If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Georgia, particularly one that resulted in damage and/or injury to you and your property, knowing your rights is a key to getting the compensation you deserve. When you understand what you’re entitled to receive, you will hopefully take proper steps to ensure those rights are upheld, including hiring an experienced attorney to represent your interests.
What are your rights in a car accident in Georgia? Here’s a quick overview.
You have the right to receive compensation for damage and injury
If someone else causes you physical, financial and/or emotional loss, you have the legal right to receive fair compensation for these damages from anyone and everyone involved in causing the harm. Even though the other party may resist, it’s important to understand that the law favors your right, provided you can provide sufficient evidence as to the harm done and the fault of the other party.
You have the right to sue
The State of Georgia is a “tort state,” meaning you have the right to sue any person or entity that bears a measure of fault for your injuries and damage. That means you not only can sue the other driver, but also any other party that might have contributed negligently to the accident. For example, if you were injured in a trucking accident, the investigation might reveal that the driver had a prior record of recklessness, or that the truck had a faulty part that caused the driver to lose control. In these cases, you can sue the driver, the trucking company who hired a driver with a known record, and/or the truck manufacturer who installed the bad part.
You have the right to deny giving a statement
If the other party’s insurance company asks you for a recorded statement of your version of the events, you have the right to say no. In fact, it’s a good idea not to say anything to the insurance company without an attorney present to guide you, because you can assume the company is looking for a reason not to pay. You should never lie, but neither do you have to say anything that could weaken your chances for a fair settlement.
Knowing your rights after a car accident in Georgia is only half the battle; you must often fight to see these rights enforced, which is why you should hire an experienced personal injury attorney. As always, we are here to help. For a free case evaluation, call Sutton Slover at 404.768.0292.