If you suffered bodily harm or significant property damage as a result of a car accident, you may be facing the overwhelming process of filing a civil claim. The hassle of negotiating with insurance companies while determining your legal rights to recovery can be daunting without guidance from a dedicated personal injury attorney. A diligent Stone Mountain car accident lawyer could fight for your legal rights and help you pursue fair compensation for your losses.
Dealing with insurance companies can be a challenging legal obstacle to face in any situation. While there are two systems that states follow when people file insurance claims, Georgia follows the fault system. Under this system, claimants may have more options than those in a no-fault insurance state because injured parties have the right to file a claim with their insurance provider in addition to the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
Car accident plaintiffs in the fault system also have the right to file a personal injury claim without needing to meet a serious injury threshold. Official Code of Georgia §9-3-33 establishes that plaintiffs have two years to file their civil lawsuit from the date of their accident. An experienced Stone Mountain car accident attorney could help an injured party file a claim with insurance companies while also working to ensure that they meet all statutory deadlines.
One of the key elements in motor vehicle collision cases is establishing liability because it determines who is responsible for compensation as well as the amount of monetary damages that a liable party must pay. The courts follow the 50 percent bar rule to evaluate fault in civil cases.
The 50 percent bar rule falls under the comparative fault system. Under this policy, injured plaintiffs may seek compensation if the court finds them 49 percent or less at fault for their losses. If a claimant’s fault falls below this bar, the courts may reduce their compensatory award in proportion to the percentage they are found to be at fault.
However, if the plaintiff is 50 percent or more at fault, the court may bar them from recovering any compensation. A well-versed Stone Mountain car wreck lawyer could review an injured person’s case and evaluate the compensation to which they may be entitled based on their portion of fault.
If you endured serious injuries or property damage in a car accident because of a negligent driver, you may have options for monetary compensation. However, opting to handle your civil claim without legal representation could leave you at a disadvantage when trying to collect your reward.
A seasoned Stone Mountain car accident lawyer could provide insight into your case and help you along the way to your recovery. If other attorneys refuse to take your case, call our firm today. Our excellent legal team could review your claim and take the weight off of your shoulders.