Seeking Justice for Victims: Advocacy for Personal Injury Rights and Protections

Many crime and accident victims need extra help since the personal injury system often seems impossible to navigate alone. A solo attempt at justice can end in an expensive trial filled with delays and disappointments. But what if a personal injury lawyer who supports and speaks for them comes to their aid? 

Advocates represent people who need protection, so having an attorney represent your interests means you don’t have to battle for justice alone. You can feel more self-assured when you have compassionate and capable helpers and valuable resources in your corner – especially if your case goes to trial. 

The legal warriors at Hoffspiegel Law defend the rights of personal injury victims like you week after week. Our lawyers want to see you get the compensation you deserve. With our capable and determined team on your side, you can face the legal obstacles discussed below and whatever else stands in your way. 

Accessing Your Legal Rights After an Accident

As an accidental or intentional injury victim, you must first know your rights. Of course, attorneys can explain the personal injury laws that apply to your case. Yet, one of their most essential roles is assisting you in taking advantage of those legal protections.

How can having the resources and guidance of a law firm equip you to maximize your compensation? The following section will discuss how lawyers help clients capitalize on their rights – often without even going to trial.

Pursuing fair compensation for physical injuries

In a court trial, it is not enough to say a victim is hurt. Lawyers must present evidence showing the severity of injury and prove that the condition was due to a crime or an accident. Besides gathering documentation from police reports and medical records, attorneys might also consult medical experts to get their expert opinions.

If you were injured in the last couple of years, contact a personal injury lawyer in the state where the incident occurred. The sooner you reach out, the sooner your attorney can start working on securing financial relief for your losses.

Seeking maximum compensation for emotional trauma

As the victim of an accident, you might experience emotional distress long after your incident is over. In some states, you can seek compensation regardless of whether you experienced bodily injury. 

In other jurisdictions, including Georgia, a victim is only allowed to recover damages for psychological pain and suffering if the following conditions are met:

• You (the plaintiff) sustained a corporal impact
• The impact resulted in bodily injury to you
• Your injuries caused mental or emotional suffering

Lawyers who sympathize with their clients want them to get the full benefit of personal injury protections.

Solving the problem of lost income

Accidents can result in long recovery times. In addition, some accidents cause disabilities that prevent the injured from returning to the same work duties. Did you realize that you might be entitled to lost wage replacement?

In Georgia, on-the-job accidents are often covered by workers’ compensation insurance. A personal injury attorney can step in if the state board rejects your claim. First, he or she will file a request for a hearing and prepare evidence that addresses the board’s issues with your case.

Next, the judge will review the case. If your claim is denied again, your attorney can appeal within 20 days. Likely, after a renewed investigation, your lawyers can present more evidence before the appellate division of the state board. 

If you were injured elsewhere, such as at a business or private residence, attorneys can sue the at-fault party if your claim qualifies for a lawsuit. 

Filing your personal injury claim on time

Though most lawsuits can be resolved without a trial, attorneys can represent you in court when necessary. However, you will need to file before that statute of limitations expires.

Statutes of limitations are firm deadlines set by every state. For instance, a Georgia personal injury lawyer will need to file legal action within 2 years from the date of the incident. Otherwise, the lawyers of the party you are suing will likely make and be granted a motion to dismiss the case.

If more than 2 years have passed, does that mean a personal injury attorney cannot assist you? Not necessarily. Though unusual, there are a few exceptions that could apply in your circumstances. Most lawyers offer free consultations, so it costs nothing to ask what time limits apply to your case.

Advocating for Accident Victims With Severe Injuries

Serious injuries pose significant challenges for accident victims and their families. Since your life might be forever affected, your lawyers must ensure that your personal injury claim anticipates your needs. An experienced lawyer with a deep understanding of personal injury law can ensure your lawsuit reflects your best interests now and in the future. 

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) require lifetime care

TBI patients need various types of interventions during their recovery. Families cannot always provide the support they need for the physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral consequences of their injuries. 

Some accident victims will need professional care options, like those listed below, to recover and maintain their well-being:

• Inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation 
• Nursing home care
• Coma treatment centers
• Transitional and supervised living facilities
• Community services

Estimates reveal that the total medical expenses can be as much as $4 million for one TBI patient throughout his or her life. When an accident causes a fatal TBI, the average pre-death costs of medical care can exceed $450,000. 

Suppose you or a loved one has been injured due to one of the common causes of TBI, such as:

• Falls
• Unintentional blunt trauma
• Motor vehicle accidents (such as motorcycle accidents and truck crashes) 
• Violent crime

A personal injury attorney can help prove that the harm caused by the at-fault party’s negligence or intentional acts led to your brain injury. From there, he or she can help you seek justice for the physical and psychological losses you suffered. Our law firm considers evidence of the extensive impact of traumatic brain injuries on our clients’ lives when building our claims.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) victims need additional support

Some accidents and abuse injuries go relatively unseen. For instance, the American Psychiatric Association states that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur when a person experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. 

Some of the most life-altering symptoms of PTSD are:

• Intrusive thoughts: Distressing dreams, flashbacks, and memories
• Avoidant behavior: Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event such as people, places, activities, objects, and conversational topics
• Cognitive and mood changes: Memory loss and diminished interest in previously enjoyed activities, along with feelings of guilt, fear, horror, detachment, and shame
• Changes in arousal and reactivity: Irritableness, anger, recklessness, suspicion, insomnia, and lack of focus

Many people need professional treatment to live with PTSD. In a personal injury lawsuit, those affected can seek compensation for their pain and suffering.

Insurance adjusters assess economic damages, such as the cost of replacing totaled cars or repairing property damage. They determine the amount of losses that fall within the policy limits of the insurance coverage. Yet, what price tag should emotional distress carry?

Since non-economic damages are intangible, insurance adjusters might say that your suffering is a figment of your imagination. In the worst-case scenario, they might even imply that you are faking your mental pain. An experienced law firm, though, can combat these allegations to help ensure that you get what you deserve from the insurance company.

Surviving relatives need compassionate legal representation

Times of grief are not ideal for making significant decisions. Yet, when someone dies due to someone else’s negligence, surviving family members find themselves faced with difficult choices.

If your loved one suffered catastrophic injury resulting in wrongful death, lawyers can take legal action on his or her behalf. Throughout the country, civil laws differ, so you should check how these claims are handled in your state.

In Georgia, a wrongful death lawyer can help you recover:

• Lost wages, benefits, and services – including what the deceased victim would have been reasonably expected to earn had he or she lived
• Lost care, companionship, and guidance
• Compensation for bills related to the medical attention received for the fatal illness or injury
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Other expenditures related to the personal injury case

The conditions mentioned above are only a few of those that qualify for personal injury claims. Spinal cord damage, paralysis, and other severe injuries requiring medical conditions are also eligible. At Hoffspiegel Law, our legal warriors work with a small number of clients so we can deliver legal excellence for complex cases like these.

Unlocking the Benefits of Your Personal Injury Case

Advocacy is not “one size fits all.” From the initial meeting to the resolution of your accident case, you deserve individualized attention.

Why not schedule your free consultation with our law firm today? Our lawyers can inform you of your rights, ensuring no insurance company catches you unaware of what you deserve. 
Our attorneys only take on a small number of cases at a time because we fully invest in each of our client’s legal needs. Let’s discuss how an experienced personal injury lawyer can advocate for you today. Schedule your free consultation by calling (404) 760-8600 or clicking the Contact Us icon on your screen.