Atlanta Accident Attorneys
When a car accident disrupts your life, you need the help of Atlanta's best car accident attorney. With our specialized focus on recovering against insurance companies, we proudly stand as your go-to accident attorneys in Georgia. Don't waste a second; your time to file a claim is ticking.
What should I do after a car accident?
Immediately after a car accident, you need to call 911. Officers will arrive to collect statements from all involved parties and facilitate the exchange of insurance information. This police report becomes crucial for substantiating your personal injury claims later on.
Think It's Not Serious? Think Again.
Even if the accident appears to be a minor fender-bender, you shouldn't skip calling the police. Georgia car accident lawyers frequently encounter clients who discover injuries days after the accident. So, go ahead—make that crucial phone call and ensure that a police report is filed immediately.
Your Health Comes First
Always seek immediate medical attention after any auto accident. Seeking treatment not only can address hidden injuries, but it also builds your case. Adrenaline can mask injuries and symptoms for several days. Any delay in seeking medical treatment will affect your case. Consult an Atlanta auto accident attorney next; they'll guide you through the legal intricacies of filing a claim. Your car wreck attorney can quickly obtain your police report, negotiate with insurance companies, and coordinate the treatment you need.
Alarming Stats For Car Accidents in Georgia
1,507 people died on Georgia roads in 2019, and 76% of those deaths were caused by unsafe driving behaviors. Fulton County and Atlanta see more than 60,500 car wrecks and 12,700 car crash-related injuries a year. The impact of each crash can be devastating to its victims.
Data from Georgia DOT.
Top Causes of Car Accidents in Atlanta?
Driving under the influence, speeding, and distracted driving are the leading culprits of dangerous driving behaviors in Atlanta. In addition, conditions such as poor maintenance, fatigued driving, and hazardous weather can contribute to automobile accidents in Georgia.
Understanding Distracted and Impaired Driving
In Georgia, distracted driving—like texting or eating while behind the wheel—is illegal and dangerous. The most common cause of distracted driving is using a cell phone while driving, which is against the law in Georgia.
Equally hazardous is driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol, prescription medication, or recitational drugs. If you're found at fault for an accident while impaired, you'll likely face DUI charges, regardless of whether the medication was doctor-prescribed.
How does a Georgia car accident attorney know whether I have a case?
Every case is unique, but our Norcross car accident lawyers offer FREE case evaluations and consultations. If you were involved in a car accident in the Atlanta area, your case will fall under Georgia laws.
Georgia’s comparative negligence system
Georgia uses a system called comparative negligence (or modified comparative negligence). Your Georgia auto accident attorney can explain exactly how this will impact your case.
In Georgia, a car accident might have two parties that are both at fault, even if just a little bit. Modified comparative negligence says that a victim can recover damages for their serious injuries as long as they are less than half (50%) at fault.
Let’s look at how this works in the real world. Let’s assume that Joe is driving a pickup and Carol is driving a car. They both approach a four-way stop sign. Carol is to Joe’s right, and she’s planning to go straight. Joe is also planning to go straight, but he has his right-hand turn signal on. Carol and Joe both move into the intersection at the same time. Joe’s pickup T-bones Carol’s car.
In this scenario, Joe was partially at fault for the accident because he left his turn signal on. But when the police come, they discover that Carol was driving under the influence of alcohol. She was impaired. Under Georgia’s comparative negligence system, a judge or a jury may find that Joe was 15% at fault because he improperly signaled a turn. They may find that Carol was 85% at fault for driving while drunk. If Joe is awarded $100,000 in damages, that amount would be reduced by 15% (the amount he was at fault).
When do I need to contact an Georgia auto accident attorney?
You should contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible. In Georgia, you have two years from the date of a crash to start filing your case. Sometimes, it takes time to gather medical records, request police reports, and collect all the paperwork. Call today. Our expert Atlanta accident attorneys can accelerate the process, ensuring all required documentation is ready on time.
What kind of damages can my accident attorney recover?
There are several types of damages that you may be eligible to recover in a car accident case. Your Atlanta car accident attorney will be able to advise you on your specific case. Certain damages may not be eligible for all car crash victims. Our law office can help you understand which damages you may be eligible to recover.
Economic damages
Economic damages are damages paid to compensate you for things that have a clear cost. Common examples of economic damages include:
- Auto repairs (i.e., repair or replacement of your vehicle)
- Loss of use of your vehicle (if it is repaired)
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages for time out of work due to injury/medical care
- Future medical expenses
Economic damages are the damages that already have a dollar value attached to them. You can show a receipt for the money that you’ve spent, or you can show a letter from your employer for your lost wages. Most personal injury cases will have some form of economic damages requested.
Non-economic damages
Non-economic damages are damages issued to compensate you for things that don’t have a price tag. You may have heard of someone being compensated for “pain and suffering” – this is one example of non-economic damage.
There’s no amount of money that could make up for a life-changing injury, disfigurement, trauma, or losing a loved one (wrongful death). But non-economic damages are a way for the court to compensate you for those things.
Punitive damages
Punitive means “punishment”, so punitive damages are damages the court awards when they want to punish someone. Punitive damages are awarded when the court feels that someone has done something wrong. Some examples of the type of wrongdoing where punitive damages can be awarded are: driving under the influence, hit and run, reckless driving, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
I don’t think I’m injured; do I need an attorney?
YES! Not all injuries are apparent or visible at the time of the accident. You may also have lost wages or damage to your car that you need to seek compensation for. Some injuries only show up days, weeks, even months after the accident. It’s best to err on the side of caution and contact our car accident lawyers and get the medical treatment you need and deserve.
The other insurance company contacted me, what do I say?
You should not talk to the other person’s insurance company. If you do talk to them, which you really shouldn’t do, under no circumstances should you give them any information about the accident. You may take down the name and number of the adjuster so you can pass their information along to your Georgia car accident attorney.
How long do I have to file a claim?
Georgia law gives you two years from the date of the car crash to file a claim.
If it was a minor accident, do I need to file a police report?
In Georgia, you need to file a police report for any crash that involved more than one vehicle. You also need to file a report if the crash was serious enough to require the involvement of an insurer. Even for minor accidents, it’s always better to file a police report.
I was using my car for my company, who pays for the damages?
If you were driving a company car, your employer probably has an insurance policy on that vehicle. If you were driving your personal car to perform work-related tasks while on the clock, your personal insurance should cover the damages. However, you may be eligible for worker’s compensation for your injuries. Your employer may have supplemental insurance policies that could be liable for additional damages. This is a complex legal situation, so we strongly advise you to consult a personal injury lawyer to discuss your case.
What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?
Some auto insurance policies in Georgia have an uninsured motorist rider to help protect you if you’re in a collision with someone who is uninsured. Your policy may allow you to use your own collision coverage to help pay for the damages. Understanding your policy can help you best negotiate with your own insurance company. Consult our law firm to discuss your case.
Learn More:
- What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Georgia?
- Why It’s Important to Report Accidents to the Police
- Your Car Accident Litigation Roadmap
Call Our Experienced Georgia Car Accident Lawyers Today
Choose Georgia Trial Attorneys for your car accident case to receive unparalleled, personalized representation. Specializing as your local attorneys for accidents in Georgia, we’re just a call away. If you live in Atlanta, Norcross or anywhere in the state of Georgia and are looking for the best car accident attorney, call (678) 667-8965 to schedule your free consultation today!