When someone gets injured in Georgia because of another person’s carelessness, they can usually file a personal injury claim. That might mean taking legal action against a driver who caused a car accident or a store that failed to clean up a spill.
In many cases, though, the situation is more complicated. Another person or company (meaning someone not directly involved in the incident) might also be responsible. That person is called a third party.
Third-party liability comes up in many types of injury claims. If someone other than the obvious wrongdoer had a role in causing your injury, they may also owe you damages under Georgia law.
What Is Third-Party Liability?
A third party is anyone who isn’t the injured person or the primary person responsible for the accident but may still share legal fault. You don’t have to be physically present to be held responsible. Instead, the law looks at actions or inaction that contributed to what happened.
Here’s an example: imagine a delivery driver crashes into your car because they were rushing to meet deadlines. The driver might be at fault, but so could the delivery company for putting too much pressure on the driver or failing to train them properly. That company would be a third party in that situation.
Georgia follows a modified comparative fault system. That means more than one person can potentially be held responsible for your injuries (including you), and each party can be assigned a percentage of the blame. As long as you’re less than 50% at fault, you can typically still recover money.
Common Examples of Third Parties in Personal Injury Cases
There are several situations where a third party might be legally responsible for an injury in Georgia.
Some examples of case types that tend to involve third parties include:
- Car accidents: Potential third parties could include a mechanic who failed to fix faulty brakes, a government agency responsible for unsafe roads, or an employer who forced a driver to work while tired.
- Workplace injuries: While workers’ compensation usually bars lawsuits against employers, injured workers may be able to sue a third party, like the manufacturer of defective equipment.
- Premises liability: A building owner might contract out maintenance, and if that outside company causes a hazard that leads to injury, they could be liable.
- Product liability: If you’re hurt by a defective product, the seller, designer, or parts supplier could all be third parties.
Every case depends on its specific facts. An attorney can investigate who was involved and whether a third-party claim might apply.
The Benefits of Filing a Third-Party Personal Injury Claim
Pursuing a claim against a third party can be important for two key reasons.
First, it may allow you to recover more money than if you only sued the most obvious person or company. That’s especially true if the primary defendant has limited insurance or few assets.
Second, third-party claims can sometimes open the door to different types of damages or legal theories. For instance, a workers’ compensation claim usually won’t cover pain and suffering, but a third-party personal injury lawsuit might.
Bringing multiple claims can also increase your chances of reaching a fair outcome. If one party denies responsibility, another might be more willing to negotiate a reasonable settlement.
How a Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help
Figuring out whether a third party is involved isn’t always easy. You might not know who owned a defective product, who built a dangerous road, or what a truck driver’s employer told them to do. That’s where a skilled attorney comes in.
An experienced Georgia personal injury lawyer can:
- Investigate the accident in full detail
- Identify all potentially responsible parties
- Collect evidence like employment records, contracts, or surveillance footage
- Work with expert witnesses to build a strong claim
- File separate claims or lawsuits against any third parties
- Handle settlement negotiations so you’re not overwhelmed by the process
Having a legal team look at the case from every angle can improve your chances of success. It also helps ensure that no liable party escapes responsibility simply because they weren’t the one directly involved in the incident.
Contact a Columbus Personal Injury Lawyer for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been hurt in an accident, there may be more than one person or company who should be held accountable. You deserve to understand every option available to you. A third party might share the blame even if someone else primarily caused the accident, which could make a real difference in your financial recovery.
Contact a trusted Columbus personal injury lawyer in Georgia today at (706) 940-4030 to explore all of your legal options. A free consultation with Mark Casto Personal Injury Law Firm can help you decide your next steps and whether a third-party claim makes sense.
