We are the car accident lawyer you deserve. Being in a car accident is easily one of the most frightening experiences that anyone can have. It can also be devastating to an individual’s health, finances, career, and general quality of life. In addition to the obvious medical bills and lost wages, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and reduced enjoyment of life are also common. And there are potential future damages like long-term medical treatments and decreased earning capacity.
Victims have the right to seek monetary damages from the party or parties that caused the accident. The at-fault party will often have both an insurance company and an attorney working to ensure they pay as little as possible. Contact Ruppersburg Injury & Accident Attorneys, an Athens car accident lawyer, to work for the compensation you deserve.
Know Your Rights After a Car Accident Injury
A car accident victim may suffer a variety of losses, from personal injury and health complications to lost time from work and vehicle damage, and these consequences may be significant. If the accident was caused by negligence, victims should not have to pay for medical bills, car repairs, and other related expenses.
Victims may seek compensation from the at-fault party or parties to recover these costs. This begins with a claim made against that party’s insurance company. While most car accident claims are settled out of court through mediation and negotiations, if the insurance company refuses to negotiate in good faith or the settlement offer is too low, the victim has the right to file a car accident lawsuit and seek a damages award from the jury.
Car Accidents in Athens
Located in Clarke County, the City of Athens is unfortunately no stranger to car accidents. In 2019 alone, the following statistics were reported:
- 12 car accidents resulted in death
- 20 vehicles in total were involved in fatal accidents
- Three fatal accidents involved driving under the influence (DUI)
- Four fatal accidents involved pedestrians
Car Accidents at UGA
Thousands of students obtain their higher education from the University of Georgia (UGA) system. With this many students and the presence of alcohol and partying that often accompany college life, accidents are likely to occur.
A common cause of car accidents in and around UGA campuses is driving under the influence. So, too, is drowsy driving, brought on in many cases by students failing to get enough sleep and then getting behind the wheel.
How an Athens Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
One of the most important things you can do after a wreck is to contact a car accident lawyer in Athens. Your attorney will assist with the following:
- Investigating the accident: We work to collect the evidence needed to present the strongest case for compensation. This includes speaking with witnesses, obtaining surveillance and other video footage of the accident, and photographing and analyzing the damage to the vehicles, among other things.
- Identifying potential defendants: Not all car accidents involve only the victim and another driver. In many cases, other parties can be held liable. As part of our investigation, we will determine who can potentially be named as a defendant.
- Calculating the value of your claim: This is a critical step in any accident claim. We evaluate not only the damages that have been incurred but also those that will likely arise in the future.
- Consulting with expert witnesses: An expert witness is someone with technical or specialized knowledge who can explain complex topics to a jury or insurance company. Examples are accident reconstructionists and medical experts, who discuss the treatments a victim may need later.
- Negotiating with the insurance companies: Once we determine who may be at fault, we send a demand letter to their respective insurers to seek fair compensation for the victim. This begins the negotiation phase.
- Mediating the case: Many cases are settled in an out-of-court process known as mediation. Your Athens car accident attorney will represent you during mediation to negotiate on your behalf and make sure you understand the benefits of settling versus the risks of trial.
- Litigating your claim, if necessary: While we make an effort to settle car accident cases and save our clients time and stress, not all insurers negotiate in good faith. We will take your case to trial and apply our knowledge of the law, court rules, and more if needed.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accident victims may experience a wide range of injuries, including but not limited to the following:
- Brain damage (e.g. traumatic brain injury)
- Spinal cord injury
- Neck, back, and shoulder injuries
- Whiplash
- Internal bleeding
- Internal organ damage
- Bone fractures
- Lacerations
- Burns
It’s important to receive treatment for these and any other injuries, including emotional injuries like anxiety and depression.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Athens
The victim must prove that the at-fault parties were legally negligent in causing the crash. That means understanding some of the most common causes of car accidents. Our firm has extensive experience handling claims that involve:
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Speeding and other traffic violations
- Automobile defects and defective repair work
- Commercial and government vehicles
- Problems with traffic signals and other devices
- Dangerous road conditions and poor road work
- Construction equipment and heavy machinery
- Items falling from vehicles onto the road
- Negligent motorcycles, truck drivers, and pedestrians
What to Do After a Car Crash
The steps you take right after being in an accident will affect the value of your claim. We advise the following:
- Call 911 to report the accident
- Request medical treatment or see a doctor later even if you don’t think you’ve been injured
- Stay at the scene and wait for law enforcement
- Give the police basic details only about the accident
- Do not admit fault or apologize to the other driver
- Collect any evidence you can (e.g. take photos and obtain witness information)
- Report the accident to your insurance company
- Speak with an Athens car accident lawyer
- Follow all recommended medical treatments
Who Is At Fault for Your Accident?
In some cases, there are more parties involved than the other driver. Additional parties who may be at fault include:
- Vehicle manufacturers and parts suppliers
- Repair shops
- Construction contractors
- Employers, if the driver was working at the time of the accident
- Government entities
- A business that sold alcohol to the drunk driver (which falls under dram shop liability)
Others could be liable, depending on the unique facts of your case. The more at-fault parties there are, the higher your potential compensation will be.
Types of Damages You May Be Able To Recover
Your Athens car accident lawyer will seek compensation not only for expenses that have already been incurred but also those that may reasonably be expected to arise later. Every case is different, but in general, victims can seek:
- Economic damages: These are designed to compensate an injured party for damages that can be readily calculated. Examples are medical bills (including future treatments), lost wages, and lost earning capacity.
- Non-economic damages: Certain damages are more subjective but can nonetheless be awarded. Examples include pain and suffering, emotional distress, disfigurement, and decreased quality of life.
- Punitive damages: As the name implies, these are awarded to punish, particularly negligent conduct and deter others from engaging in the same. They are only available in specific types of cases.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents in Georgia?
A deadline, known as a statute of limitations, imposes a strict and typically unforgiving timeline on car accident cases. In general, a victim has only two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit or it is permanently barred. However, you should take action much sooner to ensure evidence isn’t lost and you present the best case.
The Importance of Uninsured Motorist/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) Coverage
The State of Georgia only requires that drivers carry a minimum of $25,000 in accident liability coverage. Medical bills alone often exceed this amount. If the other driver has only the bare minimum of insurance, the victim may be left paying the balance.
For this reason, it is strongly recommended that you add underinsured motorist coverage to your liability policy. You should also purchase uninsured motorist coverage to pay your losses in the event the at-fault driver either flees the scene or doesn’t have any insurance. Together, these are known as UM/UIM coverage.
Our office can advise you on what to look for in purchasing a UM/UIM policy. We can also help you claim your policy since many insurers deny their policyholders. If you don’t have this coverage, we can explore potential alternative means of seeking recovery, such as going after the at-fault driver’s assets.
Injured in a Crash? Call Ruppersburg Injury & Accident Attorneys
If you’ve been injured, you need a car accident lawyer from Athens who understands what you are facing and what it takes to build a compelling case. Call Ruppersburg Injury & Accident Attorneys today to get started.
Car Accident FAQs
What do I have to prove in a car accident case?
Victims must prove the following elements to recover compensation: (1) Duty of care, (2) Breach, (3) Causation, and (4) Damages. Your attorney will have experience with these elements and what it takes to support each one.
What factors affect the value of my claim?
While every car accident is different, the value of each is usually based on the severity of injuries, how much time the victim loses from work, and whether the injuries prevent the victim from working the same job in the same capacity. The value of future damages will vary as well, which is why we consult expert witnesses.
The other driver claimed I was partially at fault. Could this affect my claim?
Under Georgia’s modified comparative fault system, a car accident victim must be less than 50% at fault to recover compensation. If you were partially at fault, your award will be reduced by whatever percentage of liability the jury determines for you. We work to refute any claims that our clients shared any blame for their accidents.
