There is no average settlement figure for minor car accidents. Why? Because the outcomes of many settlements are confidential. When an injured party agrees to accept money from an insurance company, those details are not public record. However, if the case goes to court and the plaintiff recovers compensation, those details do become public record. …
Is Georgia a Fault State?
Georgia is a fault state, per O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33. Under this system, if another party is more responsible for an accident than you, you could seek damages for your losses. If you are even partially at fault for the accident, however, this could affect how much money you can pursue. So, for instance, if you …
What Is the Average Settlement for Shoulder Surgery After a Car Accident?
There is no way to calculate the average settlement for shoulder surgery after a car accident because each case depends on the victim’s specific damages. These damages not only include your costs for the surgery but also the other medical costs associated with your recovery and your non-economic damages. Non-economic damages include intangible losses, such …
How Do I Get a Car Accident Report?
You can get a car accident report in person or by submitting a request to the Georgia Department of Highway Safety (GDOT). If you were involved in an accident, a car accident report could be helpful in your pursuit of compensation. This document could contain useful information about the circumstances of the crash. Picking Up …
How Can Car Accidents Result in Spinal Cord Injury?
Given the tremendous impact of most vehicle collisions, it should come as no surprise that these accidents could result in virtually any type of bodily injury. Few of these injuries have steeper potential consequences than a spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injuries can have a life-altering effect on the victim as well as their family. …
Can I Sue Someone Personally After a Car Accident?
Yes, you can sue someone personally after a car accident. However, in order to file a lawsuit against another individual, you will need to prove that they are responsible for the harm you suffered. You will need to establish: Duty of care. Everyone has an obligation to drive safely on public roads. Breach of duty …
Will My Car Accident Lawyer Handle My Insurance Company?
Your car accident lawyer will handle your insurance company following an accident. Hiring a lawyer with experience dealing with insurance companies could be beneficial if this is a priority for you. Your vehicle accident can lead to suffering and difficult changes in your life. As you consider legal options and whether or not filing a …
What Should I Do at the Scene of a Car Accident?
At the scene of a car accident in which you were injured, you will want to start laying the foundation of your personal injury case. First and foremost, after pulling over to the side of the road, check on any injured parties and call 911. Turn on your car’s flashers to alert other drivers of …
What Can I Do to Protect My Rights After a Car Accident?
To protect your rights after a car accident, you can start by not admitting fault for the crash––even if you believe that you caused the collision. If you say anything that could be interpreted as an admission of fault, the insurance company can use your words against you. Additionally, take notes about what you remember …
What Happens When You Go to Court for a Car Accident?
After a car accident, if negotiating with the insurance company does not produce just compensation for your losses, you may have to file a lawsuit in civil court to obtain a settlement. As with any court case, both sides will present evidence, attempting to convince the judge and jury why a certain outcome is justified. …
Do You Have to Go to Court for a Car Accident?
Usually, you do not have to go to court for a car accident. While some cases go to trial, reaching a settlement during the pre-trial negotiation process is a common outcome. The insurance company representing the at-fault driver will likely want to settle your case out of court. This is because litigation can be expensive …
Who Pays for the Rental Car While My Car Is in the Repair Shop?
Who pays for the rental car while your car is in the repair shop largely depends on who was responsible for the crash, as well as the type of insurance coverage you have. In many cases, the driver that caused the accident and their insurance company could be on the hook for your repair shop …
What Do I Do in a Hit-and-Run Case?
Most car accidents can leave you shaken and confused, especially when injuries are involved. Dealing with the aftermath of a crash can be particularly difficult when the other driver leaves the scene without stopping. Two of the most important things you should do are call the police and seek medical attention. If you are involved …
What Evidence Is Needed to Prove Negligence in a Car Accident?
If you are considering legal action following a vehicle crash, it is important to gather compelling evidence of negligence in a car accident. This evidence could vary from witness statements to video recordings and even admissions by the other driver. Obtaining this evidence is not always easy, but we can take care of this task …
How Much Compensation Can I Get From a Hit-and-Run Accident?
It is difficult to estimate the average settlement for a hit-and-run car accident. Georgia uninsured or underinsured motorist laws can be complicated, making the claim process challenging, especially while recovering from an injury. This guide is intended to provide clarity about the compensation available to hit-and-run accident victims. Suppose you were hurt in a car …
What Should I Do If I Got into a Car Accident?
If another driver behaves with negligence and hits you, there are certain things you should do after the car accident. Start by checking for any injuries to those riding in your vehicle, and then check on the occupants of other cars in the crash, if you can. If possible, there are a number of other …
What Are Common Injuries After a Car Accident?
There are several common injuries after a car accident that a passenger or driver may experience, including injuries to the neck, concussions, back injuries, head injuries, and facial trauma. Even a car crash that does not significantly damage a vehicle could still debilitate the passengers or drivers involved. Whiplash or a traumatic brain injury is …
What is the Most Common Cause of Car Accidents?
The most common cause of car accidents is driver error. Careless drivers violate traffic laws meant to prevent collisions, and this directly leads to car accidents and injuries. Factors that Contribute to Careless Driving Mistakes There are, of course, factors that contribute to drivers’ mistakes behind the wheel and lead to the millions of traffic …
How Can Distracted Driving Cause an Accident?
Distracted driving can cause an accident by taking a driver’s full attention off the road. Almost anything can become a distraction under the wrong circumstances. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are three primary ways that distractions can occur and cause an accident: Visual distractions take a driver’s eyes off …
How Common Is Whiplash After a Car Accident?
Spine and neck injuries, including whiplash, are the most prevalent ailments associated with auto collisions. Just how common is whiplash after a car accident? According to the Spine Research Institute of San Diego, about three million whiplash injuries occur in the U.S. annually. Most whiplash results from auto accidents, especially rear-end collisions. It can also …
What Is Comparative Negligence?
In Georgia, comparative negligence is the standard the judges use to assign fault by a percentage in a personal injury matter. If someone else injured you, comparative negligence allows the civil courts to consider the level of negligence you contributed to the accident as compared to the defendant. Comparative negligence matters because it can affect …
What Can a Car Accident Lawyer Do for You?
The services a car accident lawyer can do for you is to provide legal help in obtaining the money you need for your injuries or loved one’s death. This compensation includes medical expenses, future lost earnings, mental anguish, and more. Surviving family members of wrongful death matters can receive money for lost companionship and lost …
Truck Accident Claims Statute of Limitations
The Georgia Code sets a specific statute of limitations for truck accident claims when filing a lawsuit for either injuries or property damage. For bodily injuries and any harm you suffer to your person, you have two years to file a lawsuit according to Statute 9-3-33. Similarly, you have four years to file a lawsuit …
Who Pays for Damages In a Hit-And-Run Accident?
Determining who pays for damages in a hit-and-run accident in or near Atlanta depends on whether the driver can be found. In some cases, the police or an accident investigator working for your lawyer or insurance company can uncover a clue that points toward the identity of the driver who caused your accident. When this …
What Do I Do If I Get in an Accident With an Uninsured Driver?
If you get in an accident with an uninsured driver, their lack of liability insurance coverage can dramatically alter your options for recovering compensation for the injuries you suffered and the losses you endured. While Georgia law requires all drivers to have a minimum amount of automobile liability insurance coverage, not all drivers follow the …
Should You Deal With a Car Accident Without a Lawyer?
You should deal with a car accident without a lawyer only if you are confident that you understand the full value of your tangible and intangible losses related to the accident, can protect your right to pursue legal action, and are ready to call for backup from an attorney if you run into complications. Even …
Should I Give the Insurance Company a Recorded Statement?
In general, it is not a good idea to give the insurance company a recorded statement without first getting representation from a car accident attorney. There are many pitfalls you could fall into by speaking with the at-fault driver’s insurance company without guidance from a car accident lawyer, and it could compromise your ability to …
How do I Get a Pain and Suffering Settlement Without a Lawyer?
Getting a pain and suffering settlement without a lawyer is possible, but it may be difficult to reach an agreement that fully compensates you for your damages. In many cases, accident victims do not realize how much their case may be worth. This is especially true when it comes to intangible losses such as their …
What If the Accident Is Partially My Fault?
Georgia law allows car accident victims to pursue compensation based on their losses and injuries. This may be true in some cases, even if the accident is partially your fault. When a car accident occurs, there can be many factors that contribute to the collision itself. This usually involves one or more drivers acting negligently, …
What Are Common Car Accident Injuries?
Because of the weight and speed of motor vehicles, car crashes are devastating. So, what are common car accident injuries? Multiple types of injuries for the drivers and passengers are possible after a car crash, including brain trauma, head injuries, broken bones, blood loss, and crushing injuries. If you believe you have suffered injuries after …