Atlanta is a bustling, vibrant city, known for its historic landmarks, diverse culture, and thriving economy. It’s a city appealing to many tourists and gets quite a lot of visitors throughout the year. Also, the city grows more populated and it’s definitely becoming more attractive to younger generations looking to experience something new.
But like many large urban areas, this city also faces its fair share of accidents and injuries, which doesn’t even come as a surprise taking into consideration the number of its residents and tourists as well. Apart from traffic accidents, there have also been instances of workplace injuries and medical malpractice cases.
Whether caused by negligence, poor maintenance, or unsafe practices, personal injury accidents can have serious consequences for victims. Personal injury cases are often complex and involve a lot of intricacies for the victim.
In this article, we’ll explore personal injury cases in Atlanta, highlight some of the most common types of accidents that lead to personal injury claims, and explain what you need to know if you’ve been involved in an accident.
What is a personal injury case?
Let’s first give a detailed definition of personal injury accidents. Even though many have heard of the term, some still can’t understand the scope of these accidents. As there are approximately 39.5 million personal injury cases that require medical attention in the US, it’s important to understand what they entail.
A personal injury case is a legal dispute that happens when one party suffers harm or injury due to another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional wrongdoing.
In personal injury cases, the injured person seeks compensation for damages, which may include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other related costs.
Personal injury claims can originate from a variety of incidents, ranging from car accidents to slip and fall accidents to workplace injuries. To establish a personal injury case, the injured party needs to go through several steps to prove that the defendant caused them harm.
The most common personal injury accidents
As mentioned, there’s a number of personal injury cases in Atlanta every year. Some are more common than others and below we’ve listed some of the most frequent personal injury accidents.
However, no matter the accident you suffered, as an injured party, you have every right to hire an Atlanta injury lawyer and have them help you understand the legal process.
Car accidents
Car accidents are one of the leading causes of personal injury claims not only in Atlanta but in the US as well. As the city is known for heavy traffic, especially during rush hours, the risk of accidents is high.
Car accidents can result in injuries ranging from minor cuts and bruises to severe injuries such as broken bones and traumatic brain injuries.
Some of the most common causes of car accidents include distracted driving, speeding, driving under the influence, and hazardous weather conditions.
Additionally, the widespread use of smartphones has led to distracted driving becoming a significant problem. Drivers texting, talking on the phone, or engaging in other distractions often fail to notice important signs or changes in traffic conditions.
Speeding is another issue, as driving above the speed limit increases the likelihood of losing control of a vehicle, especially on congested roads.
Slip and fall accidents
It may come as a surprise but slip and fall accidents are another common cause of personal injury claims in Atlanta. These types of accidents typically occur on someone else’s property, whether it’s a business, apartment complex, or public space.
Property owners are legally required to keep their premises safe and free of hazards. Slip and fall accidents may happen due to wet or slippery floors, uneven pavement or sidewalks, or poor lighting. In environments such as grocery stores or restaurants, even something as minor as spills that are not cleaned up promptly can lead to accidents.
Also, cracked or uneven surfaces, particularly on sidewalks or walkways, can lead to trips and falls.
Pedestrian accidents
Pedestrian accidents have become an increasing concern in this region, especially with the city’s busy streets and high foot traffic. Many people decide to go on foot to avoid public transport and to also get some exercise. But, although walking is a healthy choice, it’s not necessarily the safest one.
When a vehicle strikes an innocent passer-by, the injuries can be long-term, often resulting in broken bones, internal injuries, or even death(in worst-case scenarios). In 2022, for instance, there were more than 7.500 pedestrian fatalities.
Pedestrian accidents often occur at crosswalks or intersections, where drivers may fail to yield the right of way. However, sometimes pedestrians also fail to wait for the green traffic lights, which also puts them in harm’s way. Both drivers and pedestrians in Atlanta need to realize the importance of acting in accordance with the traffic lights and signs to avoid any accidents.
The bottom line
As you can see, personal injury accidents are an unfortunate reality in any large city, and Atlanta is not an exception to the rule. Whether you’re involved in a car accident, slip and fall, pedestrian accident, or any other type of accident, it’s crucial to understand your rights and seek legal help as soon as possible.
If you’ve been injured in any of these accidents, hiring a skilled personal injury attorney who is familiar with Atlanta’s legal jargon can significantly increase your chances of receiving fair compensation for your injuries. With proper legal representation, you can better understand the complexities of the legal system, hold the responsible party accountable, and recover the damages you deserve.
Remember, personal injury cases can be complex and time-sensitive. Don’t expect these cases to be closed overnight. It’s a process that demands a lot of patience and you need to be persistent and hopeful that you’ll get the compensation you deserve.
