Fort Oglethorpe Car Accident Lawyer

A car accident can cause injuries that may severely impact your future livelihood, from changes in their ability to work to serious long-term health consequences. In addition to that, the worst part of a severe car accident is often that your injuries and financial burden may not be your fault, but the other driver’s.

When you are involved in a crash caused by someone else’s negligence, a Fort Oglethorpe car accident lawyer could help you recover damages so you can minimize the effects of the incident and maximize your recovery. A compassionate personal injury lawyer could help you communicate and negotiate with the responsible parties in a way that meets your needs and interests.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

After years of steady decline, the number of car accidents in Georgia started to increase dramatically in 2015. The average severity of accidents has increased as well, with motor vehicles crashes resulting in 1,554 fatalities in 2016, according to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. While there are various possible causes of car accidents in Fort Oglethorpe, the most common reasons for a crash include:

  • Following too closely
  • Failure to yield
  • Speeding or aggressive driving
  • Improper lane changes
  • Driving under the influence
  • Interior or exterior distraction

When a collision occurs due to a motorist’s unsafe driving behavior, a Fort Oglethorpe car accident lawyer could help a plaintiff establish fault in order to recover damages. A dedicated lawyer will do this by investigating the scene of the accident and uncovering the facts of the case.

How to Prove Negligence in Fort Oglethorpe

In the state of Georgia, most personal injury cases are brought based on negligence. Negligence is the failure of an individual to exercise the degree of care he or she should in order to avoid foreseeable harm to others.

To prove a defendant was negligent, a plaintiff must show cause and effect:

  • The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care
  • The defendant breached their duty of care either through their actions or inaction
  • The defendant’s breach caused the plaintiff’s injuries
  • The plaintiff suffered actual damages

Does the Injured Party’s Negligence Affect His or Her Ability to Recover?

Under Official Code of Georgia Annotated §51-12-33, a plaintiff who is also partially responsible for the incident that resulted in his or her injuries can still recover damages if he or she was less than 50 percent responsible. The amount of damages he or she can recover may be reduced in proportion to the amount of his or her fault.

What Damages are Available for Car Accident Victims?

A car crash victim can seek to recover various types of damages when filing a negligence lawsuit against a defendant, including economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are those related to a plaintiff’s tangible losses, including medical bills, lost work, property damage, and the impact on his or her future earning capacity. Non-economic damages are designed to compensate victims for intangible losses suffered, such as pain and suffering and emotional distress. A seasoned car accident lawyer in Fort Oglethorpe could help an individual recover damages following an accident.

Contacting a Fort Oglethorpe Car Accident Attorney

When you suffer injuries in a car accident caused by another person’s unsafe driving behavior, you should not be the one to pay. A Fort Oglethorpe car accident lawyer could help you pursue the damages you are entitled to.

Call us today to discuss your case. We could listen to the details of your situation, fight for your right to compensation, and help you move forward with greater financial and physical security.