Getting into a car accident can lead to major injuries and substantial medical bills, whether you were the driver or a passenger. If someone else was at fault for the accident, then it does not make sense for you to bear the cost of high medical bills, time away from work, and the other assorted expenses that go hand-in-hand with recovering from a car accident.
Fortunately, you have ways to collect compensation from the at-fault party and their insurer. A Georgia car accident lawyer from S. Burke Law can help.
You have the right to sue if you were a passenger in a car accident in Georgia. In many cases, however, it is not necessary, as your lawyer may be able to settle with the driver's insurance company outside of court for full and fair compensation. If the insurance company does not agree to compensate you fairly, we can take the insurance company rather than the driver to court.
Your Rights as a Georgia Car Accident Victim
Georgia law makes it very clear that you are eligible for full compensation if you were injured in a car accident that was not your fault. That means you can pursue both economic and noneconomic damages, and the state places no caps on either.
Economic damages refer to losses that involve actual financial costs. Basically, if you get a bill for it or lose out on a paycheck because of it, it is an economic loss. That includes medical bills, prescription drug prices, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and the like.
Noneconomic damages refer to losses that cannot be quantified in dollar terms. For instance, it is difficult, if not impossible, to place an objective dollar value on your pain and suffering or your loss of enjoyment of life. However, Georgia law affirms that you are just as deserving of compensation for these "losses" as you are for your medical bills.
The fact that there is no cap on noneconomic damages in Georgia means that your lawyer can be very aggressive when going after the insurance company for this type of compensation. At S. Burke Law, we have won settlements for injured clients that have consisted mostly of noneconomic damages.
If the Driver Was Someone You Know
If you were the passenger of a vehicle in an accident, and the at-fault party was the person driving the vehicle, there is a good chance you know that person and may not want to sue them directly. Does anyone enjoy the idea of suing their best friend, boyfriend, girlfriend, sibling, or mother?
If this is a worry for you, breathe easy. While you certainly have the option to sue the at-fault driver who caused the accident that injured you, it is far from your only option for recovering damages. In fact, it is a last resort for most accident victims, even when the at-fault party is a total stranger.
Rather than going directly to the court to file a lawsuit, your lawyer will likely first gather evidence and contact the driver's insurance company. The reason the driver has insurance is to remove the financial liability of an accident from their own shoulders. As a result, it will be their insurer who foots the bill, not the driver himself or herself.
Even if the insurance company does not agree to compensate you fairly, and we decide to go to court, it will most likely be the insurance company we sue, not your friend or relative.
Your Georgia Car Accident Compensation
You can sue if you were a passenger in a car accident in Georgia. S. Burke Law aggressively fights for both on behalf of our clients. Whether we settle out of court with the insurance company or win a judgment at trial, your compensation may include money for the following and more:
- Current and future medical bills
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering and inconvenience
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
Reach out to our firm today to discuss the damages you may be eligible to receive.
The Statute of Limitations
As the passenger of a vehicle involved in a car accident, you have two years to take legal action in Georgia. On rare occasions, extenuating circumstances may affect this timeline, so you should speak with a lawyer about the specifics of your case before you make any assumptions.
Call (404) 842-7838 Today for a Free Car Accident Case Evaluation
If you were injured in a car accident in Georgia, S. Burke Law wants to hear from you and determine how we can help. We will go after the insurance companies and make sure you get compensated fairly. There is never a fee until we win money for you. For your free, no-obligation case evaluation, call us today at (404) 842-7838.