Marietta Car Accident Lawyer
Providing Compassionate Legal Support
Car accidents can leave victims with serious injuries that require expensive medical treatments and long recovery periods. Many victims are unable to return to work for weeks or even months, leaving them with a significant amount of lost wages and no way to pay their bills. If you are in this situation, you should not have to face these hardships on your own. Let our team provide you with the experienced legal guidance you need to obtain the compensation you deserve.
At Pritchard Injury Firm, we are committed to helping car accident victims get the financial resources they need to cover their medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages. We know how to build strong cases that can help you obtain the fair settlement you are owed. If the insurance company is unwilling to offer you a reasonable settlement, we are prepared to fight for you in court.
Call our Marietta car accident lawyer today at (470) 577-8152 or contact us online to learn more about how we can assist you. We offer free consultations.
What to Do After a Car Accident
Being involved in a car accident can be a very stressful experience, but it is important to remain calm and take the necessary steps to protect your right to file a personal injury claim.
Here are some steps you should take after a car accident:
- Check for injuries and call 911 to report the accident
- Move your vehicle out of the way of traffic if it is safe to do so
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver
- Take pictures of the accident scene, including any damage to your vehicle
- Seek immediate medical attention, even if you do not think you were injured
- Keep a record of all your medical treatments and other accident-related expenses
- Get in touch with a Marietta car accident attorney as soon as possible
- Only contact your insurance company after consulting with your attorney
It is important to avoid admitting fault for the accident when speaking to the other driver or insurance company. It is also a good idea to avoid posting about the accident on social media, as the insurance company could use your posts against you.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Georgia?
In Georgia, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you do not file a lawsuit within this time frame, you will lose your right to seek compensation for your injuries. While two years may seem like a long time, it is important to start the legal process as soon as possible. In certain situations, the time limit may be as little as six months. In addition, the longer you wait, the more difficult it may be to gather the necessary evidence to build a strong case.
Consulting with a car accident lawyer in Marietta can help you ensure that these time limits are met. This will help ensure that you are able to collect the maximum compensation you are owed for your damages.
Georgia Car Accident Laws
Georgia is an at-fault state, which means the person who caused the accident is responsible for paying for the damages. You have three options for seeking compensation after a car accident in Georgia. You can file a claim with your own insurance company, file a third-party claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company, or file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver.
Georgia law requires all drivers to carry a minimum of $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person and $50,000 per accident. Drivers are also required to carry a minimum of $25,000 in property damage liability coverage. If the at-fault driver does not have insurance, you can file a claim with your own insurance company if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, or you can pursue compensation from the at-fault driver themselves.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident in Georgia?
The value of your car accident claim will depend on a number of factors, including the severity of your injuries, the impact the accident has had on your life, and the amount of available insurance coverage. Our Marietta car accident lawyer can review your case and help you understand what you should expect to recover.
The following damages may be available in a car accident claim:
- Emergency medical expenses
- Long-term medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
If the at-fault driver was engaging in particularly reckless or negligent behavior, you may also be able to seek punitive damages. These damages are not intended to compensate you for your injuries, but to punish the driver for their behavior. In Georgia, you can only seek punitive damages if the at-fault driver was grossly negligent or willfully acting recklessly.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Even a relatively minor car accident can still cause serious injuries. It is important to seek immediate medical attention after an accident to get the treatment you need and to ensure your injuries are properly documented.
Some common car accident injuries include:
- Head and brain injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Cuts and lacerations
- Burns
- Internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Traumatic amputation
How Do You Prove Fault in a Car Accident?
In order to obtain compensation in a car accident injury claim, you must be able to prove the other driver was at fault for the accident. This can be a challenging task, as the other driver and their insurance company will likely try to shift the blame. Our Marietta car accident attorney knows how to gather the necessary evidence to build a strong case that proves the other driver was at fault.
Some common types of evidence in a car accident claim include:
- Police reports
- Accident scene photos
- Vehicle damage photos
- Video surveillance footage
- Witness statements
- Cell phone records
- Medical records
- Vehicle maintenance records
Our team can review the evidence and help you understand your legal options. If you have a viable claim, we can help you file a lawsuit and fight for you in court.
Why Hire a Marietta Car Accident Attorney?
After a car accident, the other driver’s insurance company will likely contact you and offer you a settlement. It is important to remember that the insurance company does not have your best interest in mind. They are only interested in protecting their own bottom line and will do everything they can to get you to accept a lowball settlement.
Our team can review any settlement offers you receive and help you determine if they are fair. We can negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and fight for a settlement that covers all your damages. If the insurance company is unwilling to offer you a reasonable settlement, we are prepared to fight for you in court.
Compassionate Legal Support
At Pritchard Injury Firm, we understand how stressful it can be to deal with the aftermath of a car accident. Our Marietta car accident attorney will provide you with the compassionate legal guidance you need to navigate the legal process and will be there to address your questions and concerns. We are here to serve as your trusted advocate and will fight to protect your rights.
Call (470) 577-8152 to schedule a free consultation with our Marietta car accident lawyer.