Category: Personal Injury

Personal injury cases are complex legal proceedings that necessitate a detailed examination of evidence in order to establish fault. When prosecuting, plaintiffs seek to prove that defendant was at fault in their injuries or damages while the defense may attempt to shift blame onto them or another party. It is vital to collect and present sufficient proof in order to prove fault and win your case; here we explore how evidence plays a part in doing just that.

Types of Evidence

There are various types of evidence that can be presented in a personal injury case, including:

1. Eyewitness Testimony: Statements from people who witnessed an accident provide vital clues as to who was at fault and can provide vital evidence as to who should pay damages for injuries sustained during it.
2. Expert Testimony: Professional opinions can provide crucial insight into the cause, extent and long-term impacts of injuries sustained as part of expert testimony.
3. Medical records: Medical records can provide proof of injuries suffered and their treatments received by the plaintiff.
4. Police reports: They can give further details regarding an accident including details on who was involved and any citations issued.
5. Photographs and Videos: Visual evidence such as photographs and videos can paint an accurate picture of what took place at the scene and the extent of any damages sustained.

The Importance of Evidence

Personal injury lawsuits place the onus of proof on the plaintiff, who must present evidence showing how negligence or recklessness by defendant caused injuries to them. Without sufficient proof, it may be impossible to establish fault and the case may be dismissed – so gathering as much evidence as possible to build a strong case is key to winning one.

Evidence can also have an impactful influence on how much compensation is granted to plaintiffs. If they can prove fault and demonstrate the extent of their injuries, a higher settlement or judgment could be awarded – but without sufficient proof, compensation could be significantly less or even none at all.

If you have been injured as a result of someone’s negligence or intended harmful action, damages may be available as compensation for what you have endured. Damages refer to monetary compensation provided as part of a personal injury settlement – the amount will depend upon how serious your injuries were, their circumstances of occurrence and any financial losses sustained as a result of them.

Here is an outline of damages you could be eligible to recover in a personal injury claim:

1. Medical Expenses: Under your personal injury claim for medical costs related to an injury – doctor visits, medication costs, therapy sessions or rehabilitation expenses – you could receive reimbursement.
2. Lost Wages: In case your injury has kept you away from work during its recovery process, compensation could be available for lost wages.
3. Pain and Suffering: Additionally, compensation could also be awarded for physical pain experienced because of your accident.
4. Loss of Consortium: If an injury has impacted the relationship with your spouse or partner, compensation could be granted for the loss of companionship, love and affection that has occurred.
5. Property Damage: If an accident caused damage to your property, which in turn led to injury, then compensation could be available for repairs or replacement costs.
6. Punitive Damages: Under some circumstances, courts can award punitive damages as a form of punishment against individuals for engaging in reckless or intentional conduct that causes significant injury to others. Usually this punishment comes when their behavior was especially indefensible.
7. Wrongful Death: If someone else’s negligence or intentional action caused the death of your loved one, they may be entitled to financial and emotional compensation from those responsible.

At Williams Litigation Group, our experienced personal injury lawyers understand all aspects of personal injury law and can assist in helping clients receive the full and fair compensation that is owed them for their injuries. They work tirelessly to make sure you receive your full and just settlement award.

Please call us toll free at 866-214-7036 or fill out the contact form on our website. Serving Brunswick, GA and Glynn, Camden, Brantley, Wayne, Ware and McIntosh Counties.

If you have been injured in an accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses such as medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. But maximizing your payout requires careful planning and strategy. What are they?

1. Seek Medical Treatment Right Away

Delaying treatment not only affects your health, but may also hinder the progress of your case in court. Insurance companies and defense attorneys frequently use delays in receiving care as evidence that injuries weren’t serious or were caused by something other than an accident.

2. Maintain Accurate Records of Your Medical Treatment and Expenses

This includes bills, prescription receipts, as well as any out-of-pocket expenses such as transportation or home modifications that were incurred because of the incident. These documents will demonstrate both the extent of your injuries and their financial toll on you.

3. Document Your Injuries and Recovery

Take photos of them, keep a journal of symptoms and progress, and gather any other evidence that can demonstrate the effects of the trauma on your life. This way, it will be easier to prove how much financial strain these injuries have caused you.

4. Hire an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney

Working with an experienced personal injury attorney can significantly boost your chances of receiving maximum compensation. They understand your legal rights, will negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and will represent you in court if needed. They’re also there to guide you through the complex legal system and guarantee that you receive what is owed to you.

5. Be Mindful When Communicating with Insurance Companies

It is essential to be cautious and avoid making any statements that could be used against you. Insurance companies may attempt to minimize your injuries or suggest that you were partially at fault for the accident.

6. Be Prepared to Negotiate

Negotiating with insurance companies and defense attorneys is often used as a strategy for maximizing compensation for personal injury cases. Your attorney can assist in prepping you for these negotiations and helping determine the value of your case. At the Williams Litigation Group, we are happy to provide such assistance.

Expert witnesses are invaluable resources in personal injury cases. They possess specialized knowledge and skill in areas such as medicine, engineering, or accident reconstruction that allows them to provide testimony and opinions regarding the cause and extent of injuries, the standard of care required, and even how these injuries might impact a victim’s life.

Expert witnesses play an essential role in helping courts and juries comprehend complex matters and technical information. Based on their education, training, and experience, expert witnesses provide objective opinions that are unbiased. Furthermore, they help non-experts comprehend medical- and technical-related aspects of a case which may be difficult for non-specialists to grasp.

An engineering or accident reconstruction expert may be asked to testify regarding the cause of an accident, any mechanical malfunctioning, and potential environmental factors like weather or road conditions. In certain instances, an economic expert may also be called upon to estimate any financial implications from injuries sustained by the victim, such as lost wages, medical expenses, and future earnings potential.

Expert testimony can be instrumental in the resolution of a personal injury case. Expert witnesses provide unique perspectives and knowledge, helping the court and jury make thoroughly informed decisions.

However, it’s essential to remember that expert witnesses are not infallible, and their testimony may be challenged or scrutinized. It is not uncommon for the opposing side to call on their own expert witnesses in order to provide a different perspective or challenge the opinions of the opposing expert witness.

Expert witnesses are an integral part of personal injury cases. Their objective, unbiased opinions are based on their education, training, and experience; they provide objective assessments based on this information. It’s essential that you select an expert witness who has sufficient qualification, experience, and the capacity to present their views clearly and convincingly. If you are involved in a personal injury lawsuit it’s wise to work with an experienced attorney who can help select the correct expert witnesses as well as present a strong case in court. At the Williams Litigation Group, we are happy to provide such assistance.

Personal injury claims are typically associated with physical injuries sustained in car crashes or slip-and-fall incidents. However, emotional trauma can be just as damaging as physical injuries and is also compensable damage in personal injury claims. Emotional trauma can occur in various situations, and it is important to understand how it can impact a personal injury claim.

Difference Between Emotional Trauma and Personal Injury Claims

Emotional trauma can be caused by any traumatic, frightening, or distressing event. Some common causes of emotional trauma include car accidents, medical malpractice, sexual assault, and workplace accidents. Emotional trauma can lead to various symptoms, including anxiety, depression, nightmares, flashbacks, and difficulty sleeping.

In a personal injury claim, emotional trauma is considered non-economic damage, which means it does not have a tangible value like medical bills or lost wages. Instead, emotional trauma’s value is determined by its impact on the injured person’s life. For example, if the injured person is unable to work due to emotional trauma, the value of their claim may be higher.

To successfully claim emotional trauma in a personal injury case, the injured person must prove that the trauma was caused by the accident or incident that led to their physical injuries. This can be challenging, as emotional trauma is often not immediately apparent and may take time to develop.

In addition to proving causation, the injured person must also provide evidence of the severity of their emotional trauma. This can be done through medical records, witness statements, and testimony from mental health professionals. Working with a professional personal injury lawyer can help ensure the injured person’s rights are protected, and their emotional trauma is adequately compensated.

It is also essential to note that emotional trauma can impact the injured person’s ability to pursue their case. For example, if the injured person is too anxious or depressed to attend court hearings, it may be challenging to prove their case. In these situations, working with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help the injured person navigate the legal process and advocate on their behalf is important.

Please call us toll free at 866-214-7036 or fill out the contact form on our website. Serving Brunswick, GA and Glynn, Camden, Brantley, Wayne, Ware and McIntosh Counties.

Product liability is an area of law that holds manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, and retailers responsible for any personal injury or property damage caused by their products. A defective product can cause serious injury, including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, burns, and broken bones.

How Can a Defective Product Cause Personal Injury?

A product can be defective in design, manufacturing, or marketing. A manufacturing defect is a defect that occurs while the product is being manufactured, making it different from other products of the same type. A design defect is a defect in the product’s design that can make it unreasonably dangerous. A marketing defect is a failure to warn consumers of a product’s potential dangers or an inadequate warning.

Defective products can cause personal injury in several ways. One of the most common ways is through the product’s physical design. For example, a ladder may have rungs too far apart, making it easy for a person’s foot to slip through and cause them to fall. Similarly, a bicycle may have brakes that fail, causing the rider to lose control and crash.

Another way a defective product can cause personal injury is through the manufacturing process. If a manufacturer fails to test and inspect a product properly, it may have a defect that makes it dangerous. For example, a toy may have small parts that can quickly come loose and pose a choking hazard to young children.

In addition to physical defects, defective products can cause personal injury through inadequate warnings or instructions. For example, a medication may fail to warn users of potential side effects, leading to serious health complications. Similarly, a power tool may not include proper safety instructions, leading to accidental injury.

When a defective product causes personal injury, the injured person may be able to file a product liability lawsuit. To win a product liability lawsuit, the injured person must have adequate evidence to prove that their injury was caused by the defective product. They must also show that they were using the product in a reasonably foreseeable way during the time of the damage.

Please call us toll free at 866-214-7036 or fill out the contact form on our website. Serving Brunswick, GA and Glynn, Camden, Brantley, Wayne, Ware and McIntosh Counties.

In many countries, domestic violence is a very common practice among various households. Domestic violence can happen to anyone, but most victims are females who are abused physically, verbally, sexually or financially. Abusive relationships usually have a massive imbalance of power where one person controls or hurts the other.

Taking Safety Steps

Escaping domestic abuse or leaving an abuser can be very hard, but following precautions can be taken if it has escalated to a point where you can’t stand it anymore. This is also applicable to cases where you feel like your spouse can cause harm to your children and yourself.

1. You should preplan where you will go and how you will get there.
2. You can always call a domestic violence hotline or a specific women’s shelter near you, but you have to be careful to make the call privately.
3. You should always stay prepared for such circumstances. Have emergency backpacks ready with essential things such as clothes, jewellery etc. But make sure the bag is in a safe location which no one can access. Important papers, medicine, and money should also be in your emergency bag.

Where To Get Assistance

In a severe emergency, you can call the local emergency hotline. Other resources can also provide assistance, such as asking for help from a relative, a loved one or a close friend. You can also call a national domestic violence hotline to state your problems. The best option is to take the situation to court, where they can implement a restraining order on the abuser.

Necessary Precautions

It is important to stay vigilant because the abuser can use technology to track your calls, messages, and location. Your partner can check your caller history and other messages, so it is best to clear your caller history and delete your messages after texting. Frequently keep clearing your browser history and changing your email passwords. Clear any tracking apps installed on your phone. Make sure that the abuser is not able to reach you until the restraining order is implemented.

Please call us toll free at 866-214-7036 or fill out the contact form on our website. Serving Brunswick, GA and Glynn, Camden, Brantley, Wayne, Ware and McIntosh Counties.

Insurance companies provide you with safety in the case of accidents or medical emergencies. They cover your costs to reduce the damage of the incident. However, in some cases, insurance companies try to give you less coverage for the incident or manipulate you into settling for the repair of selective damage. It can also be in the form of delaying your investigation into your claim or denying your coverage. Such issues need to be dealt with carefully in order to receive full coverage for your loss.

How to Deal with Insurance Companies

Some of the tips that are useful when dealing with insurance companies are listed below.

Gather as Much Evidence as you can

The more evidence you have on your case, the easier it is for you to state your claim. Make notes, take pictures, talk to witnesses and obtain statements, and document every piece of evidence you find. In this way, the insurance company will not be able to deny your right to your claim.

Keep Strict Records of Everything

Record every interaction between you and your insurance company after the incident. Apart from keeping the accident-related record with the insurance company, state the estimated damage, the medical reports, diagnosis, treatment charges, and all the essential information needed to make a claim.

Be Alert When Signing Documents

After an incident, it is a common procedure in insurance companies that require you to sign a document pertaining to the accident. Be careful before signing such documents because they may contain clauses that might restrict your right to obtain the full value of your claim. Always read the document and make amendments where necessary.

Communicate Clearly

Whatever you say to the insurance company can be held against you to deny the coverage. Practice before meetings and write down the important points that you need to communicate with the insurance company. Do not say anything that can reduce the value of your claim and prove negligence from your side. If you do not have information regarding anything, leave that to your attorney. Only provide fact-based data and do not make any accusations.

Getting a car accident report is an essential process after the incident. Even if it was a minor accident, you still need to get your car accident report from the police. The car accident report helps protect your legal rights in case of a lawsuit.

What is a Car Accident Report?

A car accident report is recorded at the time of a car accident by a police officer who witnessed it. It includes the details of the crash, the statements from the drivers and other witnesses, timing, location, etc. the report helps determine the fault and damages after the incident.

A car accident report can contain facts and opinions depending on the law enforcement officials. The information primarily includes the model of the vehicles, weather conditions at the time of the accident, a diagram or drawing of the car accident, traffic violations, reasons for the accident, and information about the parties involved, e.g., phone number, address, etc.

How to Get a Car Accident Report?

If a police officer is not already present at the scene, call 911 to bring a law enforcement officer to the incident. It is always best to tell your side of the story first. Take all the passengers to a safe location and give your statement to the police officer.

Regardless of the fact that the accident was intentional or coincidental, do not admit fault. While giving your statement, point out the general facts of the incident.

After your statement has been recorded, ask for the police officer’s name, badge number, and the report number of the current incident.

You can later request a copy of the car accident report from the local law enforcement officials. A copy of the accident report usually has a fee and can be given by providing the report number given to you by the police officer.

If there was no report number, you could also get the report by providing your vehicle number, time, date, and location. Your insurance company also receives the car accident report, and you can get a copy from them if you do not want to pay the fee.

Older adult abuse is common in the United States and can be of many types. That includes physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, neglect, and financial abuse.

Older people facing abuse are anxious and scared to tell anyone because of the people who are inflicting that abuse. Sometimes it is also because they do not want their loved ones to get in trouble even if they are abusing them.

Abuse can cause homicides, deaths, adverse health conditions, and mental illnesses among adults. Hence it is essential to seek professional help in case you see anyone around you who is unable to help themselves.

How to Report Older Adult Abuse

The first step is to identify and observe the elderly people in your community and see if there is something unusual. Unnecessary shouting, rude behavior from family members, behavior, or weaknesses other than their age should be identified. Try and talk to the older people to see if they are willing to talk about it or not.

If you know about their relatives or family members or are in contact with them, call them and inform them about the current situation. Whether they are living in nursing homes or with family members, make sure to keep checking in on them.

In the case of life-threatening danger, call 911 immediately. In the case of bruises or cuts, inform the local elderly support authorities and give them all the information you have about the people.

If you suspect elderly abuse but are unsure of it, make sure to call the proper authorities in your area so they can confirm it.

The adults who are facing abuse can also report it when given the motivation. So, make sure that you keep checking in on them as a responsible community member.

Inform the community support services if you are not sure if you want to get any legal authority involved. The community support services consist of care providers who check up on older people to make sure their health needs are being met. They are better able to help older people speak up and seek help.

Please call us toll free at 866-214-7036 or fill out the contact form on our website. Serving Brunswick, GA and Glynn, Camden, Brantley, Wayne, Ware and McIntosh Counties.