Hapeville Personal Injury Lawyer
When an accident severely injures an individual, the responsible party should be held legally accountable for their actions. To do this, a plaintiff can file a lawsuit against the individual or entity responsible for their injuries, and if they win their suit, they may be entitled to financial compensation. A professional Hapeville personal injury lawyer may prove to be a valuable asset in these circumstances. If you have been injured at the hands of a negligent party, read on to learn more about how a skilled injury attorney can offer you their assistance today.
Establishing Liability in Personal Injury Cases
Whether someone was hit by a car or attacked by an unchained dog, a dedicated Hapeville personal injury lawyer will need to prove that injury was the result of the negligent or intentional actions of another individual. During the proceedings, the injury attorney will attempt to establish a direct connection between the actions of the responsible party and the plaintiff’s injuries. If a Hapeville personal injury lawyer can prove the careless or intentional actions of the responsible party led to the injuries of the plaintiff in any way, they may be awarded compensation for their injuries.
Elements of Negligence
When someone wants to prove that another individual is responsible for their injuries, they must file a lawsuit. During the legal proceedings, a determined Hapeville personal injury lawyer will need to establish five separate elements:
- The defendant owed a duty of care to the plaintiff
- The defendant failed to meet the duty of care
- This failure to meet the duty of care resulted in injury to the plaintiff
- The plaintiff has suffered some type of loss
If a qualified Hapeville personal injury lawyer can establish all of these elements, the injured individual is entitled to some form of financial compensation. In general, the more serious an injury is, the more compensation will be awarded.
Intentional Acts
If someone causes a personal injury through a willful or malicious act, they may face criminal charges in addition to any civil case brought against them. However, civil courts only require a preponderance of the evidence to prove liability on the part of the wrongdoer, as opposed to the criminal court requirement of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
This means that someone who is found not guilty of a malicious act in criminal court could still be held liable for that same act in civil court. Furthermore, the legal concept of res judicata states that a matter cannot be judged twice by two separate courts. In other words, if someone is found guilty in criminal court of a malicious act, they cannot argue in civil court that they did not commit the act in question.
Recovering Potential Damages
After suffering an injury at the hands of a careless individual or organization, someone may have trouble making ends meet. This is usually a given, especially since even with health insurance those who have suffered in accidents will usually be required to pay for some of this care. A serious injury can also prevent someone from earning money and providing for their family. Depending on the circumstances of the injury, a Hapeville personal injury lawyer may be able to help individuals obtain compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Medical bills
- Everyday living expenses
- Loss of income
If a determined Hapeville personal injury lawyer wins their suit, the court will decide on the amount of money the responsible party is required to pay the plaintiff.
Consult with a Hapeville Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you have been injured due to the negligent actions of another, you may be entitled to the compensation mentioned above. However, to obtain this compensation, you will need to hire an attorney with an established history of winning person injury lawsuits. Contact a Hapeville personal injury lawyer today to discuss your case.