A lot of accident victims are under the impression that only one person can be at fault in a crash. That isn’t true. In fact, it’s rare for only 1 driver to be at fault. As long as you’re less than half at fault, your Georgia car accident lawyer may be able to get you damages. The only way to know is to set up your free, initial consultation.
It’s Not Always Easy to Prove Fault
Proving fault in a car accident is a lot harder than most people think. That’s because it’s very rare that one person is 100% at fault. Usually, both parties shoulder part of the blame. If you’re too prideful to admit that you were partially at fault, it could be your downfall. You need to be upfront with your attorney from the very first. If you were partially at fault, own it. This way, your Georgia car accident lawyer isn’t blindsided down the road,
Your Georgia Car Accident Lawyer Has to Prove Negligence
It’s important to remember that you aren’t entitled to damages just because you were in a crash. Your Georgia car accident lawyer is going to have to prove a few things. First, they need to prove that a crash happened at all. Second, they need to demonstrate that the other driver caused the accident. Finally, they’re going to have to prove that you were hurt. If you weren’t physically injured, it’s going to be hard to get compensation. That’s why you have to go to the hospital after your accident.
In order to prove that the defendant was at fault, your attorney has to prove negligence. This requires that your attorney demonstrate four (4) things:
- The defendant owed you a duty of care
- They breached that duty
- You were hurt
- Your injuries were the result of the defendant’s breach
If you can demonstrate all of these elements, you’ll have a good shot at collecting damages. Since each case is unique, your lawyer won’t until they review your case whether your claim is strong. It’s worth taking a few minutes to meet with one of our Georgia car accident lawyers.
The Defendant’s Lawyer is Going to Claim You Caused the Crash
No doubt about it, your Georgia car accident lawyer is going to work hard to prove the other driver caused the crash. But you have to remember – on the other side, there’s going to be a lawyer working just as hard to prove you were at fault. It’ll turn into a back and forth. The evidence will have to speak for itself. Thankfully, your Georgia car accident lawyer has years of experience handling cases just like yours. They know what it takes to get their clients the compensation they deserve.
Even if You’re Partially at Fault You May Still Collect Damages
The way the law works in Georgia is pretty fair. When the court determines that someone is partially at fault, they don’t cut them off from pursuing damages. That’s because Georgia follows something called the comparative negligence rule. As long as you’re less than 50% at fault, you can still sue for damages. Just remember – your Georgia car accident lawyer still must prove your case. If you don’t have an attorney, the other party may push the jury over the edge. Without an attorney by your side, you may be at a disadvantage.
Call and Talk to an Experienced Georgia Car Accident Lawyer Right Away
Some people are afraid to talk to a Georgia car accident lawyer after they’re involved in a crash. They have a feeling that their attorney will tell them they were partly at fault for their accident. They worry that if their lawyer knows they played a role in the crash, they won’t want to represent them.
The truth is that any Georgia car accident lawyer worth their salt is going to think long and hard before they agree to handle a case. That doesn’t mean attorneys only handle slam-dunk cases. In fact, there’s no such thing as a slam-dunk. On any given day, a jury can see things in a variety of ways.
So, just because you fear you were partially at fault, you still need to talk to an experienced Georgia car accident lawyer. The initial consultation is free so you really don’t have anything to lose. The defendant will have a lawyer working for them and you should too.