Being involved in a car accident is arguably one of life’s most terrifying and devastating experiences. And with the high number of cars on our public roadways today, car accidents are rather common. Regardless of your best efforts to ensure safe driving, you can’t control the actions of other drivers. Many innocent people end up suffering serious injuries and even losing their lives as a result of the negligent and reckless behavior of other drivers.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a College Park car accident, you are legally entitled to pursue financial compensation for your injuries and damages. However, insurance companies don’t always have the best interests of car crash victims at heart. They will go out of their way to ensure that they don’t pay anything or pay the least amount possible.
This is why you need to seek the assistance of an experienced College Park car accident lawyer from Humphrey & Ballard Law. Filing a successful Georgia car accident claim needs the input of a knowledgeable and skilled attorney. We will fight for your rights to the very end and ensure that you receive the maximum amount of compensation.
Get in touch with our experienced team of personal injury lawyers at 404-341-0499 to schedule your free consultation session and get started on the process of safeguarding your wellbeing and financial future.
Car Accident Statistics
According to a report by Esurance, 77% of drivers have been involved in at least one car accident. The report also indicates that you have a 1 in 366 chance of being involved in a car crash during a 1000-mile trip.
The Georgia Department of Transportation reports that there were a total of 331,796 car accidents in 2020 in the state. More than 125,000 of these accidents led to injuries while 1,588 were fatal. 1,730 people were killed in car accidents in Georgia.
According to statistics, on average, every Georgia resident is likely to be involved in a car accident at least once every ten years. This is considering the fact that 1,720 drivers are involved in car accidents on a daily basis. On average, 5 people lose their lives in Georgia car accidents each day.
The majority of traffic accidents in the state of Georgia involve passenger cars, with more than 360,000 passenger cars being involved in traffic accidents each year.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
If you are planning on filing a car accident personal injury claim, you might be worried about how much hiring a College Park car accident lawyer will cost you. Fortunately, you will be pleased to learn that we offer our services on a contingency basis. In this type of arrangement, you only pay after your attorney has secured a favorable settlement agreement or court verdict. We will only deduct a small agreed-upon percentage from your compensation amount.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
There are a number of important steps that you need to take after a car accident to protect your rights and wellbeing, such as:
Contact Police
After being involved in a car accident, regardless of how minor it might seem, it is crucial that you get the authorities involved. Calling the police is particularly important if the accident involves injuries, death, property damages above $500, or drunk driving.
Check on Other Involved Parties
If you are in a position to do so, render help to others involved in the accident that might be in need of it. Whatever you do, you should never leave or attempt to flee the scene, whether you are at fault or not. You could be hit with criminal charges.
Exchange Info
You are legally required to stop at the scene of the accident, provide assistance if needed, and provide your driver’s and insurance information to the other driver. The other driver should also do the same.
Record the Scene
It is important to preserve as much evidence as possible while it is still fresh. Take photos and videos of the scene of the accident capturing all the crucial details. This includes your injuries, damages to both vehicles, presence or absence of skid marks, etc.
Never Admit Fault
Whatever you do, do not apologize or admit any fault for the accident to anyone. This can seriously jeopardize your chances of securing maximum compensation.
Seek Medical Attention
This should be the first thing that you do immediately after leaving the scene of the accident. This will not only help to speed up your recovery but will also ensure that your injuries are documented by a licensed professional.
Call a Car Accident Lawyer!
An experienced attorney will be instrumental in ensuring the best outcome in your case. Georgia car accident cases are usually complex and highly nuanced. An attorney will help to make the process much easier.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident?
The Insurance Information Institute reports that the average settlement amount in car accident cases in 2019 was $18,417 – it generally ranges from $10,000 to $20,000. However, how much exactly your case is worth will depend on the unique circumstances surrounding your case.
When Should I Get a Lawyer for My Auto Accident?
You should get an attorney involved as soon as possible after a car accident, especially if the accident resulted in severe injuries or wrongful death. The earlier your attorney starts working on your case, the better your chances of winning your case and securing maximum compensation. Keep in mind that there is normally a lot of room for mistakes that can affect your case, an attorney will help you to overcome the common pitfalls in personal injury cases.
Why Do I Need a College Park Car Accident Lawyer?
There is a lot more an attorney does to help your case than you might think. Here are some of the things that we will do to ensure the best outcome in your case:
Case Preparation / Filing a Lawsuit
We will start by evaluating your case and determining how much it might be worth. We will also advise you on your case and how the relevant laws. Our team will conduct a comprehensive investigation into your case collecting all the necessary evidence to build a solid case for you. We will also work with expert witnesses to support our arguments. We will also help you file all the necessary paperwork ensuring that it is done correctly and within the set deadlines.
Settlement Negotiation
Our attorneys will handle all communications with the insurance company on your behalf including negotiating a favorable settlement amount. We know how much your case is worth and will fight aggressively to ensure that you are not taken advantage of.
Trial Preparation & Representation
If your attorney deems it necessary, they will prepare your case for trial. This happens when a favorable settlement agreement can’t be reached upon with the insurance company. Our attorneys have extensive in-court experience and know how to present facts and arguments in the most effective manner. We will fight for your rights to the very end and ensure the best possible outcome.
How Much Can I Expect to Receive for My Damages?
This isn’t as straightforward as you might expect. How much your case is worth will depend on a wide range of factors unique to your case. After evaluating your case, our attorneys will be able to determine how much your case is worth.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover?
There are various types of damages that you can expect in a car accident case in Georgia:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are meant to cover financial losses you’ve suffered as a result of your injuries. These include lost income, loss of earning capacity, medical expenses, out-of-pocket expenses, rehabilitation costs, etc.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are in place to compensate victims for subjective and non-monetary losses such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, etc.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are only awarded in cases where the defendant acted in a grossly negligent, intentional, malicious, or reckless manner. These types of damages are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter the repeat of such behavior in the future. Georgia has put a cap on punitive damages at $250,000.
How Is Fault Determined?
Fault or liability in a Georgia car accident claim is based on the law of negligence. This means that to hold the other driver liable, you have to prove the following elements of negligence:
- Duty of Care: The other driver owed you a reasonable standard of care during the particular situation to avoid causing harm to you and others.
- Breach of Duty of Care: The other driver violated this duty of care.
- Causation: There should be a causal connection between the actions of the other driver and your injuries. Had the driver acted in another way, you couldn’t have sustained your injuries.
- Damages: Finally, you should prove that you suffered actual damages due to the accident.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
Georgia’s statute of limitations stipulates that you have up to two years from the date of your accident to file a car accident claim. If this time period lapses, you will no longer have a right to pursue compensation.
What Can I Do if Insurance Denied My Claim?
The insurance company can choose to deny your claim for a number of reasons. If you believe that your claim was unfairly denied, you can file an internal appeal with the insurance company and if this doesn’t work, you can file a lawsuit against the insurance company.
Do I Have a Case?
Your attorney will help you to determine whether you have a valid case. However, if it can be proven that the accident was caused by the negligence of the other driver, you will have a case.
What if the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
If the other driver doesn’t have insurance cover, your Uninsured Motorist Insurance should kick in. However, if you don’t have this cover, or if your damages exceed the amount covered in the policy, you can file a lawsuit against the driver. However, it is crucial to first determine whether the driver has enough financial resources to cover the amount you want.
How Can I Obtain an Accident Report?
To obtain your official accident report in Georgia, you should visit the local police department that responded to your accident or the nearest state patrol office to the accident scene. Alternatively, you can get your accident report online by visiting the Buycrash.com website. You will have to part with $5.
Get in Touch With an Experienced College Park Car Accident Lawyer!
Car accidents can lead to life-altering injuries and even the death of a loved one. Dealing with the financial implications of a car accident can make life unbearable. However, you don’t have to go through this alone.
Our team of highly skilled and experienced lawyers at Humphrey & Ballard Law can ensure that you are awarded the maximum amount of compensation to help you restore your life. While money can’t heal all injuries, it will significantly help to make things much easier. Call us at 404-341-0499 today for a free evaluation of your case.
