Valdosta Car Accident Lawyer

If you’re dealing with injuries because of a car accident someone else caused in Valdosta, you may be entitled to full compensation of your costs. A lot can be overwhelming in the moments following an accident, and it’s hard to know where to turn. Besides getting any needed emergency medical treatment, the first thing you should consider is contacting a Valdosta car accident lawyer. Having a legal professional on your side from the beginning can make a huge difference in your financial recovery options.

At John Foy & Associates, we believe you shouldn’t have to pay for any costs resulting from a car accident you didn’t cause. That’s why we’ve been helping car accident victims get the recovery they deserve for 20+ years. Our focus is always on injury victims, and we never take the side of insurance companies. Let us give you a FREE consultation to talk about the details or your case. To get started today, call 404-400-4000 or contact us here.

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.

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.

Who is at Fault for a Car Accident in Valdosta?

Georgia is a “fault state,” which means the driver whose negligence caused an accident is liable for damages. Negligence refers to carelessness or acting in a way that puts others in the way of harm. A driver can be negligent without actually intending to cause harm.

For example, say a driver looks down at their phone and drifts into the lane beside them on the highway, colliding with another driver’s vehicle and causing an accident. The second driver suffers whiplash and a broken wrist, plus their vehicle is totaled. Even though the first driver didn’t mean to hurt anyone or cause an accident, they are still at fault because looking at their phone while driving was careless and negligent.

So, if you’re in a car accident in Valdosta and the other driver’s actions (or inactions) led to your accident, they are likely at fault. Usually, this means the driver’s insurance company will be responsible for paying those costs—if you can prove the other driver was at fault.

What if More than One Person is at Fault?

The fault should be straight-forward, but it can get complicated sometimes. For example, if both drivers (or more than two drivers) are partially at fault for the accident, comparative negligence would apply. When more than one person contributes to an accident happening, each person will be assigned a percentage of fault. That person’s damages would then be reduced by that percentage.

Say you hold five percent of the fault in a car accident in Valdosta and your damages total $10,000. Your award or settlement would be reduced by five percent, meaning you can still get $9,500 in damages and are responsible for the remaining $500. The other driver would then be liable for 90% of your damages.

How Do I Know if I Have a Valid Car Accident Claim?

If someone else’s negligence caused your car accident and resulting injuries, chances are you have a valid Valdosta personal injury claim. But if you’re unsure, speak to a car accident lawyer right away.

An experienced attorney has worked on many car accident cases, and they’ll be able to tell you the strength of your claim based on the details. They can then help you compile the right evidence and give you an idea of the full value of your claim.

Some of the most common accidents leading to car accident claim in Valdosta include:

• Rear-end collisions
• Head-on accidents
• Distracted driving or drunk driving accidents
• Hit-and-run collisions
• Uninsured motorist accidents
• Accidents caused by poor driving conditions, such as rain, hail, or fog

What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Valdosta?

Just about everything you do after a car accident can help in building your injury claim. Here are some things you can do right after the crash happens.

Stop and Call Police

Even if the accident was minor, never drive away from the scene. Stop and make sure your surroundings are safe, such as away from oncoming traffic. Then, call 911 to report the accident to the local police—even if the other driver discourages it. You will probably need a police report of the accident to file your car accident claim, and the accident needs to be reported for this to happen.

When the police arrive at the scene, tell them exactly what happened before, during, and after the accident. Don’t guess or give a definite answer about anything if you aren’t sure. If you have injuries and police ask, just say “yes.” If you aren’t sure whether you’re hurt yet, just say you “aren’t sure” instead of “no” because car accident injuries can sometimes show up later.

Get Medical Treatment

If your injuries are serious or life-threatening, get medical attention right away. Don’t delay this.

If you are well enough to stay at the scene, make sure you see a doctor as soon as possible after the main details are cleared away. Seeing a doctor will create a record of you getting medical treatment, which shows the insurance company your injuries are as serious as you say. Keep track of all medical bills, hospital costs, and doctor’s notes for evidence in your claim.

Exchange Information

Even though the police will ask for insurance information at the scene, it’s a good idea to exchange this information with the other driver yourself, too. Get their first and last name, contact information, and license plate number.

Gather Evidence at the Scene

Things can change quickly after a car accident. If you’re able, use your phone or another camera to photograph the accident scene, your injuries, the position of all cars, and vehicle damage. You should also keep any torn or bloodied clothing, as this is physical evidence of the accident and your injuries.

Also, talk to anyone who saw the accident happen and ask for their contact information. Your car accident attorney will likely reach out to them later.

Call an Attorney

Contact a trusted car accident lawyer in the Valdosta area as soon as you can after the accident. They can advise you on the best course of action moving forward so you know you’re pursuing the fullest financial recovery possible.

Speak to a Car Accident Lawyer in Valdosta, GA for Free

At John Foy & Associates, we know how lonely the aftermath of a car accident can feel. And we’re here to help you every step of the way. We’ve been representing car accident victims for 20+ years, and we believe you have a legal right to full compensation of your costs. To schedule a FREE consultation today to talk about the details of your case, call us at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form on this page to get started.