Automobile Accidents

Everyone who gets behind the wheel has specific duties and responsibilities while operating a motor vehicle. When a driver fails to uphold those duties and someone is injured as a result, the injured person is entitled to seek compensation for their damages. Under Georgia law, that compensation generally falls into two categories: special damages and general damages. Victims of an automobile accident can pursue both.

Special Damages — Your Documented Losses

Special damages cover the documented, out-of-pocket losses and expenses caused by the injury. Because they are tied to actual dollar amounts, they are usually easier to calculate. Common categories include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Past and future lost wages and lost earning capacity
• Repair or replacement of damaged property, including your vehicle
• Loss of irreplaceable items

General Damages — Your Quality of Life

General damages compensate for the harder-to-quantify ways an injury changes your life. Because these losses vary from one person to the next, calculating them requires experience and careful presentation. Common categories include:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Physical impairment and disfigurement
• Mental anguish and emotional distress
• Lowered quality of life
• Loss of companionship (awarded to family members in wrongful death cases)

What to Do After a Car Accident

The steps you take after a collision can have a real impact on your health and your claim. When you are able to do so safely, seek medical attention right away — even if you feel fine, since some injuries take days to appear. Report the crash to law enforcement, document the scene and your injuries, and be cautious about giving recorded statements to the other driver's insurance company before speaking with an attorney. The sooner you involve experienced counsel, the better we can preserve evidence and protect your rights.