Driving in Atlanta, though necessary for many, is probably not anyone’s idea of a great time. Between the heavy traffic, roadwork, and just general busyness of the roads in the city, there’s a lot to navigate, and it can be quite stressful.
It is no surprise to anyone who has driven through the city at least once that auto accidents are a regular occurrence on all of the major roads. Most frustrating of all, many accidents in Atlanta are caused not solely by driving behavior but also by a lack of vehicle maintenance.
When drivers bring their cars on the road, they have a responsibility to ensure that their vehicles are in good working condition. Yet, when individuals fail to maintain their brakes or other critical safety systems, their ability to respond to a possible accident is greatly hampered.
They can then cause an accident that was otherwise totally avoidable.
If you or a loved one has been in an accident due to neglected vehicle maintenance, reach out to the experienced auto accident attorneys at CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm. Our lawyers are well-versed in Atlanta traffic laws and want to help you recover from your accident.
Call us at (404) 777-8800 or visit our website. We look forward to hearing from you!
Atlanta Neglected Vehicle Maintenance Accident Attorney
Usually, in the case of an auto accident, the driving behaviors of one of the involved drivers caused the accident. However, in accidents that were caused as a result of neglected vehicle maintenance, that may not be the case.
These types of cases are often complicated, and it can be difficult to assign responsibility.
However, that’s where our experienced personal injury lawyers in Atlanta can step in and help you. If you were involved in an accident caused by neglected vehicle maintenance, we are here for you.
We have the knowledge and experience to investigate these crashes and find out who is really to blame for the accident.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Neglected Vehicle Maintenance Accident?
If you have been involved in a car accident that was not your fault, you should not have to assume any of the financial burden that may have occurred as a result of that accident.
Normally, it is a relatively straightforward process to assign liability for an accident. However, in the case of a neglected vehicle maintenance accident, it can be more difficult.
The car’s driver could be responsible if they were not keeping up with the maintenance of the vehicle, but a mechanic or auto shop could also be held responsible.
Looking even further, the manufacturer of car parts could even share part of the burden. An experienced attorney will know to look deeply into the cause of your accident and work to hold everyone accountable for your pain and suffering.
Mechanics or Auto Shops
Unfortunately, though we trust our vehicles to our mechanics or auto shops, they are not always as thorough with their work as we would like. A worker could cause an accident by misdiagnosing an issue or failing to complete a repair.
Sometimes, auto shops may charge for a service but not actually complete that service. Perhaps the mechanic saw an issue and failed to address it or inform you about it.
These actions show negligence on their part, and they can be held liable for an accident if it can be proven that the accident was caused, at least in part, by the action or inaction of that shop.
Driver of the Vehicle
Occasionally, accidents can occur because the driver has a maintenance issue that they failed to address. For instance, if the driver knew that their brakes needed to be changed but did not take care of that and caused an accident because their brakes failed, they could be held liable for that accident.
The Vehicle Owner
Georgia’s laws assign a clear responsibility to vehicle owners to ensure that their vehicles are safe and capable of performing according to road-ready standards. While drivers are expected to make checks before departing and to verify the road-readiness of a vehicle, sometimes they may be using a vehicle that has serious maintenance neglect — creating a flaw they were unable to anticipate.
In cases where the vehicle’s owner failed to disclose a maintenance issue or otherwise contributed to an accident’s likelihood, they could shoulder the blame in part or in full.
Commercial Vehicle Accident
Accidents that involve a commercial vehicle, like an 18-wheeler or tractor-trailer, can often involve maintenance issues. Because of their size and weight, these vehicles are held to a higher maintenance standard than regular vehicles.
If you have been in an accident caused by maintenance issues, contact an experienced accident attorney to help you determine the next steps. Regardless of who is at fault, it is likely that they will try to push back and deny any wrongdoing.
Don’t put the burden of dealing with that on yourself.
Atlanta Poor Vehicle Maintenance Accident Lawyer
It may seem like once the responsibility for the accident has been determined, the rest of the process should be smooth sailing. Unfortunately, determining liability is only half the battle.
When liability has been assigned, insurance companies begin to enter the conversation. Despite what their marketing companies may have you believe, these companies only care about their bottom line and will try to pay you as little as possible for your injuries.
Luckily, you do not have to fight the insurance companies alone. An experienced, compassionate attorney from CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm can act as your liaison with the insurance company, fighting to give you the best chance at receiving fair compensation for the damages you suffered as a result of your accident.
What Damages Can I Claim From My Accident?
If you have been involved in an accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to damages from the responsible party(ies). These damages include any financial burden that you incur as a result of the accident that you would not have had to pay otherwise.
It can be difficult to calculate the amount of damages you should seek from an accident. An accident attorney will be experienced in doing this and can work with you to find a dollar amount that can help set things right.
When trying to determine the amount of compensation you need to fully recover from your accident, your attorney will look at several factors. They may divide these damages into two categories – economic and noneconomic damages.
Economic damages are those which have an objective dollar amount and are pretty straightforward calculations. Noneconomic damages, on the other hand, often deal with intangible issues and, as such, are more difficult to assign a dollar amount.
Common Economic Damages Include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Prescription drugs
- Medical transport
- Travel to specialists
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
Common Noneconomic Damages Include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of relationships with loved ones
- Disfigurement
As mentioned above, determining a dollar amount that appropriately accounts for everything you’ve had to deal with as a result of the accident can be extremely difficult, and that is where an accident lawyer can really come in handy. Not only can they help quantify that which is almost impossible, but they will also stand up for you with the insurance companies, who will undoubtedly try to lowball you just so they can make as much in profits as possible.
Atlanta Neglected Vehicle Maintenance Accident Law Firm
If you or a loved one has been the victim of an accident that occurred due to neglected vehicle maintenance, please reach out to us. We know that these accidents can be life-changing, and we are here to help.
These cases can be complicated, and it can be difficult to determine fault, but working with experienced Atlanta accident attorneys will give you and your family the best chance to receive the maximum amount of compensation to which you are entitled.
After an accident, your focus should be on healing and recovering. Don’t let worries about money and legal procedures get in the way of that; instead, reach out to one of the experienced, compassionate lawyers at The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm.
We are here for you. We can help get you set up with the medical care you need and act as a liaison between you and the insurance companies.
We can also help you rest assured in the knowledge that someone is fighting for you and your family while you rest and recover from your accident. Most importantly, we will be willing to represent you at no up-front charge, and we will only request payment if we are able to recover a settlement or court award for your injuries.
Give us a call today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. We will sit with you, listen to the details of your case, and then work diligently to develop a legal strategy that will help maximize the chances of you receiving the compensation you deserve.
Call us today at (404) 777-8800 or visit our website to find out more information and see how we have been able to help clients like you!
