them a precise figure, that wouldn’t be fair. Every case is unique, and they all have their own fact patterns.
Some car accident cases involve nothing more than damage to the victim’s vehicle. Other cases involve tremendous injuries, and the accident victims have thousands of dollars in medical bills. Regardless of how much your claim is worth, our car accident lawyers in Sandy Springs do their best to get you the money you deserve.
Here, we’ll discuss the various factors that can affect how much your case is worth. We’ll also explain the different types of damages you can demand in your case. If you’re still concerned after reading this or have any questions, just give us a call. We can always schedule your free, initial consultation right over the phone.
Before You Can Collect Damages, You Need to Prove Fault
One thing our clients don’t understand is that they aren’t entitled to damages simply because they were in a car accident. If your Georgia personal injury lawyer in Sandy Springs can’t prove fault, you won’t collect anything. In order to prove fault, your lawyer will need to demonstrate negligence.
Proving negligence is not always as easy as you may think. As much as you feel the other driver was at fault, they’re thinking the same thing about you. Since it’s very rare that one driver is 100% responsible for an accident, your attorney’s job is to prove that the other driver was more at fault than you were.
How Can Your Sandy Springs Car Accident Lawyer Prove Negligence?
Negligence requires that you prove 4 things. First, you need to show that the defendant owed you a duty of care. This isn’t difficult to do in a car accident lawsuit. All drivers owe the other motorist on the road a certain duty of care. At a minimum, they must obey all local traffic laws.
You also need to show that the other driver breached this duty. This requires that you prove they didn’t act the way a reasonable person would have given the circumstances. For instance, if you can show the defendant was speeding, that would constitute a breach of duty. So would someone who was driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
The third thing you need to prove is that you were injured. This is why our car accident lawyers in Sandy Springs need you to go to the hospital right away. Submitting a copy of your medical record can show that you were hurt.
Finally, you must prove that your injuries were caused by the defendant’s breach. You can demonstrate this by proving that nothing happened between the time of the accident and your trip to the hospital.
What Damages Can I Recover?
The main thing our clients want to know is what kind of damages they can demand in their Georgia personal injury lawsuit. Depending on the facts of your case, you can demand any or all of the following:
Medical Bills and Future Medical Bills
You’re entitled to be reimbursed for any medical bills you paid. The insurance company will also expect to be reimbursed. If your primary health insurance paid for any of your care, you’ll need to pay them back when you settle your case. Also, if your injuries were serious, you may need future medical care. If this is the case, the defendant will be responsible for them as well.
Property Damage
Obviously, if your car is damaged or destroyed, you can demand compensation for this. If your car was totaled in the crash, you can demand the fair market value for the vehicle. You cannot demand the money it will cost to buy a new car. You’re limited to the value of the car at the time of the accident.
Lost Wages
Your car accident lawyer in Sandy Springs will also demand that you be compensated for lost wages. If you missed more than a week or two at work, you may be eligible for these damages. You’ll need to prove how much time you missed and what you would’ve earned for that time.
Lost Future Income
In addition to lost wages, you can also demand lost future income. if your injuries are so bad that you can’t do the same kind of work anymore, you may lose money in the future. The defendant will be liable for the difference between what you would have made versus what you will make on disability.
Pain and Suffering
Almost all car accident cases call for pain and suffering damages. The general rule is that your demand for pain and suffering will be equal to three times your total medical bills. If your medical bills were $50,000, you would demand $150,000 in pain and suffering.
Keep in mind that more than 95% of all car accident lawsuits settle out of court. There’s a good chance you won’t receive your full demand. However, your Georgia personal injury attorney will make sure you get enough to cover your out-of-pocket expenses. Their job isn’t to make you rich. It’s their job to make you whole.
Contact an Experienced Georgia Personal Injury Attorney Right Away
If you were hurt in a car crash, you may be entitled to damages. However, the last thing you want to do is deal with the insurance company. The good news is that your Georgia personal injury attorney can help you do this. Call today and schedule your free, initial consultation. Since you have nothing to lose, it’s worth it to take the time and sit down with somebody who knows the law.
