She never saw it coming. The one-ton pickup ran a red light and plowed into her subcompact at an intersection, destroying her vehicle and her life dreams in an instant. Amy’s car accident resulted in devastating injuries, multiple surgeries, and ultimately, the loss of her leg, which was so damaged it could not be saved. Recovering from such trauma can take months, years, or perhaps never. Some things can’t be put back the way they once were. But on top of all the pain is the reality of dealing with the legal fallout from an accident. Amy knew she couldn’t handle it alone. She called a professional—a personal injury lawyer in Marietta, GA.
Determining Fault
A personal injury lawyer knows the law and the elements necessary to prove the damages you’ve suffered from your car accident. The most important issue is proving that the person who injured you—the defendant—was at fault. In a case like Amy’s, the question of fault, also known as liability, is more straightforward than in some cases. Her personal injury lawyer was able to determine that fault lay solely with the other driver. This allowed her lawyer to negotiate a settlement with the at-fault driver’s insurance company and avoid putting Amy through the rigors of a trial. The only real issue to be decided was the amount of Amy’s damages.
Damages in a Personal Injury Claim
The losses that a person suffers due to a car accident are referred to as “damages.” A serious accident like Amy’s can add up to tens of thousands of dollars in medical expenses, but these bills are only a portion of the damages involved in a personal injury accident. In addition, car accident victims’ damages typically include:
- Loss of income from lost work
- Property damage for your vehicle and other items
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Lost opportunity – If an accident victim can prove a lost business opportunity, these damages are recoverable
- Loss of consortium – this refers to the loss of love and companionship if a loved one dies in an accident, as well as damages a spouse is entitled to for ways in which the personal relationship is affected—an injured spouse’s inability to perform chores, engage in recreational activities, and the romantic connection between the couple.
Settlement versus Lawsuit – Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer
When you are considering consulting a personal injury lawyer, you may think this automatically means your car accident claim will have to go to trial. However, that is often not the case. An experienced personal injury lawyer is also a skilled negotiator. Amy’s Marietta personal injury lawyer was able to negotiate a settlement with the at-fault driver’s insurance company that compensated her for all her damages without having to involve her in a lawsuit. While not all car accident cases can be settled without a trial, many can.
A serious personal injury can tear through your life like a tornado, destroying everything you held dear—your health, your job, your finances, your loved ones. With a skillfully negotiated insurance settlement, you can begin to put your life back together and find the tranquility you’ve lost.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in the Marietta, GA area, don’t hesitate to get the help you need. Call a Marietta personal injury lawyer at (404) 689-2734 and look forward to the calm after the storm.
The post Personal Injury Lawyer in Marietta Advises – Settlement or Lawsuit? appeared first on Morrison & Hughes Law Firm.