Acworth Car Accident Lawyer

Georgia Laws Regarding Minimum Levels of Auto Insurance Coverage

When it comes to car accidents in Georgia, the state operates under a system of “fault-based” insurance. This means that the driver who is determined to be at fault for the accident will also be the one responsible for paying the damages caused by the crash. 

Georgia law requires all drivers to carry a minimum amount of auto insurance as well. This is designed to cover the cost of property damage and medical expenses in the event of an accident. 

However, the required minimum level of coverage might not be enough to cover all the costs of the crash, particularly if the incident results in serious physical injuries or major property damage. Still, the minimum auto insurance coverage requirements are as follows:

• $25,000 for bodily injury per person
• $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
• $25,000 for property damage per accident

These limits can be inadequate if there are multiple injured parties or if the damages are extensive. Therefore, it is important for drivers to consider purchasing additional coverage to protect themselves in the event of a collision. 

When you reach out to our car accident lawyers in Acworth, we can tell you more about our firm and how our attorneys can help you understand which types of injuries you sustained in the crash.

What Can I Do to Protect My Rights After a Car Accident?

To legally protect yourself after a car accident, you will need to document the accident, gather evidence, get your injuries treated as soon as possible, and seek legal help.

Documenting the Scene

After the accident happens, you will need to:

• Call the police to report the accident and tell responding officers what happened
• Take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and vehicle damage to your car
• Avoid admitting any blame or apologizing to the other driver until you have all the facts
• Talk to witnesses and get their names and contact information

Each of these steps can help create a record of the car accident, which is crucial for your insurance claim.

Getting Your Injuries Checked Out

After you’ve left the scene, see a doctor as soon as you can to have your injuries checked out. Some car accident injuries take time to fully show up, so you should see a doctor even if your pain is minor. The sooner you can get treatment and create a record that you saw someone for your injuries, the better it is for your case.

Also, keep track of all medical bills, doctor notes, and other records of your injuries and medical expenses.

Taking Notes on the Accident

Keep a record of what happened before, during, and after the car accident. Write down how the accident made you feel and how your injuries have impacted your day-to-day life. Also, record any names and contact information of people you’ve communicated with about your accident.

Getting a Car Inspection

Assess how much your vehicle damage will cost to repair (or replace, if your car was totaled). You might see a few different inspectors for an average estimate of how much your vehicle damage is worth before the other driver’s insurance company steps in.

Documenting Your Damages

Keep track of all costs associated with your car accident. Use a file or folder to save documents and notes in one place. This should include:

• Your claim number
• The insurance adjuster’s name
• All medical bills and records
• Quotes for vehicle damage repairs
• Full names, phone numbers, and addresses for all relevant contacts

Calling a Car Accident Lawyer

Schedule a consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer who can make sure you are doing everything to protect your rights after the accident. It’s easy to get taken advantage of if you don’t know how to handle the insurance company, so a lawyer can make sure that doesn’t happen. They can also help fight for the fair settlement you deserve.

If the insurance company or other driver fights against your claim, your lawyer will be there every step of the way – even if you need to take the driver to trial.

Basically, be cautious in everything you do or say after a car accident. Avoid admitting blame, apologizing, or downplaying your damages - and get a trusted lawyer on your side who can help you take the right actions for your case. The goal is to protect your legal rights to full compensation for all the damages you face because of the other driver’s negligence that led to your accident.

Types of Car Accident Injuries in Acworth

Car accidents can leave victims like you with a wide array of injuries, ranging from minor cuts and bruises to severe or life-threatening conditions. These are examples of common injuries that often stem from collisions like this:

• Whiplash: This is a very common type of injury sustained by those involved in rear-end collisions. It occurs when the head and neck are forcefully jerked forward and then backward. This movement causes strain on your muscles and ligaments.
• Broken bones: The force of a car accident can easily cause broken bones, especially in the arms, legs, and ribs. These injuries often require serious medical treatment, namely surgery and physical therapy.
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Head injuries are very serious consequences of car accidents. Even a mild concussion can lead to long-term cognitive issues. Meanwhile, more severe brain injuries may require extensive rehabilitation.
• Spinal cord injuries: Injuries to the spine can result in paralysis or long-term mobility issues. In many cases, spinal injuries are permanent, and they often require lifelong care.
• Internal injuries: Blunt force trauma from an accident can cause internal bleeding or organ damage, neither of which are always immediately visible. Even so, they can be life-threatening.
• Soft tissue injuries: These injuries include sprains, strains, and bruises. They can cause serious pain and require intense rehabilitation.

The Role of Insurance in Car Accidents

In Georgia, drivers are required to carry liability insurance, which covers the damages and injuries caused to others in an accident. However, if the at-fault driver does not have adequate coverage—or if the driver is uninsured—other forms of insurance may come into play.

• Uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage: If the at-fault driver does not have insurance—or if they have an insurance policy but it does not offer adequate coverage—your own insurance policy may cover the difference through uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This is an optional policy that many drivers choose to purchase for added protection.
• Personal injury protection (PIP): Georgia allows drivers to purchase PIP insurance, which provides coverage for medical expenses and lost wages regardless of who is at fault for the incident. This coverage can be particularly valuable for those who are seriously injured and unable to work while recovering.

If you are hurt in a car crash and the other driver is found to be at fault, their insurance should cover your damages and medical expenses up to the limits of their policy. However, it helps to \ understand that insurance companies are often focused on minimizing their payouts. 

This means they might try to deny claims or offer settlements that are lower than what you deserve. In these situations, your car accident lawyer in Acworth can represent you as you take legal action to secure fair compensation.

The Statute of Limitations a Car Accident Attorney in Acworth Can Make Sure You Adhere To When Filing Your Claim 

In Georgia, there are specific time limits that you must consider when filing a car accident claim. If you are seeking compensation for physical injuries, property damage, or other losses that you sustained, you are required to file your claim within two years from the date of the incident. 

This is known as the statute of limitations. If you fail to file within this 24-month time frame, you could lose your right to seek compensation entirely. Additionally, insurance companies often have their own deadlines when it comes to submitting claims and providing documentation. 

Ultimately, the only way to guarantee that your claim is submitted on time is to reach out to car accident lawyers in Acworth. Your attorney can help you report the accident to your insurance company and initiate the legal process as a personal injury victim.

The Comparative Fault System for Collisions in Georgia 

As mentioned earlier, Georgia follows a comparative fault system, which means that if both parties share fault for the accident, the compensation will be reduced according to each party’s percentage of fault. 

In some cases, the insurance company or the court may find that you are partially at fault for the accident, which can result in a reduction in the amount of compensation you receive. For example, let’s say you are found to be 10% at fault for the accident. 

From there, the amount of compensation you would be able to receive in damages would then be reduced by 10%. However, if you are found to be more than 50% at fault for the crash, you can no longer recover compensation for your injuries or the damages you sustained.

How Your Car Accident Lawyers in Acworth Can Help You Determine Fault in Your Case

Georgia is known as a fault state, which means that all car accident claims are based on who caused the accident. The driver who is primarily at fault will be held liable for the collision, and their insurance will be the one that has to pay out the cost associated with the crash. 

However, this system is not always as simple as it sounds. This is due to the fact that the state of Georgia allows for comparative negligence, meaning more than one party can share fault in a car accident case. Your lawyer can help you understand how the law affects your case. 

All in all, the total amount of compensation that you receive will be reduced by the percentage of fault that is awarded to you. However, if you are found to be more than 50% at fault for the collision, you won’t receive any compensation at all due to state-level personal injury laws. 

How Much Money You Could Receive as the Victim of a Collision 

You would think there would be a clear relation between the cost of your losses and the amount of money the insurance company offers you. However, this is not true. Insurers routinely offer more than you think you need at first because they want you to accept the offer right away.  

They know that the amount you actually need might be far greater over time, especially when you consider missed wages, lingering health effects, or additional treatment if your injuries don’t heal. 

In other words, insurers try to tempt you with quick money up front, in order to sell you short down the road. Ultimately, the amount of money you’ll be paid is a matter of negotiation. In general, you can usually expect your accident claim to reflect the following:

• The extent of your medical costs  
• The total value of your car repair or property damage costs
• The full scope of your lost wages as a result of missing work
• The majority of other hard costs you had to pay as a result of the incident 

Why You Should Hire Acworth Car Accident Attorneys to Represent You

We want to remind you that everything you say can—and likely will—be used against you. This not only applies in situations where law enforcement is interrogating you, which many people assume. In the aftermath of a collision, you can expect to receive a call from the insurer. 

More specifically, the at-fault party’s insurance company will often introduce themselves with a cheerful, “How are you today?” It’s all too easy to respond with a simple, “Fine,” even if you’re in pain, but the insurer now has it on record that you said you were fine shortly after the accident. 

This is just the first of many ways insurance companies often attempt to minimize how much they have to pay you as the victim of the collision. Here’s how else they might respond to your insurance claim following the crash: 

• Turn your case around on you
• Deny your claim after you submit it
• Diminish how much they owe you

We strongly encourage you to never agree to a recorded statement or call with the insurance company. Instead, speak with car accident attorneys in Acworth as soon as possible. Once you have a lawyer, the insurer has to talk to them about your case—not to you.  

If you bear this advice in mind and apply it in the aftermath of the collision, you’ll be proactively advocating for your own rights and taking steps to keep yourself away from harm. The law is on your side, but a car accident lawyer in Acworth can make sure you are protected at all times.  

Do I Have To Go To Trial in a Car Accident Case?

No—you do not have to go to trial in a car accident case in many situations. The majority of cases are settled quickly once you have Acworth car accident lawyers by your side. It is not generally favorable for insurance companies to go to trial either. 

They know they usually have far more to lose if they go to trial, especially when you—as the victim of the situation—have competent car accident attorneys in Acworth representing you. That said, there is always a chance that the insurer will refuse to offer a fair settlement. 

In this case, the option of going to trial might be on the table, at which point your lawyer can inform you about what to expect in court. If you decide to move forward with a trial, we will work tirelessly to defend your claim in front of a judge or a jury. 

Call Our Acworth Car Accident Law Firm Today to Speak With Legal Professionals Who Can Help You 

If you were hurt in a collision, there’s no better time than today to reach out to car accident attorneys in Acworth. The sooner you contact John Foy & Associates, the sooner we can look into the details of your case and start working toward justice on your behalf. 

We believe that personal injury victims should have a fair opportunity to pursue the money they deserve, but recovering compensation takes time. That’s why we encourage you to connect with us immediately, especially when it comes to abiding by the statute of limitations. 

Whether you are dealing with the stress of your insurance claims, overwhelmed by your medical bills, or trying to figure out how to determine fault, remember that you don’t have to deal with everything on your own. We’re here to help.