Even injuries from a minor car accident can develop into more serious conditions or ongoing pain—often with steep medical costs. No insurance company is eager to pay them out, and many will offer you far less than you need. Don’t allow yourself to foot the bill for an accident that wasn’t your fault.
The Marietta car accident attorneys at John Foy & Associates have been assisting victims for over 20 years and have a long history of winning cases. Our firm exists exclusively to help injured victims and their families, and we have built up a reputation as one of the most respected and effective law firms in the state.
What to Do After a Car Crash in Marietta
A man uses his cell phone after a rear-end collision. Report your auto crash to the police, then talk to a car accident attorney in Marietta to learn if you can get compensation.
After a collision, the most important thing to do is make sure you’re alright. If you need any medical attention, call an ambulance and go to the hospital. Your safety should be your number one concern.
Once you know you are safe, there are steps you can take to have a better chance at getting compensation. After a crash, you should:
- Take pictures or video of the scene, including the damage to each car
- Get a police report
- Get the contact information of any witnesses at the scene
- Just give out the facts, and don’t tell the other party or an insurance adjuster more than you have to
- Even if you don’t think you’re injured, see a doctor as soon as possible
You should gather as much evidence as possible after a car accident. While a Marietta car accident attorney will be able to investigate your accident, anything you can collect yourself will help.
Who’s at Fault in a Car Accident in Georgia?
Georgia is what’s called a “fault state” for car accidents. That means that whichever driver caused the accident will be held responsible for the costs of everyone who was hurt. Usually, their insurance company will pay these costs for them, so no one pays anything out of pocket.
This system works well, but it requires the insurance companies to follow complicated rules about who is at fault. In some cases, these rules are easy to understand. For example:
- In a rear-end collision, whoever was in the back is usually at fault (but not always).
- A DUI driver is almost always considered at fault for any accident they’re involved in.
- A driver who violates traffic laws, like running a stop sign, is likely to be considered at fault for the accident.
- Factors like talking on a cell phone or texting while driving are also considered when assigning fault.
But there are exceptions to all these rules. For example, if you were texting while stopped at a red light, and someone slammed into you from behind, the fault is almost certainly with them—not you.
The key to every car accident claim is what’s called “negligence.” Essentially, the law asks if anyone was acting in a negligent or careless way. If they had been more careful, could the accident have been prevented? If the answer is yes, that person is likely at fault for the accident.
Marietta Car Accident Lawyer Near Me 404-400-4000
What Damages are Covered in a Marietta Car Accident Claim?
The City of Marietta allows the victim in a car accident to recover up to 100% of all their damages. In other words, if the accident wasn’t your fault you should be able to walk away with no medical debt and no costs.
The costs we see most often in car accident claims include:
- Hospital bills and other medical costs
- Medication
- Rehabilitation such as physical therapy
- Reimbursement for lost work time caused by the accident
- Car repairs
Other damages are also considered. If you suffered serious physical pain, a disability, or another major loss because of your accidents, you could be awarded a substantially higher amount of money. This money will never make up for what happened. But it may help you and your family stay afloat financially as you wrestle with the aftermath.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Crash Claim?
Compensation for auto accidents can vary greatly. Your car accident settlement will depend on the extent of your damages and the situation surrounding your accident. In your initial consultation, your attorney may be able to give you a better idea of what you can expect for your damages.
Some settlements we have secured for our clients include:
- $7.7 million for a motorcycle accident
- $6.6 million for a tractor-trailer collision
- $4.9 million for an 18-wheeler collision
- $2 million for an auto accident
While your settlement may vary, an experienced car crash attorney in Marietta from John Foy & Associates will be able to calculate your damages and negotiate with the insurance company. That way, you can get the financial compensation that you deserve.
For a free legal consultation with a car accidents lawyer serving Marietta, call 404-400-4000
Do I Have a Valid Car Accident Claim?
It’s hard to be sure until you speak to a car accident lawyer in Marietta. Car accident claims have dozens of variables, and a good attorney who has spent years working on these cases will be able to tell you how strong your claim is. They can also give you a sense of how much your financial recovery might be worth.
In general, any kind of car accident can become a valid claim. We have helped victims of:
- Head-on accidents
- Rear-end accidents
- Distracted driving
- Semi-truck accidents
- DUI drivers
- Bad driving conditions (fog, rain, etc.)
- Tire failure
- Whiplash
- Hit and run accidents
- Uninsured motorists
Do I Have to Go to Trial for a Car Crash Case?
You don’t typically have to go to court for a car accident case. In some cases, if the insurance company refuses to negotiate, we may recommend taking your case to trial in the local courts. We base this recommendation on how strong your claim is and whether we think you are likely to win. If you do choose to go to court, we will handle the whole process for you.
However, most car accident cases never go to trial. They’re usually resolved through simple negotiation. We will launch our own investigation of your accident and assemble hard evidence for every detail. This allows us to hit the insurance company hard at the bargaining table. In many cases, this is all it takes to get them to make you a much higher offer.
Is It Worth It to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Marietta?
After a crash, it can be tempting to let things work themselves out without causing any more trouble. However, if you have any injuries or property damage, you will have to pay for them with your own funds if you don’t pursue compensation.
Plus, according to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) § 40-6-273, you are obligated to report any accident if the damage exceeds $500.
You can handle the legal proceedings yourself, but it can be extremely difficult. The at-fault party and the insurance company will try to bully or trick you into accepting a settlement less than what you’re owed. A car accident lawyer in Marietta will know what to do to make sure you’re not taken advantage of.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Marietta Car Accident Attorney?
We don’t think you should have to pay anything out of pocket. Our mission is to help people who were injured. That’s why we make legal help as accessible as possible. It’s also why we don’t charge hourly fees. Instead, our promise is simple:
- Every consultation is free
- You pay us nothing out of pocket, ever
- You pay us nothing unless we win you money
Our Marietta car accident attorneys prefer this approach because it allows you to get legal help with absolutely no risk.
When Should I Get a Lawyer for My Car Accident in Georgia?
In Georgia, the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is two years, according to OCGA § 9-3-33. That’s just two years to file for compensation for any medical bills or lost work you suffered because of your injuries.
The deadline to file for vehicle damage is longer. For damages to your vehicle, OCGA § 9-3-31 allows a four-year statute of limitations. That doesn’t mean you should wait too long to contact a lawyer, though. The sooner we can get to work investigating your case and negotiating on a settlement, the better.
Types of Auto Accident Cases We Handle
Our Marietta car accident attorneys know that there are many reasons crashes happen, and each case is unique. That’s why they’re equipped to handle many different auto accident cases, including:
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Bus accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Accidents involving uninsured drivers
Talk to a Car Accident Attorney in Marietta for Free
Any injury can be painful, frustrating, and emotional. Don’t face it alone. Our car accident lawyers in Marietta can give you a free consultation to help you understand your rights and get the money you deserve.
Contact John Foy & Associates today to get a free consultation. Our car crash attorneys are on call for you 24/7.
Call or text 404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form