Atlanta Car Accident Attorneys

Legal Representation for Victims of Car Accidents in Atlanta

When drivers fail to follow the rules of the road, accidents happen and innocent people get hurt. The Atlanta accident lawyers at Grant Law Office are a dedicated team of professionals who devote their practice to helping victims of negligence get on the road to recovery.

If you have been involved in an auto collision in Atlanta, it is important that you have an experienced legal representative on your side. Contact us to learn more about your rights and options, and how we can work on your behalf. Call (404) 995-3955.

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Car Accident Verdicts and Settlements

• Confidential Settlement - Automobile collision/orthopedic injury.
• $550,000 Settlement - Automobile accident/appearance altering orthopedic injury.
• $250,000 Verdict - Bus accident/shoulder surgery.
• $250,000 - Automobile injuries.
• $225,000 - Automobile injury.
• $190,000 Settlement - Automobile accident/wrongful death of infant born prematurely due to hemorrhage produced by collision.

Click here for more verdicts and settlements.

Why File a Car Accident Claim in Georgia?

Under Georgia law, the purpose of a civil claim is to compensate a victim for losses suffered due to the negligence of another person or company. These losses, also known as damages, fall under the following three categories:

• Economic damages: Economic damages are tangible, money-related, and cover present and reasonable future expenses. Economic damages include property damage, medical expenses, lost wages, and loss of earnings.
• Non-economic damages: Non-economic damages are things that have a detrimental impact on your quality of life, like pain and suffering, mental anguish, and loss of consortium for your spouse.
• Punitive damages: A jury can award punitive damages in cases where the negligent act showed a reckless disregard for the safety of others. An example of this is driving while intoxicated. Under Georgia law, these damages have a cap of $250,000 unless the liable party acted with intent to cause harm.

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Common Causes of Car Accidents

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey, car accident causes can be grouped into four categories: (1) driver, (2) vehicle, (3) roadway, and (4) atmospheric conditions.

In Atlanta, driver issues are a leading cause of crashes. The most frequent driver-related accidents involve:

• Distracted drivers
• Speeding
• Drunk drivers
• Failure to yield
• Failure to stop at a stop sign or red light
• Failure to obey posted signs
• Tailgating
• Driving in the wrong direction
• Improper lane changes
• Violating other traffic laws

Car wrecks caused by vehicle issues are less common but do occur. These include:

• Flat tires
• Brake issues
• Electrical issues

Roadway conditions are another leading cause of car accidents. Common causes of collisions due to roadway conditions include:

• Slick or icy roads
• Potholes
• Construction zones
• Fallen trees or electrical lines

In addition, visibility issues caused by atmospheric conditions also lead to accidents. Atmospheric dangers include:

• Rain
• Snow
• Fog
• Glare from the sun
• Windy conditions

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Results of Motor Vehicle Accidents

Motor vehicles are large, heavy, and powerful machines; and when not operated with care, they can cause serious injury and even death. If you have been injured in a traffic accident, you will likely find yourself in need of:

• Hospitalization: Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may spend anywhere from several hours to several months in the hospital. Hospitals are very expensive and the cost of treatment can add up quickly. It’s not uncommon for a patient’s medical bills to exceed the amount of insurance coverage he or the other driver has. Combine these bills with the income you’re losing while stuck in the hospital, and you’ve suffered some serious financial losses.
• Surgery: Auto accidents often cause crushed and broken bones, damaged organs, deep lacerations, and head trauma. These types of injuries generally require surgery to fix. Because auto accidents often involve sheared metal and broken glass, scarring and disfigurement are common results. In such cases, plastic and reconstructive surgery may be required.
• Death: If your loved one died in a motor vehicle accident, you may have grounds for a wrongful death claim. Damages in a wrongful death lawsuit include the following:
  • Funeral and burial expenses
  • Medical bills
  • Pain and suffering of the deceased before death
  • Loss of future income
  • Loss of future benefits (medical, retirement, etc.)
  • Loss of love, affection, etc.
  • Loss of household duties the deceased performed (child care, repairs, etc.)
  • Punitive damages

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Liability in Atlanta Car Crash Cases

If you were involved in a car accident and suffered injuries, Georgia law permits you to seek compensation for those injuries from the at-fault driver. The law does not limit you to only recover medical expenses. You may also recover for pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, past and future lost wages, property damage, and more.

To prove negligence, you must establish that the other driver caused the accident due to his or her own negligence. Negligence is akin to carelessness and can occur when a driver is distracted by texting and driving, driving too fast, running red lights, or even following you too closely.

You can recover damages from the other driver even if you were partially at fault for the wreck. Under modified comparative negligence law in Georgia, you are permitted to recover for your injuries if the other driver was 51% or more at fault for the accident. Your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your level of fault.

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FAQs - What to Do After an Auto Accident

What's the Very First Thing I Should Do After a Vehicle Accident?

Get to a safe place and seek help. This includes moving your vehicle out of traffic, if possible, and checking to see if you or anyone else was injured. Call 911 or your local emergency number if anyone appears to have suffered injuries in the crash. Then, contact the local police for an investigation and accident report.

What Information Should I Collect After a Collision?

Collect all the names and contact information for each of the following parties:

• Every person involved in the collision
• Insurance companies that cover those involved in the accident
• Any witnesses or individuals who stopped to help
• Any police officers who respond to the scene of the accident

If you can do so safely, you may also wish to make a sketch, take photos, or write down everything you remember about the moments leading up to the collision. Witnesses may also describe to you what they saw, which you can write down if you're able.

I Don't Think I Was Hurt in the Crash. Should I See a Doctor Anyway?

It's always wise to see a physician after a car accident, even it's not immediately obvious that you're injured. Some injuries, like whiplash or soft tissue injuries, may take a few days to manifest. A physician can document these injuries and help you recover from them more quickly.

Should I Talk to Police at the Accident Scene?

You should answer police officer's questions about how the crash occurred. However, you should avoid making any statements about your responsibility or fault for the accident. For instance, it's wise to avoid statements like "the crash was my fault, officer; I wasn't paying attention." Simply describe what happened in the crash.

Should I Talk to the Insurance Company Without an Attorney's Help?

You should contact your insurance company to let them know an accident has occurred. However, before you speak to an attorney, you should avoid giving a statement or answering questions about your role in the accident or your injuries. The more severe your injuries are, the more important it is to seek legal counsel before giving any kind of statement.

Can an Insurance Company Refuse to Pay My Medical Bills If My Car Was Not Damaged?

No. While an insurance company may try to draw a connection between the damage to your car and the damage to your body, the two are not the same. If you have been injured, coverage for bodily injury or personal injury protection (PIP) kicks in to pay your medical bills, whether or not your car was damaged in the accident.

What Legal Rights Do I Have as an Injured Passenger?

If you sustained an injury as a passenger in a vehicle involved in a collision, you are usually entitled to receive compensation for your injuries. As a passenger, you may have a claim against both the driver of the vehicle in which you were riding as well as the drivers of any other vehicles (or any other negligent parties) involved in the collision. A passenger is generally not considered to be at fault or partially at fault for causing a wreck unless he or she does something to cause the crash, such as distract the driver.

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Helping You Obtain Rightful Compensation in Atlanta

The seasoned Atlanta car accident lawyers at Grant Law Office will work on your behalf to help settle your claim without the time and cost of lengthy litigation. However, we will not hesitate to take your claim to trial, if necessary, to achieve the best outcome possible. If you or a family member has been involved in a truck collision, rideshare accident, or any other type of wreck in Georgia, we are here to help. Call (404) 995-3955 to schedule a free and comprehensive case review.

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Additional Information

• Dealing with Mental Trauma After a Bad Car Accident
• Taking Car Accident Photos That Can Best Support Your Claim
• Can Dashcam Footage Help a Personal Injury Claim?
• What if Someone Crashes into You Because They Were Tailgating You?
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Motor Vehicle Safety - CDC