Car accidents are probably the most common situation where an individual finds themselves needing a personal injury lawyer to enforce their legal rights. In Georgia, the law guarantees you a right to a full financial recovery for any costs of a car accident that isn’t your fault. These costs can include:
- Medical bills
- Estimated cost of future medical care
- Car repairs
- Missed wages related to the accident
- Compensation for serious losses such as a disability or the loss of a loved one
Georgia is a fault state, meaning that the insurance companies will work to determine who caused the accident. That party’s insurance will then have to pay for all parties’ costs. In some cases, fault will be considered “shared” between both drivers, but in most cases one driver clearly caused the accident. Even the party who is at fault has a right to recover costs from their own insurance policy.
What counts as a car accident in Georgia?
In Georgia, virtually any collision or injury related to a motor vehicle counts as a car accident. This applies to accidents involving one vehicle, two vehicles or multiple vehicles. Common examples of car accidents include:
- Head-on collisions
- Rear end collisions
- Dangerous road condition accidents
- Defective tire accidents
- Distracted driving accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Hit and run accidents
The same rules also apply to accidents that don’t strictly involve cars, such as:
What should I do if I’m involved in a car accident?
The most important thing to do is to remember that you have legal rights. In the immediate aftermath of the accident, you should start to be your own advocate and gather the evidence you need to protect yourself. This can include:
- Taking pictures of the accident scene.
- Calling the police immediately. You will need the police report to pursue your claim.
- Talking to witnesses who saw the accident and asking for their contact information.
- Being careful what you say. Do not apologize if it wasn’t your fault, and don’t insist you’re fine until you’ve seen a doctor.
After the accident, make sure you get medical attention even if your injuries seem minor. Speak to a lawyer right away, and if possible, do not speak to the insurance company until you have a lawyer’s advice. Insurance companies will often ask you leading questions and then try to use your words against you to minimize your claim.
Have you been injured in a car accident? John Foy & Associates offers a free consultation with some of the most experienced and respected personal injury lawyers in Georgia. Fill out the form to your right or call us at 404-400-4000 to get your FREE consultation today.