Personal Injury Attorney in Atlanta

Whether it’s a car accident, a slip-and-fall in a parking lot, medical malpractice, or the result of a defective product, any kind of personal injury resulting from negligence is a frustrating, painful experience. If you’ve sustained a personal injury due to the wrongful actions of someone else, you may be entitled to compensation.

As a personal injury law firm, Sherrod & Bernard, P.C. has a dedicated legal team specializing in representing accident victims. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling cases involving catastrophic injury and serious injuries, ensuring clients receive the focused advocacy they deserve. Common types of personal injuries in Atlanta accidents include spinal cord injuries, neck and back injuries, head and brain injuries, internal injuries, bone and muscle injuries, and burn injuries. We have the expertise to handle complex cases involving these injuries and are committed to helping accident victims secure justice and compensation.

The Atlanta, GA personal injury lawyers at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C. are prepared to vigorously stand up for your legal rights and aggressively seek compensation to make up for your losses. Our proven track record includes recovering substantial settlements for accident victims, and our attorneys specializing in specific types of injuries can provide better representation than general practitioners.

Schedule your free consultation today by calling our law firm at (678) 905 7854 or visiting our contact page.

What Are the Most Common Types of Personal Injury Cases?

Personal injuries can happen while you’re at home, at work, driving, shopping, and under any number of other circumstances.

Here are some of the most common kinds of personal injury cases:

• Car accidents – Injuries related to drunk driving, distracted driving, pedestrian accidents, and so on are all possible personal injury claims.
• Motorcycle accidents – Motorcyclists are vulnerable to drivers who are distracted, are intoxicated, fail to yield the right of way, or fail to check their blind spots.
• Truck accidents – Tractor-trailers weigh much more than cars and are much larger, creating more damage and severe injuries when trucks are involved in crashes. Both the truck driver and their employer – and potentially others – may be liable for damages related to a crash.
• Dog bites – Dog owners are responsible for their pet’s behavior, including if the animal attacks another person. Homeowners’ insurance may be available to pay the costs of a dog bite.
• Slip-and-falls – Employers, landlords, and other property owners are required to maintain the buildings and grounds, as well as take proper precautions so visitors and guests aren’t unnecessarily injured.
• Medical malpractice – While proving medical malpractice requires extra legal work, that should not prevent you from seeking damages if your doctor makes a negligent mistake while you’re under their care.
• Premises liability – Premises liability claims are a broad category covering everything from toxic chemical exposure to visitors slipping on a wet floor. The bottom line is property owners are required to look out for the safety of tenants, guests, etc.

How Do Personal Injuries Most Commonly Occur in Atlanta?

While the specifics of any personal injury claim are unique, the underlying cause in almost all cases is some form of negligence. For instance, in a car accident, if your car is struck by a drunk driver, they’re negligent because they weren’t observing the rules of the road even though they have a clear duty to watch out for other motorists.

Personal injury cases often hinge on proving someone else’s negligence and identifying all parties involved, such as defendants, plaintiffs, witnesses, insurance companies, and legal representatives. Establishing the responsibilities of each party is crucial for determining liability and securing compensation.

Similarly, if you’re a victim of medical malpractice and your doctor’s actions are found to fall below the medical standard of care, their negligence in treating you led to your injury. To prove your personal injury claim, you’ll have to demonstrate that the other party’s actions fit the legal standard for negligence and that they owe you damages as compensation for what they did.

The burden of proof in a personal injury case lies with the plaintiff, who must show that the defendant’s actions directly caused the injury. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule, meaning a plaintiff can recover compensation as long as they are less than 50% at fault for the accident, but if found more than 50% at fault, they may be barred from recovering any compensation. Having experienced legal representation is essential to navigate these legal standards, protect your rights, and maximize your potential recovery.

After experiencing a car accident or any other personal injury incident in Atlanta, GA, it’s crucial to take immediate and thoughtful action to protect your health and your legal rights. The first and most important step is to seek medical attention right away—even if you feel fine. Some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries, may not show symptoms immediately but can have serious long-term effects if left untreated. Prompt medical care also creates vital medical records that support your personal injury claim.

How Much Time Do I Have to File an Atlanta Personal Injury Claim?

What Evidence Needs to Be Presented in an Atlanta Personal Injury Case?

There are four pieces to proving a personal injury claim. In a successful personal injury case, you must show that:

• The defendant owed you a duty of care (for example, that they had to make sure you didn’t come to harm due to their actions).
• The defendant failed in that duty of care in some way.
• You were injured in some way.
• The defendant’s negligent actions were what led to your injury.

When building your case, it is important to consult with medical professionals and expert witnesses who can provide testimony and documentation to support your injury claim and establish fault. Additionally, both your party’s insurance company and the other party’s insurance company will be involved in evaluating and negotiating your claim. Insurance companies often have teams of lawyers and adjusters who assess claims immediately after an accident, and they may aim to minimize payouts or attempt to shift blame onto the injured party. When seeking legal representation, clarify whether the firm advances costs for expert witnesses and medical records, as these can be crucial for strengthening your case.

Let’s use a hypothetical example of someone being injured after their car was hit by a drunk driver. All drivers have a duty to follow traffic regulations and watch out for other motorists on the road. That’s the duty of care.

The other driver failed in that duty of care by driving while drunk and then colliding with your vehicle. If you were injured in the crash and can show how it was the driver’s actions that led to your injuries (using police reports, medical records, expert witnesses, and other evidence), you may have successfully proven your claim.

Do Atlanta Personal Injury Cases Have to Go to Court?

If you file a personal injury claim against another person, that does not mean the case is necessarily headed for court. In fact, the vast majority of such claims are settled out of court in deals between the victim and the negligent party’s insurance company.

However, having a credible threat of taking the case to court may compel the other parties to settle faster and offer a larger payout. Your personal injury lawyer should be fully prepared to take your case to court, even if it’s unlikely to happen.

How Much Compensation Can You Receive from an Atlanta Personal Injury Case?

The amount you can recover in a personal injury case depends on the extent and circumstances of your injury, as well as the amount of insurance coverage available and what role (if any) your own negligence played in causing the accident. Personal injury compensation may include financial compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Mounting medical bills and future medical expenses should be considered when calculating the value of your case.

Under Georgia law, punitive damages may be awarded if the at-fault party’s actions were particularly reckless or egregious. The types of damages available include compensatory damages, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, as well as punitive damages intended to punish especially egregious conduct. It is important to document your physical pain and suffering as part of your claim to ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve.

In personal injury cases, you can recover economic damages, such as:

Non-economic damages are also available, such as:

Keeping good records of your losses and a knowledgeable personal injury attorney can help make sure you are fully compensated for the complete extent of your losses.

How Can I Get Help from an Atlanta Personal Injury Attorney?