855-551-1019

Athens, GA Car Accident Lawyer

Home Personal Injury Car Accident Attorneys Athens, GA Car Accident Lawyer

Anyone who has been in a car accident knows that it is a stressful time. Beyond the immediate issues of health and safety, there are also concerns about liability and financial ramifications of the incident. Getting your car repaired or replaced will take time, effort and money. On top of dealing with insurance companies and any injuries sustained, those involved may be experiencing trauma from the event as well. Other consequences of car accidents can include missing work, medical bills piling up and time needed to care for someone else who may have been injured.

A car accident lawyer in Athens, GA can greatly help in these matters as they have experience in dealing with both the insurance companies and other parties in the accident. Consider retaining the services of a lawyer post-accident to help deal with everything that may arise. 

Car Accidents in Athens, GA

Located in Clarke County, Athens, GA is home to the University of Georgia and is known for its rich culture and thriving music scene. Athens is full of busy roadways and young drivers so you can expect that this city has experienced its fair share of car accidents. There have been hundreds of fatal car crashes in the last few years and university students have become common victims of car accidents in Athens, GA.

Regardless of the type of car accident, Athens residents can further protect themselves and their loved-ones by searching for credible accident attorneys on the State Bar of Georgia website. However, Athens residents can also be connected to a professional Athens, GA personal injury lawyer through the Eichholz Law Firm.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Athens, GA

Unfortunately, car accidents happen on quite a regular basis. Accidents can occur due to a variety of circumstances, such as from the negligent actions of a motorist. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there are several common factors that occur in many of these accidents, including (but not limited to):

  •  Distracted Driving
  •  Drunk Driving
  •  Reckless Driving
  •  Speeding
  •  Tailgating
  •  Texting & Driving

More often than not, a serious injury can occur due to a driver being irresponsible and not paying attention to the road. Being distracted while driving poses a number of risks, including potential car accidents. When such accidents occur, you’ll want to ensure you are protected by your insurance company and the help of an attorney.

Obtaining Legal Help

A car accident is a serious matter that involves a lot of legal involvement. Hiring the services of a car accident attorney can help those involved deal with insurance companies and any other parties involved in the accident. Once the accident has occurred and you get help for any injuries you may have, consult a lawyer as soon as possible.

What To Do While At The Accident Scene

The outcome of your car accident case can depend greatly on your actions while still at the scene. To increase your chances of getting the compensation you deserve, consider some of the tips below.

  • Report Accident Right Away – If you are not severely hurt, it is important to obtain a police report to document how the accident happened. If you believe the other driver is at fault or has a broken traffic law, the accident report will be significant in determining the outcome of your case and getting you financial compensation from the insurance company.
  • Receive Medical Help – To further help establish your claim, get any injuries looked at while at the accident scene by paramedics. It is important to follow any medical advice given by the paramedics or doctors at the hospital.
  • Document Accident Scene – If you are not injured and can remain at the accident scene, document everything around you as best as possible. Get contact information from any witnesses, take pictures of the accident scene and fully document any other pertinent information. Never move the vehicles involved in the accident until the scene has been fully documented by authorities.
  • Get Other Driver’s Personal Information – When speaking with your insurance company, they will want the name and contact information of any other person involved in the accident. Ask all other drivers involved if you can take a picture of their driver’s licenses for record-keeping purposes.

Steps To Take After Leaving Accident Scene

After a car accident in Athens, GA has taken place, you are legally obligated to stay at the scene until law enforcement says it is acceptable for you to leave. In some cases, what you do following the accident can affect whether or not you receive compensation or a settlement for your injuries. Below are some steps to take after leaving the accident scene.

  • Contact Accident Lawyer – Once you have left the scene of the accident and have taken care of any injuries you may have received, it is important to contact a car accident lawyer in Athens, GA right away. They can help you get organized and follow the important steps needed to file your claim. They will fight for what is in your best interests and be with you every step of the way.
  • Gather Information For Your Case – Your next step will be to gather all the documentation about the car accident and case. Anything that can help prove your side of the story regarding the accident will give you a better chance of receiving a fair settlement.
  • Quantify Accident-Related Injuries – Accurately track all expenses related to the accident including property damage, medical bills and time missed from work. This is necessary to inform the insurance company how much your claim is worth.

When visiting your car accident attorney, be sure you bring all relevant information regarding the accident. Any witness information or recollections you get and photographs should be given to your attorney right away so they can keep your case moving forward. Oftentimes, it can be hard at first to recollect what led up to the accident. It is crucial to contact your attorney if you remember any new information that can help your case.

Speaking With Insurance Companies

One of the most important benefits gained from hiring an Athens, GA car accident lawyer is having a legal professional deal with the insurance companies. Their objective is to pay as little as possible for claims as they can. When you have a lawyer behind you, an insurance company is more likely to take your case seriously and negotiate for a better settlement offer.

Car Accident Case Settlements

Many people make the mistake of thinking their accident case will end up going to court. However, most claims end up getting settled before reaching that point. When the insurance company realizes the other driver was at fault for the accident, negotiations for the settlement will begin. All parties involved can benefit from settling a car accident case before going to court. If the case does go to trial, some of the consequences that may result are:

  • Excess litigation costs for all parties involved.
  • The case will be drawn out for months or years.
  • Delayed settlement.
  • Uncertainty about the case outcome that is shared by both the insurance company and the plaintiff.

Factors That Determine Settlement Amount

Most cases end up settling out of court because the insurance company will not want to pay the expenses related to defending the case. You may end up having to file a lawsuit if the negotiations for your settlement are not leaning in your favor. In certain scenarios, some cases will be settled the day before a trial is set to happen. Some of the factors that go into determining the amount of compensation you will receive include:

  • How much work you missed while recovering.
  • The extent of your physical and mental injuries.
  • The extent of property damage.
  • The amount of pain and suffering you may have experienced after the accident.
  • Amount of out-of-pocket medical expenses you had to pay for.

Athens, GA Car Accident Laws

Georgia is not a contributory negligence state. Georgia uses a comparative negligence system that will allow some recovery even if the plaintiff shares the blame for the incident. Here, the judge or jury will typically establish a percentage value to apportion blame for the accident. For example, they could find that the plaintiff was 20 percent at fault for the accident. Then, they will adjust the damage award to which the plaintiff is entitled by the amount of their negligence. The modification to this rule in Georgia is that an individual who is more than 50 percent responsible for the accident may not recover anything. 

Georgia’s minimum liability insurance coverage amounts that a driver is required to have include:

  • $25,000 for the death or injury of one individual, which can be another driver, a passenger, a pedestrian, yourself, etc.
  • $25,000 for any property damage caused by the accident
  • $50,000 for the death or injury of more than one individual in a single accident

Georgia state law requires accidents to be reported immediately to local police if there is property damage of over $500, an injury, or death. It is also required that parties exchange information such as license, insurance, and contact information. Parties involved in a car crash must assist any injured persons and remain at the scene of the accident until all obligations are completed.

Contact an Athens Car Accident Lawyer Today

An experienced personal injury lawyer can help guide an accident victim through the aftermath of a car accident. The Eichholz Law Firm has experienced personal injury attorneys who have helped victims recover hundreds of millions of dollars in legal action. 

The Eichholz Law Firm prides itself on providing individuals with an attorney to serve their specific needs. Georgia residents who need an Athens, GA car accident lawyer can contact our law firm and will receive reliable legal counsel. 

Call the Eichholz Law Firm today at (855)-551-1019 or fill out an online form for a free consultation.

Please seek the advice of a medical professional before making health care decisions.
Menu