Were you recently injured in a car accident in Atlanta, GA? Our experienced Atlanta car accident lawyers at Shiner Law Group are ready to help fight for your legal rights and get the compensation you deserve. Call us today at (800) 364-4444 to speak with an attorney for a 100% free consultation.
You may be entitled to seek compensation for medical bills, loss of income, pain, and suffering, and more. Contact our Atlanta, GA law offices to discuss the legal options that might be available to you following your car accident. The next steps are very important. Let Shiner Law Group help you with your car accident case today.
Table of Contents
Were You Involved in a Car Accident in Atlanta, Georgia?
The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has published a report indicating that there were almost 58,000 auto accidents in Fulton County alone. While some of these events are minor fender benders, almost 1,000 of them resulted in serious injuries and wrongful deaths.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, 1,664 motor vehicle accident deaths in Georgia were reported. A serious auto accident can have life-altering impacts on your health, finances and lifestyle, and some of these impacts will last for the remainder of your life.
If you have recently been involved in a collision, it is important to understand what your legal rights are in Georgia. Hiring a qualified, experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer is an important step to seeking justice after a collision. At Shiner Law Group, we have a dedicated legal team that specializes in serious personal injury cases, and we will work hard to get you the compensation that you are entitled to.
Car Accidents in Atlanta
Atlanta is home to almost 500,000 people within the city limits and significantly more throughout the metro. In the city limits alone, however, the Atlanta Police Department responded to more than 34,000 auto accidents in 2019. Of these accidents, there were 144 fatalities and many other injuries.
While accidents happen throughout the area, some particularly dangerous or congested roadways are common sites of collisions. These include the Cumberland Mall Interchange, the Piedmont and Pharr intersection and the split at I-75 and I-85. Whether your unfortunate incident took place on these or other roadways, it is important that you seek legal assistance as soon as possible. The statute of limitations for car accidents in Georgia is two years. If you do not take legal action within this time period, you will not be able to do so.
The Devastating Toll of an Auto Accident in Atlanta
A collision can result in a few hundred dollars of repairs, or it can result in tens of thousands of dollars in damages or even a total loss. This may be coupled with your need for a rental car for potentially weeks on end. More than the physical damage to the car, however, are the impacts on your personal and professional lives.
Many types of injuries are possible after a collision. These range from broken bones and lacerations to internal bleeding, brain injuries and other serious issues. Many auto accident victims require emergency medical care, potentially long stays at a hospital, surgeries, medications, therapy and imaging. Keep in mind that Georgia only requires drivers to maintain an auto insurance policy that pays for an injured party’s first $25,000 in medical expenses.
This means that you may still have tens of thousands of dollars or more in unpaid medical bills. If other people were injured as well, such as family members, this amount can multiply. Your Atlanta car accident attorney at Shiner Law Group will fight to hold the responsible party fully responsible for all expenses you incurred as a result of that driver’s negligent or intentional actions.
Depending on the nature of your injuries, you may spend weeks or months recovering. During that period of time, you may be unable to work. Falling behind on your bills can take a stressful toll on your finances. In some cases, an auto collision can result in temporary or full disability. If this is the case, you may not be able to work in the same job or field.
In fact, you may need to take a pay cut in order to do a job that is suitable for your abilities. In some cases, the victim of a car accident is no longer able to work at all and requires life-long medical care.
Many people who have been involved in a serious collision in Atlanta struggle with their emotional and mental health afterward. For example, mental health care may be needed to manage the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Depression and anxiety related to the loss of a career, a long-term disability and other issues may also require professional care.
The unfortunate reality is that the cost of a car crash could dramatically affect your finances. You may not be able to pay for all of the healthcare services that you need, and your health may suffer as a result. The lifestyle that you and your family previously enjoyed may no longer be possible. Under Georgia law, a driver is fully liable for all damages that he or she caused while operating a vehicle. Our legal team at Shiner Law Group will fight to secure the full compensation available to you under the law.
After a Car Accident in Atlanta
Your actions after being the victim of a collision can directly affect the strength of your personal injury case. By taking a few important steps at the scene, you can help your legal team build a stronger case. The first step after a serious accident is to call 911 and wait for police and EMS to arrive. Even if you do not feel injured at the scene, it is best to get checked out by the EMS team.
In many cases, adrenaline can mask various symptoms and sensations that you may otherwise notice. Some people who do not receive immediate medical care after an accident may not realize the extent of their injuries for a few days afterward. If you do not get medical attention at the scene, you should visit the emergency room for a full check as soon as possible.
If you are not whisked away in an ambulance, you must communicate with the other driver. You will need to exchange contact info, insurance details and license plate numbers. Avoid saying anything to the driver about how you feel or what happened. Anything that you say to the driver, witnesses or others at the scene can be presented in court as evidence.
When possible, pictures of the scene should be taken. Get pictures of the vehicles as well as traffic and weather conditions. If you are not well enough to do so, ask someone else at the scene to do this for you. Also, obtain a copy of the police officer’s report, and ask witnesses for their contact info.
As soon as you are able to, contact your car insurance company to initiate the claims process. Your insurance company can help you to get your vehicle repaired, if possible, and can assist with any medical expenses covered by your policy. Your insurance company will need your statement, the police report, witnesses’ contact info and your photos of the accident.
You may not be certain immediately after a collision if you want to file a personal injury lawsuit, but you should still contact an Atlanta car accident lawyer as soon as possible after the event. Your attorney can review the facts and answer your questions about your legal rights.
He or she can also ensure that you receive the full amount of compensation available to you under the law from the other party’s insurance company or via a lawsuit, if necessary. Keep in mind that insurance companies may use various tactics to avoid paying the full amount.
Causes of Auto Accidents in the Atlanta Area
There are many causes of Atlanta car accidents, and these are most commonly related to reckless or distracted driving. Some of these include speeding, changing lanes unsafely, running stop signs and red lights, road rage and impaired driving. In addition, some drivers choose to get behind the wheel when they are too tired to do so, or they may have certain health conditions that make driving unsafe.
However, there are other causes of accidents that may place liability on other parties. For example, the road conditions may be poor, or construction zones may not be properly marked. Perhaps a stop sign is concealed by a property owner’s overgrown trees. Even defective auto parts can cause a collision. As your Atlanta car accident attorney, we will review the facts of the case and ensure that the appropriate party or parties are brought to justice.
Identifying the At-Fault Party of an Atlanta Car Accident
Determining who is at fault for your accident is an essential step in the legal process. In many instances, this is relatively easy to do. For example, there may be video footage showing the other driver’s road rage. Evidence of other situations, such as eating while driving or other distractions, may be observed by the responding law enforcement officer and described in the accident report.
The police may also have evidence that the other party was driving under the influence, such as through a sobriety test. Other factors may be more difficult to prove in court, such as a driver’s preexisting medical issues or confusion driving on unfamiliar roads.
Observing the environment where the accident took place may also identify who may be at fault. For example, there may be photos or video evidence of the accident with blocked construction signs in the background. In some cases, it may be necessary to travel back a short distance to get photo evidence of an obstruction. Poor maintenance, roadway debris and even a poor road design may be documented as well.
In some cases, a history of other recent accidents in the area can be presented to the court. The driver’s vehicle could also be the issue. For example, he or she could have been driving on bald tires, or the vehicle had worn brake pads. Auto parts defects could be identified through an inspection of the vehicle. Your injury lawyer will identify who is responsible for these situations. In some instances, more than one party contributed to the car accident.
How an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer Near Me Can Help
At Shiner Law Group, we are committed to helping our clients throughout the Atlanta area obtain justice after being the victim of a car accident. We will actively review the accident to determine fault and appropriate compensation. Our legal team will communicate directly with the insurance companies to ensure that the claims are settled properly, and we will provide witness accounts, photos, police reports and other evidence.
In addition, we will actively negotiate on your behalf to ensure that you are fairly compensated. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, our team will represent you in court. Because our law firm works on contingency, you can benefit from a free consultation and no legal fees unless we win your case.
Speak With an Atlanta Car Accident Attorney Today
We can help you obtain the full compensation owed to you after an auto accident in Atlanta, and we are eager to learn more about your situation. Contact Shiner Law Group today for a free consultation.