In Lawrenceville, people drive cars without a second thought. Their mindset is so focused on their next destination that a crash is the last thing they expect.
But along 85, 316, and other main roads, car accidents happen every day, leaving victims frightened, confused, and unsure of what to do next. Many face traumatizing and emotionally draining experiences that have become unfortunately common in the US.
A car accident leaves many struggling in its wake, creating costly medical bills, property damage, and a long road to recovery from injuries. But, when you select to work with a proven legal team, you take the first step in reclaiming the damages you have suffered.
An experienced car accident lawyer will guide you through the claims process with respect to Georgia law and do whatever it takes to fight for the compensation you deserve.
Work with an attorney who cares about you and about your case. Call the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm team today.
We are ready to help you make things right. Call (770) 525-9098 or contact us online to schedule a free case review with our proven Lawrenceville car accident attorney team.
Lawrenceville Car Accident Attorneys Know What Matters in Car Accident Cases
Georgia sees the second-highest car accident rate in the US, which accounted for 1,664 injuries in 2020 alone. Despite being the 8th most populous state in the country, the amount of car accidents in Georgia is significantly higher than most would expect.
In fact, Lawrenceville residents are affected by numerous car accidents per year. According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, Lawrenceville saw a staggering 10,873 car crashes per year, with almost 25 incidents leading to fatal outcomes, on average.
Car accidents fall under personal injury law, allowing victims to recover economic and non-economic damages from a negligent party. Though receiving compensation for injuries is not always as simple as one would hope, the process is easier when you have an experienced personal injury attorney on your side.
How a Lawrenceville Car Accident Attorney Helps
Filing the paperwork to an insurance company is probably the simplest part of a car accident claim. But when you submit a claim without representation, you are committing to the time, energy, and skill set needed to successfully negotiate a settlement.
You are also likely working from limited to no experience with the claims process.
The reality is that car accident victims deserve to have full knowledge of the factors that go into the insurance company’s decision, which would help them strategize in order to build the strongest claim possible for all suffered damages. Yet, they not only lack this knowledge, but they also likely lack the time and effort needed to fully focus on achieving the needed outcome.
Many accident victims cope throughout the day with numerous medical appointments, therapy sessions, painful recovery from injuries, and managing their daily obligations.
Don’t wade into these waters alone. Gain the experience and knowledge you need to understand what factors matter in your claim’s value, as well as the strategies and evidence needed to maximize your chances of success.
All too often, insurance companies will present lowball offers to victims affected by car accidents, with tactics to get them to accept the low payout. In moments like this, working with a legal team allows you to fully calculate all appropriate damages while raising your chances of success overall.
The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm knows Georgia law and how it protects you from paying the costs inflicted by a negligent driver. Our team is ready to guide you through the legal process, review and analyze evidence, and represent you when communicating with other parties.
Proving That The Other Party Was Negligent
Your car accident lawyer will work diligently to gather evidence and support that clearly indicates how the other party was negligent. They will gather documentation to build your claim, including:
- The police report
- Photos and video
- Medical visit records, including diagnoses and test results
- Car repair estimates and associated charges to fix your property
- Past medical bills
- Projected future costs of medical care
- Lost pay from missing work due to injury or medical appointments
- Evidence of your pain and suffering
A car accident attorney will know how to sort, inspect, and apply the relevant damages to your case. Schedule your initial case review to know what damages apply to your personal injury claim.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Lawrenceville
Although we do our best to prevent accidents on the road, not all drivers respect laws and road rules when they are out there. Blatant disregard for others’ safety is called negligence, and when a car accident happens because of that, they are most certainly the ones at fault.
Someone may be considered at fault when they:
- Use unsafe speed — Especially when in dangerous weather conditions
- Drive distracted — Including cell phone use and talking with passengers, as well as daydreaming and “zoning out”
- Drive under the influence — Often resulting in swerving in between lanes, moving recklessly, and driving on the wrong side of the road on a divided highway
- Violation of the right-of-way rules — Running red lights, illegal U-turns, and making sudden lane changes
- Violation of stop signals and signs — Ignoring yields, arrows, crosswalks, and other right-of-way instructions at intersections
Georgia Is an At-Fault State
Like many states in the US, Georgia law extends fault to more than just one party. The police report will detail the parties, what happened, and who is liable for what portion of the damages.
Contributory negligence may be a concern, but a car accident attorney will work to minimize the reduction of your payout.
Statute of Limitations
Although the Statutes of Limitations may not seem fair, they are in place to prevent cold cases with outdated evidence from entering the docket. Georgia law has a statute of limitations for all personal injury cases, giving injury victims two years to file a lawsuit.
Car accident victims must act quickly, as two years is a short time to resolve legal matters. Waiting until the end of the two years leaves little time for preparation and negotiations, which may ultimately shut you out of receiving all the compensation your case is worth.
Some events allow more time for the filing period. Those cases involve:
- A defendant who is out of state
- A minor under the age of 18
- Or a person who is not mentally fit to file a claim
Working with your Lawrenceville car accident attorney will determine if any of these situations apply to your case and make sure that if no settlement is reached, a lawsuit is filed on your behalf within the statute’s time limits.
Common Injuries Associated with Car Accidents
Being the victim of a terrible car accident is a frightening situation to be in. Although the magnitude of the crash will increase the chances of catastrophic injuries, even an accident that occurs at as little as 30mph can produce painful results.
Some common injuries diagnosed after a motor vehicle collision are listed below.
Head Injuries
Head injuries are one of the most dangerous consequences of car accidents. The force of two cars colliding sends drivers and passengers forward, only to push them back just as quickly in their seats.
Victims may experience concussions or more serious traumatic brain injuries that can have dire consequences. They may also strike their head on a nearby window, the steering wheel, or their headrest after being pushed back violently by an airbag.
Head injuries are dangerous because they cannot receive a diagnosis outside of a medical evaluation. If you suspect that you may be suffering from a concussion or traumatic brain injury, make sure to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Hand, Wrist, and Shoulder Injuries
When one realizes that an accident is about to happen, it is a normal reaction to brace oneself by stiffing arms, hands, and wrists. During impact, stiffened joints take the brunt of the collision badly, resulting in breaks and sprains of the wrist, shoulders, and elbows.
The location of the impact and the position of the victim in the car may also create a higher chance for hand, wrist, and shoulder injuries, as there is not much distance between them and the frame of the car. Those who experience injuries may need slings, casts, and surgery to allow for proper healing.
Back and Spinal Injuries
Back and spinal injuries may require surgery and can result in negative life-threatening changes to one’s quality of life. Injuries of the back can involve muscle strains and spinal cord injuries that can cause paralysis, with some cases having no sign of ever fully recovering.
The sudden thrust of the body moving forward increases the strain on back muscles and those supporting the neck. The result is a severe case of whiplash, and victims face many weeks of limited mobility, pain, and stiffness in their necks, affecting their upper back muscles.
In most cases involving whiplash, victims choose to visit a physical therapist where they will perform and learn exercises and receive different types of therapies to help reduce their pain and increase their range of motion and flexibility.
Broken Bones
The human bone is strong and tolerates plenty of force before it breaks. The impact of a collision can break bones, especially in the clavicle, wrist, and legs.
Broken bones affect victims’ ability to move, lift, and resume their usual responsibilities until they heal. In many cases, to correct the break, victims will need surgery and many months of physical therapy to make things right.
The worst cases of broken bones can result in permanent scarring, disfigurement, and, in some cases, inability to walk or move like the victim did before the car accident happened.
Key Steps to Take After a Car Accident
The actions you take in the wake of a wreck can have a huge effect on your ability to obtain compensation for all the damages you have suffered. When you have been involved in an accident, be sure to do the following:
- Call 911 to report the crash: All injury claims have to have a crash report, and calling the accident scene is always the best option. If you did not request a police respondent at the time, make sure to file a GA crash report online as soon as you can.
- Seek prompt medical attention: Never delay care after a crash! If you feel hurt, request an ambulance when you call 911. Otherwise, go to a nearby ER, Urgent Care clinic, or physician’s practice to get evaluated as soon as you can, even if you aren’t sure if you’re hurt. You want a full diagnosis and a record connecting your injuries to the date of the crash
- Save all evidence you can: At the accident scene, capture as much evidence as you can in the form of images, video, and more. You’ll want photos of the overall scene, evidence of the accident, such as tire marks, photos of vehicle damage and your injuries, and a photo of the license plates of other drivers involved. Likewise, save all documentation and discharge papers from your medical treatments, along with any receipts.
- Never admit fault: Be extremely careful what you say at the accident scene and afterward. Avoid statements that could be considered an admission of fault or of a mistake that contributed to the accident’s cause. Also, avoid discussing the case with anyone except your attorney.
- Hire a lawyer before talking to insurers: Insurers are apt to settle claims quickly and for the lowest amount possible. Be cautious when talking to them. Refer to the experience of a lawyer who can help you file a strong claim for all damages and avoid common mistakes.
Hire a Lawrenceville Car Accident Law Firm to Help You
Car accidents involve more than a small trip to the ER. They create weeks, if not months, of pain, doctor’s appointments, and medical expenses, creating severe financial burdens for you and your family.
However, settling for the lowest amount from the negligent party’s insurance will not help cover your growing set of medical bills, lost working hours, and pain and suffering.
Your case deserves more than the bare minimum. Don’t let this happen to you.
Act today and reach out to a Lawrenceville car accident attorney who knows your case deserves more than a low settlement. At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, you can expect years of experience from legal professionals who have proven success in cases like yours.
Give us a call today, and let us show you what we can do. Call (770) 525-9098 or contact us online to schedule your free case review with a passionate car accident attorney team.
