Gwinnett County Personal Injury Lawyer

Gwinnett County Personal Injury Attorney

Each local Gwinnett County personal injury lawyer at Barnes Law Group is ready to meet you in your moment of need. A personal injury can leave unsuspecting and innocent people affected by long-term repercussions. The attorneys at Barnes Law Group can help those who have been wronged seek legal justice. As you work toward recovery and healing, allow us to take care of the legal implications of your incident.

What Falls Under Personal Injury Law?

Personal injury law covers a wide scope of situations where an individual suffers harm or injury due to the actions, negligence, or misconduct of another party. Common examples of personal injury cases include the following:

• Slip and Fall Accidents
• Medical Malpractice
• Workplace Injuries
• Product Liability
• Dog Bites and Animal Attacks
• Assault and Battery
• Wrongful Death
• Truck Accidents
• Car Accidents

To have a successful personal injury claim in Gwinnett County or other areas in Georgia, the injured individual must prove fault due to the defendant’s negligence, intentional actions, or inaction. In most cases, the injured party has to show that the defendant owed them a duty of care, that they breached this duty of care, and that this breach of duty led to the accident that directly caused their injury.

The burden of proof is on the plaintiff, which is why it is essential to have detailed evidence. Certain types of personal injury claims hold a statute of limitations, or a time limit by which a claim can be filed. If the claim is not pursued within this timeframe, the plaintiff could lose their right to pursue legal action.

How Can a Personal Injury Lawyer Help?

Personal injury lawyers can help their clients in a wide variety of ways. Their scope of practice is large, and they work to ensure their clients’ losses are accurately accounted for in settlement agreements. Below are detailed ways that a personal injury attorney can support their clients:

• Case Evaluation and Assessment: An attorney will evaluate the nature of your personal injury incident. They can help you determine the merits of your case and whether pursuing litigation is your ideal choice. Personal injury attorneys will advise you, but ultimately, the decision to pursue legal action is yours as the client.
• Thorough Investigation and Strategic Planning: Through a thorough investigation, attorneys will review all the important and specific details that make up the viability of your claim. These include economic losses, like medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses related to any damage or injury sustained in the accident, lost wages, future impact on employment, and more.They will also assess the non-economic losses that you suffered, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment and quality of life, and more. Finally, the attorney will investigate whether there were any criminal activities that led to your injury and require attention. Police reports, eyewitness reports, security camera footage, and more will be reviewed. Through this process of gathering evidence, an attorney will create a strategic legal plan to sustain and support your claim in negotiations and litigation.
• Legal Advocacy: An attorney’s chief goal is to protect their client’s rights and fair treatment in the legal space. Throughout the professional relationship, clients have a trusted legal advocate to answer questions and address concerns. In and out of the courtroom, attorneys ensure their clients are protected.
• Negotiation and Litigation Representation: Whether in negotiations with insurance adjusters or in a courtroom in front of a judge and jury, an attorney represents their client’s case thoroughly and effectively. They present their investigation’s findings and position skillfully and professionally.

How You Should Respond After a Personal Injury Incident

After a personal injury, it can be challenging to know how to respond. It’s crucial to prioritize your immediate safety while also keeping the impacts of your decisions in mind. Your reactions can set you up successfully for legal action. Below are suggestions on how to respond after an accident:

• Check for Injuries, Move to Safety: Immediately following the incident, it is vital to check yourself and other involved individuals for injuries. Your health and well-being is the top priority. If you are in a dangerous or compromising location, move to safety.
• Contact Emergency Services: Contact emergency health services if there are any severe injuries. Contact local law enforcement as well, as it is essential to have a documented police report of the accident. This creates a legitimate paper trail that will be helpful in legal action.
• Gather Contact Information: If there were other parties present or involved in the accident, exchange contact information. This can include names, phone numbers, insurance information, and any other relevant details. Eyewitness information can be helpful, as their testimony can serve as an essential piece of evidence supporting your case.
• Collect Documentation of the Accident Scene: Documenting the accident scene can create another helpful piece of evidence to use in the future. This could be photos, videos, or a written account. For example, after a premises liability accident, take photos of the dangerous conditions that caused your injury.
• Contact Insurance Company: If you were involved in a vehicle accident, know that many insurance providers hold strict policies on the deadline by which you must notify them after an accident. Therefore, it is essential to do so quickly. It is vital that you not admit fault but rather recount the details of the accident.Even if you believe you were possibly to blame, it is essential to consult an attorney before saying anything, as insurance adjusters will look for any way to lessen the amount of compensation they provide to you post-accident.
• See a Doctor: Whether you sustained injuries due to a dog bite or a motorcycle accident, seeing a doctor is vital. While doing so is important for your health and well-being, it can also serve as evidence for your claim. Your doctor should create a detailed report of your injuries.
• Contact a Local Personal Injury Lawyer: Speak with a trusted local personal injury attorney to learn what options you have available. They can advise you on the merits of your case and the likelihood you have of winning a case. They can also answer any questions or concerns you may have.

FAQs

Q: What Is a Contingency Fee for a Personal Injury Claim?

A: A contingency fee is a percentage of the final settlement that a personal injury lawyer collects as payment for their services. This can be different in each case, as not every attorney charges on a contingency fee basis. If they do, their percentage may be lower or higher, depending on the case details and agreements made with their clients. If the case is unsuccessful, the lawyer will not take any payment from their client. However, the client may still owe other fees, like court costs.

Q: How Long Does a Personal Injury Lawsuit Take in Georgia?

A: The length of time that a personal injury lawsuit takes in Georgia depends on several factors, which are unique to each case. These factors can include the severity of injuries and recovery, the actions of all parties involved, the availability of courtrooms and personnel, and more. Simple cases may be resolved relatively quickly, but more complicated and contested cases can last for a much longer time before finding a resolution.

Q: Do I Need a Lawyer After a Personal Injury Accident?

A: You do not need a lawyer to pursue compensation after a personal injury accident, but it is highly recommended because a lawyer can expand the likelihood of receiving a fair settlement amount.

A lawyer understands the laws and regulations that govern personal injury law, including regulations insurance companies must abide by, the protocol all parties are required to follow, and more. With their comprehensive knowledge, they can efficiently create a path toward a fair settlement.

Q: Do You Have to Pay Taxes on a Personal Injury Settlement in Georgia?

A: You usually do not have to pay taxes on a personal injury settlement in Georgia, as it is considered compensation for your losses rather than a gain. However, there are exceptions to be aware of. Punitive damages can be considered taxable income in the state. When plaintiffs receive interest from their personal injury cases, this can also be considered taxable income. If you are concerned about the tax implications of your personal injury settlement, speak with an attorney for clarity.

Q: How Much Will I Get From My Personal Injury Settlement?

A: The amount that you will get from your personal injury settlement is contingent on the specific details of your case.

These factors can include the severity of your injuries and damages suffered, jurisdiction policies, insurance company limits, the effectiveness of your legal representation, the amount of out-of-pocket expenses paid for injuries and damage, non-economic losses such as pain and suffering, and more. Each personal injury has a wide variety of impacts, which are all considered in settlement amounts.

Contact a Gwinnett County Personal Injury Lawyer to Learn About Your Options Today

If you have been impacted by a personal injury that happened because of the negligent or intentional actions of another party, you may have the right to pursue a legal claim and seek compensation for your losses. Contact a personal injury lawyer at Barnes Law Group to discuss your options for moving forward. Our attorneys can uplift your rights and create a path to healing and recovery. Set up a consultation today.