In certain circumstances, Howe Law accepts case referrals for car accidents that took place in Smyrna.
Our lawyers may accept case referrals for car accidents when a victim needs specialized assistance that their current counsel cannot provide, whether because they practice in another state or are inexperienced in handling auto accident claims. Laws, like those surrounding comparative fault, do not always translate from state to state, leaving victims without the proper counsel at a loss. Additionally, rules about the admissibility of evidence vary. Furthermore, car accident cases are complex. An attorney not experienced in personal injury or car accident lawsuits specifically might not be capable of providing you the assistance you require, despite being licensed in Georgia.
Attorneys can call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 to speak with our Smyrna, GA lawyers for car accident referrals about a case.
Smyrna, GA Car Accident Referrals
Suppose you have a client that was harmed in a motor vehicle collision in Smyrna, and you are providing them legal assistance in other areas or unable to practice in Georgia. In that case, you can refer them to our car accident lawyers for assistance with their recovery of damages.
Attorneys specialize in certain areas of the law. For example, while the lawyer assisting you with the closing of the sale of a property may be an expert in their field, they might not be able to provide you with the legal insight necessary to win a personal injury claim. Having guidance from an attorney that is learned in handling car accident cases is important, as specific laws and requirements pertaining to filing this specific type of lawsuit must be handled properly. If they are not, a victim might be unsuccessful in their claim.
Furthermore, attorney licenses from out of state might not be useful to victims hurt in Georgia. For example, suppose you were injured in an accident in Smyrna but live in Alabama. Even if you know a car accident attorney licensed in Alabama, they might not be able to practice in Georgia. And, because injury lawsuits must be filed in the state where the injury occurred, you would need an attorney licensed to practice in that specific state, like our experienced lawyers.
Comparative Fault Laws for Car Crashes in Smyrna, GA
Laws vary from state to state, meaning an attorney not licensed in Georgia may be unfamiliar with Georgia’s specific stances on certain matters. Where this might impact car accident victims is in regard to comparative fault.
Any car accident that happens in Smyrna could be subject to the state’s modified comparative fault laws. An out-of-state attorney, or one with a different practice area, could be unfamiliar with these laws and how they impact recovery for victims. When victims are found to be partially at fault for their injuries, their damages may be reduced proportionally.
For example, suppose you are found to be 30% at fault for your accident because a defendant successfully claims you were speeding at the time. In that case, you would only be eligible to recover 70% of the damages available in your case. This can be devastating to victims, especially those who did not act negligently during a collision but were unaware of Georgia’s comparative fault laws, leaving them unable to undermine a defendant’s arguments.
With considerable knowledge of comparative fault laws and how they tend to impact victims in Smyrna, our attorneys can more easily fight against assertions that you contributed to your injuries to any degree. We can do this by presenting evidence catered to such issues, such as photographs and security camera footage, that might more clearly show how a defendant acted negligently and was the sole cause of your car accident and subsequent injuries in Smyrna.
Admissible Evidence in Smyrna, GA Car Accident Cases
Similar to how comparative fault laws differ from state to state, so do rules on admissible evidence. An attorney with a different area of expertise or who practices in another state might be unfamiliar with what evidence is admissible in a car accident lawsuit in Smyrna.
A frequent issue in car accident claims is the admissibility of police reports. In some states, certain aspects of police reports for auto accidents, such as conclusions or opinions made by police officers, are admissible. For example, in Georgia, police reports are only admissible as evidence if they fall under an exception to the hearsay rule for public records. Admissibility can be based on an officer’s trustworthiness, according to O.C.G.A. § 24-8-803(8)(c). This means victims might sometimes have to rely on other types of evidence to meet the burden of proof against a defendant.
Upon accepting your case referral, our attorneys will investigate the events leading up to your accident. As previously mentioned, that might include obtaining footage from nearby surveillance cameras. If there were eyewitnesses present for your accident, their statements will also likely be useful to your case. Other evidence, such as a victim’s medical records, will also be crucial. Attorneys not practiced in personal injury law might not appreciate the importance of victims seeking immediate medical care and continuing to get medical treatment for their injuries following a car accident.
Car Accident Cases Compared to Other Injury Claims in Smyrna, GA
Not all lawyers that handle injury cases specialize in car accident cases. Our attorneys do, giving them additional authority when preparing your claim.
Although car accident claims are a subset of personal injury law, they are often extremely complicated. Multiple drivers might be involved, requiring intricate discussions with various insurance carriers. In these complex scenarios, attorneys must accurately attribute fault to the necessary parties, which can be challenging.
This is what makes car accident lawsuits somewhat more difficult to litigate than other personal injury claims and is why our lawyers accept referrals from attorneys whose clients require additional expertise when fighting for compensation.
Call Our Smyrna, GA Attorneys About Your Car Accident Case
To refer your case to our lawyers for car accident referrals, call Howe Law now at (844) 876-4357.