Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer

Atlanta Car Accident Attorney

Have you or a loved one been involved in a car accident in Atlanta? Call our Atlanta accident attorneys today at 404-975-1775. We will get you compensation for your injuries, medical bills, pain and suffering, and property damage. Your Atlanta car accident lawyer can be an invaluable asset for every stage of your recovery process, from proving fault for your accident to securing the compensation you need to recover fully.

As we all know, Atlanta is Georgia’s capital and it’s also infamously known as Georgia’s accident capital. On every news station day, noon, or night you hear of a bad accident that’s happened on I-20, I-75, I-85 or I-275. Often times, the accidents are so bad that our hearts go out to these people, who we don’t know, because we all know someone who has been in a serious accident.

At the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm our Atlanta injury and accident attorneys are here to help you with any size car accident or injury. We understand that any injury can be life altering at worst and a horrible inconvenience at best. Either way, you did not ask to be injured by another’s negligence and the person at fault should be held responsible for their actions.

In Georgia, all drivers are required to have minimum liability coverage of $25,000 on their vehicle for bodily injuries; however, many drivers, including trucking companies, have liability policies in excess of $1,000,000. Georgia does not require you to have full coverage on your vehicle. It is important you contact an attorney as soon as you can because evidence disappears and memories fade. An attorney can capture this evidence quickly if hired.

Almost any law firm will do when you have a simple divorce. But, when you need a law firm specializing in serious auto accident and wrongful death cases our team of attorneys’ are prepared. Working on major cases is what we do. The insurance companies have a team of attorneys to defend them; you need a team of experienced attorneys representing you in Atlanta, Georgia.

We have represented accident victims injured by:

• 18-Wheeler Trucks. These accidents tend to result in severe damages and can raise very complex questions regarding liability. If you were injured in any type of 18-wheeler accident, you would need a seasoned attorney’s help to accurately determine fault and to help you recover as much compensation as possible for your damages.
• Dump Trucks. Large construction vehicles like dump trucks are easily capable of inflicting tremendous damage when they are involved in accidents. We can help you determine liability and hold the responsible party accountable for your losses with an insurance claim and/or personal injury suit.
• Delivery Trucks. Delivery drivers are commercial drivers and, therefore, subject to a higher standard of care on the road than most individual drivers. If you were harmed by a delivery truck accident, you may have grounds for a civil suit against the driver, their employer, or a combination of multiple liable parties.
• Ambulances. It is possible for an accident involving an ambulance to result in tremendous damages, but filing a claim for an accident with an emergency vehicle will require meeting specific legal requirements. It is imperative to have an experienced Atlanta car accident attorney help you with any such case.
• Police Cars. Similar to ambulance accidents, police car accidents will also require meeting special requirements. Filing a civil suit against a police department or any other government office is very different from filing a claim against another private party.
• Train. Train accidents can be devastating, and while steps are generally taken to prevent accidents at railroad crossings, it is possible for these safety measures to fail, resulting in damaging or fatal accidents.
• SUV’s. Larger SUVs are generally regarded as safer than smaller vehicles, but some of these larger vehicles are vulnerable to tipping or rolling over in certain situations. We can help you determine fault for an SUV accident and hold the appropriate party accountable for your losses.
• Motorcycles. The risk of catastrophic or fatal injury is much higher in a motorcycle accident than it is in most other types of vehicle accidents. If you or a loved one has experienced a motorcycle accident, it is vital to work with an experienced attorney who has proven experience handling this type of claim.
• DUI Drivers. Accidents caused by intoxicated drivers typically lead to complex legal issues in criminal court as well as expensive damages for injured victims. Your Atlanta car accident lawyer can help you understand what implications the criminal case against the DUI driver could have on your recovery.

No matter what caused your car accident, your injuries are your biggest concern. And because your injuries are your biggest concern, they are our biggest concern. As Atlanta injury and accident attorneys, some of the most common injuries our clients suffer in interstate accidents include:

• Broken bones. Bone fractures can sometimes heal completely with time and appropriate treatment, but severe fractures may require surgical correction, including placement of steel plates and pins. These injuries can lead to chronic pain, diminished mobility, and a host of other long-term complications.
• Cuts and Lacerations. It’s common for victims of car accidents to suffer multiple minor cuts and lacerations, some of which may require sutures. However, deep cuts on certain areas of the body can cause excessive bleeding and may be life-threatening if a victim does not receive immediate medical care.
• Head, Neck, and Spinal Injuries. “Whiplash” is a commonly reported soft tissue injury from car accidents that can affect the head, neck, and upper spine. This condition may be difficult to treat but will eventually improve with time and appropriate care. However, injuries to the spinal cord are more severe and more likely to result in permanent harm.
• Internal Bleeding and Organ Damage. Damage to the internal organs can be life-threatening, and one of the most dangerous aspects of this type of injury is the fact that symptoms may not be noticeable at first. This is why it is crucial to seek medical care after any vehicle accident, even if you think your injuries are mild.
• Paralysis and Nerve Damage. Nerve damage is a possible result of any serious injury, especially compound bone fractures. Severe spinal injuries may not only damage nerves but sever them, leaving the victim’s body paralyzed below the injury site.
• Wrongful Death. Unfortunately, many car accidents cause fatal injuries. If you lost a loved one in a car accident, you would need to pursue a wrongful death claim against the liable driver. This type of personal injury suit focuses on the losses suffered by the surviving family of the deceased.

The above is considered catastrophic injuries. These are injuries that can cause serious life-threatening issues or disabilities. For example, spinal cord injuries can cause extensive pain and suffering. Severe injuries to the spinal cord can result in partial or full-body paralysis. These injuries will typically need a lifetime of specialized care and rehabilitation.

It is essential that a person with these injuries receives enough compensation to cover the care they will need. In addition, burn injuries are extremely painful and can cause extensive disfigurement. Burn injury victims often need to undergo many surgeries and receive long-term care.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident in Atlanta or the surrounding area, call our Atlanta car accident attorneys at 404-975-1775 . We have three convenient Georgia offices located in: Atlanta, Savannah, and Statesboro. If you cannot come to us, we can come to you. The Merritt & Merritt Law Firm is here to help.

It is highly recommended that you hire an attorney immediately after a car accident if any of the following apply to you:

• 1 or more persons were injured or killed
• Accident involving a 18-wheeler truck
• Multiple vehicle accident
• 1 or more parties were uninsured
• Police report is inaccurate

An experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer can quickly identify the most pressing issues you face in the aftermath of your accident. If there are any controversies pertaining to fault for the accident and the preliminary evidence available to you, your attorney will know how to address these problems so you can start working toward recovery. It is imperative that you connect with trustworthy legal counsel as quickly as possible after your accident.

Things you should do if you have been involved in an accident:

• Call 911. Georgia law requires drivers to report any accident resulting in significant property damage, bodily injury, and/or death. Failure to report an accident to 911 can lead to legal penalties. Promptly calling 911 after your accident will get first responders there to assist you right away.
• Turn hazard lights on. This will make your vehicle more visible to oncoming traffic and reduce the chance of further collisions. Nearby drivers will know to use extra caution when maneuvering around the accident scene, and hazard lights make your vehicle easier for first responders to identify when they arrive on the scene.
• Do not discuss the accident with anyone near the scene. When the police arrive, they will question everyone involved. While you will need to exchange information with the other driver, refrain from speaking about it so your statements cannot later be used against you.
• Take photos of the accident scene. If you are able to do so safely, take as many photos as you can of your injuries, the damage to your vehicle, the positions of the vehicles on the road, and nearby landmarks. These photos could prove to be invaluable supporting evidence for your impending auto insurance claim and/or personal injury suit.
• Collect all witness information including name, address, and phone number. Georgia law requires drivers involved in an accident to exchange personal details, contact information, and auto insurance policy details. Make sure to record this information carefully if you are able to do so.
• Make a written description of each car involved including year, make, model, and color. Saving as much information as you can about every vehicle involved in the accident can dramatically assist you with your legal efforts to recover your damages.
• File a police report. You are required by law to notify the police of your accident, and having a police report on file is tremendously helpful to your case. This is an official record you can use to substantiate your claim for damages against an at-fault driver. Your attorney can help correct any errors in a police report.
• Do not speak with insurance adjusters. If an insurance company reaches out to you to discuss your accident, politely inform them that you must consult your attorney before discussing your settlement. You may need to notify an insurer of your accident within a few days, but you should not discuss a settlement until you have legal counsel on your side.
• Do not sign any paperwork. Do not sign anything concerning your accident until you talk to an Atlanta car accident lawyer. You could unintentionally sign away your ability to claim compensation for your damages.
• After the accident jot down how the accident occurred providing as much detail as possible. Give your attorney as much information to work with as possible. They will know how to fill any gaps with the details you can provide to help establish liability for the accident.

Of course, if you suffered serious injuries in an accident, you would need to wait for first responders to render aid. Once you have received medical care and stabilized from your accident, you should consult an Atlanta car accident attorney as quickly as possible so they can start helping you build your claim.

Once you address your immediate medical concerns and gather as much information as you can about your accident, it is important to reach out to an Atlanta car accident lawyer for representation as soon as possible. Even if you believe fault for your accident is perfectly clear, do not assume that you can handle your recovery efforts on your own, especially if you have been severely injured or must care for a severely injured family member.

You face a time limit for filing a personal injury claim, and you also face a time limit for filing an auto insurance claim after any vehicle accident. Hiring an attorney you can trust as soon as possible after your accident will make it much easier for you to meet these deadlines and significantly improve your chances of maximizing your recovery through all of the legal efforts you attempt following your accident.

Most Common Causes of Car Accidents in Atlanta

Excessive Speeding, Driver Inattention, Failure to Yield Right of Way, Failure to Maintain Lane, Running a Stop Sign.

Many motor vehicle crashes can be attributed to driver negligence in one way or another. Whether their action is getting behind the wheel after drinking – or something as simple as not properly using a turn signal. In Georgia, the person who causes the accident must pay damages to the person they caused harm to. The most frequent causes of car accidents in Georgia are:

• Distracted driving – Being distracted while driving has many categories: Eating, drinking, talking, applying makeup, changing radio or looking for something in the back seat.
• Drunk driving – The legal limit in Georgia is 0.08 and penalties for a DUI are strict.
• Reckless driving and making unsafe lane changes
• Traveling too fast for conditions
• Ignoring stop signs, traffic signal
• Failure to properly maintain vehicle in a safe operational condition

Most of the car accidents reported throughout the Atlanta area each year are the result of driver negligence. To succeed with a car accident claim against another driver, you must prove how they were negligent and that their actions directly caused your claimed damages. This means proof that they breached a duty of care to operate their vehicle safely and, in doing so, directly caused all your claimed damages.

Various forms of evidence come into play in most car accident cases. Physical evidence from the scene of the crash, such as debris in the road, the damage to the vehicles involved in the accident, and tire marks on the road surface, can help investigators determine exactly how the accident happened. Digital evidence like the other driver’s cell phone records, vehicle computer data, and footage from nearby traffic cameras can also prove to be essential.

Witness statements are also often crucial in car accident cases. However, the victim should not attempt to collect witness statements on their own or try to contact any witnesses. This can create a conflict of interest. Your Atlanta car accident lawyer can determine which witnesses can provide the most supportive statements that will aid your claim. Your attorney can also reach out to expert witnesses for the professional insights they can provide about your case.

If your accident was the result of another driver breaking the law, such as by driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the state will file criminal charges against them, and they will still face liability for your civil damages. Your attorney can explain any potential implications the at-fault driver’s illegal actions may have on your recovery efforts. For example, you could receive punitive damages alongside your other claimed losses.

Types of Injuries We Have Handled

These are some of the many types of injuries that often occur in Georgia motor vehicle crashes:

• Brain trauma – These can take months or even years to recover from.
• Internal bleeding
• Torn and damaged tendons and ligaments
• Fractures/Breaks
• Spinal Cord Injury –This can be from bruising to a fracture causing paralysis.
• Paralysis – Spinal cord injury is the second-leading cause of paralysis
• Whiplash – Whiplash is a common occurrence in a car accident, ranging from your neck, shoulders, and back
• Burns
• Amputations
• Facial Scarring
• Chronic pain
• Anxiety, phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other psychological damage
• Fatalities – There were 1,550 fatal accidents in Georgia last year

Many people who experience car accidents suffer multiple injuries at once, some of which will require extensive medical treatment and a long recovery time. When you or a loved one has been injured by another driver’s actions, it is vital to consult an experienced attorney who can help determine the full extent of the damages you can claim. You have the right to hold the at-fault driver accountable for your medical expenses and other damages from the accident.

You Deserve Justice!

If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury in a car wreck that was caused by someone else, you can’t help feeling the unfairness of your having to suffer when you did nothing wrong. It offends your sense of justice! You are suffering—physically, mentally, and financially, for someone else’s carelessness. Although no amount of money is ever adequate compensation for limited mobility, poor health, or loss of a loved one, making a claim against the “at fault” party is important:

1. It can provide you with an avenue to pay mounting medical bills.
2. It can ease the financial burden on you and your family.
3. It can provide a sense fairness and closure.
4. It can restore your sense of justice.

You have a relatively limited time in which to file your case, and the more time an attorney has to gather evidence for you, the more likely you are to succeed with the claim. The team at Merritt & Merritt can help build the foundation of your case, navigate the auto insurance claim filing process, and build a comprehensive personal injury claim for you to help you recover fully.

Why Hire an Atlanta Accident Lawyer?

You may think that you can handle the insurance claim yourself but we would strongly advise against it. Adjusters have experience in dealing with injury and accident claims. If you are not adequately represented, the insurance company may very well try to take advantage of you and make a low offer. Our Atlanta personal injury lawyers will handle all paperwork and navigate you through the process.

We can help you recover missed time from work or with injuries that may leave you permanently disabled. Medical bills and loss wages can be easily calculated, but your inability to provide for your family, accomplish tasks or any strain on your relationship maybe difficult.

It would be very difficult for anyone to attempt to handle their medical issues and their personal obligations while simultaneously trying to build a civil claim. Even if they managed to prove liability, they would be unlikely to secure as much compensation as a good attorney could secure for them. Ultimately, you are more likely to succeed with your recovery efforts and more likely to maximize your recovery if you have a seasoned attorney representing you.

How do I File a Police Report in Georgia?

Georgia requires that a police report be filed in the event of injuries or a fatality involving an accident, or if there is more than $500 in property damage. You can file a report by simply calling the police to the accident scene. If a police officer does not show up to the scene for whatever reason, you can go to the police department and file the report. You want to file the police report as soon as possible; however, it can be filed within a reasonable time after the accident.

Insurance Claims in Georgia

Never contact an insurance company without the assist of an attorney. If an insurance company reaches out to you after an accident, politely inform them that you need to consult your attorney before discussing a settlement. Do not make any statements or any questions, simply inform them that your attorney can reach out to them for you.

The minimum coverage allowed for car insurance in Georgia is $25,000 per injury, $50,000 per accident and $25,000 to account for property damage. After an accident, it’s crucial to file an insurance claim as soon as possible. You’ll need:

• Your full name and policy number
• Date and time of the accident
• Names, addresses and phone numbers of all other drivers
• Details of how the accident happen
• Having the police report is helpful

Collect witness statements if possible, and document the scene as much as you can. Take pictures of the vehicles, note any signage and what the other driver said to you.

Before all else, the first thing you need to do after an accident is to seek medical attention at your local emergency room, even if you feel the accident is minor. If you wait an extended period before getting treatment, the other driver’s insurance company may try to say your injuries were not that bad and you, therefore, don’t need compensation. Never admit fault and stay relaxed.

Georgia Statute of Limitations

In Georgia, the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit is two years after the accident which caused the injury. However, if those injuries cause the person’s death, the two-year statute starts from the time of the death. Do not make the mistake of waiting until the last minute to file your claim. You need to start gathering evidence to support your case right away, as evidence and witness testimony lose reliability with time.

Are There Any Up-Front Costs?

Merritt & Merritt Law Firm charges clients no up-front fee, instead we work on a contingency fee basis. That means if the firm fails to settle a case in your favor, you pay nothing. And when we doe settle a case, the firm is paid only from a part of the total recovery. The client never pays anything out of pocket, our fee is taken from the recovery or settlement.

What is a Contingency Fee?

A contingency fee is a fee that is conditioned upon a certain result. Simply put, if we recover money for you, we are paid from the monies we recover. If we do not recover monies for you from the insurance company, you owe us nothing. Our fee ranges from 33% depending on the case.

Common Questions About Car Accidents With Real Answers

What is my car accident case worth?

Of course, the value of a car accident claim will vary according to a variety of factors including the severity of your injuries. That said, the primary components of a car accident claim include the following:

• Your medical bills, especially any uncovered expenses such as deductibles or copays
• Your lost income
• Your pain and suffering
• The cost to repair or replace your vehicle
• Any other losses or expenses directly caused by the accident

You may also be entitled to compensation for future medical expenses if you will require ongoing medical treatment. If you are facing long-term or permanent disability, you may be entitled to compensation for lost future income and lost earning capacity. An experienced Atlanta car accident attorney should be able to provide you with an estimate of what your claim may be worth at your initial consultation. This includes projected future damages you can claim.

Remember that your recovery may not end with the compensation you receive for your economic damages. You also have the right to seek compensation for pain and suffering, and Georgia law does not limit this aspect of your recovery in most personal injury cases. This means you have the right to seek as much compensation as you believe to be reasonable to reflect the severity of your experience.

Your Atlanta car accident lawyer can help you determine a suitable figure that reflects the overall severity of your damages and the scope of any long-term or permanent harm the accident has caused. For many claimants in Atlanta, the pain and suffering compensation they secure from their successful cases overshadows the amount they receive for their economic damages.

Do I have a claim if I have lost a loved one in a car accident?

Under Georgia law, a surviving spouse, child, or parent can pursue a wrongful death claim. The claimant can pursue compensation for the following:

• Economic losses such as lost income, funeral and burial expenses, and medical bills
• Non-economic losses such as loss of companionship, loss of guidance, loss of support, or mental and emotional anguish

A wrongful death suit is effectively a personal injury claim filed on behalf of a victim who did not survive their injury. There are special rules for filing this type of claim and for determining eligibility to file such a claim. The unexpected death of a loved one due to someone else’s negligence can have a devastating impact on your family. Protect your future by working with an Atlanta car accident attorney.

Am I entitled to seek punitive damages?

Punitive damages are damages that are intended to punish the at-fault party for the purpose of discouraging others from engaging in the same or similar behavior. In the context of a personal injury case, punitive damages are limited to situations involving gross negligence or willful misconduct.

Most car accidents are really accidents, with no willful misconduct, but we have seen situations where punitive damages may be warranted in car accidents. One common scenario is when a drunk driver causes an accident. Another situation could be a driver acting in a fit of road rage, where he or she intentionally collided with another vehicle.

While punitive damages are rare, an Atlanta car accident attorney will know whether your case may qualify. The amount a plaintiff receives in punitive damages generally depends on the overall severity of the harm the defendant caused and their financial status. Wealthy defendants are typically required to pay more in punitive damages than those with limited assets.

What kind of evidence will I need to support my claim?

Some of the evidence that you will need to prove your case includes the following:

• Accident reports
• Video footage
• Photographs
• Witness statements
• Medical reports and bills
• Proof of lost income – pay stubs and tax returns

In some cases, you may need an expert opinion as to the cause of the accident, the extent of your injuries, or your future economic losses. Obtaining the necessary evidence can feel overwhelming, especially if you are in pain and trying to recover. An Atlanta car accident attorney will be able to gather the evidence you need so that you can focus on getting better.

Should I accept their settlement offer?

You may be surprised at how quickly the insurance company might offer to settle your claim. In fact, they may make the offer before you even know the extent of your injuries or how long it will take to recover. Without knowing these things, it is impossible to know whether or not their offer is fair.

That said, you need to be careful even if you think you know the extent of your injuries and what your case may be worth. Upon accepting their offer, you agree to waive any future or additional claims you may have, even if you later discover that your injuries were worse than originally thought or that you will require additional treatment.

If you have been offered a settlement, the best thing to do is to speak with an Atlanta car accident attorney. They can review the offer, assess its fairness, explain your rights, and help you understand your options so that you can make an informed decision as to whether to accept it.

Can I afford to hire a lawyer?

Most accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not pay any legal fees unless you win and they recover compensation for you. Their fees are then paid as a percentage from the compensation you receive. When you meet with an Atlanta car accident attorney, you should discuss how their contingency fees work so that you know what to expect.

What if the other driver doesn’t have insurance?

If the other driver doesn’t have insurance, you may be able to file a claim with your own insurance company if you have uninsured motorist coverage. Alternatively, you may need to sue the other driver in court to recover damages.

I was in a truck accident. What do I need to prove?

You will need to prove three things in order to prevail in your case:

1. That the driver or trucking company owed you a duty of care;
2. That the driver or trucking company breached that duty by being negligent in some way; and
3. That the driver or trucking company’s breach caused the accident that resulted in your injuries.

In most cases, the first element is not at issue – the driver and the trucking company have an obligation to other drivers to guard against accidents. Most cases revolve around proving negligence or that there was a causal connection between the negligence and the accident that caused your injuries.

Truck accident claims can be more difficult to resolve than most other vehicle accident cases due to the fact that employers often bear fault for the actions of their employees, and these accidents tend to cause significantly worse damages than most other accidents. It is important to have experienced legal counsel on your side if you intend to file a truck accident claim in Atlanta, whether it is against an individual driver or their employer as well.

Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer After a Minor Car Accident?

You do not have to hire a lawyer after a minor car accident, but it is the way to recover all your damages. If your recent car accident resulted in cosmetic damage to your vehicle, estimated to be only a few hundred dollars, you should be able to resolve things on your own. However, there is always a chance of encountering problems with an insurance company. If you suffered any injury, do not assume you can resolve your case without legal counsel.

Is Georgia a No-Fault State for Car Accidents?

No, Georgia is a fault state. Some states use a no-fault system for resolving accidents, meaning drivers use their own insurance to cover their losses after accidents regardless of who is at fault. Because it is a fault state, the driver at fault for an accident is liable for the damages they caused. You must be prepared to prove fault for your accident before you will be able to recover compensation through an auto insurance claim and/or personal injury suit.

Will an At-Fault Driver Go to Jail for Causing an Accident?

It is possible for the driver who caused your accident to face criminal charges based on how they caused the accident. If they break the law by driving under the influence or being reckless behind the wheel, the state is likely to file criminal charges, and they will also face liability for civil damages. Your attorney can explain how the illegal nature of the defendant’s behavior and the criminal case against them could affect your recovery efforts.

The Importance of Staying Off Social Media After an Auto Accident

Almost everyone in today’s world is on some type of social media. Posting everything from the food we eat to our most personal experiences is common in today’s society. What many car accident victims fail to realize, however, is that posts about their accident can hurt their chances of financial recovery.

Insurance companies often look for mitigating factors so they can pay less for, or deny altogether, a claim for damages. Sometimes their search leads them to the social media accounts of people that have made a claim for damages. While the injured party posted something that seems innocuous enough to them, the insurance company may try to use that post as a reason to deny or under-pay the claim. Because of this, our Atlanta injury and car accident attorneys advise that car accident victims sign off of social media altogether, or at the very least, refrain from posting anything about the accident until their claim has been resolved.

Remember, too, that insurance companies will look for evidence that injured persons are engaging in activities that directly dispute the injuries they claim they have. So even a post that has nothing to do with the accident itself can be used against them.

Car accident Attorney Fees

Car accident attorneys usually charge a contingency fee. In a contingent fee arrangement, the attorney agrees to accept a fixed percentage of the recovery. If you win the case, the attorney’s fee comes out of the money awarded to you. If there is no recover, no fee. Typically the fee ranges from 30 to 40 percent, and 33.33 percent is the standard rate. If you have a 33.33% contingency fee arrangement and you recover $100,000 in your car accident case, your attorney will receive $33,333 and you would receive $66,667.

Lawyers typically have two fee structures: 1.) Contingency fee which the attorney gets paid from what you recover. 2.) A flat rate fee is normally charged in criminal or family law cases. The fee is set upon an agreed contractual amount between the attorney and client. An example, a client retains an attorney for a traffic ticket. The attorney charges $500 to handle the ticket-this is a flat rate fee.

Determining the At-Fault Party

Almost every accident that happens on Atlanta’s roads is someone’s fault. The law states even if the two cars never make contact, a driver who forces another off the road may still be responsible. When evaluating fault after an auto accident, courts will allocate fault depending on the circumstances.

Unfortunately, this can be bad news for injury plaintiffs. If a jury believes that a victim contributed in any way to the accident that caused their injuries, the jury can reduce the plaintiff’s award. Insurance adjusters are aware of the law and will record your statement without your knowledge; therefore, before you speak with an insurance adjuster, call the Merritt & Merritt at 404-975-1775.

Under Georgia’s modified comparative fault rule, the plaintiff can still claim compensation for their damages as long as they are less than 50% at fault for the accident. Whatever fault percentage they hold is the percentage of their case award they lose to reflect their shared liability. For example, 25% fault would mean the plaintiff loses 25% of the compensation won from the defendant. Fault of 50% or more prohibits the plaintiff from claiming damages.

Potential Indications of Defendant Negligence

Every driver, when driving upon the roadways, has a responsibility to drive safely and to exercise reasonable care. As a result, plaintiffs have two main ways to prove a defendant was negligent.

The best way to demonstrate negligence is to present evidence that a defendant violated a law while driving. If a police report indicates that the defendant was cited, that is a plus. Some of traffic violations are speeding, driving to fast for condition, failure to yield, failure to stop at stop sign, and failure to maintain lanes.

There are more ways to prove negligence but it’s a little more difficult. In cases where the defendant does not receive a ticket, a more in depth investigation should occur. This may involve visiting the scene of the incident, speaking with witnesses, and getting a statement from the police officer. Our skilled Atlanta car accident lawyers can identify the best way to pursue a case for full compensation.

Benefits of Hiring an Experienced Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer

When you choose Merritt & Merritt to represent your case, you are investing in decades of professional personal injury experience and a dedicated legal advocate for your recovery. Our firm is committed to helping every client we represent recover fully from their car accidents, and we seek to accomplish this as quickly as possible once we accept a case.

You will not need to worry about gathering evidence to support your case on your own or meeting filing deadlines while struggling with your injuries and medical needs in recovery. You will not need to worry about unintentionally accepting a lower settlement than you deserve or an insurance carrier denying your claim unfairly. If you encounter any problems with an insurance carrier, our team will be ready to correct these problems for you.

When it comes to navigating your recovery efforts, you will have a legal advocate ready to answer your questions and address your concerns as they arise so you can make clearer sense of your situation. Ultimately, you have the greatest chance of success with your case when you have an attorney representing you, and they are more likely to maximize your recovery than you would be on your own.

When it comes to the cost of your legal representation, our contingency fee policy ensures that we only get paid if you get paid. There are no upfront or ongoing legal fees for our firm’s representation, and we only take a percentage of your case award when we win your case. This policy ensures that trustworthy legal counsel is accessible when you need it most.

During your free initial consultation with our team, you can ask any questions you need to gauge our suitability to represent you. The team at Merritt & Merritt is ready to help you approach your car accident case with confidence. Call us today at 404-975-1775 or complete the free case evaluation form.

Emergency Contact Information:

Atlanta Police Department
226 Peachtree St SW
Atlanta, Ga. 30303
404-614-6544

Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta – Egleston Hospital
1405 Clifton Rd
Atlanta, GA 30322
404-785-5437

Emory University Hospital Midtown
550 Peachtree St NE
Atlanta, GA 30308
404-686-4411

Grady Health Hospital
80 Jesse Hill, Jr. Drive SE
Atlanta, Georgia 30303
404-616-1000

Piedmont Atlanta Hospital
1968 Peachtree Rd NW
Atlanta, GA 30309
404-605-5000

Southern Regional Medical Center
11 Upper Riverdale Road
Riverdale, GA 30374
770-991-8000

Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center
303 Parkway Dr NE
Atlanta, GA 30312
404-265-4000

You have a limited time in which to pursue your recovery following a car accident of any kind in Atlanta, and navigating your legal proceedings may be a more complex process than you initially expected. It’s vital to connect with an experienced and reliable Atlanta car accident lawyer as soon as possible after any accident. If you have further questions or need to discuss a potential claim, contact us at 404-975-1775 or via our free case review form.