Georgia Car Accident Lawyer

Georgia Car Accident Attorney

Have you or a loved one been involved in a car accident? If you have, call our Georgia Injury and Accident Attorneys at 404-975-1775 now!

What To Do After A Car Accident in Georgia?

Here are steps you need to take after being in an accident:

1.  Visit the nearest emergency room (same day of accident)
2.  Call the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm
3.  Report your accident to your insurance company
4.  Follow up with your primary physician
5.  Receive more treatment from physical therapy or chiropractic care
6.  Do not speak with “at fault” person’s insurance company

Our accident attorneys are ready to assist you from start to finish. We can help you find a doctor to treat your injuries or help you get a rental while your car is getting repaired.

Note that this is a simplified accident guide designed to equip you with a broad framework for how to respond after a crash. Every situation will be different, regardless of whether or not the accident results in a legally actionable personal injury to one or more parties. Some automobile accident situations will call for additional actions on your part (if you are physically and mentally able to accomplish them in the aftermath of your crash).

If you’re able, for example, it can be important to document the accident scene using your mobile phone’s camera. Get pictures of the wreckage, damage to any property, injuries sustained, and relevant road hazards, as well as wide shots of the scene that put it all in a geographical context for investigators. Your cellphone camera is also a great tool for quickly capturing the license and insurance information of any other involved parties. These photos can be important evidence later on to demonstrate the fault of the other driver and the damages you should be awarded.

Speaking of other parties, be as courteous and helpful as you’re able when dealing with anyone else at the scene after an accident, especially if someone else needs assistance getting emergency medical care, but do not discuss guilt or fault, even informally. Get yourself checked out medically as soon as possible, and leave the legal process to the high-powered car crash team at Merritt & Merritt.

Our accident attorneys are ready to assist you from start to finish. We can help you find a doctor to treat your injuries or help you get a rental while your car is getting repaired.

Experience Matters

Our Georgia Car Accident Attorneys already know the potential pitfalls to avoid and strengths to take advantage of in car and truck accident claim, and we’re ready to put our Georgia auto accident attorney’s expertise to work for you. The insurance companies want to settle your claim for as little as possible, and will almost always approach you quickly after the accident to sign documents. Never sign any document from an insurance company without the assistance of an attorney. Let the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm get you fair compensation you deserve and the help you need to get your life back on track.

Insurance companies will not compensate you fairly unless they are forced too. Big insurance use a variety of techniques to delay or minimize the payment of settlements and may even try to avoid paying altogether. Representation by an experienced accident attorney is usually the only way an accident victim can get what he or she deserves.

The Merritt & Merritt Law Firm has handled thousands of complicated auto accident cases, including:

• Car accidents – Modern public life in America is largely designed around car travel, and this means that accidents are sadly inevitable. Thousands of passenger car accidents occur on Georgia roadways annually, from minor, single-vehicle fender benders to tragic fatal crashes.
• Tractor Trailer Accidents – While we depend on our dedicated and skilled truckers to keep the American economy moving every single day, the unfortunate reality is that the sheer size and weight of tractor-trailers also make commercial trucks a roadway danger.
• Motorcycle Accidents – The educated, responsible bikers throughout the State of Georgia understand the special risks inherent to operating a motorcycle, and that’s why they mitigate these risks with proper safety equipment and smart riding. Even so, injurious accidents can and will occur due to the very nature of motorcycles, which is to say their lack of a protective frame around the operator.
• DUI Accidents – Anyone who gets behind the wheel should understand that it is absolutely illegal to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants in the State of Georgia. Sadly, not everyone takes these crucial rules seriously, and this failure to adhere to the law by some individuals puts all of us at risk for serious accidents.

Types of Catastrophic Injuries in Car Accidents

A catastrophic injury is considered to be a physical injury that is extremely serious, has a significant impact on the victim of the injury, and requires considerable medical care. While catastrophic injuries are not always fatal or permanent, they may take many years to heal.

Examples of catastrophic injuries that can occur from car accidents are:

• Neck and spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Limb amputation
• Severe burns
• Internal organ damage and bleeding
• Mental trauma

At best, a catastrophic auto accident can leave the victim with a lifetime of pain, suffering, and physical and mental turmoil. Impacts of a catastrophic injury on the victim’s life include:

• Loss of gainful employment or business
• Need for costly surgical intervention
• Need for prolonged medical rehabilitation
• Continuous medical care
• Daily personal care

Obviously, this is not a comprehensive list of negative impacts of a catastrophic automobile accident.

Sustaining a catastrophic injury from a vehicle accident often changes the victim’s life forever and affects their loved ones. In the worst-case scenario, a catastrophic car accident can kill the victim or others involved in the crash.  Whatever the facts and situation, understanding the common types of catastrophic car accidents and consequent injuries is critical to seeking the best care, compensation, and settlement after the incident.

How Much Do Accident Lawyers Charge in Georgia?

The aftermath of a car crash can be overwhelming emotionally, to say nothing of whatever physical pain you may be dealing with. As you focus on your healing, it can be difficult to find sufficient mental bandwidth to even think about taking legal action, much less plan out a legal strategy and take the actual steps necessary to set a personal injury claim in motion. This stress doesn’t need to be compounded by worrying about legal fees and attorney costs.

The reality is that the cost of legal representation in a car crash or other personal injury case can vary quite a bit from situation to situation. Here are some of the main factors that will determine the total cost of hiring a law firm that specializes in car accidents:

• Local market conditions in your city
• The complexity of your case (e.g., total time spent in court or at the negotiating table)
• The reputation and quality of your attorney
• The total compensation likely to be paid out at the end of the case in the form of a judgment or settlement
• Your attorney’s fee structure and billing policies

Let’s break down that last factor, the fee structure, a bit more. Here’s how different legal fee structures work so you can be better equipped to speak with a lawyer about your case and know what will be required financially on your end.

• Contingency Fees – Many quality injury and car accident attorneys throughout Georgia are willing to take certain cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that the client does not need to pay any legal fees upfront. Instead, the attorney or law firm receives a percentage of the total compensation that is awarded through a settlement, judgment, or insurance claim at the end of the case. Typically, this means the client does not pay any fee whatsoever if their lawyer is not able to win the case, making it a convenient and low-risk proposition for injured parties of limited financial means.
• Hourly Billing – Most private legal work is billed on an hourly basis, just like many other service models. This can include time spent in court, analyzing evidence, preparing documents, or any other activities related to your case. If you’re working with an attorney who bills hourly and are concerned about going over your budget for legal services, make sure you have a frank and open discussion about this matter with your legal team. Planning ahead with a realistic budget is important, as you don’t want to end up losing your legal representation before your case has been resolved due to an inability to pay.
• Consultation Fees – Many lawyers will offer an initial consultation for free, while others charge a reasonable flat fee, and still others consider a consultation billable time. Be sure you know how a law firm’s consultations work at the time of scheduling one. Merritt & Merritt offers new clients a free case review along with a no-pressure initial consultation so that you can better understand your legal options and get some professional feedback on the merits of your claim without any upfront investment required.
• Expenses – While some legal fees are contingent upon winning a case, other law firms may employ a billing structure that includes billing their clients for additional expenses. One example would be hiring expert witnesses to testify in a case. Your attorney should be upfront about any fees well ahead of time. At Merritt & Merritt, our billing practices are fully transparent, allowing you to budget effectively and move forward with confidence, knowing that you understand exactly what your financial obligations in our partnership will be.

While quality legal services can represent a significant investment, it’s one that pays for itself in the end. We estimate that our clients have received approximately 300% more compensation in the form of judgments and settlements versus citizens who attempt to handle personal injury cases on their own. This can represent a difference of tens of thousands of dollars in many cases and potentially even more.

If you have further questions about our billing policies or need to discuss a potential claim, contact us at 404-975-1775 or via our free case review form.

What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident in Georgia?

Just like the amount you can expect to pay for legal representation, the amount of your eventual payout for a personal injury claim related to a car crash will vary widely from case to case. Every car accident is unique, and so is every injury. Several factors determine the potential for compensation in each individual case.

In the state of Georgia, some of the factors that will influence the amount of a settlement or judgment pursuant to a personal injury case involving a car accident include:

• Severity and Type of Injuries Sustained – Because of the tangible economic factors linked to any potential payout (loss of wages, medical expenses, etc.), logic dictates that more severe injuries will almost always lead to higher settlements.
• Property Damages – In many cases, the value of destroyed or damaged property also becomes a factor.
• Non-Economic Damages – In addition to direct economic losses and burdens that result as a consequence of your car crash, you may also be able to sue for intangible damages like pain and suffering and emotional distress. In wrongful death cases related to fatal car crashes, the qualifying loved ones left behind can also sue for damages related to loss of companionship and familiar care.
• Fault – Georgia is not a “no-fault” state when it comes to auto accidents and instead follows a modified comparative negligence principle for determining who is responsible for roadway incidents. Even if you’re found to be partially at fault for your accident, you may still be eligible for compensation, but the level of fault assigned to you may affect the amount paid out.
• The Quality of Your Legal Team – Your lawyer’s ability to negotiate effectively with insurance companies, employers, and other attorneys, as well as their adeptness when it comes time to make persuasive arguments in a court of law, will also impact your eventual compensation package. Indirect factors, such as your attorney’s connection with great expert witnesses who can help bolster your case, may also be a factor. The reputable and well-connected legal team at Merritt & Merritt offers robust legal strategies and aggressive representation, protecting your rights and furthering your interests in and out of the courtroom until the day justice—and fair compensation—have been achieved.

All of these different factors can make it extremely challenging to pinpoint an “average payout” that has any practical meaning. Your most useful resource for estimating a potential compensation range based on the exact circumstances of your unique case will be a discussion with the skilled attorneys at Merritt & Merritt. Our no-pressure consultation process is a great first step toward figuring out what sort of personal injury payday may realistically be in your future.

Can You Sue for a Car Accident in Georgia?

Yes, you can! Georgia is not a “no-fault” state when it comes to car accidents. This means that the party or parties deemed to be responsible for the accident can be held liable for any associated damages, such as medical expenses, destroyed property, and even intangible factors like emotional distress.

If you have been injured in a car accident in the state of Georgia and want to seek compensation for your injuries, you have rights and options. Those rights include:

• Filing a claim with your insurance company
• Seeking compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company
• Suing the at-fault driver for personal injury in a court of law
• Hiring an attorney to represent you in any associated legal proceedings

Not all of these will necessarily apply to every case. Consult with the skilled and successful car accident personal injury law team at Merritt & Merritt for help developing an appropriate legal strategy to pursue post-accident injury compensation from one or more sources.

What to Do if Someone Sues You for a Car Accident in Georgia

If you should find yourself on the receiving end of a lawsuit following a traumatic car accident, it can be a very daunting and frustrating experience, especially if you don’t believe you were at fault. If this happens, keep your cool and follow these steps:

1. Contact Your Insurance – Notify your insurance carrier immediately about the lawsuit. They may assign an attorney or agent of their own to the case, so be prepared to work with them and share any necessary information promptly.
2. Seek Independent Legal Counsel – In many cases, you will want to consult and hire your own attorney if you’ve been sued. The services of a skilled defense attorney may be in order if the claim exceeds your insurance coverage or if there are impending criminal charges related to your accident. A countersuit against the plaintiff may also be a potential factor in certain cases. You may wish to consult with the personal injury attorneys at Merritt & Merritt to determine if a countersuit is a viable strategy for your case.
3. Gather Evidence – Use your cell phone’s camera to comprehensively document the crash scene, including all debris, damage, and injuries, as well as wide-angle shots to establish the crash in a geographical context, which can be key for building a legal defense later.
4. Do Not Admit Fault – This goes for both conversations at the scene of the accident and meetings afterward. Let your attorney and your insurance agent handle official deliberations while you focus on recovering from your traumatic experience.
5. Remain Calm and Cooperative – Cooperate with your legal team, your insurance company, and court authorities to expedite the process and help steer your case to the optimal outcome.

For more Savannah Car Accident Statistics, view link:

Emergency Contact Information:

Gainesville Police Department
701 Queen City Parkway, SW
Gainesville, Georgia 30501
770-534-5252

Hall County Sheriff Department
610 Main St. SW
Gainesville, Georgia 30501
770-531-6885

Northeast Georgia Health System-Hospital
743 Spring St. NE
Gainesville, Georgia 30501
770-219-9000

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.