23 Important Personal Injury Law Terms To Know In Accident

If you have been injured in an accident, you may be eligible for much-needed compensation. Our Atlanta personal injury lawyers can help pursue the justice you deserve by filing a personal injury claim. But the legal process can be difficult to navigate alone, with confusing terms and strict deadlines involved. That’s why it’s best to ONE – know vital personal injury law terms to succeed in your case.

And TWO – entrust your case to an experienced lawyer, like the ones you’ll find at Ross Moore Law!

Attorney Ross Moore and our skilled legal team has defined some simple legal terms below to give you a better understanding of what lies ahead. We believe in complete transparency, and learning the lingo can help you communicate more clearly with your personal injury lawyer.

Here’s a breakdown of some need-to-know personal injury law terms, so check them out! If you have any questions or want to know if you have a case, feel free to get in touch. And remember, your initial consultation is free!

Message Us | Visit Us

23 Personal Injury Law Terms For Accident Injury Victims

After an accident, your first priority should be recovering from your injuries. While you focus on restoring your health, our Atlanta personal injury lawyers will handle all the heavy lifting. Rest assured that we understand the ins and outs of personal injury law, and we are equipped to manage cases like yours.

Here are some personal injury law terms you may encounter along the path to compensation:

Personal Injury: Any physical injury inflicted on a person’s body. Under Georgia law, personal injury lawsuits are brought by the injured person and filed against the at-fault party.

Claim: A formal legal petition made by an injury victim seeking compensation for their injury or losses.

Claim Adjuster: The designated representative of the at-fault party’s insurance company. The adjuster is tasked with investigating the personal injury claim, including the authorization of payment for medical bills.

Plaintiff: The person or party who brings the legal action or files the personal injury lawsuit. In personal injury cases, the plaintiff is the injured person.

Defendant: The person or party getting sued.

Liability: The responsibility for actions (or lack of actions) that resulted in the plaintiff’s injury or harm.

Premises Liability: A property owner’s legal responsibility to compensate someone who was injured while on their premises. Your Atlanta premises liability lawyer can help hold the property owner accountable.

Product Liability: A manufacturer’s or vender’s legal responsibility for producing or selling a defective product.

Proximate Cause: An actual cause that is also legally sufficient to prove the at-fault party’s liability. For instance, when one action leads to another and creates legal liability.

Tort: Any wrongful act that is not considered a crime or breach of contract, such as negligence, defamation, wrongful death, etc. Tort law is a comprehensive term that covers a variety of non-criminal acts.

Compensation: Something that makes up for a loss. In most personal injury cases, compensation is awarded to compensate for damages, injury, or other injury-related losses.

Damages: Compensation awarded to injury victims in a successful personal injury lawsuit. Damages are intended to provide financial reimbursement for losses. There are three main types of damages:

Economic damages: Damages that can be quantified, such as medical expenses, lost wages, or replacement/repair of property.

Non-economic damages: Non-tangible damages that are not specific in actual value, including pain and suffering, emotional trauma, damage to reputation, depression, and more.

Punitive damages: Damages that the defendant must pay as punishment for their wrongdoing. Punitive damages can be awarded in instances of fraud, willful misconduct, malice, and more.

Comparative Negligence: Refers to the comparison of a plaintiff’s contribution to the accident to the defendant’s contribution.It allows a negligent plaintiff to recover some damages, even if they are partly to blame for causing the accident.

Gross Negligence: The intentional failure to perform a standard of duty by ignoring another person’s health or property.

Medical Malpractice: A legal cause of action involving a medical or healthcare professional who commits a negligent act or deviates from professional standards, resulting in a patient’s injury.

Duty: The obligation to provide a certain standard of care. Failure to meet this obligation is considered negligence, making the injured individual eligible to receive compensation.

Burden of proof: The plaintiff’s responsibility to prove that the defendant is responsible for causing their injury. In personal injury cases, liability must be proven in order for the plaintiff to recover damages.

Adjudicate: The judge’s responsibility to resolve a legal case.

Settlement: The agreement between a plaintiff and defendant on the amount of compensation awarded.

Statute of Limitations: The amount of time for a plaintiff to file a lawsuit, determined by state law. In Georgia, the statute of limitations is two years – with some exceptions.

How to Maximize Your Damage Compensation

Your Atlanta personal injury lawyer can help maximize the compensation you receive, advocating on your behalf each step of the way! But there are a few things you can do to help, including:

Seek Immediate Medical Attention
If you need emergency medical care, first responders will provide it on the scene. But even if you are not seriously injured, be sure to visit your doctor as soon as possible. Because injuries may not be evident right away, it is crucial to get a medical evaluation.
Gather and Document Evidence
Take photos of the accident scene, including injuries and property damage. Also, exchange contact information with anyone else involved. Keep track of all documents related to your medical care, vehicle repairs, or lost wages.
Consult an Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer
Reach out to a local personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. NEVER speak with the insurance company before seeking trusted legal advice. You are not required to provide the adjuster with a recorded statement, and remember, anything you say can be used against you.

ATLANTA PERSONAL INJURY LAWYER NEAR ME | ATLANTA ACCIDENT LAWYER NEAR ME

Visit Us | Message Us to schedule an initial free consultation today!

Contact Your Personal Injury Lawyer in Atlanta, GA!

Here at Ross Moore Law, our legal team provides the personalized service our clients deserve. That includes equipping injury victims with the knowledge needed for the days ahead!

In addition, you only pay us if we win your personal injury case.

If you or a loved one have been injured and believe you are entitled to compensation, contact our Atlanta personal injury lawyers today. Conveniently located in Atlanta, GA, we are proud to serve clients throughout Fulton County and beyond – including Athens, Alpharetta, and more! Contact us today to schedule your free consultation!

And don’t forget to browse our blog or website to learn more about our practice areas:

Discover More On Personal Injury Topics: