Auto accidents are such a big problem in Georgia that it is expected that every Georgia resident will be in a car accident at least once every 10 years. While some car accidents are caused by factors out of the driver’s control, most are caused by negligence or recklessness. Even if you are the safest driver, you are still at risk of getting into a serious accident because of others’ actions.
Fortunately, if you are injured in a car accident caused by the negligence or recklessness of another driver, you are entitled to financial compensation to cover any resulting damages. Expectedly, car accidents can lead to serious and catastrophic injuries, and sometimes even death. All of these can have a huge impact on your life and those of your loved ones.
To ensure that you get the full financial compensation you need to move on with your life, you need to seek the assistance of an experienced Suwannee car accident lawyer at The Herro Law Firm. We have years of experience helping victims of car accidents get justice and maximum compensation.
Call us today at (404) 433-6876 to schedule a free consultation with a Suwannee personal injury lawyer.
Car Accident Statistics
Car accidents are common in Georgia. In fact, Georgia ranks 4th among states with the highest number of traffic-related fatalities. According to reports from the Georgia Department of Transport, 2020 and 2021 were particularly dangerous years for drivers.
In 2020, the state of Georgia saw a total of more than 330,000 auto accidents, which resulted in more than 125,000 injuries and 1,588 fatalities. There was an uptick in the number of traffic-related fatalities in 2021 with 1776 deaths being reported.
On average, more than 1,720 drivers are involved in Georgia car accidents each day, which translates to 72 car accidents per hour. Speeding, distracted driving, and drunk driving are the three leading causes of fatal accidents in the state of Georgia.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
At The Herro Law Firm, we handle personal injury cases including car accident cases on a contingency basis. This means that you only pay us after we’ve delivered a favorable settlement agreement or verdict for you. You don’t have to worry about incurring any out-of-pocket expenses.
Our payment comes in the form of a small agreed-upon percentage from your compensation amount. This ensures that we deliver justice to those who need it, regardless of their financial situation.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
The steps you take immediately after a car accident will have a huge impact on the outcome of your case. So, it is crucial to ensure that you do everything right. Here’s what you need to do in the event that you are involved in a Suwannee car accident.
Contact Police
If you are ever in a car accident, especially one involving injuries, drunk driving, death, or property damage exceeding $500, it is imperative that you call the police immediately. Not only is this legally required, but you will also need an official accident report from the police to help prove your claim.
Check on Others and Do Not Leave
Your next step should be to assess your immediate surroundings and check for any additional safety hazards. Also, check on others involved in the accident to determine if anyone needs emergency medical attention and call the paramedics. Offer help where you can and never leave the scene of an accident.
Exchange Info
You are legally required to exchange information with the other driver(s) involved in the accident. This includes your names, contact details, and your driver’s and insurance information.
Record the Scene
This step will prove to be very helpful later on when proving your case. Take as many pictures and videos as possible of the scene of the accident and note down any important details that may be helpful to your case.
Never Admit Fault
The last thing you want is to give the other side anything that they may use to deny your claim. Don’t admit fault or apologize for anything. While at the scene, limit your communication with the other parties to only exchanging info.
Seek Medical Attention
This is the most important step following a car accident. Your health should always be your top priority. Ensure that you visit a doctor immediately after leaving the scene of the accident.
Doing so will help to identify any hidden injuries and commence proper treatment early and ensure a fast recovery. It will also help to ensure that your injuries are documented by a licensed physician helping to prove that you indeed suffered injuries.
Call a Car Accident Lawyer!
While you may be entitled to financial compensation under Georgia personal injury law, it is not always guaranteed. Besides dealing with a complex legal process, you should expect a lot of resistance from the at-fault driver and their insurance company.
It is thus crucial that you enlist the services of a highly skilled and experienced Suwannee car accident lawyer to help fight for your rights and ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident?
According to data from the Insurance Information Institute, the average car accident claim in the state of Georgia settled for $18,417 in 2019. The average settlement amount for property damage in car accident claims was $4,525. How much your case is actually worth will depend on a wide range of factors including the severity of your injuries, amount of property damage, types of damages suffered, and so on.
When Should I Get a Lawyer for My Auto Accident?
If are hurt in an auto accident, you should call a Suwannee car accident lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you get a Suwannee car accident lawyer involved the better your chances of realizing success in your claim. Most of the victims who choose to handle the claim on their own often end up getting a much lower amount than they actually deserve or having their claims outrightly and unfairly denied.
Why Do I Need a Suwannee Car Accident Lawyer?
Having an experienced Suwannee car accident lawyer on your side can make all the difference in your car accident claim. There are a number of ways that a car accident lawyer can help you realize the best outcome for your case:
Case Preparation / Filing a Lawsuit
When you reach out to us, we will begin by evaluating your case and determining whether you have a valid case. We will then advise you on the best course of action depending on our assessment.
Next, we will initiate a comprehensive investigation into your case gathering relevant and strong evidence to build a strong case for you. This will include a number of steps including working with experts. Next, we will help you file your claim properly and within the set deadlines.
Settlement Negotiation
One important thing to keep in mind when filing any personal injury claim is the fact that the insurance company is never on your side. Besides pressuring you into accepting lowball offers, they may use devious tactics to try and deny your claim. They are counting on you to make mistakes that can help them minimize the amount they have to pay.
However, our Suwannee car accident lawyers are excellent negotiators and they know all the tactics applied by insurance companies. We will ensure that you are not taken advantage of and negotiate hard for an amount worth your damages.
Trial Preparation & Representation
In the event that negotiations fail, our Suwannee car accident lawyers will have no option but to take your case to trial. Our team of car accident lawyers has years of experience tackling cases in court and we have the skills to present facts and arguments in the most effective and compelling manner. We will ensure that the final verdict is strongly in your favor.
How Much Can I Expect to Receive for My Damages?
How much you can expect to receive in your car accident claim varies depending on a wide range of factors including the type and severity of your injuries, your out-of-pocket expenses, lost income, lost future income, and other monetary and non-monetary damages.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover?
You can expect to recover different types of damages in a successful Suwannee car accident claim. In Georgia, there are three main types of damages available:
Economic
These are meant to compensate car accident victims for calculable and verifiable losses, or simply those that can be assigned a monetary value. These include past and future medical bills, lost income, loss of earning capacity, property damage, and so on.
Non-Economic
These are meant to compensate car accident victims for subjective and non-verifiable damages, or simply those that can’t be assigned a dollar value. These include pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, loss of companionship, and so on.
Punitive
Punitive damages were put in place to punish the defendant for grossly negligent, reckless, or malicious actions that cause harm to others. They are also meant to discourage the public from repeating similar behavior. The state of Georgia caps punitive damages at $250,000.
How Is Fault Determined?
Car accident claims are governed by the rule of negligence. By presenting evidence like witness statements, video footage, pictures, testimony from witness statements, and so on, your attorney can show the other driver was at fault.
Georgia is a modified comparative negligence state which means that you can only recover compensation if you are less than 50% at fault for the accident.
In addition, for the other party to be held liable, the following elements of negligence must be present:
Duty of Care
You first need to prove that the other party had a duty to exercise a reasonable standard of care to ensure your safety in that particular situation. Here, all motorists owe other road users a duty of care to drive safely and adhere to all traffic rules.
Breach of Duty of Care
You also need to prove that the other driver violated their duty of care, for instance, driving recklessly or driving while intoxicated.
Causation
Next, you must prove that the other driver’s negligence is what caused the accident that led to your injuries.
Damages
Lastly, you need to provide proof that you suffered legitimate damages as a result of the accident, for example, medical bills.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
Victims of car accidents have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim in the state of Georgia. Failure to do so within this period will lead to the forfeiture of your right to legally pursue compensation.
What Can I Do if Insurance Denied My Claim?
Insurance companies are notorious for denying even valid claims in an attempt to avoid paying any money and hurting their bottom line. If you believe that your claim was unjustly denied, you can raise an internal appeal with the insurance company or you can also choose to file a bad faith lawsuit against the insurance company.
Do I Have a Case?
Whether or not you have a valid case will depend on the specifics of your case. Our attorneys will be able to help you determine whether you have a valid case and whether it is worth pursuing compensation.
What if the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
If the other driver doesn’t have insurance or is underinsured, you should seek compensation through your uninsured or under-insured motorist policy.
If you don’t have this type of policy in place, you can choose to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. However, this is rarely successful as many motorists who do not have insurance usually don’t because they can’t afford it and are therefore less likely to be able to afford to pay your required amount.
How Can I Obtain an Accident Report in Suwannee, GA?
You can obtain your accident report from the Suwannee Police Department’s Records Division for free, or you can buy it from the Georgia Department of Transportation’s website using your report number.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can result in a variety of injuries. Some of the most injuries we see in car accident cases include:
- Facial Disfigurement
- Leg & Knee Injuries
- Head Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Brain Injuries
- Back Injuries
- Neck Injuries
- Internal Injuries
- Death
Types of Car Accidents We Handle
We represent the victims of all types of auto accidents, including:
- Rollover Accidents
- Reckless Driving Accidents
- Rideshare Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Speeding Accidents
- Uninsured Motorist Claims
- Hit & Run Accidents
- Driving Under the Influence Accidents
- Distracted Driving Accidents
- Head-on Collisions
- Rear-End Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
Reach Out to an Experienced Suwannee Car Accident Lawyer Today!
A car accident can leave you dealing with serious injuries and expensive medical bills. This is in addition to other consequences like pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, and loss of income. At The Herro Law Firm, we are prepared to do everything in our power to ensure that your rights are protected and that you get the maximum compensation that you deserve.
Give our Suwannee, GA law office a call today at (404) 433-6876 to schedule a free consultation and case evaluation.
