Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer Near Me
At Humphrey & Ballard Law, we know that no one in Atlanta drives a car expecting to get into a car accident. Every driver is aware of the importance of safe driving. However, even with this knowledge, there are still negligent motorists who drive while under the influence, are distracted, or violate other traffic rules and as a result, end up hurting others. If you are the victim of such careless behavior, you should not bear the expenses, medical bills, the pain of the accident, and the sudden change the accident brought to your life alone. A qualifed Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer can ensure that your rights are protected.
You have the right to claim reasonable compensation from the party responsible with the help of our skilled and dedicated Atlanta car accident lawyers at Humphrey & Ballard Law. Over the years, we have handled many personal injury cases including car accident cases. We provide experienced legal assistance while dealing with the party at fault as well as the insurance companies. Let us handle your case while you recover by calling our office at 404-341-0499 today!
Car Accident Statistics in Georgia
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTSA), on average 1720 motorists get involved in an accident every day, which is about 70 drivers per hour. They also go on to mention that every Georgian will get into an accident every 10 years. Even with all the precautions in place, some motorists will still bend the rules, so why should you be the victim of their negligent behavior or worse bear that burden alone without any sort of compensation or punishment to the party responsible?
How Much Does an Auto Accident Lawyer Cost?
Our law firm works on a contingency basis. This means by hiring our team at Humphrey & Ballard, we focus on getting you the win, and afterward, payment is cut from the compensation fees. This helps put our clients at ease. You do not pay us unless we win! If that clears out any doubts you had regarding the fees, you can reach out to us today by calling 404-341-0499 now!
FAQ: What Should I Do Following a Car Accident?
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Call the Police | The first step is to inform the authorities after the accident. The police make sure to identify the party at fault and maintain order at the scene. You might require a police report to make a car accident claim. |
| Check on the Other Party | If you can get out of your car, make sure to check on the other party. They might have sustained serious injuries causing them not to be able to move. If so, contact emergency services. Move to a safer location away from the scene. |
| Exchange Information | Motorists involved in an auto accident are expected, according to the Georgia personal injury Act, to exchange relevant information, including full names, contact information, driver’s license number, vehicle registration number, and insurance details. If the other party is unwilling to share their information, inform the authorities on the scene and make the request respectfully. |
| Record the Scene | Make sure to take photos or videos of the scene, especially if the other party was at fault. Photographs showing the damage, injuries, and the overall accident scene help the investigation and your case. Capture every crucial detail. |
| Do Not Admit Fault | Even if you are the one at fault or feel responsible for the crash, refrain from admitting fault until the authorities arrive. Let the investigation determine who is at fault. Admitting negligence beforehand might hurt your case and make you responsible for the damage and injuries sustained. |
| Seek Medical Attention | Whether or not you feel hurt, visit the nearest clinic or hospital. Some injuries might not be recognized immediately and manifest later, so a check-up is important. The doctor’s report helps your compensation claim. |
| Contact an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer! | If you have been in an accident and are seeking compensation from the reckless party, our skilled and experienced lawyers are here to represent you. Consult with us at Humphrey & Ballard and we will go over your options. The other party is likely to take this claim seriously if you have an attorney present. |
Why Do You Need an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer?
As mentioned earlier, the responsible party is more likely to take your claim seriously if you have legal representation. It is also a better idea to have someone skilled and experienced in law present your case on your behalf while you nurse your wounds. An Atlanta caraccident lawyer will help you with the following:
Case Presentation and Filing a Lawsuit
Our legal team here will be able to go over the information surrounding your case, conduct necessary investigations and gather evidence to present it.
Settlement Negotiation
Your lawyer will reach out to the responsible party and negotiate compensation without having to go to court. This is after determining the value of your claim and the liability from involving other experts. Insurance adjusters are in business and often present the lowest offer possible to the victims this is why it is not advisable to negotiate without a lawyer present.
Trial Presentation and Representation
If both parties are not able to agree, then your case is presented in court. The litigation process requires evidence presentation and witness reports to help your case. This is where our years of experience help you navigate the process with ease and assurance you get the compensation you are entitled to.
How Much Should You Get From Your Damages?
It is hard to come up with an exact figure, but the right Atlanta car accident lawyer can assist you in calculating the right amount of compensation after carefully assessing the losses from your injuries and property as well.
What Are the Types of Recoverable Damages?
In the state of Georgia, auto accident claims allow you to recover the following:
Economic Damages
These represent the tangible final losses incurred because of the accident. These include lost wages, past, present, or even future medical expenses, damaged property and repairs, loss of earning capability, and so on.
Non- Economic Damages
These are the intangible losses incurred as a result of the accident but not as quantifiable as economic losses. These include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of companionship, loss of consortium, etc.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, the court awards punitive damages as a form of punishment to the responsible party to ensure there is no repeat of such negligent behavior. These types of damages are rarely awarded.
How Is Liability Determined in Georgia?
Georgia follows the comparative negligence principle in determining liability in auto accident cases. This means you are only compensated if the court finds the other party at least 50% responsible. This is determined after the careful overview of the witness reports, traffic footage, and driver’s statements among other pieces of evidence to determine the party at fault.
The following aspects are used to prove negligence:
- Duty of Care: The party at fault owed you the duty of care while driving.
- Breach of Duty of Care: The evidence should show recklessness on the part of the party responsible, thereby, showing that they breached the duty of care.
- Causation: You also need to prove that the other party is responsible for the losses and injuries incurred during the accident.
- Damages: In this final step, you need to prove that the accident resulted in injuries and losses and as such, require compensation.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
According to the Georgia statute of limitations, all personal injury claims should be filed within 2 years from their occurrence. This offers ample time to recover from the injuries. However, to avoid the complexity of the case, file the suit as soon as possible.
What if the Insurer Denies Your Claim?
Insurers can deny your claim even with a valid claim to avoid paying money. Some of the common excuses they will present are an uninsured motorist or failure to pay premiums. Regardless, our team knows how to handle such tricks presented by these companies, and will deal with them as we have done many times before.
Reach Out to an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer Today!
Our driven and experienced team has dealt with numerous cases involving auto accidents, whether it was DUI, distracted or reckless driving, collisions among others, we have dealt with them all. The processes can seem overwhelming to handle on your own and that is why the lawyers at Humphrey and Ballard Law are ready to offer great legal representation to get you the compensation you are rightly entitled to. Call the most trusted Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer at 404-341-0499 for immediate help.
