Atlanta, Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer
Did you know that in Georgia:
- 1 out of 5 crash deaths is due to speed
- About half of all accident fatalities are due to failure to wear a seat belt
- 7 out of 10 fatalities happen on two-way roads without any physical separation or barrier
If you or a loved one has been involved in an auto accident, then you have legal rights that can be asserted. Georgia law protects the innocently injured by providing monetary compensation for both their bodily harm and their property losses.
Awards may include covering the costs of medical care, as well as replacement cost for any damaged property, and reimbursement of lost wages. Pain and suffering may be compensated for as well, and lost future earning capacity may be awarded in some cases.
How fast are these awards made? Most claims are resolved in a matter of months, as they are negotiated with an insurance company representative outside of court.
There are times, however, when these negotiations are not enough, and the claim must be pursued in a formal lawsuit before they are resolved. It may be that some matters need a jury in order to insure that there is a fair result in the assessing of damages.
What Should You Do If You Are In A Traffic Accident?
1. Call the police. Ask that they come to the accident scene and make a report. The police may ticket the other driver when they arrive.
2. Gather important information from the other driver, any passengers, and the witnesses. This includes: name, address, phone number, social security number or driver's license number, and insurance information.
3. Take photographs of the vehicles as well as the overall accident area. Do this before the vehicles are moved. Keep a disposable camera in your glove compartment just in case.
4. Go see your doctor. Some injuries don't hurt for a while after the accident, particularly those to your neck and back.
5. Do not speak to any insurance company representative, even from your own company, before you're prepared with your legal rights. You do not want to inadvertently say anything that might be used against you later.
If you or a loved one has been involved in an auto accident, please feel free to contact us for an initial consultation, at no charge.
For further information:
Georgia Governor's Office of Highway Safety in Georgia
University of Georgia's Traffic Injury Prevention Institute
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