Blue Ridge Car Accident Attorney
Whether you are driving to work or returning to your home in Blue Ridge, an accident can happen at any time. When a driver causes an accident, they should be held accountable for any resulting physical or bodily damage. Sometimes, the ideal remedy when seeking justice is through the courts with the help of a Blue Ridge car accident lawyer. Your auto crash attorney can explore various options for seeking compensation. That way, you do not suffer financially due to someone else’s actions.
Common Causes of Roadway Collisions
A car crash occurs every five seconds in this country, and most of those collisions are due to human error. While the possible causes of a motor vehicle accident vary widely, common ones include:
- Distracted Driving: Distracted driving remains a top cause of roadway collisions. Smartphones are a frequent cause of distracted driving. People who text, instant message, or scroll through social media are not paying attention to the road. Those lapses in attention can lead to an auto accident that can seriously injure anyone nearby.
- Driving Under the Influence: Anyone under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prescription pills may become drowsy and less able to react to changing roadway conditions. Alcohol can cause people to behave more aggressively than they might otherwise. Anyone who drives under the influence may face criminal charges as well as liability through the civil courts.
- Speeding: Excessive speeding can increase the chances of a car collision, and that the accident could cause serious bodily injury. When a vehicle drives at a high velocity, it can limit the driver’s ability to react quickly to changing road conditions. A fast-moving car is also more likely to lose control or flip over. Someone who causes an accident at high speeds could be charged with reckless driving.
- Weather Conditions: Weather conditions can cause or contribute to a vehicle collision. Rain, fog, snow, and ice can limit visibility and reduce traction for cars on the road. If a driver needs to stop their car, the stopping distance may be greatly increased
- Failure to Maintain a Safe Distance: Maintaining a safe distance between cars allows drivers to have enough time to brake. When drivers tailgate or drive recklessly, they can cause an accident.
- Highway or Roadway Obstructions: Objects on the road are a leading cause of accidents, especially on highways where high speeds do not allow much time for drivers to notice boxes, fallen construction equipment, and other obstructions. The objects can cause damage to a car due to a direct collision. In other cases, the driver may swerve to avoid the object and cause an accident in the process.
No matter the cause of the accident, if someone was at fault for causing an injury, you can hire a Blue Ridge personal injury attorney to hold the at-fault driver accountable. You may be eligible for compensation that can pay for your past, present, and future medical bill coverage as well as pain and suffering.
Blue Ridge Car Accident Lawyer Near Me (706) 276-3636
How Is Fault Determined After a Car Accident?
Multiple parties may have an interest in determining fault after a car accident. The insurance companies for the parties involved have an interest in determining fault. Georgia is an at-fault state for car collision liability, meaning that the person who causes the accident is financially responsible for covering any physical damages or bodily harm they caused.
Insurance companies do not pay settlements unless their policyholder is at fault. A serious car accident will require a police report. This can also be a source of evidence when determining fault. The police officer may include information that directly or indirectly determines who caused the accident.
Attorneys can conduct their own investigations that use witness testimony, police reports, photos, and other sources of evidence to determine who caused an accident. If the at-fault insurance company tries to say that you are to blame for the incident, your attorney can use evidence to rebut those accusations.
Ultimately, the strength of your claim is determined by the credibility of the evidence that supports your side of the story.
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Important Steps to Take Following a Car Accident
The scene of any car wreck can be chaotic. Your top priority should be your safety and that of those around you. If you are not seriously harmed and can safely do so, take photos of the car accident scene and collect the names of potential witnesses.
If the paramedics offer to check you for injuries, let them do so. Your injuries may not be apparent to you if you are still under the effects of adrenaline. It is usually advisable to schedule a more comprehensive examination with your doctor as soon as possible. Those documents can help you later if you decide to take legal action against the at-fault driver.
If the police do not arrive at the scene to make their own police report, file one on your own. This document can prove crucial later on if you decide to hire a personal injury attorney. Do not talk to the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
The opposing insurance may want you to make a statement that may be used against you later. Any communications with the insurance company should be done by your attorney.
One mistake many people make following an accident is not consulting a personal injury attorney. You may think that you don’t have a case or that you can’t afford an attorney. Many car wreck lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you do not have to pay anything upfront for legal representation.
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Benefits of Hiring a Blue Ridge Car Accident Lawyer
Following a car accident in Blue Ridge, you may not be aware of your options for finding compensation. The job of a car accident lawyer is to look at the circumstances of their client’s car accident to determine who is at fault and who should pay.
One source of compensation could be the at-fault driver’s automobile insurance. Dealing with someone else’s car insurance can be more difficult than you think.
Insurance companies are driven by profits, and they may not be in any hurry to pay compensation, even when their policyholder is clearly at fault for causing an accident.
By hiring a car accident lawyer, you can allow your attorney to take up that fight. Once the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier sees that you have legal representation, they may think twice about denying you a fair settlement.
In cases where the driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may be able to take direct legal action against the at-fault driver. By informing the defendant that you intend to take legal action in court, you could receive compensation from the at-fault driver.
If litigation is needed, a car wreck attorney understands how to use the civil courts to compel the at-fault driver to compensate you for your injuries.
FAQs
Q: How Long After an Accident Can You Sue in Georgia?
A: There is no waiting period for filing a claim in Georgia, so your attorney can take legal action soon after the accident. There is a deadline for when you can file. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Georgia is two years. Missing this filing deadline will likely mean that you cannot use the courts to seek compensation from the at-fault party.
Q: What Is the Maximum You Can Sue for After a Car Accident?
A: The maximum amount that you can sue someone for after a car accident is largely determined by the value of the property damages and costs associated with any bodily damages that resulted from the incident.
Your attorney can make those calculations based on the facts of your case. If your case involves punitive damages, Georgia caps those awards at $250,000.
Q: What Happens After a Car Accident in Georgia?
A: After a car accident in Blue Ridge, Georgia, the insurance companies involved in the incident and local law enforcement may conduct investigations to determine who is at fault. Once the insurance companies come to an agreement, the at-fault party is expected to pay for the physical damage and bodily harm caused by the at-fault driver.
Q: How Is Fault Determined in a Car Accident in Georgia?
A: Multiple parties may conduct investigations to determine fault following a car accident. One important source of evidence will be the police report tied to the incident. Your Blue Ridge attorney can also gather evidence and examine photos to build a legal argument that supports your case.
Even when it seems apparent who caused the accident, it can still require careful research to explain what happened in a manner that the courts would understand.
Schedule Your Car Accident Consultation Today
You should not have to bear the financial consequences of someone else’s actions. If you or a loved one was injured in a car accident, you can hold the at-fault driver accountable by hiring a car accident attorney. They can explore options for helping you receive compensation. Often, that process begins with negotiations with the at-fault driver’s insurance carrier.
If further legal action is needed, the legal team at Teague Law can fight to protect your rights and interests. We have helped many injured clients obtain fair compensation for their injuries, and we can do the same for you. To start the process, contact our office today to schedule a consultation.
Call or text (706) 276-3636 or complete a form