Atlanta car accident lawyer
Atlanta’s roads and highways can be treacherous, and car accidents in our bustling city are all too common. When these types of collisions occur, victims are often left with life-altering injuries and significant financial losses.
If you or a loved one was injured in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses with the help of a skilled Atlanta car accident lawyer with Harrison Injury Law. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about your legal rights.
Putting in work for our clients
At Harrison Injury Law, we believe our results speak for themselves. Our Atlanta car accident lawyers have helped numerous car accident victims obtain settlements and verdicts that exceeded their expectations.
Recent examples of awards we’ve achieved for our clients injured in car wrecks include:
- $40 million in 2022
- $785,000 in 2020
- $758,252 in 2020
- $275,000 in 2017
Our team achieved these results through hard work and a relentless pursuit of justice. If we agree to represent you, you can expect the same level of commitment that allowed us to make a positive difference in the lives of our past clients.
Steps to take after being in a crash
The actions you take directly after a car accident can significantly impact the outcome of your case. Here are some tips to keep in mind if you’ve been involved in a crash.
1. Move your vehicle to a safer location
Remaining in the middle of a busy road can put you at risk of further harm. Move your vehicle to a safer spot, such as a nearby parking lot or the shoulder of the road, if you are able to do so.
2. Check yourself and your passenger(s) for injuries
Once you are in a safe location, assess yourself and any passengers for signs of injuries, such as bleeding, swelling, or pain. Be ready to describe your findings to the 911 dispatcher and paramedics.
3. Call 911 and ask for police and an ambulance
Whether or not you notice any injuries, you should call 911 immediately after the accident. First responders can help ensure everyone’s safety and provide necessary medical care. The responding police officer will also document the scene and make a report that can later be used to determine who was at fault for the crash.
4. Tell your side of the story to the responding police officer
When the responding police officer arrives, they will ask you to tell them what happened. Stick to the facts and avoid speculating about who was at fault. Your statement will be included in the official police report, which insurance companies and attorneys will use to evaluate your claim, so anything you say can be used against you.
5. Notify your insurance company
As soon as it’s practical, you should contact your insurance company to report the accident. Your insurer will need to know what happened, who was involved, and whether anyone was injured. They will use this information to start the claims process on your behalf.
6. Gather evidence at the scene
Before you leave the scene of the accident, take pictures of the damage to all involved vehicles, debris in the road, skid marks on the pavement, and any visible injuries. If there were any witnesses, you’ll also want to get their contact information in case you need them to testify later on.
7. Visit Urgent Care or your primary care physician
Even if you don’t feel injured, it’s important to be examined by a doctor as soon as possible. A doctor can evaluate you for hidden injuries and provide the necessary medical documentation to support your claim.
8. Meet with an Atlanta car accident attorney
After you’ve attended to your immediate needs, it’s time to start considering your legal options. You may be entitled to compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company, but you won’t know for sure until you talk to a qualified car accident attorney in Atlanta.
Make sure you file a claim in time
Claims for compensation following a car accident are subject to a statute of limitations, meaning that you have only a set amount of time to file your claim. If you wait too long, you may lose your right to pursue compensation.
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Georgia is two years from the date of the accident, so prompt action is essential. An Atlanta car accident lawyer can help you make sure your claim is filed in a timely manner.
Possible damages you can claim
The goal of a car accident claim is to make you “whole” again — meaning, to restore you to the same financial position you were in before the accident happened. To do this, your attorney may seek damages for both economic and non-economic losses.
Economic damages
Any tangible, easily quantifiable losses stemming from the accident may be considered economic damages. This could include medical bills, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and any other out-of-pocket expenses that you incurred or expect to incur as a result of the crash.
Non-economic damages
In addition to economic damages, victims of car accidents may also be eligible for compensation for intangible losses such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and other damages not easily quantified in monetary terms.
Parties who may be liable for your injury
Before we begin pursuing damages for you, we must first identify the liable parties. Depending on the circumstances of your crash, this could include:
- A negligent driver
- The at-fault driver’s employer (if the driver was working at the time of the crash)
- The vehicle’s owner or manufacturer (if a mechanical malfunction caused or contributed to the crash)
- A municipality or government agency (if poor road conditions played a role in the crash)
Sometimes, multiple parties can be held liable for a car accident. An experienced car accident lawyer in Atlanta can help you identify all potentially liable parties to maximize your chances of obtaining compensation.
How our Atlanta car crash attorneys prove negligence
After we’ve identified the liable parties, we must prove negligence in order to hold them accountable for your damages.
To do this, we’ll need to demonstrate that the liable party owed you a duty of care, that they failed to uphold that duty, and that their breach of care directly caused your injuries and other losses. We’ll draw on evidence from the accident scene, witness statements, medical records, expert testimony, and other sources to build a compelling case.
We fight the insurance company to get you the maximum compensation
Insurance companies are in business to make money, so they frequently try to pressure victims into accepting a lowball settlement offer. However, these tactics don’t work for us.
At Harrison Injury Law, we don’t just strive for fair compensation — we fight for maximum compensation. This means a settlement that accounts for the full extent of your losses, including future expenses you may face as a result of the accident.
Common car accident injuries
Car accidents can cause a wide range of physical and emotional injuries, including but not limited to:
- Neck, back, or spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Broken or fractured bones
- Burns, cuts, or bruises
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
These injuries are often only the beginning for many car accident victims. Depending on the severity and location of the injury, lifelong complications can arise, such as chronic pain, paralysis, loss of limbs, disfigurement, and other disabilities that require ongoing medical care and treatment.
“Dos” and “don’ts” of dealing with insurance after a crash
Our team will take care of most communication with the insurance companies while your case is pending, but it’s possible that the insurance adjusters will attempt to contact you directly. If they do, keep the following tips in mind.
Do:
- Be polite but firm in your responses
- Provide only basic facts about yourself and the accident, and refer all other questions to your attorney
- Keep detailed notes of all interactions with the insurance company
Don’t:
- Accept any offers or sign any documents before consulting your attorney
- Admit any fault or liability for the accident
- Provide a recorded statement or take part in a recorded interview without speaking with your attorney first
When in doubt, always contact a car accident lawyer in Atlanta for guidance. Anything you say or sign could be used against you later, so it’s best to be safe and get legal advice before taking action.
Cost of hiring an Atlanta car accident lawyer
You have enough on your plate after a car accident, and we don’t want to add to your financial burden. That’s why we provide our services on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t owe us anything unless we recover compensation on your behalf, and our fee will be taken out of the settlement or verdict.
We’re also proud to offer a reasonable fee structure without compromising on the quality of our legal services — our cost-benefit ratio is among the best in Atlanta.
Why you should visit a doctor as soon as possible
It can be tempting to skip a visit to the doctor after an accident, especially if you don’t think you’re injured. However, injuries can take time to surface, and any delays could come back to haunt you down the line.
If your medical records show a significant gap between the accident and your first visit to a doctor, insurance companies may use this to deny or reduce your compensation. It gives them an easy way to argue that your injuries didn’t result from the car crash.
By visiting a doctor immediately after the accident, you’ll create an important paper trail that demonstrates a clear connection between your injury and the accident.
Why work with Harrison Injury Law
Larger law firms often take a one-size-fits-all approach to car accident cases, passing them off to overworked and inexperienced paralegals and associates. This method is unlikely to get you the maximum compensation you deserve, and it certainly won’t make you feel taken care of.
At Harrison Injury Law, we take a different approach. When you work with us, you won’t be just another case number. Our firm is small by design, and you’ll always speak directly with the attorney who’s working on your case.
We’ll take the time to get to know you and understand the nuances of the accident’s impact on your life. This way, we can craft a legal strategy that’s tailored to your specific needs, which increases your chances of success.
Our Atlanta car accident attorneys are here to help
Our car accident attorneys in Midtown Atlanta are here to help you take the steps necessary to get your life back on track. Our consultation is free, and there’s no obligation to move forward with our services if you decide not to. Don’t wait; call us at (404) 796-7664 to get started.
Causes of forklift accidents
Forklifts are a necessary part of many jobs, but they’re also quite dangerous – and contribute to each one of OSHA’s “fatal four” workplace accidents:
- Caught-between
- Falls
- Struck-by
- Electrocution
Forklifts, also referred to as lift trucks or powered industrial trucks, help move heavy items from one location to another, balancing the items on two slim tines. The very nature of a forklift makes it dangerous to both the driver and others around them. Forklift accidents typically happen in one of the following ways:
Inadequate training
Driving a forklift requires professional training according to OSHA standards, as provided by the employer. Forklift operators must be evaluated every three years and given refresher training, if necessary. It is also the employer’s responsibility to conduct these evaluations.
OSHA permits employers to develop their own forklift training programs. An employer that cuts corners on forklift training or doesn’t develop a good enough safety training program is liable for any accidents the forklift operator causes.
Unmaintained equipment
The employer is also responsible for keeping the forklift in good, safe condition. A malfunctioning piece of equipment – say, one with faulty brakes – is a danger to everyone nearby.
Your employer may not be entirely responsible for a forklift accident that happened because the truck malfunctioned. Suppose the company hires a third-party maintenance contractor to repair and maintain the forklift and believes in good faith that the repairs were completed correctly.
In that case, your Atlanta forklift injury attorney may also name the mechanic as a defendant in your forklift injury suit because they contributed to the negligence that caused the injury.
Insufficient safety measures
Failure to enforce best practices for forklift operators opens up a workplace for accidents. A lack of safety measures leaves forklift operators and bystanders vulnerable to accidents. Companies are responsible for setting their own safety policies within OSHA guidelines. Lack of safety oversight from a site supervisor means the company is liable for any accident.
Overloading
Part of forklift training is preventing overloading and properly balancing loads. Some reckless employees may cut corners by overloading, trying to finish a job faster, or making fewer trips. Workplace supervisors who permit this may be just as much to blame as the employee.
Speeding
It can be tempting to race around a distribution center or do donuts in a forklift – but speeding in one of these heavy equipment trucks is a lot more dangerous than speeding in your own truck.
Forklift operator training includes knowing the maximum speeds for a loaded or unloaded vehicle – and again, it’s also the employer’s responsibility to properly supervise workers to ensure they’re traveling at safer speeds.
Injuries associated with forklift accidents
We noted that forklifts contribute to injuries in each of the OSHA Fatal Four most deadly workplace accidents. To be more specific, forklift accidents cause any number of catastrophic injuries, including:
- A driver with limited visibility because of the load may drive into a trench or pit, causing a rollover accident. The driver may end up crushed beneath the forklift.
- Workers standing on the loaded pallets or forklift tines could fall from heights, especially without proper fall protection safety gear like a body belt or harness. Falls from heights can break bones or cause a traumatic brain injury.
- Unsafe modifications to the forklift can cause it to tip over or malfunction, crushing the operator.
- Improperly positioned or unsecured batteries on an electric-powered lift can cause an electrocution injury.
- Internal organ damage, broken bones, partial or total paralysis, brain damage, or electrocution burns are likely consequences of a workplace forklift accident.
Damages you may be able to recover
Our Atlanta forklift accident attorneys may file three types of damages in your claim:
- Economic, or your calculated financial losses (missed wages, medical bills, etc.)
- Non-economic (pain and suffering or a worse quality of life)
- Punitive (financial punishment for the company or third party that permitted unsafe conditions leading to your accident)
We aim to ensure you have a fair settlement to pay for all your medical care and recovery and compensate you for the pain and reduced quality of life caused by the accident.
Liability in a forklift accident
An Atlanta forklift accident lawyer may charge one or more defendants – persons or organizations contributing liability to your workplace injury, such as:
- The forklift operator
- Reckless employees nearby
- The workplace supervisor
- The company owner
- Forklift mechanic
- The forklift manufacturer, if the vehicle has flaws from its design or manufacture
We get to the bottom of your case and aren’t afraid to take on large corporations on your behalf.
How our Atlanta forklift accident attorney can help
Your Atlanta forklift injury lawyer is your legal advocate, representing your rights in court and protecting your interests against a large corporation or insurance company reluctant to pay you the compensation you deserve.
Identify potential witnesses
Without a witness, the cause of the accident sometimes depends on your word against your employer. Big companies and their insurance companies love to blame a workplace accident on the injured employee, claiming they were reckless.
We interview co-workers that saw the accident and review any photo or video footage – a camera is an excellent witness in your case.
Gather evidence
Your medical records, the company’s safety records, and expert witnesses all prove your claim.
Negotiate with insurance
Your Atlanta forklift accident attorney may be able to negotiate a settlement with the defendant’s insurance company without going to trial. The Harrison Injury Law attorneys are fierce negotiators – we know exactly what your case is worth and know that the insurance company has the ability to pay.
Calculate the value of your potential damages
Our decades of combined experience litigating workplace and forklift injury claims has made us experts in properly valuing your claim so you’re covered for your medical needs now and the care you may require in the future.
Bring the case to trial
We try to protect you from the stress of a trial, but if the insurance company isn’t willing to pay a fair settlement, then we will argue your case in front of a judge and jury. We’re ready to take on this fight to get you the justice you deserve.
Our Atlanta forklift accident attorney is ready to help
Have you been injured in a preventable forklift accident? We can help. Contact Harrison Injury Law today at (404) 796-7664 for a free case review with a skilled Atlanta forklift injury attorney.
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