When we meet with car accident victims for the first time, they usually have one question for us-how much is my case worth? There’s nothing wrong with asking this question. In fact, we would have the same question ourselves if we were involved in a motor vehicle accident. However, it is impossible for us to know what kind of car accident damages you are entitled to without first thoroughly reviewing your file. A car accident lawyer in Riverdale who meets with accident victims every day knows that every case is unique and so are the car accident damages in each case.
Here, we will discuss the different types of car accident damages you can expect to receive in your car accident case. We will briefly explain what your personal injury attorney in Georgia must prove in order for you to collect car accident damages. If you have questions or concerns about your car accident case, do not hesitate to contact our office. One of our helpful staff can help you schedule your free, initial consultation.
Your Attorney Must Prove Negligence Before You Can Expect Car Accident Damages
One of the first things we tell new clients is that they should not worry about collecting car accident damages until we have proven their case. In Georgia, as in most other states, in order to collect car accident damages against the defendant you must first prove negligence. Negligence is just another way of saying that the other driver did not behave the way a reasonable person would have given the circumstances.
In order to prove negligence, you must demonstrate the following four elements:
- The other driver owed you a duty of care – This is not difficult to prove in a car accident case. All drivers owe a certain duty of care to other motorists on the road. At a minimum, they must obey all traffic laws.
- The other driver breached this duty of care – This is typically the heart of your case. Your car accident lawyer in Riverdale must be able to demonstrate that the defendant did not behave the way they should have prior to the accident. For example, if you can show that the other driver was arrested for DUI at the crash scene, that will prove that they had breached their duty of care. The same is true if you can prove that the other driver was speeding or texting at the time of the accident.
- You must demonstrate that you were injured – It is not enough to show that you were involved in a car accident. Your personal injury attorney in Georgia must also show that you suffered physical or financial injuries as a result of the crash. This is why we always tell our clients to go to the hospital immediately after their accident. The best evidence of your injuries will be your medical records.
- Your injuries must have been caused by the defendant’s breach of duty – This is typically not difficult to demonstrate. As long as the defendant’s attorney cannot prove that something other than the car accident caused your injuries, you should have no problem proving this element.
It’s important to remember that not all cases are the same. The car accident damages in your case will be different from the damages in another case. At the end of the day, our job is to make our clients whole. It is not our job to make our clients rich. This is why we constantly remind our clients that they can only receive car accident damages for injuries they have actually suffered.
Your Personal Injury Attorney in Georgia Will Demand Certain Car Accident Damages
Once your car accident lawyer in Riverdale has established negligence, they can proceed with their demand for car accident damages. In most car accident cases, you can demand the following types of damages:
- Medical bills – The defendant will be responsible for any medical bills you accrued as a result of the crash. This includes hospital bills, copays for doctors’ appointments, and any other out of pocket expenses.
- Future medical bills – If your doctor believes you will need future medical care, the defendant may be held liable for the costs of this care as well. Your personal injury attorney in Georgia will submit an affidavit from your physician indicating what future care will be needed.
- Lost wages – If you miss more than two weeks from work, you may be entitled to lost wages. Your attorney will need to submit copies of your pay sheets and any other records from your employer showing what time was missed.
- Lost future income – If your injuries are serious enough that you cannot return to your job, you may be entitled to car accident damages for lost future income. For example, if you end up on disability because of the crash, you can demand compensation. This compensation will be equal to the difference between what you’ll receive on disability and what you would have earned in your previous position.
- Property damage – It goes without saying that the other driver will be responsible for the costs of any repairs to your vehicle. If your car is destroyed, you’ll be entitled to the fair market value of your vehicle at the time of the accident.
- Pain and suffering – Most car accident victims are entitled to car accident damages for pain and suffering. These damages are meant to compensate you for any mental or physical anguish that resulted from the crash.
Meet with One of Our Seasoned Car Accident Lawyers in Riverdale Sooner Rather than Later
In the days following a car accident, most people are overwhelmed. Many are worried about how they’ll pay to fix their car. Others are afraid of what will happen when they tell their employer they’ll be out of work for several weeks. Most importantly, these accident victims are in pain and they’re desperate to get the medical treatment they need to recover from their injuries.
This is why our personal injury attorneys in Georgia like to meet with potential clients as soon as possible after the crash. This way, we can take care of the legal side of things while they focus on getting better.
We recommend that you contact our office as soon as possible after your accident. The earlier you get us involved, the faster we can get you the compensation you deserve. As mentioned above, depending on the facts of your case, you may be entitled to significant car accident damages. The only way to know for sure is to meet with an experienced car accident lawyer in Riverdale. Since your first consultation is free, you have nothing to lose. You can bet the other driver will have a lawyer working in their corner and you should too.
