Car Accident Lawyer in Atlanta, GA

Each year, there are more than 300,000 vehicle accidents in the state of Georgia. According to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, nearly 20,000 of those accidents involved severe injuries in 2015. Anyone injured in An Atlanta car accident due to another person’s negligence is entitled to pursue monetary compensation from the careless driver. A seasoned personal injury attorney might be helpful in those collection efforts.

When another driver is responsible for your injuries, you do not have to face them alone. An Atlanta car accident lawyer may have the experience necessary to pursue the damages you deserve.

Atlanta car accident lawyers like Scott Pryor understand what you are going through. Attorney Pryor knows how to deal with the insurance company and their lawyers. He also knows how to investigate the cause of an accident and build a persuasive case for liability. Putting an attorney in your corner might be one of the best decisions you ever make.

What Should I Do If I’m In A Car Accident?

If you have been involved in a car accident, there are some important steps you should take:

Move your vehicle to the side of the road, if possible. If you cannot move your vehicle, turn on your hazard lights.
Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is injured, call 911 right away.
Do not leave the scene of the accident until the police have arrived.
Exchange insurance information with the other driver.
Take photos of the accident scene, if possible.
Write down everything you remember about the accident.
Contact an experienced car accident lawyer in Atlanta, GA as soon as possible to discuss your legal options. For a free consultation, call our Atlanta personal injury law firm at (404) 474-7122 and get the dedicated and compassionate representation you deserve.

How Do Most Car Accidents Happen?

As many Atlanta car accident attorneys will tell you, motor vehicle accidents happen for a variety of reasons. Of the most common reasons, these reasons are often why car crashes happen:

Distracted driving: This is one of the most common—and most dangerous—reasons for car accidents. Distracted driving can involve anything from talking on a cell phone to fiddling with the radio. And, as anyone who has ever been in a car knows, it only takes a second of distraction to cause an accident even in a parking lot.
Speeding: Speeding is another leading cause of car accidents, especially in rear end accidents. Even if speeding doesn’t seem like a big deal, it gives drivers less time to react to obstacles on the road—and that can lead to serious accidents.
Driving under the influence: Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is never a good idea. Not only is it illegal, but it also significantly impairs a driver’s ability to make split-second decisions on the road, which can lead to grisly results like catastrophic injuries or even death.

Regardless of how your car accident occurred, experienced car accident attorneys like Scott Pryor can advocate on your behalf and help you get the compensation you need to recover. To learn more about how we can help you, contact us today for a free consultation.

Are There Comparative Fault Laws in Georgia?

At its core, a car accident lawsuit is about determining the cause of the collision. If a driver was responsible for the accident, they would owe damages. Georgia follows a rule known as “modified comparative negligence.” Under this rule, a plaintiff can recover damages even if they were a party at fault. However, if the plaintiff is 50 percent at fault or more, Georgia’s comparative fault rule bars them from recovering any damages.

At trial, a jury will determine the total amount of damages an injured driver has suffered. Then, it will reduce those damages by the percentage of the plaintiff’s fault. For An Atlanta car accident attorney, it is crucial to minimize the plaintiff’s fault in front of a jury. An experienced attorney may use accident reconstruction experts, traffic videos, and eyewitness testimony to establish that the defendant was fully at fault.

What Are Common Car Accident Injuries in a Car Accident Case?

Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, some of which are more common than others. These include:

Whiplash: Whiplash is a neck injury caused by the sudden jerking motion that often occurs in car accidents. Symptoms can include neck pain, headaches, and dizziness.
Broken bones: Broken bones are also common in car accidents, especially if the impact was severe. Arms, legs, and ribs are particularly susceptible to being broken in an accident.
Lacerations: Cuts and scrapes—known as lacerations—are also common car accident injuries. These can be minor or severe, depending on the depth of the cut and whether it has hit any major blood vessels.
Traumatic brain injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are some of the most serious injuries that can result from a car accident. TBIs can cause long-term problems, including memory loss, difficulty speaking, and paralysis.
Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries can also occur in car accidents. These injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis, depending on the severity of the injury.
Back and Neck Injuries: The jolting motion of a car accident can often cause injuries to the back and neck. These injuries can be extremely painful and may require surgery to correct.

If you’ve been in a car accident and suffered any type of injury, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. In some cases, injuries may not be immediately apparent after an accident. For example, whiplash symptoms may not show up until days or even weeks later. By seeking medical attention right away, you can ensure that any injuries are properly diagnosed and treated.

What Are The Long-Term Effects of a Car Accident?

For some people, car accidents are a minor inconvenience that causes little property damage and some short-term pain. But for others, car accidents can have lasting effects. These long-term effects can include:

Chronic pain: Chronic pain is a common long-term effect of car accidents. This can be due to injuries like whiplash or broken bones that never heal properly.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): PTSD is another potential long-term effect of car accidents. This psychological condition can cause flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and depression.
Memory loss: Memory loss is another common long-term effect of car accidents, especially if the accident resulted in a traumatic brain injury.

If you’ve been in a car accident and are struggling with chronic pain or PTSD, it’s important to seek help from a mental health professional. These conditions can be debilitating, but there are treatments available that can help.

How Much Compensation Am I Entitled To?

The amount and type of damages available in a car accident will depend on the severity of the crash. These accidents can involve economic or non-economic damages.

Economic damages, also known as specific damages, are measurable losses like medical bills, and they are typically represented by a receipt or invoice for a particular dollar amount. Non-economic losses, also referred to as general damages, are more subjective, and include emotional and personal considerations like pain and loss. One of the primary roles of An Atlanta auto accident attorney is to identify all potential damages stemming from a car wreck. Below are some of the most commonly awarded damages:

Medical Expenses

A plaintiff may include the bills for emergency room visits and follow-ups to a general practitioner in a car crash lawsuit. These damages can include prior medical bills as well as expected future medical costs.

Pain and Suffering

One of the most common non-economic damages, a plaintiff may seek recovery for their physical pain and suffering suffered due to the car accident.

Lost Wages

When an injury victim misses work due to their injuries, the lost wages can have a significant financial impact. An injury lawsuit may seek damages to recover the plaintiff’s missing income.

By filing a personal injury claim, you can receive compensation for your damages. The amount of compensation you are entitled to will depend on the severity of your injuries, as well as other factors such as lost wages and medical bills. An experienced car accident lawyer will be able to help you determine the full extent of your damages and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.

What Is The Process For Filing a Car Accident Claim?

After being involved in a car accident, you may have a lot of questions about what to do next and how to go about filing a personal injury claim. The process can be confusing, but we will help make it as smooth as possible.

First, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you don’t think you’ve been injured. Many injuries, such as whiplash, may not present themselves immediately after an accident.

Once you have seen a doctor or been released from the hospital, you will need to start gathering evidence to support your claim. This includes taking pictures of the damage to your vehicle, getting the contact information of any witnesses, and saving any relevant medical records.

You will also need to file a police report and notify your insurance company about the accident. Your insurance company will likely send an adjuster to assess the damage to your vehicle and may give you a rental car while yours is being repaired.

Once you have gathered all the evidence, you will need to sit down with a personal injury lawyer to discuss your claim. Your lawyer will review the evidence and help you determine how much money you are entitled to.

If the other driver’s insurance company is offering you a settlement, your lawyer will negotiate on your behalf to get you the best possible outcome. If an agreement cannot be reached, you may have to file a lawsuit.

No matter what stage of the process you are in, our experienced team of car accident lawyers can help guide you through it and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.

An Atlanta Car Accident Attorney May be Able to Help

There is no requirement under the laws of Georgia that you hire an attorney to handle your injury claim. However, car accident cases are complicated, and even a minor error in dealing with an insurance company could cost you your entire claim. With the help of a seasoned Atlanta car accident lawyer, you could have the legal guidance you need to avoid such pitfalls.

Our personal injury law firm in Atlanta is dedicated to protecting the rights of car accident victims. We have a long track record of success in negotiating fair settlements with insurance companies and, when necessary, taking cases to trial.

Our lead attorney, Scott Pryor, understands the unique challenges that accident victims face and will work tirelessly to help you get the maximum compensation for your injuries. For a free consultation, call our Atlanta personal injury law firm at (404) 474-7122 and get the dedicated and compassionate representation you deserve.