We’re On Your Side After A Car Accident
Our auto accident injury attorneys at McCamy Law Firm handle car crash injury claims in Georgia and Tennessee. They ensure that clients get the lawsuit settlement they deserve.
In auto accident cases, a lawsuit is often necessary to recover damages, which can include compensation for medical bills, physical rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and lost wages. If you are the victim of another driver’s reckless or negligent driving, your suffering may force you to pursue a personal injury claim.
Common Auto Accident Injuries
Automobile accidents are unpredictable and cause a variety of injuries, from whiplash to more serious and crippling injuries, such as broken bones and internal injuries. Some of the most common injuries from auto accidents include:
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What Factors Cause Car Accidents In Georgia?
There are many factors that cause car accidents in Georgia, including:
- Reckless drivers: These drivers may be speeding, following too closely, ignoring traffic signals or driving aggressively.
- Drunk or drugged drivers: Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs have poor reaction times, difficulty focusing, trouble staying awake and slower reflexes.
- Distracted drivers: People who are texting, talking, using GPS, tuning the radio, eating or drinking may not be paying attention to the road.
- Fatigued drivers: People who are too tired to drive may fall asleep at the wheel, swerve in and out of traffic, miss traffic signs and cause serious accidents.
- Defective car parts: Faulty car parts can cause accidents because they can result in tire blowouts, brake failures and steering malfunctions.
- Large commercial vehicles: Semis and other large trucks can cause devastating accidents with catastrophic or fatal injuries.
- Roads in poor condition: When municipalities do not keep roads in good shape, accidents may be more likely to occur.
Was your car accident caused by something else? Just let us know, and our lawyers will determine how they can help you.
Tips To Maximize And Strengthen Georgia Car Accident Claims And Compensation
After a car accident, there are things you can do immediately to maximize and strengthen your claim, such as the following:
- Call the police: You will want them to file an accident report.
- Take photos of the accident: If it is safe to move about the accident scene, take pictures of both vehicles and any injuries you suffered.
- Get contact information: Collect the contact information and insurance information of all drivers involved in the accident. Also, get the contact information of any witnesses to the accident.
- Do not admit fault: Do not tell the police, other drivers or the insurance companies that you were at fault for the accident.
- Do not give a statement to the insurance companies: You may inadvertently say something that the insurance companies can use against you later.
- Contact a lawyer: The best way to protect your rights and your accident claim is to speak with a car accident attorney as soon as possible.
At McCamy Law Firm, our lawyers will make sure that you do not do anything to hurt your claim. They will also investigate the accident and gather evidence.
Common Questions After A Car Accident
Car accident questions often involve legal deadlines, official reports and pressure from insurance companies. Before you decide what to do next, it may help to understand the following:
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Whitfield County?
In most Georgia car accident injury cases, you have two years from the crash date to file a lawsuit. Claims for vehicle damage or other property damage usually have a four-year deadline.
These deadlines still apply even if you are receiving medical care, communicating with insurance companies or waiting for bills to arrive. If there is a crash in Dalton or another part of Whitfield County, you may file in the appropriate local court. The correct court can depend on the type and value of the claim. If the deadline passes, you may lose your legal right to pursue compensation through the court system.
Am I legally required to report a minor fender bender to the police department?
Yes, you must report a Georgia car accident if it results in injury, death or at least $500 in apparent property damage. Even minor vehicle damage can exceed $500 in repair costs, so you should report many fender benders.
If the crash occurs within city limits, you typically make the report to the local police department. If it happens outside city limits, you usually report it to the county sheriff or the nearest state patrol office. A police report can document the date, location, drivers, vehicles, insurance information and visible damage. Without this report, it may be more difficult to establish what occurred later.
Should I accept the initial settlement offer from the other driver’s insurance adjuster?
You should generally avoid accepting the first settlement offer until you fully understand the value of your injuries, vehicle damage and other losses. An early offer may not account for future medical treatment, lost income, pain, rehabilitation, surgery or diminished vehicle value.
The insurance adjuster’s responsibility is to resolve the claim on behalf of the insurer. Once you sign a release agreement, you typically cannot reopen the claim or request additional compensation later. This can create complications if your condition worsens, additional treatment becomes necessary or your recovery takes longer than expected.
Call Today For Help After A Crash
Insurance companies have scores of lawyers and experts on their side, so it’s important to protect yourself. Many auto accident victims attempt to deal with insurance companies on their own. Insurance companies will not have your best interests at heart, so contact an experienced Chattanooga auto accident lawyer to help.
If you have been the victim of a vehicle crash or a family member has died because of an auto accident, contact our Atlanta auto accident attorneys; they can help. Call us at 706-508-4292 or submit our quick contact form. If you cannot visit our offices, our attorneys will come to you.