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Everyone has likely heard the term negligence before, whether from a friend, family member, or a television show. However, very few people actually understand what this term means, let alone what it can mean for them if they were harmed in a Georgia accident. That is why in the below post, we will go over everything you need to know about negligence and how it can impact your potential financial recovery after an accident.
What Is Negligence?
Negligence occurs when a person causes an accident or harms another individual because they failed to exercise reasonable care. Most personal injury claims are based on the legal theory of negligence.
As a result, if you can show that you were harmed because of another person’s negligence, you may be entitled to monetary relief for the losses and injuries you endured, including payment for medical bills, lost income, and your pain and suffering.
Proving Negligence
To prove negligence, the injury party (the plaintiff) must first establish the following elements:
- There was a duty. The victim of an accident needs to show that the wrongful party owed them a reasonable duty of care.
- There was a breach of duty. The wrongful party did not live up to the standard of care. Instead, they acted unreasonably based on the level of care an ordinary person would under the same or similar circumstances.
- Causation. The accident occurred because of this breach, and the victim endured harm as a result.
- Damages. The victim suffered monetary damages because of their injuries and losses.
However, proving each of these elements can be challenging. That is why if you suffered harm due to another person’s wrongful actions, consider going over your accident with an experienced Georgia personal injury attorney. These lawyers can help you determine whether negligence played a part in your accident, as well as look for evidence to establish each of these elements.
Common Examples of Negligence in Georgia
Although accidents can happen for a number of reasons, the majority of accidents tend to occur because someone was acting carelessly. If this conduct falls below the appropriate level of care, then the conduct can be considered negligent.
Some of the more common examples of negligence in Georgia tend to include the following:
- A motorist running a red light or driving through a stop sign
- A motorist texting and driving
- A motorist driving a motor vehicle while intoxicated
- A grocery store owner failing to clean up a spill in a timely manner
- A medical professional operating on the wrong body part
Find Out Your Legal Options After a Georgia Accident
If you or a loved one have been hurt in an accident in Georgia because of another person’s negligence, find out your legal options today by contacting a Georgia personal injury attorney at the law firm of Richard D. Hobbs & Associates, P.C.
Our legal team can review your case for free, determine if negligence played a role in the accident, and figure out what financial damages you can pursue.