Like the rest of Gwinnett County, Lawrenceville has seen an enormous boost in population over the past two decades. Roads have expanded in size, and speed limits have increased as more and more drivers commuted to and from work in Atlanta and other cities.
If you were injured in an accident in Lawrenceville, contact our experienced personal injury attorneys. We fight to get you the compensation you need for medical bills, missed time from work, pain and suffering, physical therapy, and more.
What Type of Cases Fall Under “Personal Injury?”
When most people think of personal injury, they probably think of car accidents and the severe injuries they cause. But personal injury is more than just car accidents; it covers a wide range of serious incidents that can leave a person with life-changing injuries and disabilities.
Our Georgia law firm has helped victims suffering as a result of the following:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Large truck accidents
- Bicycle and pedestrian accidents
- Wrongful death
- Nursing home abuse
- Shootings and assault
Our team of attorneys focuses exclusively on personal injury cases and stays up-to-date on all the relevant legal changes happening in the state and the industry as a whole. This means we can tackle any personal injury claim, no matter how difficult the circumstances may be.
Most Dangerous Roads in Lawrenceville
According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety traffic data, these highly-traveled roads in and out of Lawrenceville saw the most accidents and fatalities between 2015 and 2019:
- Highway 316
- Highway 29/Lawrenceville Highway
- Johnson Road
- Highway 120
- Lawrenceville-Suwanee Road
Accidents and injuries don’t limit themselves to highways and busy streets. No matter where you are hurt in Georgia, don’t delay speaking with a personal injury lawyer to protect your rights.
How to Protect Yourself After a Personal Injury
The moments and hours immediately after a crash or injury can be incredibly stressful. In addition to the severe pain, there are intensive financial worries and potential fears over whether the injury is permanent. There are three things you can do after an injury to protect your rights:
- Go to the emergency room or medical clinic as soon as possible. Trying to endure the pain may not only worsen your injury but will also look like (to the insurance company) that you weren’t actually hurt after the incident.
- Do not accept a check, sign any documents, or give a statement to the insurance company until you have spoken with legal counsel. Many times the insurance company will try to offer a quick payment that seems reasonable at first, but the amount is worth far less than the total damages suffered.
- Talk to a personal injury lawyer; most offer free initial consultations. Speaking with an attorney is confidential, and you have every right to discuss your case.
How Long Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Claim?
The law allows a person injured through no fault of their own to file up to two years after the date of the accident — once the statute of limitations has passed, you forfeit your claim. However, you should know that it is vital to file your claim as quickly as possible.
The process of filing a personal injury claim is complex. There are various medical and insurance documents to gather and submit through the proper channels. You’ll need to collect evidence of your injuries and treatment, as well as evidence that these damages were the result of someone else’s irresponsibility or maliciousness.
The insurance company will also use any delay in treatment or filing a claim against you. The adjusters may say you aren’t actually hurt, or try to pressure you into settling for a tiny amount of money compared to what your case is really worth.
How Much Is My Injury Claim Worth?
It depends, as cliche as that sounds. No attorney can exactly determine what a case is worth at the beginning of a personal injury claim. We must first examine the many factors that go into calculating the amount of compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering.
Some of the factors that we consider in a personal injury case include:
- The severity of the injury
- Vehicle damage and other losses
- Loss of income
- Loss of consortium/companionship
- Potential disability
- The defendant was on drugs or alcohol at the time of the accident
- The length of treatment and total medical bills
- Doctors’ records
- Travel expenses to and from appointments
Many of these factors don’t have a set monetary value. Their worth must be negotiated with the insurance company or during a trial before a judge. An experienced Lawrenceville personal injury lawyer can help you get a general understanding of what kind of settlement you could potentially receive.
Why Should You Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?
Here’s what some lawyers aren’t willing to admit: you don’t have to hire an attorney to negotiate with the insurance company or take them to court. However, going up against the insurance company and their team of lawyers by yourself could be one of the worst decisions you could ever make.
Proper legal representation by a personal injury lawyer that has detailed, inside knowledge of the insurance and justice system can make a huge difference. A good attorney will be able to argue on your behalf and potentially recover far more for you than trying to go it alone. When it comes to winning the highest possible amount of compensation for your losses, don’t take chances.
Does Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer Mean You Have to Go to Court?
No, most personal injury cases settle during the negotiation phase. Once all of the evidence has been gathered and you finish with treatment, the attorney will present all of the facts, expert opinions, and costs to the insurance company to negotiate the highest settlement possible.
In rare cases, the insurance company will refuse to budge on a settlement offer. Your attorney will then advise you on whether or not you have a strong enough case to bring before a jury.
Who Is Gary Martin Hays?
Attorney Gary Martin Hays used to work for the insurance companies defending the drivers who caused harmful accidents. In 1993, he switched sides and now advocates exclusively for injured victims and their families in Georgia, earning his clients more than $1 billion in compensation.
He’s considered a Super Lawyer, is a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and is ranked among the Top 25 Trial Lawyers for car accidents, brain injuries, and truck accidents. Attorney Hays believes those injured through no fault of their own deserve the utmost compassion and justice and works as a tireless champion on their behalf.
He founded his law firm just a few minutes away from Lawrenceville in the city of Duluth. As someone who wants to see his local community thrive, he regularly supports local businesses and the arts in downtown Lawrenceville, including the Aurora Theatre.
Lawrenceville Lawyers You Can Trust to Fight for You
You deserve a local accident lawyer who understands the stress and anxiety you’re going through and truly wants to fight for the settlement you need to recover. Our attorneys at Gary Martin Hays & Associates will gather all of the facts to create an air-tight case and demand rightful compensation for you and your family.
If you are worried about attorney’s fees, don’t be. We only charge attorney’s fees after your case is won and the settlement disbursed. Our number one priority is for you to make a full recovery first.
Our firm has handled thousands of auto accident and injury cases in Gwinnett. Call our office today at (770) 934-8000 to schedule a free consultation with one of our Lawrenceville personal injury lawyers.