Car accidents represent some of the most tragic events any of us will ever experience. Unfortunately, Georgia car accidents can happen anywhere, from Tallapoosa to Riverdale to Suwanee, and have the potential to have lasting impacts on the lives of those involved. When the unexpected occurs and a Tallapoosa car crash leaves you or your loved one severely hurt, you need compassionate and expert legal assistance to pursue the compensation you need to get your life back on track.
Often, after a fatal crash, sufferers and their loved ones are left holding the bag, lost, frustrated, and feeling as if they have little choice but to settle quickly and directly with the insurer. If you, your spouse, or a loved one has suffered injuries in an auto accident in Georgia and are unsure where to turn, the Tallapoosa car accident lawyers at The Law Office of John B. Jackson want to help. Our compassionate and people-minded approach to litigating car accident claims has helped clients triple their settlements from what they would have recovered without our help.
Don’t let Georgia’s complex legal system or insurance companies intimidate you into accepting less than your claim is worth. The Law Office of John B. Jackson offers the no-win-no-fee Guarantee. Call us at 770-834-0345 or get in touch online to schedule your free initial case review.
How Much Does A Tallapoosa Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Many car accident victims and their loved ones are hesitant to contact a lawyer after an auto collision because of the high cost of expert legal representation. But at John B. Jackson, car accident victims never have to worry about their ability to afford our representation. Our Tallapoosa car accident lawyers use the Contingency Fee Guarantee, which means that you don’t pay any attorney fees unless we recover money for you.
What Should I Do After A Crash?
Anyone who has ever been involved in a car crash will surely attest to the fact that the first few moments following the accident are frightening, confusing, and emotional. However, your initial reactions and the steps you take can significantly impact your recovery and ability to recover compensation for your injuries.
You must try your best to take the following steps after a crash:
Call 911
If anyone sustained an injury after the crash, call the police ASAP. When an auto accident is reported, they’ll typically deploy police officers and an ambulance. When the police arrive, stick to the facts but do not volunteer extra information. The police will write an accident report, so make sure to request information on how to get a copy of the report.
Check On Others
If you’re not hurt, check on the condition of your passengers as well as anyone involved in the crash. Offer assistance where practicable, which means doing so will not cause further discomfort or injury.
Exchange Information
While you wait for the police, try and get as much information as possible from witnesses and the other driver. In Georgia, motorists involved in a crash are required to provide their information. Get the driver’s insurance info, drivers’ license no., and contact information. You should also speak with eyewitnesses and get their contact info, any photos they might have taken, and their statements can be invaluable in proving fault and strengthening your claim.
Document The Scene
Take photos of the crash to document your injuries, damage, and the physical location of the accident. You’ll want to try and capture the vehicle’s model, make and license plate no., road conditions, vehicle positions after the crash, and debris at the scene.
Don’t Leave! And Never Admit Fault
If you’re severely hurt, you’ll have already been taken to the nearest ER. Otherwise, never leave the scene. After calling 911 and checking on others, stay by your car and wait for law enforcement authorities. When collecting information or speaking to police officers, be respectful but exercise the utmost discretion – NEVER admit fault to anybody!
Seek Medical Attention
Immediately, emergency medical technicians (EMTs) arrive at the scene, seek medical attention – NEVER refuse medical treatment at the accident scene. Make sure to answer all the health questions that the EMTs ask.
Even after paramedics clear you to go home, make sure you visit the hospital for a thorough examination by a medical professional within 48 hours of the accident. Tell your doctor how and where you suffered the injuries and request that they keep a detailed record of your injuries and treatment.
Call A Car Accident Lawyer
Even if you think you’re 100% sure about liability, we urge you to call an experienced Tallapoosa car accident lawyer. Remember, there are many facets involved in personal injury cases. Aligning yourself with a team of experienced and compassionate attorneys can set up your claim for a successful verdict from the start. Contact us at 770-834-0345 to get started.
Why Do I Need A Lawyer?
While you may be confident that the other driver was at fault for the crash, you should not expect that driver’s insurance carrier to be willing to admit to as much readily.
Insurance companies are compelled to prioritize their bottom line – which is to do whatever they can to minimize their payout for your claim. Even auto accidents that seem simple and straightforward can involve complex legal issues.
Our auto accident attorneys are fully committed to providing an unmatched level of legal service from start to finish and can help you with all aspects of your case, including:
- Investigation and case preparation
- Settlement negotiation
- Trial preparation & representation
Over the years, our lawyers have cultivated relationships with a vast network of accident re-constructionists, economic loss analysts, and medical experts who work collaboratively to establish liability, the severity of your injuries, and the actual value of your auto accident lawsuit. For more information on how we can help, call our legal team at 770-834-0345.
How Much Can I Expect To Recover As Compensation For My Damages?
The amount you recover for your car accident claim or lawsuit in Tallapoosa, GA, depends on your particular circumstances or ways the accident has impacted your life.
Your car accident lawyer and how they represent your case have a significant impact on how much you can recover. Below are the factors that might come into play when determining the value of your lawsuit:
- Costs of medical care
- How the crash happened
- The severity of your injuries
- The length of your treatment
- Transportation costs linked to your treatment
- The amount of work you have missed and are expected to miss
- Documented proof of your pain and suffering after the accident
- Sum of repair and replacement costs
What Types Of Damages Can I Recover In Georgia After A Car Accident?
Georgia law recognizes that car accident victims incur catastrophic financial and personal losses. For this reason, Georgia law provides “damages” for those who have suffered injuries in car accidents, and the remedies available can often be quite significant.
With the help of our experienced Tallapoosa car accident lawyers, you may be able to recover all three categories of damages (economic, non-economic, and punitive), covering:
- Emotional distress
- Lost wages and future loss of income
- Costs of medical care (including rehabilitation and cost of medical devices)
- Pain and suffering
- Diminished earning capacity
- Loss of family relations/consortium
- Punitive damages (for special circumstances where the defendant has been found to have caused the crash intentionally, maliciously, or was grossly negligent.)
How Is Fault Determined Georgia?
Georgia is an “at fault” state, which means car accident victims seek compensation for personal injury and financial losses linked to the accident from the driver who caused the crash (or their auto insurance carrier).
For a plaintiff to recover compensation from an at-fault driver, they must establish the other driver’s negligence by proving the four elements of negligence – duty, breach of duty, damages, and causation.
Georgia code § 51-12-33 (Georgia’s Modified Comparative Negligence Law) dictates that an auto accident victim can recover compensation for damages and injuries even if he or she is found to have been partially at fault. Note that the court will reduce the claimant’s award by an amount equivalent to their percentage of fault. However, if the injured person’s degree or percentage of fault is more than 49%, that person cannot recover financial compensation.
How Long Do I Have To File A Claim After A Crash In Georgia?
Auto accident victims and their loved ones need to be aware that Georgia, like all other states, has strict time limits of filing civil lawsuits referred to as statutes of limitations. Therefore, if you or a loved one has sustained harm in a car accident, it’s wise to speak with a Tallapoosa car accident lawyer at The Law Office of John B. Jackson as soon as possible.
Georgia code O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 establishes that people who have been hurt in a car accident have two years from the accident date to file their lawsuit (bring legal action for injuries arising from the crash).
What Can I Do If My Insurance Claim Is Denied?
Auto insurance carriers may deny your claim for several reasons, including:
- There’s a liability dispute
- You were wholly at fault
- You didn’t receive medical evaluation
- Your injury was not caused by the crash
- And many others…
When your insurance company or the at-fault driver’s insurer denies your claim, it can be frustrating. However, don’t get angry. It’s common for insurance firms to deny claims they rightfully should pay. A savvy Tallapoosa car accident lawyer can take on big insurance firms on your behalf and make them pay.
What If The Other Driver Is Under-Insured Or Doesn’t Have Insurance?
Uninsured or underinsured motorists who cause an accident can leave injured persons and their families in a difficult financial situation. Georgia law does not require drivers to carry UM (uninsured) coverage. However, your policy may include UM coverage, which can compensate for car crash-related damages within the limits of the driver’s policy coverage. If the driver that hit you is underinsured/uninsured and you don’t UM coverage, then you may have to pursue compensation outside Georgia’s insurance claims system.
If an uninsured driver struck your car, an experienced Tallapoosa car accident lawyer could help you understand your legal rights and options for moving forward.
Call The Law Office of John B. Jackson Today!
At The Law Office of John B. Jackson law firm, we know the burden you must feel since your car accident. You’re in pain, out of work, depressed, and wondering how you’re going to cope with life after the crash. On top of that, you have insurance companies to deal with, but your physical limitations make that difficult.
Our Tallapoosa car accident lawyers are ready to fight for you. Do not hesitate to call and request your free initial consultation at 770-834-0345 today!
