What Should I Do After an Injury?
The moments after an injury can be confusing and scary. You may be in severe pain after an accident. It’s easy to panic during such a situation. The actions you take after an injury can make or break your case. It’s critical to prepare yourself for accidents. They happen when we least expect them. If you’ve been injured in an accident, remember to stay calm.
Here are some steps that you should follow after an injury:
Get Medical Treatment If Needed
The first thing you should do after an injury is to seek medical treatment. Visit the emergency room, a clinic, or your doctor immediately after an injury. You can also get medical treatment from paramedics at the scene of the accident. Remember to keep a record of all your hospital visits and bills.
Take Photos/Video If You Can
Photographic evidence can help you build a strong personal injury claim. Take photos of any visible injuries, the accident site, the people involved, conditions that may have led to the accident, and property damage. Take as many pictures and videos as you can. Remember to do this from different angles.
Get the names and numbers of any witnesses
Don’t let eyewitnesses leave the scene without getting their contact details. Ask them whether they’d be willing to testify in your Smyrna personal injury case. Witness statements can help establish liability in your case.
Report the Incident
If you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle accident, contact the police immediately. Law enforcement officers will produce an incident report that your insurance provider may require. Police will also determine if the other driver has broken any traffic rules.
For workplace accidents, report the incident to your supervisor. Remember, you have 30 days to report your injury to your employer. If you don’t report your accident before the deadline, you risk losing your compensation.
Never Admit Fault
Do not make any statements that may affect your compensation. Insurance adjusters are always keen to hear what you have to say after an accident. Never make any statements that can be construed as an admission of fault. This may severely affect your claim.
Call a Personal Injury Lawyer!
Dealing with insurance companies is complicated. Let Dr. Ted Injury Law help you prepare a watertight claim after your accident. Get in touch with our personal injury attorneys in Smyrna today. We are available 24/7!
Why do I Need a Lawyer?
The personal injury lawyers at Dr. Ted Injury Law are ready to help you with all aspects of your case. Here are some of the benefits of hiring our talented legal team:
Case Preparation / Filing a Lawsuit
At Dr. Ted Injury Law, our lawyers will gather and analyze evidence in your personal injury case. Evidence is crucial when building a strong claim. We will look into police reports, photos of the incident, medical records, and witness statements during the case preparation phase.
Our lawyers will also determine the extent of your injuries and the value of your claim after gathering evidence. Once we are done, we will file your claim on time.
Settlement Negotiation
Our experienced Smyrna personal injury lawyers will review your insurance policy details to determine the maximum available settlement. We will then file a demand letter seeking full compensation. Dr. Ted Injury Law will handle all settlement negotiations while you rest and recover.
Trial Preparation & Representation
Our trial lawyers are ready to take your case to trial. We will go over all aspects of your case and prepare a strong case to ensure you secure the best compensation for your injuries.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover?
In Georgia, you have the right to seek damages after an accident. You may be entitled to these damages after in a Smyrna personal injury claim:
- Economic damages are calculable losses. They include medical bills, property damage, funeral expenses, lost earning capacity, and lost wages.
- Non-economic damages are subjective damages that don’t have fixed monetary values. They include loss of companionship, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of reputation.
- Punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant for their reckless actions. These damages aren’t awarded in every personal injury claim. They are designed to deter the wrongdoer from repeating similar actions in the future. The state of Georgia has a $250,000.00 cap on these damages.
How is Liability Determined?
Georgia follows modified comparative negligence laws when establishing liability. Here, all involved parties are assigned a percentage of fault. You may only recover damages if your fault for an accident falls below 50%. A knowledgeable Smyrna personal injury lawyer will use these four elements to establish liability:
- Duty of Care: The accused had a duty to protect the plaintiff from harm
- Breach of Duty of Care: The accused breached their duty by carrying out negligent acts
- Causation: This breach led to an accident that caused bodily harm
- Damages: The victim suffered damages such as medical bills, property damage, and lost income due to the crash.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Georgia?
You have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim in Smyrna, Georgia. For property damage claims, you have four years to file your claim. Always make sure you reach out to a seasoned personal injury lawyer near Smyrna before the two-year deadline.
Personal Injury Claims Process
After an injury, always reach out to a personal injury law firm in Smyrna, GA. Hiring a lawyer is the best way to ensure you get a fair settlement for the insurance company. Our legal team will conduct a thorough investigation to build a strong claim. We will also review your insurance policy to have a better understanding of all clauses.
Once we are done, we will file a demand letter seeking maximum compensation. If the insurer denies your claim, we will file for trial. Our legal team will go above and beyond to protect your rights and interests throughout this process.
How Much Will a Smyrna Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
Our personal injury lawyers at Dr. Ted Injury Law operate on a contingency fee basis. This implies that you don’t pay anything unless we win your case. Our law firm doesn’t charge any upfront fees or hourly rates for personal injury claims in Smyrna, Georgia.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle at Dr. Ted Injury Law
At Dr. Ted Injury Law, we handle all types of personal injury cases in Smyrna and all over Georgia, including:
Car Accidents
Auto crashes may result in severe injuries such as concussions and spinal cord injuries.
Distracted Driver Accidents
Drivers who apply makeup, text, eat, adjust GPS settings, or change the playlist risk causing accidents.
Drunk Driving Accidents
Alcohol and drugs can impair a driver’s judgment. This may end up causing catastrophic accidents.
Head-On Collisions
These are some of the deadliest accidents. They can cause severe injuries and even fatalities.
Hit & Run Accidents
If a driver flees the scene of an accident, you may file a claim against them for your damages.
Medical Malpractice
Medical professionals should provide quality health care services to all their patients. Medical negligence such as overtreatment, misdiagnosis, and surgical errors can cause severe complications.
Motorcycle Accidents
Riders are more exposed while on the road. They can sustain severe injuries after collisions.
Pedestrian Accidents
6,205 pedestrians lost their lives in traffic accidents. This is according to 2019 estimates from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Rear-End Collisions
Panic stops, tailgating, and driver inattention are common factors that lead to rear-end collisions.
Reckless Driving
Actions such as disregarding traffic rules can result in car crashes.
Rollover Accidents
If your vehicle tips over, you may sustain serious injuries.
Truck Accidents
Trucks are larger and heavier than passenger cars. Truck Accidents can result in catastrophic injuries.
Uber Accidents
You may be entitled to compensation if you are involved in an Uber or Lyft accident.
Uninsured Motorist Accidents
All drivers in Georgia are required to have insurance coverage. You can seek compensation from your insurer if an uninsured motorist hits you.
Workers’ Compensation
Workplaces should be safe from hazardous conditions. You may be entitled to compensation if you sustain a work-related injury.
Wrongful Death
All of the above personal injury cases can result in death. You can file a Smyrna wrongful death claim if you’ve lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence.
Call Dr. Ted Injury Law Today To Get Started
If you or someone you care about has sustained injuries, contact a personal injury lawyer at Dr. Ted Injury Law in Smyrna immediately. Our lawyers are ready to help you secure maximum compensation for your injuries. We will conduct an independent investigation to establish liability.
Contact us today at (800) 693-7833 to find out if you have a case. We are ready to guide you throughout this process. Remember, we don’t charge upfront fees for our legal services.
