PRACTICE AREAS FOR OUR PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS IN DALTON, GA — HOLDING LIABLE PARTIES ACCOUNTABLE

Have you or a loved one been injured due to the reckless, negligent, or wrongful acts of a third party? You may be entitled to substantial compensation for medical bills, emotional distress, lost wages, and more. At the Cowan Law Firm, our Dalton, GA personal injury lawyers handle an extensive variety of case types.

Our personal injury lawyers handle the following case types:

BICYCLE ACCIDENTS IN DALTON, GA

Cyclists make up nearly one-in-five fatalities in Georgia roadway accidents. This shows just how serious such collisions can be. Even when a person takes all appropriate safety measures, a helmet and pads are rarely enough to prevent substantial and even catastrophic injuries. Victims could spend years recovering — or perhaps not recover at all. Let a Dalton, GA bicycle accident lawyer review your case during a free consultation.

BRAIN INJURIES 

Not many injuries are as feared as damage to the brain. A serious accident can cause such damage instantaneously, and a person’s life could be changed forever from that moment on. Many victims also develop such injuries over time due to suffering repeated concussions or chemical exposure. Whether a personal injury case stems from a car wreck, slip and fall, or other incident, a brain injury lawyer in Dalton, GA may be able to assist.

CAR ACCIDENTS IN DALTON, GA

Motor vehicle collisions are consistently among the leading causes of accidental death and injury in Georgia. Even a seemingly minor accident can lead to long-term effects. And even if you’re able to recover from your injury within days or weeks, the cost of hospital bills, time off work, and other losses can quickly add up. If you were harmed in such a collision, our Dalton, GA car accident attorneys may be able to help.

DOG BITES

Dog bite laws vary substantially across the country. Fortunately for personal injury victims in Georgia, our state has statutes that are friendly towards those who are attacked by animals. A dog owner can be held liable if they knew their pet was dangerous, but liability may also exist simply due to negligent acts on part of the owner. Let our dog bite lawyer in Dalton, GA review your case to help you better understand your options.

DALTON CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS

About half of America’s most dangerous jobs are in the construction industry. Electrocution, falls, being struck by objects, and getting caught in or between items are the main contributors to injuries and fatalities. Whether you were injured as an employee of a worksite, someone who was visiting, a contractor, or simply a passerby, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Contact our Dalton, GA construction accident attorneys to learn more.

MEDICAL MALPRACTICE

We entrust medical professionals with our very lives. Unfortunately, this trust is sometimes betrayed. Some research has estimated that malpractice in the healthcare field is among the leading causes of death in America. If you or a loved one has been injured or worse due to the negligent actions of a healthcare professional, contact our medical malpractice attorneys in Dalton, GA to discuss your case.

MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS IN DALTON, GA

Motorcyclists have very little to protect themselves in the event of an accident. While helmets are required for riders and their passengers in Georgia, this isn’t always enough to provide protection from serious injuries. If you or a loved one suffered such an injury due to the negligent or wrongful acts of another party, our motorcycle accident lawyers in Dalton, GA may be able to help recover compensation on your behalf.

NURSING HOME INJURIES

When we leave elderly and disabled loved ones in the care of nursing homes, we expect professionals to ensure no harm befalls them. Unfortunately, rates of nursing home abuse and neglect have been on the rise in recent years. If your loved one suffered an injury in their community due to negligence or deliberate actions, our nursing home injury lawyers in Dalton, GA may be able to help.

PREMISES LIABILITY

Property owners and lessees typically have a duty of care to individuals on their property. This doesn’t just apply to those who are welcome on the premises. Even trespassers may be entitled to compensation if the owner harmed them in an intentional or wanton matter. If you’ve been injured on the property of another party, contact our Dalton, GA premises liability attorneys today and we will help you with your personal injury case.

PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENTS

Whenever a motor vehicle and pedestrian collide, there’s no question as to who will come out on top. Being struck by an automobile can cause life-threatening injuries. Even a low-speed or minor incident can result in substantial harm and a personal injury claim. If you or a loved one were injured in such an incident, our pedestrian accident attorneys in Dalton, GA may be able to help.

SLIP AND FALL

Did you know that falls are the leading cause of injury and accidental death for elderly individuals? Such incidents are also the second leading cause of injury in the world among all ages. If you suffered a slip-and-fall accident in Georgia, you may be entitled to compensation from the property owner or other negligent party.

SPINE INJURIES

Along with brain damage, spinal injuries are among the most potentially catastrophic harms a person could encounter. Sadly, such damage can occur due to a variety of causes. They’re common in car accidents and slip and falls, but any incident that exerts substantial force on a person’s back or neck can prove disastrous. Contact our Dalton, GA spine injury lawyers today to see if you’re eligible for compensation.

TRUCK ACCIDENTS IN DALTON, GA

Tractor-trailer trucks are a necessity to the American economy. Unfortunately, they’re also a danger to others on the road. Fatigued drivers, improper maintenance, road rage, drunk driving, uneven loads, and a variety of other wrongful acts can leave passenger vehicle drivers and others on the road with serious injuries. Our truck accident attorneys in Dalton, GA may be able to help. Contact us today to learn more.

DALTON, GA WRONGFUL DEATH

It’s always tragic to lose a loved one. However, such situations become even more devastating when their death is caused by the negligence or wrongful acts of another party. If you lost a loved one to such an incident, it’s important to hold all liable parties accountable for their actions. Contact our Dalton, GA wrongful death law firm today to schedule a free consultation.

What Does a Personal Injury Attorney Do?

A personal injury attorney represents clients who may have experienced an injury, whether the injury took place on a job site, in a car accident, on someone’s property, or in other locations.

Tort law refers to negligence or intentional actions that may lead to personal injury and is the basis for personal injury cases. Experienced personal injury attorneys fight tirelessly to help their clients pursue compensation for the damages incurred due to personal injury.

What Makes a Valid Tort Claim?

For a tort case to be effective, four aspects must be reviewed to determine the validity of your options to pursue compensation or damages.

The first aspect that must be present is that the other party had a duty of care to the victim. A duty of care can be described as what reasonable actions another party would have under the same circumstances to ensure other parties aren’t harmed by their actions.

The second aspect is that there was a breach of this duty by the alleged other party. For example, the other party was aware of their duty of care to follow safety laws like obeying stop signs or not speeding.

Due to this breach of duty, an accident occurred, and the victim incurred injuries, the third and fourth elements of negligence.

You may have a valid personal injury case if these aspects are evident and easily presented. Consult an experienced attorney to determine your specific options.

What Are Some of a Personal Injury Attorney’s Duties?

A personal injury attorney will work to investigate the incident, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies or other relevant parties, request further documentation regarding medical bills or accident recreation, and more.

To further utilize the earlier example of a person who chose not to obey traffic laws, which led to an accident where you were injured. In this case, your personal injury attorney will gather evidence such as video or pictures during or after the accident if available, gather or confirm eyewitness accounts, and speak with responding law enforcement and emergency personnel when relevant. They may also dig further into the medical or police records surrounding the incident.

They may negotiate with the other party’s insurance companies to get a more appropriate settlement if they feel the original amount is too low. Negotiating is incredibly valuable, and since most of us don’t have to negotiate frequently, we may not be as effective as an attorney. Their experience and knowledge can be invaluable, and this may be especially evident during negotiations.

Should I Seek Legal Assistance Even If I’m Partially At Fault?

One of the biggest misconceptions following an accident is that the victim may feel they aren’t entitled to any damages because they were partially at fault. This isn’t entirely true.

Georgia (and several other states) follow a modified comparative negligence rule. This rule states that even if you are partially at fault for the incident, you may still be eligible for damages. If you are less than 50% responsible for the accident that occurred, you can typically seek damages.

Contrary to what some may believe, that they had a part in the incident that occurred through their actions and therefore won’t be eligible to recover damages, they may still be able to pursue a portion of the damages.

Each party will be found to be a certain percentage at fault for the incident. If you are found to be 25% at fault for the incident, your portion of the damages will be reduced by that amount. For example, if the total damages awarded are $100,000, your portion would be $75,000 if you were found to be 25% at fault.

What Types of Damages May I Recover?

You may be able to pursue a few categories following a personal injury: medical expenses, other expenses, lost wages, and compensation for emotional pain and suffering.

Some of the damages may be straightforward to calculate, such as the amount of medical expenses you incurred or the amount of wages that were missed while you were healing or attending medical appointments to address your injuries. Other damages may be more challenging to calculate, such as how much is appropriate to pursue pain and suffering. Your personal injury attorney can help ensure you aren’t settling for far less than you deserve.

When Should I Call a Dalton, GA Personal Injury Attorney?

Following most significant injuries or incidents, it can be in your best interest to seek the counsel of a personal injury attorney. One of the main reasons for this is insurance companies are notorious for trying to get their clients to settle for far less than they deserve. They will use tactics that frustrate you, such as denying your claim or offering a minimal amount several times, so you will choose to settle just to get the process over with.

The facts of your accident may not be evident, and further investigation may be needed. If this is the case, it’s a great time to seek the help of an experienced personal injury attorney nearby.

By consulting an attorney immediately following the accident, you can discuss your options and determine the necessary next steps so you aren’t inadvertently hurting your chances of obtaining the compensation you deserve, like missing the statute of limitations on your personal injury case. Especially when medical expenses are incurred, it is hugely beneficial for you to seek legal assistance. We all know that medical costs aren’t cheap, and following an accident that wasn’t entirely your fault, they can be increasingly frustrating.