A bustling suburb of Atlanta, Decatur is the county seat of DeKalb County. Attractions include historic districts and multiple arts and music festivals. Well-known for its many flavorful restaurants, Decatur was declared one of the South’s “Tastiest Towns” in 2012. The many festivals and events attract tourists, especially in summer.
With tourists come increased traffic, and that leads to an increased risk of accidents. Being hurt in an accident can be very stressful, and it’s hard to know where to turn for help paying medical bills and getting back on your feet. Ali Awad, the founder and managing attorney at the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, is not afraid to take on big insurance companies to fight for his clients. As a result, Mr. Awad’s firm was voted the fastest-growing law firm in the United States, beating out 499 others in 2021. The CEO Lawyer also has more than a million followers on social media who look to him for sound legal advice about personal injury topics.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, don’t hesitate to call Ali Awad for a no-obligation consultation of your case. The CEO Lawyer and his team of injury and accident attorneys use a contingency basis, so they don’t get paid unless you do. Call (470) 323-8779 or contact us online to learn more about your options for getting compensation today.
Decatur Traffic Accidents
City data on Decatur shows many hotspots where accidents occur. Many are near intersections, a common site for crashes. One such area is formed around the intersection with I-85. There were also accidents on US-278, Katie Kerr Drive, Ponce de Leon Avenue, Parkwood Road, the intersection at Scott Boulevard and Ridley Circle, North Candler Street, and Midway Road.
In December of 2021, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) announced they were considering plans to add roundabouts at two locations on Ponce de Leon that have sparked traffic safety concerns among residents. If approved, these roundabouts would be installed at Ponce de Leon Avenue, East Lake Road, Scott Boulevard, and West Ponce De Leon Avenue.
State Safety Engineer Manager Sam Harris said that traffic engineering studies and community feedback from meetings in 2019 and 2020 suggested roundabouts would be a good solution for a safety project in these two areas. Many community members had contacted GDOT with concerns about the two intersections, based on speed, plus the frequency and severity of accidents on Ponce de Leon.
Harris said he believes adding roundabouts could diminish the number of accidents in the areas that cause injury or death by as much as 71 percent. He explained that roundabouts are both safer and more efficient intersections.
Meanwhile, the Druid Hills Civic Association, which has encouraged GDOT’s intervention and supports the proposed $6 million project to build the roundabouts, has also lobbied to get vehicle speeds lowered in the area. In a statement, the DHCA said they believe replacing the intersections with roundabouts will lower speeds at the eastern entrance to Druid Hills.
Rules of the Roundabout
Known for their circular design, roundabouts are based on the principle of entering traffic yielding to vehicles already in the circle. Their geometric features promote safety by encouraging drivers to slow down. Roundabouts have three main rules to remember:
- Slow down
- Look around
- Be ready to yield
You should start slowing down while approaching the roundabout. Take the time to look not just for other traffic already in the circle, but also for the number of lanes. If there is more than one lane entering the circle, you’ll need to decide which one you should be in based on where you want to go when exiting the roundabout. Unless there are signs to the contrary, the left lane should be used if you’re planning to go left, the right if you’re planning to go right, and either if you want to go straight upon exiting.
As you look around, scan to make sure the crosswalk is clear and it doesn’t appear anyone is waiting to cross. Then you can enter the circle, yielding to any cars already in it. Remember that you have to yield to all traffic, not just vehicles in your lane. Once in the roundabout, go slowly and turn for the lane you’re in – right for the right lane and left for the left lane. Keep a comfortable distance from large vehicles like trucks – don’t follow closely or drive right next to them if you can avoid it. Keep an eye on the pavement markings, as they will guide you on the appropriate lane for your destination.
Follow the same procedure on your way out of the circle. Look for people about to enter the crosswalk and yield to them as needed. Also, follow common-sense rules like using your turning signal and obeying the speed limit as you exit.
Roundabout Car Accidents
Despite the fact that roundabouts are safer overall, serious accidents can still happen if a driver ignores the simple rules laid out above. Sometimes people are confused about how to use the circles, especially when roundabouts are new to the area. If your neighborhood is getting one, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the rules before using it, and encourage your neighbors to do the same.
Accidents in roundabouts commonly involve motorists failing to yield, driving too quickly, forgetting to signal, or making unexpected lane changes if they realize they’re in the wrong lane. If you were in a roundabout accident where the other driver did any of these things, it’s likely you have a claim against their insurance for your medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and possibly other damages.
Car Accident Claims
Whether you were in a roundabout or not, a serious car accident can wreak havoc on your life. Injuries can put you out of commission for days, weeks, or months, possibly leaving you unable to work while your bills just keep coming due. Medical costs can also add up, especially if you need long-term physical therapy and other treatments.
Generally, a Decatur personal injury attorney will start with the other driver’s insurance company. You may think this is a simple process, but it isn’t always. Even when you know the other driver is at fault, the other driver may not agree and may have told their insurance company so. The insurance adjuster is probably inclined to believe their client, simply because it gives them an excuse not to pay the claim.
Even if the other driver admits to making a mistake, such as failing to yield, their insurance company may still look for ways to point the finger at you. Why? Because Georgia has something called comparative negligence. These statutes say that if an accident victim was partially at fault in an accident, this needs to be considered when awarding them damages. If you, the plaintiff, are found to have been more than 49 percent at fault for the accident, the other party – in this case, the insurance company – will not have to pay any damages at all. If the court decides you’re at fault by some smaller percentage, you can still collect damages but they will be reduced by the amount you were found negligent.
With that in mind, we recommend you don’t talk to the other driver’s insurance company before speaking with a lawyer – even if you know you didn’t do anything wrong. Insurance adjusters are often seemingly nice and you may feel like you’re talking to a friend. But they’re looking for anything you say that they can twist to fit the narrative that you were at fault in the crash. You may think you’re not saying anything wrong, but you’d be surprised at what insurance adjusters can get out of any innocent comment.
Another situation that comes up is when the insurance company makes you an offer right away instead of claiming their client wasn’t at fault. This may seem like a good thing, but a quick offer is often a lowball one that won’t cover all your expenses. You should be especially wary if you’re still receiving treatment for your injuries and have no idea how much the bills will ultimately be. The insurer may call and try to pressure you to accept the offer right away.
In either situation, it is not a good idea to try to deal with the insurance company yourself. It is difficult to estimate how much your case is worth on your own, but a Decatur lawyer for personal injury will be able to help. Personal injury attorneys are experts in determining how much compensation you deserve for your accident, as well as negotiating with slick talkers from the insurance company. They can handle the insurer for you, so you can focus on getting better.
Your attorney may also be able to recommend other options if you’ve reached the limits of the insurance policy coverage. (Georgia drivers are only required to carry $25,000 in liability per person, and many people do not buy more than the minimum coverage.) If your expenses far outweigh the insurance policy’s limits, you may be able to make a claim against the other driver directly, or occasionally against other third parties.
FAQ: Will I Have to Go to Court for My Car Accident Claim?
In most cases, no. Settlements are often reached with the insurance company and/or other parties without ever going to court. However, in some cases where the other side simply won’t come to a reasonable settlement, it may be necessary to go to trial to prove your case. If this happens, your attorney will explain everything that happens, and go over how they are building your case. You may be asked for any evidence you have, such as a list of witnesses who saw the accident. You don’t have to testify, but in some situations, your attorney may recommend it as the best way to communicate with the jury how much your injuries have affected you.
Ali Awad, The CEO Lawyer, determines the best approach to seeking compensation for your claim and supports you all the way. Filing an injury claim is not something anyone dreams about doing, but when it happens, you need someone savvy and skilled to help you gain the compensation you require. Call (470) 323-8779 or contact us online today.
