Walker County Personal Injury Lawyer

By definition, it is impossible to be fully prepared for an accident, since the number of possible hazards in daily life render the possibilities endless. Following an accident, you could be left with serious physical, emotional and financial stress—all of which fortunately may be compensable through a civil lawsuit.

If your injury was the result of another person’s negligent or reckless behavior, contact a Walker County personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Speaking to one of our dedicated personal injury attorneys could be the first step towards effectively seeking compensation for your injuries.

The Basics of Filing a Claim

In order to receive compensation after a serious accident, Official Code of Georgia §9-3-33 requires injured individuals to file a personal injury claim within two years of the accident. If a potential plaintiff claim waits until after this deadline passes to file his or her claim, it would likely be thrown out of court, and the injured individual would lose any right to compensation.

Once in court, the plaintiff—or more typically, the Walker County personal injury attorney representing them—must present a case that successfully proves fault on the part of the defendant. As per GA Code §51-11-7, courts in the State of Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence standard, which means a plaintiff may only receive compensation if his or her share of fault is less than 50 percent of the total fault for the accident.

Furthermore, the amount of compensation awarded is adjusted according to a plaintiff’s fault. If a plaintiff bears 20 percent of the total fault, for example, any damage award they received would be reduced in value by 20 percent.

In light of this, the defendant and his or her legal team may attempt to argue that the plaintiff bears partial fault in order to undermine their claim by reducing the amount of compensation the defendant might have to pay. For this reason, it is often essential for those injured in an accident to speak with a Walker County personal injury lawyer about how to best represent and protect their own best interests.

Recoverable Damages in Walker County

Individuals who file personal injury claims in Walker County may seek many kinds of damages. Depending on the circumstances, compensation could stem from any number of the following type of injuries and losses:

  • Present and future medical costs
  • Costs of hospital stays, rehabilitation, and surgical procedures
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of consortium
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Typically, there is no limit to the exact dollar amount of compensation an injured party and their lawyer may seek to recover. However, limitations do exist in a select number of situations. Conversely, punitive damages could be awarded in especially egregious cases where the court finds that the defendant acted in a willful, oppressive, or fraudulent manner.

Let a Walker County Personal Injury Attorney Help

If you or a loved one suffered a personal injury due to another person’s negligence, contact a Walker County personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Although these cases may feel overwhelming, especially in the face of a serious injury, an experienced legal professional could help you weigh all your options and decide on the best course of action. Call today to set up a consultation.