Auto Accident Injury in Atlanta, Georgia

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Atlanta? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Atlanta, Georgia that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Atlanta, GA

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. With some of the most dangerous roads in the nation, Georgia contributed significantly to those numbers. As of the fourth quarter of 2017, 144,146 individuals sustained injuries on Georgia roads. Of those injuries, approximately 24,000 were considered “serious.” In 2019, the state saw 1,507 vehicle-related deaths, the fourth greatest number of traffic fatalities in the nation.

The overwhelming majority of accident injuries and fatalities in Georgia are preventable. According to the data, 76% of crash-related deaths were the result of unsafe driving behaviors. An unnerving 60% of victims were not wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

Some people think that if an accident is minor, they do not need to report it to the police. This is rarely the case in Atlanta. If an accident resulted in damages greater than $500, injury or death, you must report it to local law enforcement immediately. As of 2020, Atlanta PD does not allow for online accident reporting.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it.

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

Car crashes and fatalities cost the state millions of dollars each year. In 2015, motor vehicle crash deaths cost the state a whopping $1.63 billion. Of that sum, $14 million went to medical costs, while the remaining $1.61 billion went to work loss costs. While motor vehicle occupants accounted for the majority of spending at 22%, pedestrians were close behind, accounting for 18% — or $291 million — in spending.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in GA

Liability Laws for Atlanta

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process. Like the majority of states today, Georgia is a fault state, meaning the at-fault party of an accident is financially responsible for harms he or she causes. To ensure parties can cover the cost of damages, the state requires drivers and vehicle owners to carry $25,000 in property damage coverage, $25,000 for injury and another $50,000 for deaths.

Statute of Limitations in Atlanta

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. In Georgia, you have up to two years to file a claim for personal injury and up to four years to file a claim for property damage.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Atlanta, Georgia

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct. Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in GA!