Have you or someone you love been hurt in a shooting in Atlanta? Are you unsure of what to do next? An Atlanta shooting victim attorney from Bayuk Pratt can help.
With more than 50 years of combined legal experience, our team has successfully won over $300 million for clients like you. We understand the challenges you’re facing and are here to support you through this difficult time.
Contact us today for a free initial consultation, and let us help you pursue the recovery and accountability you deserve.
What an Attorney for Atlanta Shooting Victims Can Do
If you or someone you love has suffered injuries from a shooting in Atlanta, a seasoned lawyer can help you demand justice and compensation by:
- Gathering and analyzing police reports and evidence related to the shooting
- Investigating the history of the location where the shooting occurred for prior incidents
- Calculating the total costs of your injuries, including future medical expenses
- Interviewing witnesses who were present at the time of the incident
- Organizing your medical records and bills to substantiate your claim
- Consulting medical professionals to understand the full extent of your injuries
- Identifying all potential sources of compensation for your claim
- Promptly filing all necessary legal documents and claims
- Communicating with all parties involved on your behalf
- Negotiating with insurance companies to secure fair compensation
- Challenging any denials of your injury claims by insurance companies
- Securing expert testimonies to strengthen your case if necessary
- Representing you in court if the other side won’t agree to a fair settlement
What Compensation Can I Pursue for a Shooting Case in Atlanta?
If you’re recovering from a shooting incident in Atlanta, you can file a claim to demand compensation for the harm you suffered and the hardships you face as a result. This could include compensation for:
- Medical Expenses – This covers money you have spent on doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and any treatments you need because of your shooting injuries. It also includes the costs of future medical care if you need ongoing treatment.
- Lost Wages – If you had to miss work because of your injuries, you can seek compensation for the income you lost. You can also claim compensation for money you won’t be able to earn in the future if you can’t go back to work or have to take a lower-paying job due to your injuries.
- Pain and Suffering – You can claim money for the physical pain and emotional distress you’ve endured because of the shooting.
- Lost Quality of Life – If your injuries prevent you from enjoying hobbies and activities you used to love, you can demand compensation for this loss.
- Loss of Consortium – You can also recover compensation for the impact your injuries have had on your relationship with your spouse or partner.
How Long Do I Have to File a Civil Lawsuit for a Shooting in Georgia?
If you’re hurt in a shooting in Georgia, you have a specific amount of time to file a civil case demanding money in court for your injuries. This time frame is usually two years from the day of the shooting. If you let this two-year window pass without filing a lawsuit, you can lose the chance to recover money for your injuries, no matter how strong your case is.
Because of this tight filing deadline, you should talk to an Atlanta shooting victim lawyer as soon as possible after the incident. We at Bayuk Pratt know what steps to take and can handle every detail of your case on time. Our attorneys will take care of all the paperwork and legal details, so you are free to focus on healing.
Where Can Shootings Happen in Atlanta?
Just like in any big city, shootings can happen in many different places in and around Atlanta. Some of the places in Atlanta where shootings frequently occur include:
- Shopping malls
- Schools
- Nightclubs
- Restaurants
- Gas stations
- Parking lots
- Residential neighborhoods
- Parks
- Convenience stores
- Movie theaters
- Concert venues
- Public transportation stations
- Hotels
- Churches
- Synagogues
- Mosques
- Banks
- College campuses
- Bars
- Grocery stores
- Sports arenas
- Festival sites
- Libraries
- Gyms
- Highways
- Bridges
- Community centers
- Hospitals
- Office buildings
- Apartment complexes
Who Could Be Held Responsible for a Shooting Crime in Atlanta?
If a shooting happens in Atlanta, it’s not just the person who fired the gun who might be responsible. Several parties might share the blame, depending on where and how the incident took place.
Examples of who might be responsible for shooting crimes in Atlanta include the following:
- Shooters – First, there’s the person who actually used the gun. They are directly responsible for any harm they cause. If the shooter acted intentionally or recklessly, they can face criminal charges. Victims can also sue the shooter in civil court to demand monetary compensation.
- Property Owners – Owners of properties where shootings happen can also be responsible, especially if they didn’t take proper steps to keep the place safe. If a shooting occurs in a shopping mall, nightclub, or any public venue with inadequate security, victims can hold the property owner responsible by filing a premises liability claim.
- Event Organizers – If a shooting happens during a special event like a concert or festival, the organizer of the event might be accountable. If they neglected to provide security or ignored potential risks, the courts could consider them responsible for failing to protect attendees.
- Gun Sellers – If the shooter purchased the gun they used illegally or obtained it without a proper background check, the seller of the weapon might be responsible. This could include a gun store or a private seller who didn’t follow the laws that apply to gun sales.
- Employers – In cases where a shooting happens as part of someone’s job, like a security guard firing a weapon, the shooter’s employer could be responsible. This is true if the employer didn’t properly train the employee or if they knew the employee was dangerous and did nothing.
What If the Shooting Was an Accident?
Some shootings happen by accident. For example, a shooting might occur accidentally if a person with a gun doesn’t know it’s loaded or it fires unintentionally. However, even if they didn’t mean for it to happen, the person who had the gun can still be legally responsible for any harm they caused.
If you get hurt because someone accidentally fired a gun, you still have rights. The law says you can hold the person with the gun or another responsible party liable for not being careful. However, you still have to comply with Georgia’s two-year time limit for filing your personal injury lawsuit.
This is why talking to a lawyer from Bayuk Pratt as soon as possible is so important. A lawyer can determine how the shooting happened and help you understand your options. They will work hard to have the person who caused the accident pay for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering.
When Is a Shooting Considered Aggravated Assault?
In Georgia, a shooting can count as aggravated assault under certain conditions, such as when:
- Someone Shoots with the Goal of Killing, Raping, or Robbing Another Person – This is about the shooter’s intent. If they meant to do extreme harm or take something by force when they used their firearm, it’s considered aggravated assault.
- Someone Uses a Gun in a Way That Could or Does Cause Serious Injury – Guns are deadly weapons. If someone uses a gun to hurt someone else, and it could have or did cause serious harm, that’s aggravated assault, too.
- Someone Fires a Gun from Inside a Car at Someone Outside the Car Without Legal Justification – This type of behavior puts everyone nearby at risk and is also considered aggravated assault.
If the person who shot you is found guilty of aggravated assault, it could significantly affect your case. This is because the courts have already recognized that the shooter’s actions were harmful and illegal. A skilled lawyer from Bayuk Pratt can use this information to further strengthen your case, aiming to secure the compensation you need to recover.
What Does the Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program Do?
The Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program helps people who have been hurt or affected by violent crimes by paying for certain expenses that result. These include expenses related to medical bills, funeral costs, counseling, cleanup, and income losses. You might be eligible for financial assistance if you were injured, witnessed a violent crime, are taking care of someone hurt in a crime, or someone you love was killed in a violent crime.
The most money someone can get is $25,000, but there are limits for different kinds of expenses, like up to $15,000 for medical costs and $6,000 for funeral costs. To qualify, you must report the crime within 72 hours and apply within certain deadlines.