When filing a personal injury claim in Georgia, one of the most important factors in your success is gathering, preserving, organizing and presenting the evidence that supports your version of the events.
This is especially important because you'll not only have to prove the negligence of the other party, but defend yourself against accusations of negligence on your part. Since Georgia is a comparative negligence state, you'll need to prove that the party you are seeking damages from is 50% or more responsible for causing your accident.
Likewise, any percentage of fault on your part, which must be less than 49% or you are ineligible to recover compensation, will be deducted from any award you do recover. So for example, if you were found 10% liable for your accident, then 10% of your settlement or court award would be deducted from that amount.
Photographing your accident scene, including any damages to your personal property and your injuries can help you support your injury claim.
Photographs or video for evidence purposes should be:
- shot in multiple angles;
- clearly organized;
- clearly labeled; and
- shot in the same conditions as when you were injured (time of day, lighting, weather, etc.).
In fact, you can even take pictures or video at the accident scene with a cell phone camera if you are able to. These photographs, combined with other important evidence such as the police report detailing your accident, your medical bills, and eyewitness testimony can help solidify your claim.
To learn more about the evidence gathering and general preparation needed to successfully file a personal injury claim in Georgia, you can visit our article library.
Contacting an Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer
If you are the victim of someone else's negligence or carelessness, whether in a traffic accident or some other type of accident, you have certain rights guaranteed by law. To help you understand these rights and seek the compensation you may be eligible for to help get your life back in order, contact the Atlanta Law Offices of Sheryl L. Burke for a no-cost consultation on your injury case - 404-842-7838.
