Construction accidents can lead to significant injuries, massive property damage, and loss of life. You have grounds to file a claim after a construction accident due to gross negligence.
In this article, we’ll explain why you should hire a construction accident attorney and choose the Atlanta Personal Injury Group.
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Why File a Construction Accident Claim in the First Place?
Before discussing whether you should hire a construction accident attorney, let’s explain why you should file a claim.
Here are the main reasons why you should file a construction accident claim if you’ve been injured at work:
- You can hold the responsible party accountable for causing your injuries.
- Filing a claim makes it possible to recover lost wages, medical expenses, and damages resulting from your injuries.
- You can secure a long-term financial future, which is especially ideal if you can’t normally return to work.
As you can see, there are many reasons why filing a construction accident claim is worth your while. Now, should you hire a lawyer to represent you during the claims process?
Below, we’ll list several reasons why hiring an attorney is in your best interest.
Top Reasons Why You Should Hire a Construction Accident Attorney
Hiring a construction accident attorney can work to your advantage if you file a claim. Here is why:
An Attorney Can Evaluate Your Claim
One of the most difficult aspects of managing a claim is determining its true worth. Attorneys have tremendous experience valuing construction accident claims.
They are able to estimate accurately the value of a construction accident based on factors such as:
- Lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
- Gross negligence and liability on the defendant’s part.
- The severity of the accident and your injuries.
Without an attorney, it’s easy to get tricked into accepting a nuisance value settlement.
For example, let’s say you suffered a broken neck from a fall at work.
You may think that the construction company’s settlement is generous if the amount covers lost wages and your medical bills. However, an attorney can fight for a maximum settlement offer that takes into account your suffering.
They’ll also arrange a settlement for you that provides financial relief in case you can’t return to work normally for a while.
You Can Name Third-Parties to Your Claim
Some construction claims can be complicated, especially when they involve multiple defendants accused of gross negligence.
If you insist on handling your own construction claim, you could miss a valuable opportunity to name all the responsible parties for your accident. In some claims, multiple parties could be liable for your injuries.
These include:
- Manufacturers: If a manufacturer produces a faulty tool or product that results in a construction accident, they can be held liable.
- Material suppliers: Any one that delivers defective materials to a construction site can hold liability if an accident injures someone.
- Subcontractors: If a subcontractor improperly installs something that leads to a construction accident, you can hold them liable.
As you can see, multiple parties can hold liability for a construction accident.
You need an experienced lawyer to assess the liability of multiple parties. They have the tools and resources to assess all the factors of a construction accident and pinpoint everyone who was responsible.
An Attorney Can Establish Negligence and Liability
A central part of building a successful claim is proving that the defendant’s negligence caused your accident and injuries.
In civil claims, the plaintiff has the burden of proof. This means that it’s up to you to prove your claim, instead of the defense. To prove your claim, you must rely on the preponderance of evidence and show that what you claimed happened more likely than not.
Proving both negligence and liability grows much more difficult when you face a team of experienced lawyers.
When you hire a construction accident attorney, they’ll build a strong case on your behalf.
Here’s how:
- An experienced construction accident attorney will gather concrete evidence such as expert testimonies, witness statements, and photographic/video footage to assert your claim.
- Your lawyer will deliver a demand letter that fully explains the level of negligence on the defendant’s part, as well as the full amount you expect as a settlement.
- An experienced lawyer can show correlation between the defendant’s negligence and your current injuries. This can convince them to accept your settlement offer and swing the jury in your favor should you need to go to court.
Ultimately, a construction accident attorney plays a crucial role in building a successful claim by satisfying the plaintiff’s burden of proof.
The Defendant Will Take Your Claim Seriously
If you file a construction accident on your own, it may fall on deaf ears. Without a lawyer, the company you accuse of liability may not take your claims seriously.
In addition, if they do entertain your claim, they will almost always offer a very low settlement offer. In fact, a construction company with an army of lawyers will take their chances against a lone accuser.
Hiring a construction accident attorney allows accident victims to level the playing field against powerful construction parties and other third-parties. This way, you can boost the chances of your claim’s success and receive the compensation you deserve.
A Lawyer Has a Host of Resources and Specialists at Their Disposal
A construction accident attorney usually works with a team of specialists, ranging from accident reconstruction experts and doctors. These specialists help law firms develop strong claims, whether they lead to the negotiation table or the courtroom.
Here are some examples of ways a law firm’s resources can work to your advantage:
- An accident reconstruction expert can identify how your accident took place and why the defendant was negligent in its condition.
- A medical expert, such as a doctor, can testify about the severity of your injuries. They can even work with your lawyer to accurately correlate your injuries and the accident, which is essential if the defense argues they’re unrelated.
- A construction auditor can testify that a construction project was substandard in terms of safety and legal compliance.
Depending on the law firm you choose, they’ll have a wealth of resources at their disposal to fight equally against a powerful construction company.
You Can Maximize Your Compensation
Most people file a construction accident claim to obtain compensation, either during negotiations or by a court verdict. After all, medical bills and life expenses can become problematic if a victim cannot work because of their injuries.
On your own, the construction company may ignore your claim. With a team full of experienced lawyers, they will likely take their chances against you.
Or, they may recognize your claim’s validity and offer a very low settlement. A condition of accepting this settlement is usually that you can’t pursue legal action against them in the future.
If you accept, you will have taken a below-market-value offer with no future legal options. A construction accident attorney can see through both of these ploys.
First, they’ll ensure the defendant fully recognizes your claim. In fact, the defense’s legal team may already know your attorney and their reputation.
Finally, your lawyer will negotiate a fair settlement offer for you. If they cannot do so, they can go to court.
You can increase your chances of maximizing your settlement by hiring a construction accident attorney.
A Lawyer Can Help You Navigate a Potential Courtroom Battle
More than 90% of civil cases settle out of court because going to court takes time and money. Many businesses will settle out of court to avoid these costs, especially if the claim against them has merit.
However, your claim may not meet the respect it deserves. In that case, you may need to go to court to fight for a verdict.
If you don’t have a lawyer, the defense will recognize your limited financial resources. They know that you’re injured and probably not working.
This is why many defendants will dare you to go to court.
When you have a lawyer, you won’t face such risks. Construction accident attorneys usually work on a contingency basis. You don’t pay them unless they recover compensation.
This means you don’t have to pay for each visit to court. They’ll also work hard on your behalf so you can win because it means they get paid. The defense knows this.
As a result, they’re likely to settle. Nonetheless, a lawyer will always prepare in case they don’t.
You Can File Your Claim on Time
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Georgia is two years. That’s how long you have to build a strong case. While this may seem like a long time, it’s insufficient for people filing their own claims.
Consider this: You have two years to gather concrete evidence proving the liability of a massive construction enterprise. You must do this despite your physical limitations, injuries, and limited investigative resources.
If you take too long, you cannot file a claim, even if the construction company acted with gross negligence in your accident. This is why you need a construction accident attorney.
These lawyers can build strong claims within the statute of limitations. You can rest easy knowing they will build your claim for you while you rest and recover.
You Can Receive Peace of Mind
Managing a construction accident claim on your own can exhaust you. It’s a constant struggle and battle of wits against a powerful opponent. Then, there’s always the chance that you could lose if the claim goes to court. Then, you would’ve spent your own money and time for nothing.
This isn’t an ideal situation for anyone.
A construction accident attorney will do all this work for you.
They’ll manage your claim's high-risk, monotonous, and time-sensitive tasks and handle the negotiation process.
This means you can focus on recovering and being with your family.
Why Hire the Atlanta Personal Injury Group
Now you know the dangers of filing your construction accident claim.
Generally speaking, if you want to maximize your potential settlement offer, hire a construction accident attorney in Atlanta.
This is where the Atlanta Personal Injury Group comes in. We have handled several high-profile accident claims and secured positive outcomes for our clients.
We know the ins and outs of the claims process. And, we’re not afraid to take your legal battle to court if the defense doesn’t want to play fair. When you hire us, we will hold the defense accountable for their negligence in your accident.
Our legal team will also keep you in the loop throughout the claims process, giving you peace of mind when you need it most.
Schedule a Consultation With the Atlanta Personal Injury Group
Hiring a personal injury attorney is your safest option for receiving fair compensation for your injuries. At the Atlanta Personal Injury Group, we help accident victims hold their opponents accountable and receive a fair settlement for their injuries.
If you’re ready to tell us about your potential claim, contact us today to consult our legal team.