A personal injury can turn your life upside down. It can take years to recover fully from the physical and emotional pain. Medical bills may cost thousands of dollars, and you might be out of work, only adding to your stress. However, if another person’s negligence causes your injuries, you might be entitled to financial compensation for your losses. Although the added stress of a civil lawsuit might make your recovery more complicated, a Gwinnett County personal injury lawyer can help. While you focus on your recovery, your injury attorney can handle the day-to-day aspects of your case, such as reviewing evidence, reviewing police reports, interviewing witnesses, and negotiating with insurers.
When you are looking for legal representation after an accident in Gwinnett County, turn to Tabbaa Law. Throughout your case, we will treat you with the professionalism and respect that you deserve.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Gwinnett County
No matter how tough your case may seem, you can count on Tabbaa Law fighting for and protecting your legal rights. As experienced injury attorneys, we handle all types of personal injury cases, such as car, motorcycle, and truck accidents in Gwinnett County. Auto accidents can happen in the blink of an eye, but the consequences may be long-lasting.
Car Accidents
Car accidents happen all too frequently in Georgia, but most car accidents result from human error. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that driver error causes 94% of all car accidents, so it is vital to stay focused behind the wheel and not engage in any distractions. If you recognize the most common causes of car accidents in Gwinnett County, you might be able to decrease your chances of being in a crash.
Common causes of car accidents include:
- Speeding: It takes more time for drivers who speed to come to a safe and complete stop. It also makes a collision more likely because speeding reduces drivers’ reaction time and control over their vehicles.
- Impaired driving: Drunk drivers contribute to thousands of auto accidents in Georgia. Signs of a drunk driver may include swerving, speeding, or braking erratically. You must also remember that most drunk driving accidents occur between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m., so avoid driving during this time if possible.
- Distracted driving: Distractions are all over the place when driving, but those who engage in distracted driving put everyone on the road at risk. Distracted driving is not just texting behind the wheel. It may also be eating, drinking, adjusting the radio, looking at the GPS, or daydreaming.
- Failing to follow traffic laws: Running red lights, ignoring stop signs, and improperly changing lanes contribute to car accidents. When you are at a stop sign or red light, double-check for cross traffic before proceeding. When driving on a multi-lane road, always be aware of other vehicles and be on the lookout for drivers who may cut you off.
If you notice a driver engaging in any of the actions listed above, keep your distance. Do not attempt to follow them or cut them off. Doing so might only enrage the driver, putting you in danger. Instead, keep your distance or allow them to pass and report the vehicle to local law enforcement when it is safe.
Motorcycle Accidents
Riding a motorcycle throughout Gwinnett County is a pastime for many, but motorcyclists are more likely to be in an accident than others. Furthermore, their small size makes accident-related injuries more severe. Riders may flip over their handlebars, slamming on the pavement or another vehicle. However, it is possible to reduce your risk of a motorcycle accident by taking the proper safety steps, such as:
- Always wear protective gear: Georgia requires all motorcycle drivers and passengers to wear a helmet at all times, but a helmet is not the only protective measure you need. Goggles can protect your eyes from road debris, and thick pants may protect your legs from cuts or road rash if you’re in a crash.
- Check the weather before riding: Knowing the weather forecast before going on a motorcycle ride is critical to staying safe. While it may be sunny in the morning, a thunderstorm can appear out of nowhere, putting you at risk of an accident. Strong winds may also cause a side-impact collision with another vehicle. By checking the weather ahead of time, you can prepare and plan for heat, wind, and rain.
- Know the signs of heat exhaustion: Heat exposure for long periods is dangerous. Therefore, you must know what the symptoms of heat exhaustion are. Early signs may include headaches, dizziness, fatigue, heavy sweating, or muscle cramps. Remember, the more you sweat, the more fluids your body is losing. Never wait until you are parched to drink water. Instead, pull off at a rest stop or gas station every hour or two to hydrate.
By following these tips, you may reduce the likelihood of being in a motorcycle accident and sustaining a severe injury. Motorcyclists in particular must remember that the most dangerous thing on the road is other drivers, so always be aware of your surroundings and drive defensively.
Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks are much larger than passenger vehicles. Trucks can legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds, but most weigh between 25,000 and 35,000. Even so, the average car only weighs 3,000 pounds. Colliding with a semi-truck may result in severe injuries or death. Furthermore, trucks are prone to different types of crashes. These accidents may occur for several reasons, including driver negligence or poor vehicle maintenance.
- Jackknife accidents: Jackknifing occurs when the cab and trailer fold in on itself, forming a 90-degree angle. These accidents usually happen when a truck driver brakes suddenly, causing the trailer to swing-out.
- Wide-turn crashes: Sometimes, a truck driver might swing left to make a right turn. Truckers who do this might not account for the vehicle’s length or the traffic behind them. As a result, cars or pedestrians may get hit.
- Lost load accidents: When cargo loaders improperly load or secure the freight, cargo might fall off the vehicle and pose a significant risk to other drivers.
Truck accidents are often more confusing since multiple parties might be liable for the accident. For example, a truck driver may work for a trucking company. If the company failed to provide adequate training or required the driver to work more than the regulated hours, they may be liable for an accident. Additionally, a truck manufacturer may be liable for a crash if they knew about a faulty part but failed to notify the company or truck driver. Since there may be more than one party liable for a truck accident in Gwinnett County, you might benefit from a personal injury attorney. They can investigate the accident and determine liable parties.
Steps to Take after a Personal Injury Accident in Gwinnett County
Personal injury accidents are filled with shock, anxiety, and confusion. While it might be impossible to think clearly, the steps you take following an accident might be vital to your case. After a personal injury accident, follow these steps:
Document the Accident Scene
Collecting evidence at the scene is crucial after an accident. The evidence you gather may help pinpoint who is liable for an accident. Take as many photos at the accident scene as you can. For example, if you were in an auto accident, you should photograph the position and damages of both vehicles. You might want to take pictures of the weather and road conditions that you think contributed to the crash. If you were in a slip and fall accident, you should photograph what caused your fall and other relevant factors contributing to the accident.
Contact Local Law Enforcement
Regardless of how minor the accident may seem, you should always contact local law enforcement. They will document the scene in a police report, to which you are entitled to obtain a copy. Police reports may help identify the specifics of the accident, such as time of day, location, weather conditions, and parties involved.
Speak to Witnesses
If there were any witnesses at the scene, you should speak to them. They may have seen what led up to the accident, which might be helpful to your case. For example, a witness may have seen a driver texting right before hitting your vehicle. Conversely, they may have noticed a large puddle in a grocery store that did not have a wet floor sign near it. However, you must remember that witnesses are not required to stay at the accident scene, so speak to them immediately. Before they leave, write down their name and contact information.
Common Injuries Resulting from Accidents in Gwinnett County
Injuries from a personal injury accident can be severe or life-threatening. It is also crucial to remember that not all injuries are external. You might also suffer from an internal or psychological injury. Common injuries resulting from a personal injury accident in Gwinnett County include:
- Broken bones
- Cuts and bruises
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spine injuries
- Organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Depression
No matter how minor or severe your injury may seem, you should always consult with a doctor. Injuries can worsen over time, and a doctor can diagnose any internal injuries.
When Should I See a Doctor about My Injury?
Following a personal injury accident in Gwinnett County, you should see a medical professional right away. A good rule of thumb is to schedule an appointment within 72 hours after the accident. Even if you do not believe you are suffering from a severe injury, you should still consult with a doctor. They can perform a complete check-up and diagnose any internal injuries. Furthermore, they can begin treatment on any injuries that only seem minor to prevent them from becoming more severe.
Not only will seeking medical care benefit your overall health, but it might also aid your injury claim. Often, insurers interpret not going to a doctor as you overstating your injuries, giving them a reason to deny your claim. Additionally, if you wait until you show signs of an injury, the insurance company might claim that your injuries resulted from an accident unrelated to the first. Remember, insurance companies are not on your side and will do everything they can to deny or reduce your claim.
What Kind of Compensation May I Receive for a Personal Injury?
The compensation you might receive for a personal injury accident in Gwinnett County will depend on your injuries and recovery. After thoroughly reviewing your case, your injury attorney might be able to recover certain economic and non-economic damages. In some cases, you might even receive punitive damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are the damages that you can prove through bills, receipts, and pay stubs. Medical bills and lost wages are the most common form of economic damages. Other forms may include home renovations, property damage costs, and transportation expenses. However, you must keep proper documentation that proves your expenses to receive a fair settlement for your losses.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are damages that accident victims cannot prove with receipts, bills, or other documentation. Instead, these damages reflect the damage to your quality of life after the accident and include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Calculating non-economic damages can be complex on your own, but a Gwinnett County personal injury lawyer can help.
Punitive Damages
In some rare cases, a court may award you punitive damages. Courts award these damages when the defendant’s behavior was extraordinarily reckless or negligent. An example may include injuries resulting from a drunk driving accident because the defendant knowingly made a decision that could harm another person. Additionally, judges impose punitive damages to deter similar behavior from others in the future.
Speak to an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer in Gwinnett County Today
Accident victims must remember that just because they suffered injuries from a personal injury accident does not mean they are guaranteed financial compensation. To obtain compensation, you must first prove that the other party’s negligent actions directly caused the accident and your injuries.
Proving negligence on your own might be difficult, but skilled personal injury attorney Sami Tabbaa can help. He can launch a thorough investigation into the crash and look for evidence that might establish fault. With extensive experience behind him, you can be confident that Attorney Tabbaa will do everything possible to reach a favorable outcome. To schedule a free consultation with a Gwinnett County personal injury lawyer, call (770) 370-7881 or complete our online contact form.
