Car accidents often result in severe, debilitating, and permanent injuries. Such injuries almost always result in significant financial losses to victims and their families. Fortunately, under Georgia law, it is possible for an injured person to recover their damages from the party responsible for the accident.
If you have been seriously injured in an auto accident, you have a right to demand accountability and seek compensation. At Wade Law, our Brooks car accident lawyers have the experience, skills, and resources to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact our personal injury lawyers today at 770-282-1188 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation and case evaluation!
Car Accident Statistics
The Georgia Department of Transportation hasn’t released a full report of the 2020 crash statistics. However, we can use the 2019 report to help us understand why all drivers in Georgia need to always practice safe driving, no matter the number of vehicles on the road.
- Total accidents: 404,043
- Total Fatalities: 1,584
- Total Number of Fatal Crashes: 1,491
- Total Number of Injuries: 147,225
How Much Does a Brooks Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
If you have been involved in a car accident, you might be worried that you won’t afford to hire a lawyer. Fortunately, this isn’t something you need to worry about since most lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means that your lawyer will represent you and not collect any money from you until the case is resolved in your favor.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
Here are the important steps you should take after an accident in Brooks, GA.
Contact Police
You must always contact the police after being involved in a car accident. The police report will be vital to proving your case when it comes to pursuing compensation.
Check on Other Involved Parties
If you have not been seriously injured, check on other people involved in the accident. You must never leave the scene of an accident even if nobody was injured since that’s an offense under the law.
Record the Scene
Use your camera or smartphone to take pictures of the accident scene, any visible injuries, and damage to the vehicles involved. You should also take pictures of traffic signals, relevant street signs, and tire marks. Your recordings will be valuable evidence when it comes to proving your claim.
Never Admit Fault
Just stick to the facts of what transpired and avoid saying anything likely to be construed as an admission of fault. Determining fault is usually complex and you aren’t in the best position to make that call at the accident scene.
Seek Medical Attention
You need to seek medical attention after being involved in an accident since the report from your doctors will help link your injuries to the accident and this will be valuable evidence when pursuing your compensation claim.
Call a Car Accident Lawyer!
You should hire a competent car accident lawyer such as Wade Law after being involved in an accident to ensure that your interests are represented and to help you pursue the maximum compensation possible.
When Should I Get a Lawyer for My Auto Accident?
You should consider hiring a lawyer for your auto accident in any of the following situations:
- You were not responsible for the accident
- The responsibility of the accident is in dispute
- The accident resulted in serious bodily injuries or fatalities
- If there’s delay in compensation
- If there’s extensive vehicle damage
- If the compensation amount being offered is significantly lower than expected
- If the at-fault vehicle isn’t insured
Why Do I Need a Lawyer?
There are many ways a Brooks car accident lawyer can help with your case, including:
Case Preparation/Filing a Lawsuit
A lawyer is familiar with the legal procedures involved with litigating or mediating your claim, which includes knowing which legal documents to file, how to complete forms properly, and the applicable statute of limitations.
Settlement Negotiations
A car accident lawyer knows how to negotiate with the insurance company to ensure that you receive fair and just compensation. You will always be at a disadvantage attempting to negotiate with an insurance company without a lawyer.
Trial Preparation and Representation
If settlement negotiations fail and the case ends up in trial, a car accident lawyer will represent you in court and fight to ensure the best possible verdict in your favor. He/he will come up with the best legal strategy aimed at helping you get the maximum compensation possible.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover?
Depending on the case, victims in Brooks, GA can recover the following types of damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages, which are also referred to as special damages include compensation for monetary losses incurred due to the car accident. Economic damages can include the following:
- Past, present, and future medical expenses
- Lost earning capacity
- Lost wages
- Property damage
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages, which are also referred to as general damages typically include compensation for non-monetary losses suffered in a car accident. They include:
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are different from those mentioned above and are typically not applicable in every car accident case. If a person has shown willful misconduct, malice, or willingly put others in danger, then punitive damages may be awarded.
How Is Fault Determined?
Georgia auto accident laws establish the legal requirements that have to be fulfilled to determine fault in a car accident. The fulfillment of these legal requirements depends of the specific facts surrounding a particular accident.
Georgia negligence law describes 4 legal elements that have to be fulfilled for a person to be held at fault in a car accident. They are:
Duty of Care
Motorists owe other road users a duty of care to follow traffic laws and operate their vehicles in a safe manner to prevent accidents.
Breach of Duty of Care
Reckless or distracted driving, speeding, or breaking the traffic laws are all examples of a motorist breaching their duty of care.
Causation
The breach of duty of care directly caused the accident and associated injuries and losses. Simply put, you wouldn’t have been harmed if not for the breach of duty.
Damages
You suffered actual injuries, damages, and losses. Damages include lost wages, medical bills, property damages, pain and suffering, etc.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
In Georgia, the amount of time you have to file a claim is known as the statute of limitations and is 2 years from the date of the accident for injuries sustained and 4 years to file a lawsuit for property damage. If those deadlines lapse, you will be unable to take legal action against the other driver.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me File My Insurance Claim?
The competent car accident lawyers at Wade Law near Brooks, GA will help with all aspects of your claim, including:
- Listening to your concerns
- Filing a personal injury claim
- Giving you updates on the progress of your claim
- Investigating the facts of the accident to find every responsible party
- Working with accident reconstruction professionals to determine what caused it
- Collecting evidence necessary to build a strong case
- Consulting with medical professionals to determine the severity of your injuries
- Negotiating a settlement that covers all your expenses
- Representing you in court if settlement negotiations fail
What Can I Do If Insurance Denied My Claim?
If insurance denied your claim, you can do the following:
- Ask for an appeal
- File a bad faith claim against the insurance company
- File a suit against the at-fault driver or their insurance provider
Do I Have a Case?
To have a case means that the law recognizes that you have been injured and/or have suffered property losses and you require another person to compensate you for your injuries. To determine whether or not you have a valid case, get in touch with Wade Law today.
What If the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
If the other driver is uninsured you can file a claim against the person directly. If you are successful, you may be awarded money to pay for the damages to your vehicle, lost wages, medical bills, and amounts representing the pain and suffering you endured.
How Can I Obtain an Accident Report?
The accident report is usually available a few days after the accident at the local police or sheriff’s department that worked the accident, at the Georgia State Patrol office closest to the accident scene, or online at a website called BuyCrash.com. You will be charged a nominal fee of $5 to get the report when you pick it up in person.
Contact Our Brooks Car Accident Lawyers Today
The reality about car accidents claims and lawsuits is that they are complex legal matters. The average person does not have the necessary background to maneuver through the insurance claims process.
If you have been involved in a car accident in Brooks, GA, it is in your best interests to get in touch with an experienced lawyer. Contact Wade Law today at 770-282-1188 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation and case evaluation!
