Houston County is situated in the center of Georgia and is the 14th largest county in Georgia by population with nearly 150,000 people. The county enjoys a good economy with the median household income compared to the nation’s median household income — $53,270 and $53,889, respectively — and 7 percent above Georgia’s overall median household income ($49,620). Even though the economy is relatively good, it doesn’t mean that its citizens are prepared for an unexpected accident and subsequent injury. The median age in Houston County is 34, which fits snugly into the age group that is statistically most likely to be involved in an accident, whether on the road, at work, on vacation, or elsewhere. It is also this same age group in Houston County that is less likely to enjoy healthcare coverage, which could help financially if in an accident.

Without healthcare coverage, you could be facing serious financial stress. Depending on your injuries, even with healthcare coverage, you could be facing serious financial stress if (1) you have a large deductible; or (2) not all care and treatment are covered. If the accident was the fault of another person or entity, you may be able to file a claim or lawsuit to recover damages. At Gautreaux Law, we are committed to obtaining the best possible compensation for all expenses stemming from your injury.

Proving Liability In Personal Injury

In Georgia, if your injuries are sustained from an accident that was caused by a person or entity, then you are entitled to recovery. There are four elements that must be proven:

  1. Duty. The party must have owed you a duty of care.
  2. Breach of Duty. The duty of care owed to you must have been breached.
  3. Causation. The breach must have caused your injuries.
  4. Damages. Your injuries must be monetarily quantifiable.

If you were injured by a defective product, the standard is strict liability, so there may be no need to prove negligence in certain situations.

Recovering Damages

Where there is liability, there is a claim or lawsuit that could be pursued. At Gautreaux Law, we are prepared to investigate your case and aggressively pursue a just and fair settlement or damages award. Damages are divided into three categories.

  1. Economic Damages. These damages include medical bills, property damage repairs, past and future lost wages, and funeral costs, among other expenses related to the personal injury.
  2. Non-Economic Damages. These damages include mental and physical pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life.
  3. Punitive Damages. These damages are only awarded in certain circumstances, such as where the act causing the injury was committed out of intention, recklessness, malice, wantonness, and/or fraud.

Oftentimes the liable party will claim that you, the victim, is at fault for part of your injuries. In Georgia, this is generally a possible valid assertion (called apportionment), and any person found to be 50 percent or more at fault for their own injuries may not be able to recover damages. If you are less than 50 percent at fault, the damages award may reflect that percentage. At Gautreaux Law, we work hard to uncover all the facts and counter any allegation made by the liable party that you are at fault in any way, shape or form.

Handling Your Case

Insurance adjusters and attorneys are trained to use any tool they have to either (1) deny a claim; or (2) reduce a settlement. For adjusters, their loyalty is often to their company, and their goal may be protection of the company’s bottom line. For attorneys for the defendants, their loyalty is to their client, and their goal is a verdict in their favor. If you face any of them alone, their tactics can easily make you a victim again.

At Gautreaux Law, we know how to address insurance adjusters and attorneys. Years of experience yield a keen understanding of their strategies. If you are already in a dispute with an insurance provider, we can help. We have focused much of our practice handling insurance dispute matters for personal injuries, but we also assist in life, health, and homeowner insurance disputes.

If you have not yet filed a claim or lawsuit but have been injured in an accident that is the fault of another person or entity, the following are matters we handle:

We also handle specific bodily injury cases:

We believe in exceptional legal representation because, from experience, we know how serious personal bodily injuries, from the small to the catastrophic, can detrimentally affect a person and the people who love that person. “Good” representation is not “good enough” for us. Our goal and our philosophy is that we will always deliver exceptional legal service for our clients, just like we would want to have if we hired a lawyer ourselves.

Gautreaux Law pursues personal injury claims and lawsuits on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay only if we recover compensation for you, and that payment comes from the settlement or damages award. If you are struggling and are worried about contacting an attorney because of money, don’t be concerned. The only thing you should be worried about is your recovery. Contact Gautreaux Law at (478) 238-9758 for a free consultation today.