Athens, GA Personal Injury Attorney | Athens, GA Personal Injury Lawyer | Accident Lawyers in Athens, Georgia

Are you looking for a local Athens personal injury lawyer?

Have you or someone you love been seriously injured in an accident through the fault of another person? Athens personal injury attorneys can help you during this difficult time. Personal injury victims shoulder an enormous responsibility – too often (most always often), those who cause injuries to others fail to take responsibility for their actions. The harm, both emotional and financial, can be devastating to a victim of negligence, reckless, or intentional behavior. Your Athens personal injury attorney can stand up for you in a court of law, pursuing your recovery so you can get back to focusing on moving forward with your life. Contacting a local Athens PI lawyer may be the best decision you ever made. All initial consultations are free.
 

Looking for an experienced personal injury lawyer in Clarke County?
 

Unfortunately, serious accidents are more common than we would like to think. For each person and family member who suffers through the experience, there is also a wake of pain and expense created that can linger for a lifetime.  Athens accident lawyers are experienced with circumstances just like yours. An experienced Athens accident attorney can help you seek recovery from those who hurt you. Before you settle a claim, be sure to speak with a seasoned professional about your rights. In the event that you have already been short changed by an insurance company, your Athens lawyer may be able to protect you under the Georgia insurance bad faith laws.
 

Wanting to Learn About a Particular Type of Clarke County Personal Injury Lawyer?
 

Are you looking for a particular type of Georgia injury attorney? There may be a local Athens injury lawyer who handles cases exactly like yours. Click any of the below to learn more:
 

1. Athens Product Liability Lawyers
2. Athens Medical Malpractice Lawyers
3. Athens Maritime Lawyers
4. Athens Car Accident Lawyers
5. Athens Truck Accident Lawyers
6. Athens Premises Liability Lawyers
7. Athens Wrongful Death Lawyers
8. Athens Government Liability Lawyers
9. Athens Dog Bite Lawyers
10. Athens Workplace Injury Lawyers
     

Making the right moves early
 

1. Every situation is different, but generally, it is always recommended that any injury victim first seek medical attention. Though it should go without saying, your health is absolutely number one.
2. Second, it will be important to at least meet with legal counsel (local Athens personal injury lawyers) to discuss your case ASAP. Understandably, you may not be feeling like thinking about lawsuits right after a serious accident, but it is nevertheless an important step. The longer you wait, the more likely that your case will weaken due to fading evidence and loss of time to file a suit.
3. Take the time to collect all documentation and contact information related to your accident. Collecting this kind of valuable information will serve you well in the event you have to take legal action. Most people do not do this – requiring their attorney to backtrack, which is likely to work against you in court.
    

a. If you had an automobile accident within Clarke County and need to obtain your accident report, here is a list of helpful numbers:
 

1. Athens Police Department - 3035 Lexington Road, Athens, Georgia 30605 - (706) 613-3330
2. Clarke County Sheriff's Department - 325 East  Washington Street, Suite 125,  Athens, Georgia 30601 - (706) 613-3250
    

What does my Athens Injury Attorney Have to Prove?

Every state requires an attorney to prove either that the other party was negligent or legally at fault. What standard of fault does Georgia use? Georgia uses a “pure contributory negligence” standard of fault. That means that if the plaintiff (injury victim) has contributed at all to his or her own injury, even 1%, then he or she cannot recover a dime for their injuries from the defendant. Admittedly, this is a bit of a harsh rule – which is why it is all the more important to begin working with an experienced Georgia trial lawyer as soon as possible.
 

A List of Types of Personal Injuries that are Common
 

Some of the most common types of injuries that local Athens personal injury lawyers see are:  Spinal Injury, Burn Injury, Traumatic Brain Injury, Amputation, Wrongful Death, Shoulder Injury, Whiplash, Knee Injury, Herniated Disc, Depression, Chemical Burns, Leg Injury, Open Head Injury, Paralysis, Loss of Eyesight, Neck Injury, Lung Cancer, Skull Fracture, and closed head injury, just to name a few.
 

Accidents by Type
 

Generally, Athens Injury Law Firms cover injuries like:
 

1. Athens car accidents
2. Negligence cases in Athens
3. Athens on the job injury accidents
4. Athens truck accident injuries - involving Georgia trucking regulations and federal truck safety standards
5. Explosions in Athens
6. Athens medical malpractice lawsuits
7. Athens product liability lawsuits
8. Athens dangerous drug recall lawsuits
9. Athens maritime accidents
10. Athens slip and fall cases
11. Athens premises liability cases
12. Athens dog bites & Athens dog mauling injuries
13. Government liability cases
14. Athens wrongful death cases

Personal Injury Damages
 

Depending on the nature of your particular claim, you may be entitled to different types of damages for your injuries. The usual gamut of injuries across the country include:
 

What does a local Athens Injury Lawyer cost?
 

Thankfully, Athens Injury attorneys are generally quite affordable – even if you have no money. The reason for this: the general practice for a local Athens Trial lawyer is that most of the time they work for a “contingency” fee. That means your lawyer only gets paid if your attorney wins your case. Specifically, they would get a percentage of your winnings from settlement or trial. To learn if you have a case, contact an attorney through this site for a free initial consultation.
 

What are legal expenses & legal costs? And are they different than Attorney Fees?

  

Legal expenses and costs are treated differently than attorney fees. For example, attorney fees are the fees owed to your attorney to pay for his or her services. Legal expenses are costs associated with paying to move your case forward: cost of jury, court reporters, expert witness fees, postage, copying and printing, court filing fees, and other costs associated with investigation. Long before you consent to a legal agreement with your attorney, it is important that you discuss the distinction between legal expenses and attorney fees – and how they are paid for, and whether they are deducted from the gross award or whether they are deducted after the initial award is divided between the victim and the attorney. Importantly, not all states treat legal expenses the same. Some states require that the plaintiff pay for them at the close of the legal representation regardless of the outcome of the case. Other states allow the attorney to advance costs, and forgive repayment in some circumstances.   
 

Car Accidents: Car Accident Lawyers in Athens
 

Athens Auto Accident Lawyers

If you have been involved in a car wreck, do not wait to contact a local Athens car accident attorney to protect your rights and to fight for your recovery. Car crashes can involve multiple parties: insurance companies, the other driver, pedestrians, and even car manufacturers. Coordinating your case and obtaining a financial recovery requires the skill of a seasoned Athens vehicle accident lawyer.

Athens auto injury law firms represent people and families who have suffered through a serious car accident at the fault of another party. The amount of recovery each person is entitled to depends on the facts of each case. For example, your Athens auto injury attorney will have to determine the extent of your injuries, and the extent to which the accident was caused by the negligence of the other party. Your Athens lawyer will need to be familiar with the local courts, and the rules of procedure and evidence in each venue. For example, if your case is in Georgia state court, your Athens accident lawyer will work with the Georgia Rules of Civil Procedure and Georgia Rules of Evidence; and if in Federal court, that means your Athens car injury lawyer will work with the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Federal Rules of Evidence. Common injuries include broken bones, whiplash, back injuries, eye injuries, burns, and mental trauma.

Truck Accidents: 18 Wheeler, Semi, & Big Rig
 

Athens Truck Accident Lawyers, Athens 18 Wheeler Accident Lawyers, & Athens Semi Truck Accident Lawyers

Truck accidents are some of the most dangerous collisions on the road today. Commercial truck accidents often occur due to the fault of the truck driver, the trucking company, or both. More often than not, these cases are complex: requiring the help of seasoned Athens truck accident lawyer.
 

Why hire a seasoned Clarke County truck accident law firm?
 

Providing you with the full scope of legal representation in any major truck wreck case almost always requires the assistance of an experienced Athens big rig accident attorney. The federal (e.g. FMCSA) and state laws that govern recovery for injuries resulting from a trucking accident can be very specific, and your Athens truck accident lawyer will need to confront your case with an intimate knowledge of the applicable trucking regulations and industry customs. For example, interstate truck drivers are required to keep detailed records of their driving, resting, and operating activities. These details are often kept in hard copy form and also in electronic form (the “black box”). Obtaining and properly evaluating this type of information can mean the difference between winning and losing your case.
 

In addition to federal regulations, there are a number of Georgia state regulations governing large trucks and truck accidents. They are found in the “Georgia Commercial Transportation Laws".
 

Hospital Malpractice & Nursing Home Malpractice
 

Athens Medical Malpractice Attorney: Clarke County Medical Malpractice lawyer

    

If you or a loved one has been injured due to the negligence or mistreatment of a medical facility, doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider, you have rights. Medical facilities are some of the most trusted institutions – we rely on them to heal us when we are sick, and to care for us when we are vulnerable. That is why it can feel like the ultimate betrayal when these institutions become the cause of harm and mistreatment – rather than a place of healing.

If you have been the victim of negligent or reckless conduct in a healthcare facility, you deserve to be compensated for your injuries. Talk with a local Athens medical malpractice attorney today by filling out the form on the website. You do not have to feel helpless. Experienced Athens medical malpractice law firms know how to defend you in court by investigating the circumstances giving rise to the act(s) of malpractice – and thereafter holding the medical company responsible for their conduct.
 

Athens Nursing Home Negligence Lawyers: Athens Nursing Home Malpractice Attorneys

    

Nursing home facilities can also be responsible for the mistreatment of our most vulnerable citizens: the disabled and our senior citizens. In Georgia, you can contact an experienced Athens nursing home negligence lawyer by filling out the questionnaire on this website. It is imperative to protect our elders from abuse.Help stop abuse of the elderly today, contact a local Athens elderly abuse lawyer.    

Accidents on Water & Injuries at Sea
 

Athens Maritime Attorney: Athens Admiralty Attorney

      

If your injury occurred on the open sea or on a body of water leading out to it, you will need to speak to a trained Clarke County maritime law firm.  Maritime cases most often require an attorney who is well versed in maritime laws – a section of law that can be vastly different that your ordinary state law cases.  

      

  Injuries on Cruise Ships: Athens Cruise Ship Accident Attorneys

  

Unfortunately, injuries occur on cruise ships all the time. These occurrences turn what is supposed to be a fun vacation into a living nightmare for the victim and the victim’s family. Major cruise line companies often cut corners or fail to train staff appropriately – resulting in injury. It is imperative that you contact an experienced Athens cruise ship injury lawyer immediately after suffering from a cruise ship injury.

Injuries From Defective Products
 

Athens Dangerous Product Attorney: Athens Product Liability Attorney

Dangerous products cause severe harm when you least expect it. The products can be found in public places, on the road, at work, and even at home. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured by a defective product in Athens, Georgia, there are experienced Athens product liability lawyers who can help you in this difficult time. You should not have to pay for the mistakes of a negligent manufacturer. The only thing that keeps these dangerous products off the market and away from American households/neighborhoods are those individuals who bring lawsuits against the negligent corporations and companies who make, install, or sell them.You can learn more about the Georgia product liability act here.
 

  Athens Drug Recall Attorney: Clarke County Defective Drug Attorney

      

If you have been seriously injured due to a recalled drug, you will want to speak with a local Athens drug recall lawyer. Dangerous pharmaceuticals make it into the marketplace too frequently. Although the FDA tries to protect us from the dangers of unsafe products, their efforts are not enough. In these situations, it is the courts that protect us.    

Wrongful Death Lawsuits
 

Athens Fatal Accident Lawyer: Clarke County Wrongful Death Lawyer

If someone close to you has died due to the negligent or reckless behavior of another person or company, you may have a right to compensation under Georgia State Wrongful death statutes. Moving forward in a wrongful death suit often requires the experience of a seasoned Athens wrongful death lawyer – one who is both sensitive and compassionate, but who is also firm and reliable. Families in the midst of a fatal tragedy have enough to manage – families should not need to feel the need to manage the course of the Georgia wrongful death suit. The Georgia Wrongful Death Act provides a remedy to family members of the death accident victim for the “full value of the life of the decedent without deducting for any of the necessary or personal expenses of the decedent had he lived.” The full value of the life includes things like pain and suffering, future wages, funeral expenses, medical expenses, and in some cases, punitive damages, just to name a few. Depending on the circumstances, the surviving spouse, parents, and children of the decedent may be eligible to file the lawsuit. Georgia wrongful death lawsuits must be filed within two years. Learn more by contacting a local Georgia wrongful death attorney. To learn more, contact a local Athens wrongful death law firm today.
 

Athens Workplace Injuries – Accidents on the Job
 

Georgia Workers’ Compensation: Athens Workers Comp Lawyers

If you were injured on the job, you may qualify for worker’s compensation. Under the laws of the state of Georgia workers compensation laws provide a remedy to workers who are injured on the job. The nice thing about workers compensations is that in most cases, you will be entitled to money regardless of whether your employer was at fault. By working with a Clarke County Workers Comp. Lawyer you can move your case forward – seeking needed medical attention, determining the benefits you need, and getting your case forward in front of the workers compensation panel.
 

FELA: Athens Railroad Employee Injuries
 

If you are a railroad employee who has been hurt on the job, then you may have a viable case under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (the FELA) against your employer. Athens railroad employee accident lawyers protect injured workers who become seriously injured due to employer negligence: injuries resulting from improper training, improper equipment or unsafe equipment, injuries resulting from violations of safety regulations, and injuries resulting from unsafe working conditions, just to name a few. If you are in a union, you may be told that you need to hire a DLC – However, you do not need to hire a designated legal counsel, you can hire your own Athens FELA lawyers.

Harms Caused by the Government
 

Georgia & Federal Government Injury Lawyers: Athens government negligence law firms want to help you
 

Do not make the mistake of assuming that because you or a loved one was harmed by a government entity that you have little chance of winning your case. Government entities are sued all the time because, just like any large company, they are capable of injuring others at any given moment. Regardless of whether you were injured by the county government (Clarke County), the City (Athens), Georgia, or by the Federal Government, you have rights under the law. Contact a local Clarke County government injury lawyer today.

How does a private person sue the government?
 

Local, state, and federal governments can be sued just like anybody else (in most cases, there are a few exceptions). These lawsuits often stem from misconduct by government employees, reckless & negligent government activity, and/or violations of your individual rights. Depending on what government entity caused your injuries, your Athens government liability lawyer will have to sue the government under the appropriate government liability statute. For example, federal claims (claims against the United States government) are often brought under the Federal Tort Claims Act (the “FTCA”).  If you are suing Georgia government, or Clarke County, or the City of Athens, your claims may have to be brought under the Georgia government liability statute.
 

Premises Liability: Slip and Fall Accidents: Trip and Fall Injuries
 

Clarke County Trip and Fall Attorneys, Athens Slip and Fall Attorneys, & Athens Premises Liability Attorneys
 

Landowners and storekeepers are required to keep their premises in a reasonably safe condition. For storekeepers, this means they must clean up spills and remove impediments to traffic promptly. Too often however, landowners and storekeepers fail to uphold their duty to the public and guests. If you have been injured by a trip and fall, slip and fall, or other accident on another’s property, you will want to speak with an experienced Athens trip and fall lawyer immediately to discuss your case.
 

Winning your case may likely require an experienced Athens personal injury attorney who has experience proving liability in premises liability cases

 

Premises liability can be difficult to prove in many cases. Your local Athens premises liability attorney will need to prove that your injuries were sustained as a result of a dangerous condition on the other person’s or company’s property. Also, your lawyer will need to demonstrate before the jury that your injuries were caused by the dangerous condition itself – not some other cause.

This may require both medical expert testimony, as well as experts to testify about the nature of the condition that caused the injury. A seasoned Athens premises liability lawyer will be able to work with you, and understand the subtleties that arise from a slip and fall/hazardous condition – type case. 
 

Athens, GA Dog Bite Lawyers
 

Even well trained dogs are capable of injuring someone – even individuals who are not strangers. In many cases, dog attacks are the result of owner negligence (leaving the fence open, failing to restrain their dogs, failure to properly train, etc.), in other cases, vicious dog attacks arise from nowhere – making victims prone to an unfair circumstance. Thankfully, Georgia dog bite laws do protect innocent victims. If you have been a victim of a serious dog attack, you may need to speak with a local Clarke County dog bite lawyer to discuss your case.

Athens Personal Injury Lawyers serve clients throughout Northeastern Georgia, including Athens, Bogart, Eastville, Oconee Heights, Watkinsville, Whitehall, Winterville, areas in the vicinity of Athens/Ben Epps Airport, University Of Georgia, and other communities in Clarke County.