Archive for September 16, 2014

Car Accidents in Georgia – Punitive Damages

Welcome Back to “Do I Need A Lawyer?”
Thanks for starting your day with us here on the CW Network.
I’m Gary Martin Hays.

The consultation is free, completely confidential, and there is no obligation.
Here’s one easy thing you can do right now. Take out your cell phone and enter my number in as one of your contacts (770) 934-8000.

Auto Accidents in Georgia – Personal Injury Damages – Part 1



Now let’s go to a question from one of our viewers:

He crashed into the driver’s side of our mini-van. My wife’s left arm is broken, and she and my daughter were cut up from the flying glass.

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Mason, thanks for the question. I am very sorry your wife and daughter were injured.

Philip: Gary, thanks for having me.
I completely understand why Mason is angry.
It angers me whenever a person has too much to drink and then drive on our highways.
Not only are they putting their life at risk, but they are also putting everyone else that shares the road with them in harm’s way.

And to illustrate this point even more, let may share some facts about drunk driving.

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12 oz. of beer = 5 oz. of wine = 1.5 oz. of liquor
-All these drinks contain the same amount of alcohol
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A driver’s impairment is not determined by the type of drink, but rather by the amount of alcohol ingested over a specific time period.
Only time can make a person sober. Drinking Coffee, exercising, or taking a cold shower will not help.

* Every day in America, on average, 28 people die as a result of drunk driving crashes.

* An average of one out of very 3 people will be involved in a drunk driving collision in their lifetime.
Gary: That is hard to imagine. 1 in 3 will be involved in a drunk driving crash in their lifetime.
Well let’s answer Mason’s question.
Does he need a lawyer and how would you help him?
Philip:

Philip: By compensation, we would pursue damages against the defendant to compensate Mason’s wife and his daughter for the following:

* Any lost wages
* And money for their pain and suffering and emotional suffering.
Gary: Now let’s talk about punishment.
Philip:

The punishment I’m talking about is in the civil arena.

Gary:
Philip: These are damages the law allows us to pursue to PUNISH a defendant for their bad conduct, and to DETER the defendant from repeating the bad conduct.
Because the defendant caused the wreck while driving under the influence of alcohol, Georgia law allows us to seek punitive damages.
Gary:

I want us to let him know how we would investigate the claim and represent his family against the drunk driver.

Philip: I’d be happy to hang around.
Gary: We’ll take that break but let me stress to you.

If you or someone you love has been injured by a drunk driver, please give us a call right away to discuss your potential case.

Our intake specialists are standing by right now to speak with you.

Car Accident Injury Law

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Do I Need a Lawyer – What Damages Can I Recover in Georgia

I’m Gary Martin Hays. If you have a question you would like for me to answer on “Do I Need A Lawyer”, or if you would like to speak with me regarding a potential claim, please pick up the phone and give us a call right now. (770) 934-8000.

And here is one easy thing you can do right now.

Now let’s go to a question from one of our viewers:

I was hurt in a car wreck last week. I was at a complete stop at a red light. The other driver said she turned to give a pacifier to her baby in the back seat and she did not realize the light had turned red. You guessed it – she ran into the rear of my car. I was driving a 2013 Honda Accord and it had to be towed. The repairs are going to be about $3,000.00. I was just shaken up at the scene of the wreck and did not want to be taken by ambulance to the hospital. However, when my husband came to pick me up, I was hurting. He took me to the emergency room. The doctor has now referred me to an orthopedist.

Maddie, thanks for the email.

Do I Need a Lawyer – What Damages Can I Recover in Georgia



Let me start with one part of your question first:
You wrote – “I’m hoping you will take the time to answer my question.”

We offer a free, confidential consultation with no obligation. If we can’t help you, we will often have recommendations for someone that may be able to offer assistance to you.
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But we answer every question and I thank you for yours!
Your first question: “Who will pay my doctor bills?”

It is sometimes listed as MPC.
If you have it, your insurance company will pay for reasonable and necessary medical expenses up to the limits of the policy – regardless of who is at fault.

A medical lien is essentially an agreement between the person that is hurt and the doctor. If and when the personal injury claim settles, the attorney agrees to pay the doctor’s medical bills out of the settlement.

And here’s one thing I’d like to stress to our viewers. If you have been injured in a car wreck, it is important that you get prompt medical care for your injuries. This should be done regardless of whether or not you plan on presenting any kind of claim against the at fault party’s insurance company. You had your health before the wreck and you need to get that back as best you can.
Now your second question:

However, there is another claim we would pursue on your behalf. This is a claim for the diminished value of your vehicle.
If you are involved in a car wreck, your car will suffer property damage.

Think of it this way.

One has never been wrecked, and one has been wrecked and repaired.
Most people would never buy the car that has been repaired.
You don’t want to buy someone else’s problem.

Diminished value is what the market says your vehicle lost in value because of the wreck and repairs.
I have an entire chapter dedicated to diminished value in my #1 best selling book, The Authority on Personal Injury Claims in Georgia.
You can pick up a copy at Amazon.com.
All of my clients get a copy of this book free of charge.

That money could be used to take care of your future medical needs or to help you catch up on your bills.

The trauma of being in a car wreck is frightening enough.
But now you are faced with a lot more . . .

* How do you get medical treatment for your injuries if you don’t have health insurance?
* You are worried because the paychecks have stopped coming in, but the bills haven’t.

Where do you turn?
What do you do next?

Just pick up the phone right now and give us a call at (770) 934-8000.

The consultation is FREE and completely confidential.
And I encourage you – if you don’t call us, please call someone to help you with your claim.
You owe it to yourself – to your family – to get the help you need.

And stay tuned for more of “Do I Need A Lawyer”

Car Accident Law Video

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