Let Our Evans Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyers Provide Skilled Counsel For Your Case

Whether it’s a minor fender bender or a devastating collision, a car accident can change your life in an instant. You may be grappling with both emotional and practical concerns. How will you cover your rising medical bills or make up the income lost from time off work? How can you hold the at-fault driver responsible for the pain and suffering you have experienced? 

At Durham Bray Law Firm, we know what may be at stake in these cases. For over 26 years, we have provided local, personal service and skilled counsel to Georgia residents injured in car accidents. We understand the gravity of your situation. As trial attorneys with decades of combined experience, we are always prepared to fight vigorously for your rights, regardless of whether it takes place at the negotiating table or in the courtroom.

Steps To Take After A Car Accident In Georgia

Following a car accident, your actions at the scene and in the days that follow can affect your claim. It is recommended that you:

• Report the accident to the police, especially if there are injuries, significant property damage or any dispute about who was at fault
• Get the other driver’s name, contact information, insurance details and vehicle license plate number
• Take photos and videos of the damage, the accident location (intersections, road conditions signs) and any visible injuries you or your passengers sustained
• See a doctor or health care professional as soon as possible, even for minor injuries

Insurance adjusters from the at-fault party’s insurance company may contact you after the accident. While they may seem helpful, their main objective might be to minimize payouts. Talk to an Evans motor vehicle lawyer as soon as possible. We will negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf, protecting your rights and diligently pursuing the compensation you deserve.

Establishing Fault In Georgia Car Accident Claims

Establishing fault in a motor vehicle accident involves demonstrating four key elements:

• Duty of care: The other driver had a legal responsibility to operate their vehicle safely and responsibly, adhering to traffic laws
• Breach of duty: They violated this responsibility through actions such as speeding, distracted driving, reckless driving or driving under the influence
• Causation: Their specific negligent actions directly caused the accident and resulted in your injuries and losses
• Damages: You experienced quantifiable losses, such as medical bills, lost wages, property damage and emotional distress, as a direct consequence of the accident

In Georgia, drivers must carry insurance that meets minimum liability requirements of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $25,000 for property damage. This ensures that there is a financial safety net to cover some of the damages in an accident they cause. 

However, what happens if the at-fault driver does not have any insurance? You might need to rely on your own insurance policy’s uninsured motorist (UM) coverage to obtain financial recovery. If you don’t have this coverage, you still have options. As your Evans car accident lawyers, we will guide you through potential avenues for recovery, such as pursuing claims against the at-fault driver directly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Motor Vehicle Collision Lawsuits

If you sustained significant injuries in a crash caused by another driver, you may face staggering financial setbacks. Learning the answers to common questions can empower you to seek the compensation you deserve.

How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Georgia?

After a car crash, you may spend weeks recovering from your injuries. If your losses go beyond the coverage provided by the driver at fault, then you may need to file a personal injury lawsuit.

You typically have up to two years from the date of the collision to initiate a civil lawsuit. You may want to speak with an attorney months before the statute of limitations expires.

Can I recover compensation in Georgia if I was partially at fault for the crash?

Yes, so long as you are less than 50% responsible for the accident, you may still recover at least some of your losses. However, your final award will be reduced according to the percentage of liability assigned to you. For example, if you have a $100,000 claim but are 10% at fault for the crash, you could ultimately receive $90,000 in damages.

This method of sharing the liability for an accident is one of the main reasons that it is critical to speak to an attorney before you speak to the insurers involved in your case. The other party’s insurer may be eager to shift liability your way to reduce their losses, and your words can be taken out of context and used to that purpose.

What compensation can I recover after a car accident in Georgia?

During a lawsuit, you can request both economic and noneconomic losses. Economic losses include any provable financial consequences of a car crash. Your medical bills, lost income and property damage expenses all contribute to your total economic losses.

Your noneconomic losses include the pain and suffering you may have experienced. The courts may consider physical pain, loss of enjoyment of life because of your injuries and mental anguish. Georgia does not limit compensatory damages in a car crash lawsuit.

In rare cases involving extreme negligence, such as drunk driving, you may be able to request punitive damages in addition to compensatory damages. The state generally limits punitive damages assessed as punishment for the party at fault to $250,000.

Reach Out To Our Seasoned Attorneys Today

Let us use our extensive experience to help you secure the compensation you need. Contact Durham Bray Law Firm today to schedule your free initial consultation. You can call us at 706-842-9405 or send us a message through our website.