Clarkston Personal Injury Lawyer
When a person is injured at the hands of a company, organization, or another person, he has a right to file a legal claim against the responsible party. This is done through the court system, and if the injured person can prove the other party is truly responsible for their injuries, he may be entitled to financial compensation.
Injury victims should never file a claim on their own, and in most cases, they will need help from a Clarkston personal injury lawyer at some point in time. If you have been injured at the hands of a reckless or irresponsible individual or company, consult a skilled attorney that can advocate for you.
Formal Lawsuits
In the world of personal injury law, there are two different types of lawsuits. The first type of lawsuit, known as a formal suit, is what comes to mind when most people think of the court system. Unlike a criminal case, which starts when the government decides to pursue charges against an individual, a formal suit is started when the alleged injury victim (the plaintiff) files a complaint against another party.
The party can be another individual, or it can be a company, organization, or government agency, and they will be referred to as the defendant. During the trial, the Clarkston personal injury attorney is tasked with proving the defendant is responsible for the injuries sustained by the plaintiff. They can do this by drawing connections between the injury and the actions of the defendant.
Informal Settlements
The other type of lawsuit is known as an informal settlement, it as the name implies, it occurs in a less formal venue than other types of legal proceedings.
This type of lawsuit is far more common, but if the opposing parties are unable to reach an agreement, a formal lawsuit may be necessary. The following parties are usually involved in an informal settlement:
- Injury victim
- Responsible party
- Insurers
- Attorneys from both sides
The process is closer to a negotiation than a trial, but like in a formal lawsuit, a personal injury attorney will need to prove the other party is responsible for the injuries sustained by the victim. If the injured individual is victorious, a written agreement will be draft prohibiting the injured person from taking any further legal action. At the end of the proceeding, the responsible party will pay the injured person a specific amount of money.
Statutes of Limitation in Personal Injury Cases
Contrary to popular belief, injured individuals have a limited amount of time to file a claim. This time frame is referred to as a statute of limitations, and it exists to prevent individuals from threatening legal action indefinitely.
In the state of Georgia, citizens have two years to file a personal injury claim. This is immensely important to remember, and if a person files a claim outside of the set time frame, the court system will more than likely refuse to hear his complaint.
For this reason, injury and accident victims should consider taking legal action as soon as they are able to if they wish to obtain compensation.
Contacting a Clarkston Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been injured by another person or company, you will need to take legal action before it is too late. If you do not file a lawsuit, you will more than likely be stuck paying for your own medical bills and other expenses for a long time. Consult a Clarkston personal injury lawyer today to learn more.