Your potential settlement in a Georgia personal injury claim may be affected by Georgia's comparative negligence law which essentially ask what role, if any, you had in causing your accident and resulting injuries. You may find it useful to consult with a Fayette injury lawyer to gain a better understanding of how comparative negligence law works in Georgia. Georgia uses a legal system called modified comparative negligence - 50% bar rule . This means that an injured party can only recover monetary damages if his or her fault in causing the injury is deemed to be less than 50%. In a Georgia personal injury claim under the comparative negligence law, if your own actions are found to be 50% or more responsible for your accident, you will be barred from receiving compensation for your damages. If you are found less than 50% liable for your accident, your final settlement will still take into account your amount of fault and deduct it from your award. For example, let's say you were awarded a $100,000 settlement but were found 20% at fault for your accident. According to Georgia comparative negligence law, that means you would only recover $80,000 from that settlement award. A well-qualified Fayette injury lawyer will gather evidence detailing the defendant's carelessness in causing the accident, and will relate this negligent behavior as the primary or sole cause of your injury. By providing your attorney with complete details about the accident-including evidence such as a police report-you enable them to build a strong case for the settlement you deserve. Your Fayette injury lawyer will usually face-off against an insurer who will be held financially responsible for the defendant's wrong-doing in your Georgia personal injury claim. The insurer knows that under the comparative negligence law, any blame which can be laid upon you will decrease their proportionate liability. This is why it is so important to your Georgia personal injury claim to have an experienced, well-qualified Fayette injury lawyer who specializes in the areas of law upon which your case rests. Contacting a Fayette Injury Lawyer As the victim of a Georgia personal injury accident, you have rights that the insurance companies cannot ignore. While they have a team of lawyers working on their side, shouldn't you have experienced legal representation fighting for your best interests? Before accepting any settlement offer, order a FREE copy of our consumer publication, The Ultimate Guide to Accident Cases in Georgia - The Truth About Your Injury Case , and contact the Law Offices of Jason Schultz to set up a FREE consultation on your case - 404-474-0804.

Have a Question?

Fill out this quick form and we will contact you within 24 hours!

Practice Areas

Blog

Car Accidents / Automobile Accidents

4 Things to Know When Talking to an Insurance Adjuster after an Accident in Forest Park, GA

Read All

Legal News

Posted on 8/24/2011Newnan Georgia Truck Accident Results in one Fatality
Posted on 1/4/2011Coweta County Personal Injury Attorney - Senoia Car Accident Seriously Injures 4
Posted on 3/9/2010Newnan Personal Injury Lawyer - Lawsuit Settles for $7 Million
Posted on 2/16/2010Atlanta Accident Attorney

Read All

Library

Car Accidents / Automobile Accidents

Involved in an Accident in Forest Park, GA? Read This Before You Talk to the Adjuster (Part B)

Read All

How does Georgia's comparative negligence law affect my potential injury settlement?

Your potential settlement in a Georgia personal injury claim may be affected by Georgia's comparative negligence law which essentially ask what role, if any, you had in causing your accident and resulting injuries. You may find it useful to consult with a Fayette injury lawyer to gain a better understanding of how comparative negligence law works in Georgia.

Georgia uses a legal system called modified comparative negligence - 50% bar rule.

This means that an injured party can only recover monetary damages if his or her fault in causing the injury is deemed to be less than 50%.

In a Georgia personal injury claim under the comparative negligence law, if your own actions are found to be 50% or more responsible for your accident, you will be barred from receiving compensation for your damages. If you are found less than 50% liable for your accident, your final settlement will still take into account your amount of fault and deduct it from your award.

For example, let's say you were awarded a $100,000 settlement but were found 20% at fault for your accident. According to Georgia comparative negligence law, that means you would only recover $80,000 from that settlement award.

A well-qualified Fayette injury lawyer will gather evidence detailing the defendant's carelessness in causing the accident, and will relate this negligent behavior as the primary or sole cause of your injury. By providing your attorney with complete details about the accident-including evidence such as a police report-you enable them to build a strong case for the settlement you deserve.

Your Fayette injury lawyer will usually face-off against an insurer who will be held financially responsible for the defendant's wrong-doing in your Georgia personal injury claim. The insurer knows that under the comparative negligence law, any blame which can be laid upon you will decrease their proportionate liability.

This is why it is so important to your Georgia personal injury claim to have an experienced, well-qualified Fayette injury lawyer who specializes in the areas of law upon which your case rests.

Contacting a Fayette Injury Lawyer

As the victim of a Georgia personal injury accident, you have rights that the insurance companies cannot ignore. While they have a team of lawyers working on their side, shouldn't you have experienced legal representation fighting for your best interests? Before accepting any settlement offer, order a FREE copy of our consumer publication, The Ultimate Guide to Accident Cases in Georgia - The Truth About Your Injury Case, and contact the Law Offices of Jason Schultz to set up a FREE consultation on your case - 404-474-0804.

The Law Office of Jason R. Schultz is dedicated to vigorously defending our clients in an auto accident cases. We are small enough to care and experienced enough to win. Contact Jason Schultz at 404-474-0804.