Columbus Car Accident Attorney

Have you or a loved one been involved in a car accident in Columbus? Call our Columbus accident attorneys at 706-955-1559. An experienced Columbus car accident lawyer can be a vital asset to have on your side, no matter what your case entails. Trust the team at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm to provide the compassionate legal counsel you need in this situation, helping you maximize the compensation you obtain from the recovery efforts you pursue.

In Georgia, an auto accident claim must be brought within 2 years of the accident or injury. If the claim is not brought within 2 years, the Plaintiff is forever barred from recovery. The injured victim also faces a time limit when it comes to filing an auto insurance claim after a car accident. This means it is crucial for anyone who has recently been injured in an accident to seek legal counsel they can trust as quickly as possible.

Car Accident? Call the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm today at 706-955-1559.

Our Columbus Injury and Accident Attorneys have litigated injury and accident claims across Georgia and have the expertise to get you favorable results. Our first priority is always to make sure our client’s receive adequate medical treatment. After treatment, our priority becomes getting our clients fairly compensated for their injuries.

Most cases settle outside of court; however, that does not mean the insurance company will not put up a vigorous fight to avoid compensating you. Remember, the insurance company is not on your side and will do whatever it can to save money; therefore, it is important you involve one of our experienced Columbus Accident Attorneys as soon as possible. Call us day or night, even on weekends, at 706-955-1559.

Even if you have started handling the case on your own, you can always contact us to take over where you left off. Immediately after the initial consultation we begin investigating the claim, collecting your medical records, if any, and alerting the insurance company that we are now representing you. However, it is always preferable to begin your recovery process supported by legal counsel you trust.

We have recovered millions of dollars for injury and accident victims so if you want an experienced attorney working on your claim call the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm. Our goal for every client is to help them understand the legal implications of their accident, determine their most viable path to recovery, and maximize the compensation they secure through an auto insurance claim and/or personal injury suit against an at-fault driver.

Types of injuries we have handled:

• Broken neck
• Spinal cord injuries
• Brain injuries
• Whiplash
• Severe neck and back pain
• Fractured ankle

Many car accidents result in multiple serious injuries. It is also possible for an accident victim to emerge seemingly unscathed only to discover they have suffered internal injuries days or even weeks following the collision. Keeping records of the medical treatment you receive will be crucial for your recovery efforts following your accident.

What should I do immediately after a car accident?

If you are in a car accident, the first thing you should do is remove yourself to a safe place as soon as possible. Once you are in a safe place, if you are able, you should call 9-1-1 and report the accident and request medical assistance, if needed. If there are other parties that are badly injured and in need of help, and you are able to do so, you should help them. Do not leave the scene before emergency personnel arrive. However, if you are able to safely do so, it is a good idea to take pictures or video of the accident scene.

Once the emergency personnel arrive, cooperate with the law enforcement officers and provide them with your driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance. Answer any questions that law enforcement asks. Also, allow emergency medical services to check you and comply with their recommendations for your healthcare. It is vital that you seek medical treatment, even if you think you only suffered minor injuries, to rule out anything serious that isn’t immediately visible.

In accidents that are less serious, move your vehicle out of the roadway. If emergency medical services do not come to the scene of the accident, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Remember, not all injuries are immediately visible and it may take a few days before an injury presents itself. Examples include headaches and neck pain. Finally, when you’re in a safe place – or home – you should reach out to our Columbus injury and car accident attorneys to learn about your legal rights and determine if you have a PI lawsuit.

Additional Car Accident Legal Tips:

• In Georgia, the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death of any person or property damage to an apparent extent of $500 or more shall immediately, by the quickest means of communication, give NOTICE of such accident to the local police department if such accident occurs within a municipality. If such accident occurs outside a municipality, such notice shall be given to the office of the county sheriff or to the nearest office of the state patrol.
• Your uninsured motorist coverage covers you when you are riding in your car or in any other automobile or while a pedestrian if the injury is caused by an uninsured motorist.
• A personal injury claim must be filed within two years of the injury. A workers’ compensation claim must be filed within one year after the injury or death of the employee.
• Top five causes of auto accidents: 1.) distracted drivers: make up, cell phone, food; 2.) drunk driving; 3.) aggressive driving; 4.) road rage; and 5.) failure to make regular car maintenance.

Ultimately, every car accident case is entirely unique, and it is crucial for the victim of another driver’s negligence or illegal misconduct to reach out to legal counsel they can trust as quickly as possible so they can begin their recovery efforts supported by experienced legal counsel. Merritt & Merritt Law Firm has successfully represented many past clients, and we are ready to put this experience to work for you in your car accident claim in Columbus.

Proving Liability for Your Car Accident in Columbus

Before the victim of any car accident in Columbus will be able to recover compensation for their losses through auto insurance and/or a personal injury suit, they will need to prove the exact cause of their accident and identify the party or parties responsible for causing it. Most of the car accidents reported in Columbus and surrounding communities result from driver negligence, but they can also occur because of illegal misconduct behind the wheel.

Distracted driving, speeding, and moving violations like running red lights are some of the most common forms of driver negligence reported in Columbus. Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs is the most common example of illegal misconduct behind the wheel that might cause an accident. No matter how your accident occurred, your Columbus car accident lawyer can help gather the evidence needed to firmly establish liability.

Georgia’s Comparative Negligence Laws in Car Accident Lawsuits

​Many clients come to us afraid that they cannot recover anything in a lawsuit. They say this is because they might be partially responsible for the accident. Luckily, this is usually not the case. Georgia uses the “modified comparative negligence fault” rule. Put simply, this means that the victim can still recover even if they share responsibility for the accident, so long as they are determined to be 49% or less responsible.

The way this rule works out is that the victim’s percentage of fault is used to deduce their legal recovery. For example, if the victim suffered $100,000 in damages but was 10% responsible (for example, by exceeding the speed limit), then their legal recovery will be reduced to $90,000.

A challenging aspect of comparative negligence is that even small errors can quickly add up. Insurance companies might try to make you feel like your slight mistakes make you wholly responsible for the crash. This is why calling the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm team as soon as possible for a consultation is a good idea, because we can tell you straight up how valid your claim is.

​Proving Soft Tissue Injuries With Imaging and Records

​Soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash, ligament tears, and deep muscle strains, are some of the most common results of a collision. Unlike a broken bone, these injuries do not always appear clearly on a standard X-ray, leading insurance adjusters to claim the victim is exaggerating. To win these cases, we rely on a combination of advanced imaging and consistent medical documentation.

​Our Columbus car accident lawyer firm helps clients organize the necessary proof:

• ​Specialist evaluations. Reports from neurologists or orthopedic surgeons provide expert weight to your physical limitations.
• ​Physical therapy logs. Consistent attendance at therapy sessions proves the severity of the pain and your commitment to healing.
• ​Nerve conduction studies. These tests provide objective data regarding nerve damage and radiating pain.

​Dealing With Lowball Settlement Tactics

​Insurance companies often use high-pressure tactics to settle a claim quickly for a fraction of its true value. They may call you days after the wreck, offering a small check in exchange for a signed release. Once you sign that paper, you can never ask for more money, even if your pain gets worse. At Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, our Columbus car accident lawyer team identifies these lowball offers and handles all negotiations so you don’t have to. If an insurer refuses to be fair, we are prepared to take the case to court.

​Calculating Future Medical Costs and Wage Loss

​A serious accident does not just affect your current bank account; it impacts your future financial security. If your injuries require ongoing care or prevent you from performing your job duties, we calculate those long-term losses to be included in your demand.

​Factors we consider for future compensation:

• ​Future surgeries. Many joint and spinal injuries require follow-up procedures years down the road.
• ​Ongoing rehabilitation. Chronic pain may require years of periodic physical therapy or chiropractic care.
• ​Diminished earning capacity. If you have to take a lower-paying job because of physical limits, the insurer should pay the difference.
• ​Home modifications. Severe injuries may require ramps or bathroom safety features to maintain your independence.

​If you have questions about your specific damages, call us at 706-955-1559 to start building your case.

Filing Your Auto Insurance Claim for an Accident in Columbus

Georgia law requires every driver to have liability insurance that covers bodily injury and property damage in an accident. Drivers also have the option of expanding their coverage and adding additional types of coverage, but added coverage comes at an additional cost. It is vital for every driver to purchase auto insurance that provides a comfortable balance of coverage and affordability.

When an accident happens, the at-fault driver’s insurance will go toward paying the victim’s damages. However, it is possible that their insurance may not fully cover all of the victim’s losses, or they may not have insurance at all. It is also possible for an insurance company to dispute a claim or even engage in bad faith tactics, hoping an injured claimant will accept a lowball settlement offer out of desperation.

It is vital for an injured driver to avoid making any statements to the insurance company without legal representation. It is possible that the other driver’s insurance company may contact you immediately after an accident with a settlement offer, but you should politely notify them that you must consult your attorney before you consider any offer. Once an insurance company sees you have representation, they are more likely to handle your claim in good faith.

When you have an experienced Columbus car accident lawyer representing you, they can not only make it easier for you to file your insurance claim, but they can also help resolve any unexpected challenges you encounter in your interactions with the insurance company. Once you receive a settlement offer, your attorney can determine whether it is acceptable under the terms of the policy and then advise you of the next steps in your recovery process.

Building a Personal Injury Suit Against an At-Fault Driver

If an at-fault driver does not have auto insurance or their insurance will not fully cover all your damages, you will need to file a personal injury suit if you want to fully recover your losses. Success with any personal injury claim will require accurate identification of the party or parties responsible for causing your accident as well as clear proof of the extent of your damages. You must also prove the at-fault driver is solely responsible for these damages.

Establishing causation for your personal injury damages means proving that they only resulted from the defendant’s actions and not from any other cause. Your Columbus car accident lawyer can leverage various forms of evidence for you in this effort, and building a strong case will leave minimal room for the defendant to contest their liability. However, you should still understand what will happen if you are found partially at fault for your accident.

The state enforces a modified comparative negligence statute that applies in any civil claim in which more than one party shares fault for the damages cited in the claim. If a plaintiff is found partially liable for their damages, they lose a corresponding percentage of their case award. However, this only applies up to 49% fault. If the plaintiff is found more at fault, they cannot claim compensation from any other liable party.

Once your Columbus car accident lawyer has addressed any concerns you may have regarding fault for your accident, you can proceed with claiming compensation for your damages. If you have grounds to file a personal injury suit, you could potentially recover compensation for the economic and non-economic damages the defendant inflicted in the accident. Economic damages include direct financial losses, while non-economic damages are more subjective.

Economic damages a plaintiff could recover from a personal injury claim are likely to include medical bills, lost wages, property losses, and future economic losses resulting from the accident. Non-economic damages include physical pain, emotional distress, and diminished enjoyment of life due to severe injury. Your Columbus car accident lawyer can be a valuable asset when it comes to maximizing this aspect of your recovery.

Emergency Contact Information:

Columbus-Muscogee County Sheriff’s Department
Columbus Consolidated Government
4th Floor of the Tower
100 10th Street
Columbus, Georgia 31901
Ph: (706) 653-4225

Midtown Medical Center
710 Center Street
Columbus, Georgia 31901
Ph: (706) 571-1000

Northside Medical Center
100 First Court
Columbus, Georgia 31909
Ph: (706) 494-2100

FAQs

Q: Is Georgia a No-Fault State for Car Accidents?

A: No, it is not a no-fault state for car accidents. This means that it will be necessary that you prove fault for your recent accident before you can recover any compensation for your damages. Every driver in the state is required to have auto insurance that meets basic coverage requirements. If you believe another driver directly caused your recent accident, your Columbus car accident lawyer can help gather the evidence needed to prove liability.

Q: How Do You Prove Fault for a Car Accident in Columbus?

A: You can prove fault for a car accident in Columbus by gathering various forms of physical and digital evidence. Traffic camera recordings, photos from the scene of the crash, cell phone records, and vehicle computer data could all prove valuable to your case. Witness testimony could also be crucial. Your attorney can help obtain statements from anyone who saw your accident happen.

Q: What Compensation Can I Claim for a Car Accident in Columbus?

A: The compensation you could claim for a car accident in Columbus is likely to include repayment of your economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages are more straightforward and include direct financial losses you suffered because of the at-fault driver’s actions. Non-economic damages include intangible losses like physical pain, emotional distress, and diminished enjoyment of life. Your attorney can estimate your claim’s total value.

Q: Why Do I Need a Columbus Car Accident Lawyer?

A: You need a Columbus car accident lawyer for several reasons. Even if the fault for your recent accident seems perfectly clear to you, the actual process of proving fault is likely to be more challenging than you initially expected. Your attorney can streamline this process, removing uncertainty and reducing the time it takes for you to complete your claim. They can also help you maximize your recovery, securing more compensation than you may have initially expected.

Q: What Does It Cost to Hire a Columbus Car Accident Lawyer?

A: The cost to hire a Columbus car accident lawyer will only be a percentage of your case award when you choose Merritt & Merritt Law Firm to represent you. We take these cases on a contingency fee basis, so we only collect a fee from our client if and when we win their case. There is no fee if our team is unable to secure a recovery for you, so there is no financial risk in you choosing our firm to represent you in your car accident claim.

If you have further questions or need to discuss a potential claim, contact us at 706-955-1559 or via our free case review form. You have a relatively short time to pursue compensation for your recent car accident, and our team is ready to provide the compassionate support you need in this challenging situation. Contact Merritt & Merritt Law Firm today to schedule your free consultation with an experienced, trustworthy Columbus car accident lawyer about your case.