Should you hire a personal injury attorney?

If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may have grounds to file a personal injury lawsuit. Negligence is defined as “conduct that falls below the standards of behavior established by law for the protection of others against unreasonable risk of harm,” and it can take any number of forms. Some of the most common causes of personal injury claims are:

• Car Accidents
• Product Related Injuries
• Faulty Equipment
• Workplace Injuries
• Slip and Fall

If you believe your injuries are the result of someone else’s negligence, here are a few things you need to do to make sure that you are prepared when you meet with a personal injury attorney.

1. Take Detailed Notes

Our memories are never as reliable as we think they are. When we are in stressful situations such as the scene of an accident, it’s best to write it down. Take notes of the details:

• the circumstances
• your injuries
• property damage
• any conversations with involved parties as soon as possible following the incident

Writing down these details as soon as possible will help you later on in your pursuit of compensation for your injuries.

2. Preserve Evidence

• Write down the contact information for any involved parties as well as witnesses present at the time of the accident.
• Locating witnesses and being able to pass along their contact information to your attorney will save valuable time and energy later on in the process of filing your claim.
• Photos are an invaluable source of  help when establish negligence in a personal injury case. Take pictures from several different angles including the perspective at the time of the accident.
• Protect any physical evidence such to any property damaged in the accident, or faulty equipment.

3. Get Copies of Your Medical Records

If you were treated for injuries you received in an accident, the records of your injuries and treatment will be the core of any personal injury case. You have a right to receive copies of your medical records or the records of anyone you are a legal representative for, including your children. You should keep a copy for your personal records, and your attorney will need a copy, as well.

4. Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

It is important to contact an attorney within days, if not hours, of an accident. Georgia has a statute of limitations on personal injury claims of two years. When time is of the essence, an attorney can talk you through your options. Your personal injury attorney will help you build the strongest case to secure compensation for your injuries. You and your attorney may find that a settlement is the best option, but if it is necessary to file a personal injury claim, finding the right attorney will guarantee that you have someone on your side working to help you receive fair compensation.

If you were injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, you may have the right to compensation for:

• medical bills
• lost wages
• property damage
• future lost wages
• potential future medical bills
• legal fees
• pain and suffering

What Should You Expect After Contacting a Personal Injury Attorney?

Your personal injury attorney will likely discuss several factors with you before helping you decide whether you should pursue a settlement or a trial.

• Strength of Case – chances of winning a trial, strength of evidence, practical difficulties in trying the case
• Money and Damages – what the case may be worth monetarily, the minimum amount you should accept to avoid trial
• Other Concerns: unfavorable publicity for either party, the opposing lawyer’s tactics, the willingness of your opponent to negotiate, and other various factors

For thirty years, the attorneys at Hall & Navarro have been helping clients with personal injury claims. In that time, we have helped victims receive the benefits and compensation they need. We understand how quickly and drastically an accident can change your life, and we want to help you by providing the legal guidance you need to navigate your personal injury claim. If you or someone you love has been injured due to another’s negligence, contact us and let us work with you to find your best option for receiving compensation for your injuries

We are here for you. Contact us to schedule your consultation.

Please consult an attorney for advice about your individual situation. This site and its information is not official legal advice, nor is it intended to be. Feel free to get in touch by e-mail, letters or phone calls. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Until an attorney-client relationship is established, please withhold from sending any confidential information to us.