Covington Personal Injury Lawyer

If you or a loved one are in need of a Covington, GA personal injury lawyer, contact our office today to schedule a free consultation about your personal injury claim. Kaufman Law, P.C. has more than 40 years of experience handling civil claims for car accidents, premises liability, workplace accidents, and other personal injury matters. We understand how difficult it can be to return to normalcy after a serious accident caused by negligence, and we believe in protecting our clients’ rights and holding negligent parties accountable for the results of their actions.
Situated about 35 miles east of downtown Atlanta, Covington, GA is home to more than 13,000 residents and a major commuter hub of the Atlanta metropolitan area. Covington is also a major historical site, so tourism is common in the area, and residents should expect a high volume of commuter traffic as well. When accidents occur, a Covington, GA personal injury lawyer is a valuable asset, and residents of Covington and visitors to the area should know the state’s laws concerning personal injuries.

Why Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?

Civil claims like personal injury lawsuits may appear straightforward at first, but the reality is that these cases can quickly escalate into complex legal entanglements that can last months or even years. A good attorney will help a plaintiff in a personal injury case prove the necessary elements of negligence and provide evidence that shows the court the extent of the plaintiff’s damages.
While some plaintiffs may believe that acting as their own counsel is a good way to save money on legal fees, this is a poor decision because the average person does not have the legal training or experience to explore all the available avenues of compensation. This could lead to a much lower case award than the plaintiff expected, and the plaintiff may miss compensation necessary to cover his or her losses after a personal injury.

Georgia’s Negligence Laws and Proving Negligence

Georgia follows a contributory negligence law, meaning that a plaintiff in a personal injury lawsuit may still recover compensation even if the plaintiff was partially at fault for the injury-causing incident. The jury hearing the case will review the facts to assign a fault percentage to each party. As long as the plaintiff’s fault percentage is lower than the defendant’s, the plaintiff will still recover damages. However, the settlement or case award will reflect the plaintiff’s fault percentage. For example, in a $100,000 in which the plaintiff is 10% at fault, the award drops by 10% to $90,000.
Success in any personal injury claim in Georgia requires proving four facets of negligence in court:

• First, the plaintiff must establish that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care in the given situation.
• Next, the plaintiff must show the court how the defendant breached his or her duty of care in the given situation. This typically involves proving that another reasonable person would have acted differently in the same circumstances.
• The plaintiff may only file claim if he or she suffered an injury or some kind of measurable loss. If the plaintiff incurred no losses, there is no claim.
• Finally, the plaintiff must prove the link between his or her claimed damages and the defendant’s negligence. The plaintiff must prove that the damages would not have happened but for the defendant’s breach of duty.

Winning Your Case

Plaintiffs in personal injury lawsuits can recover several types of compensation, including economic damages for medical expenses, lost income, and property damages as well as non-economic losses like pain and suffering. Georgia does not cap damages in personal injury lawsuits, and the right attorney can make a huge difference in a plaintiff’s settlement or case award.