Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer

Personal Injury

In Georgia, anyone who suffers harm due to the careless or wrongful actions of an entity or individual can pursue damages in a personal injury lawsuit. In most cases, the lawsuit will allege that the party that caused the injured party’s harm was negligent. To succeed in a cause of action for negligence, a plaintiff must show that the defendant had a legal duty to act with ordinary care for the protection of other people, but the defendant breached the duty, which caused the plaintiff’s injuries. The plaintiff must also prove that he or she suffered actual losses or damages due to the breach.

Car Accidents

While some people are fortunate enough to walk away from a car accident unharmed, many victims involved in car accidents sustain substantial injuries. Although there are multiple factors that can cause an accident, most accidents are caused by unsafe driving. In many cases in which an injured person seeks damages from the driver who caused the accident, the driver will attempt to avoid liability by arguing that the injured person caused the accident. Under Georgia’s modified comparative fault rule, however, if a plaintiff was less than 50% at fault, he or she can still recover compensation. Atlanta car accident attorney Kevin C. Ford can help victims ensure that an at-fault party is held accountable to the full extent of the law.

Truck Accidents

Commercial trucks are an essential component of interstate commerce, but due to their massive weight and size, they pose a significant risk to other people on the road. To reduce the potential risk of harm, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has set forth regulations that commercial drivers must follow. If drivers breach the duties imposed by the regulations by carrying overweight loads, exceeding the drive times permitted, or engaging in other reckless behavior, it can cause a devastating accident. Often, when a person is injured in a truck accident, the victim will be able to pursue claims against the driver of the truck and the driver’s employer, if the driver was working for a company at the time of the accident.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycles are often overlooked by other drivers until it is too late to prevent an accident. For example, motorcycle accidents are often caused by drivers failing to stop in time and striking a motorcycle from behind or making a left-hand turn in front of a motorcycle despite not having adequate time to do so. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident that was caused by a careless driver, an Atlanta car accident lawyer can help you pursue the cost of any medical treatment that you needed for your injuries and any related expenses. If you could not work because of your injuries, you may also be owed lost wages. Additionally, you may be awarded compensation for the non-economic damages that you sustained, such as the pain and suffering caused by your injuries.

Premises Liability

People regularly enter stores, restaurants, businesses, and homes owned by other people, without considering that they might be harmed. Many injuries arise from hazards encountered on a property, such as debris or liquid on the ground, or sidewalks or stairs that have fallen into disrepair. Property owners have a duty to make their property safe for visitors, however, and they can be held liable for harm caused by a dangerous condition through a premises liability claim. The duty that the property owner owes will differ depending on the status of the person entering the property.

Medical Malpractice

Doctors and other medical practitioners are expected to provide appropriate and competent care, but not all medical professionals provide adequate treatment, and their patients often suffer harm as a result. Anyone who has suffered harm due to negligent medical care should consider seeking damages in a medical malpractice lawsuit. Generally, to hold a medical professional liable for your harm, you must show that he or she deviated from the applicable standard of care, which is the care that a provider in the same specialty with the same skills and experience would provide under similar circumstances. Medical malpractice cases are complicated, and they typically require the retention of one or more experts.

Nursing Home Negligence

Many people are unable to care for older family members and must entrust the care of their loved ones to nursing homes. State and federal regulations dictate the minimum standards that nursing homes must meet, but many nursing homes fall short of these standards. Harm may be caused by insufficient or poorly trained staff but can be caused by reckless or deliberate acts as well. Signs of negligence or abuse include weight loss, dehydration, confusion, bruising, and bedsores. If a loved one or you have sustained harm due to nursing home negligence, you may be able to recover damages.

Dog Bites

In Georgia, if a dog bites someone, the dog’s owner may be held liable for the harm caused by the bite. The owner will be held liable, however, only if the victim can establish that the dog had a vicious propensity or was dangerous and that the owner knew that the dog was dangerous but nonetheless recklessly let the dog roam free. If an ordinance required the dog to be at heel or on a leash, but the dog was not leashed or at heel, this constitutes adequate evidence of the dog’s vicious propensity.

Wrongful Death

Under Georgia law, if a person dies due to injuries caused by someone else’s negligence, the person’s surviving spouse, parent, or child may be able to pursue damages via a wrongful death claim. Compensation under the Georgia Wrongful Death Act is measured by the full value of the life of the deceased person. In other words, the financial harm that surviving family members sustained due to the person’s death is calculated based on the anticipated income that the deceased person would have earned throughout his or her life without any deductions for the cost of living.

Workers’ Compensation

If you suffered an injury at work, you may be owed workers’ compensation benefits from your employer. Generally, to recover benefits, the injured worker must establish the existence of an employment relationship. In other words, independent contractors are not owed workers’ compensation benefits. The injured worker must then show that the injury occurred while he or she was in the course and scope of his or her employment. Benefits recoverable include the cost of medical expenses and wage loss benefits.

Social Security Disability

There are many people who suffer from financial instability because they are unable to earn an income due to their mental or physical limitations. If you cannot work because of a chronic illness or condition, you may be eligible for Social Security Disability benefits. Generally, you must show that you suffer from a significant mental or physical impairment that has lasted a minimum of 12 months. The process of applying for Social Security Disability benefits can be complicated, and initial claims are often denied, only to be granted on appeal.

Consult an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

If you suffered harm because of another person’s careless acts, you should speak with an experienced attorney regarding your potential claims. Kevin C. Ford is dedicated to helping victims seek recourse for their injuries and losses. He represents people throughout DeKalb, Cherokee, Clayton, Chatham, and Bartow Counties. You can reach Mr. Ford through the form online or at (855) 529-3673 to schedule a free consultation if you need a car accident attorney in the Atlanta area or assistance with any other personal injury, workers’ compensation, or Social Security Disability claim.