Car Accident Attorneys in Columbus, Georgia, Providing Compassionate Legal Representation to Accident Victims and Their Families

As long as there are drivers on the road, there are going to be car accidents. It seems to be a sad but unavoidable fact of life. There are tens of thousands of fatal accidents every year and millions of accidents involving serious injuries. Georgia is ranked among the most dangerous states in the country for drivers. We rank about 20% higher than the national average for fatal accidents per capita. In these conditions, it’s worth understanding your rights if you’re ever in an accident and how you can hope to recover maximum compensation.

If you’re ever in an accident, it’s crucial that you establish that fault rests on the shoulders of the other party. If you can prove that the at-fault driver was negligent behind the wheel of the car, thus resulting in an accident, you may be able to file a personal injury claim. And, if you’re seeking damages that exceed the driver’s insurance policy cap, you have the option to sue the negligent driver for damages.

Because of the need to establish driver negligence or recklessness, it is highly advisable that you retain professional legal representation with an experienced personal injury attorney. Even minor accidents can be hard-fought legal battles when insurance companies get involved and other drivers refuse to take responsibility for their actions. Plus, you should be allowed time to recover peacefully if you were injured. It should not fall upon you to argue with insurance companies, negotiate with combative opposing counsel, and face the brunt of costly legal fees on your own.

Go Big Injury Law proudly serves accident victims in Columbus, Georgia, who are seeking justice and financial compensation. We fully understand that no settlement can ever undo your injuries or reverse the fatal accident that claimed your loved one. But hopefully, a fair settlement may help alleviate the burden of medical bills, lost wages, and emotional anguish.

If you have any questions or concerns about your case, please get in touch with our law firm to schedule a free case evaluation today.

What Should You Do if You’ve Been in an Automobile Accident?

The first thing you should do if you’re ever in a car wreck is check for injuries to yourself and your passengers. If you are well enough, check for injuries to other motorists or pedestrians involved in the crash.

If you haven’t already, now’s the time to call 911 and report the collision. While you await the arrival of law enforcement and paramedics, exchange information with the other driver. You want to obtain their name, address, phone number, and insurance provider information.

If the police and ambulances still have yet to arrive, use this time to document the scene of the accident by taking pictures, recording videos, and documenting eyewitness testimonies. When the police arrive, be cooperative and help them fill out a detailed report. All of this will become helpful evidence when you file your insurance claim.

Next, you should make two phone calls, one to your car accident attorney and the other to your insurance company. Tell both parties about the accident. Your car accident lawyer is on your side and will take up the call to defend your interests.

While it is essential that you contact your insurer, you should not mistakenly think that the insurance companies are on your side. If an insurance adjuster arrives at the scene of the accident, remember that you do not need to speak with them. They may act sympathetic, but they’re there to reduce their exposure and potentially lower their expenses. Any comment about your health or your fault may be used against you. If insurance adjusters insist on speaking with you, direct them to your lawyers instead.

You must seek medical attention, even if you feel relatively okay. Some injuries may manifest later. If you fail to get medical care following the accident, the insurance company may claim that your injuries are unrelated to the accident. Please don’t play it tough. Go see a doctor. Not only could it potentially save your life, but it could also save your car accident case.

What Are Common Causes for Car Accidents?

Distracted driving is far and away the most common cause of car accidents in the United States. Whenever a driver takes their eyes off the road or their hands off the steering wheel, they run the risk of a distracted driving accident. Primary examples of distracted driving include: texting, using a handheld device like a cell phone, eating, personal grooming, or using a dashboard navigation system while the motor vehicle is in motion. Distracted driving is often the cause of rear-end collisions and T-Bone accidents.

Drunk driving and driving under the influence of drugs are also common causes of violent car accidents. It is illegal to drive under the influence, and a DUI can come with hefty fines, jail time, and the loss of driving privileges.

Defective vehicles, or vehicles which are in major disrepair, can also cause accidents as drivers may lose control of their cars and trucks.

Speeding, running the red light or stop sign, and aggressive driving can result in violent crashes like head-on collisions and sideswipe accidents.

Whatever the cause of your accident, you may have a viable legal claim for compensation. Speak to our Columbus law offices to learn more about the legal services we can provide.

Is Georgia an At-Fault State?

In a no-fault state, you must carry what is known as personal injury protection (PIP). When you are injured in an auto accident, your PIP coverage pays for your medical bills. In an at-fault state, you file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault parties in an attempt to recover compensation. The at-fault party’s liability insurance coverage then pays for your medical expenses.

Georgia is an at-fault state.

PIP coverage is optional in Georgia. If you have PIP, you may file a PIP claim with the help of your lawyer.

Is Car Insurance Mandatory in Georgia?

Like most states, Georgia requires a mandatory minimum car insurance policy from a licensed insurance provider for every driver on the road. When you are in a car accident, you should exchange insurance information with the other drivers. The other party’s insurance company will be responsible for paying compensation if you file an insurance claim following the crash. There are penalties for being an uninsured driver in Georgia.

What Are Commonly Seen Car Accident Injuries?

So many factors come into play, from the car model, the speed at which the vehicles were moving, the driver’s physical health, and the angle at which the collision happened. Car accidents cause hundreds of different types of injuries, and it is often impossible to predict what sort of injury may result from a crash.

Common motor vehicle accident injuries include:

• Broken bones.
• Burns.
• Concussions.
• Disfigurement.
• Internal bleeding and organ damage.
• Loss of hearing or sight.
• Loss of limb.
• Nerve damage.
• Psychological damage.
• Soft tissue injuries.
• Spinal cord injuries.
• Traumatic brain injuries.
• Whiplash.

What Kind of Financial Recovery Could You Win with a Successful Car Accident Claim?

With a strong case, your car accident settlement could help address both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages refer to any monetary value you lost as a result of the accident, like lost income while you were out of work with an injury. Non-economic damages relate more to emotional trauma and physical pain suffered in the accident. And in cases of malice or extreme carelessness, the car accident victim may also be able to pursue punitive damages.

Economic damages could come in the form of the following:

• Lost wages and lost future earning capacity.
• Medical expenses and costs for future medical treatment.
• Physical therapy rehabilitation costs.
• Property damage.

Non-economic damages may include:

• Disfigurement and disability.
• Emotional distress and mental anguish.
• Funeral costs and burial expenses following a fatal crash.
• Lost companionship.
• Pain and suffering.
• Reduce quality of life.
• Wrongful death.

If the at-fault driver’s insurance policy cannot pay for all the damages, your lawyer will seek to recover compensation from the driver and all other liable parties.

What Factors May Impact Your Car Accident Case?

Different factors can determine how much you may potentially recover with a car accident claim. For example, a car accident resulting in catastrophic injuries and a total loss in terms of property damage is likely worth more than a case involving a minor fender-bender with complaints of whiplash. Just the same, though, as your attorneys we will seek to recover damages from all liable parties wherever there is an opportunity to do so.

In addition to the severity of your injuries and property damage, other factors include whether the at-fault driver had car insurance — or if they were underinsured for the severity of the accident. And, generally, how much of an impact the car accident had on your life — financially, emotionally, and physically — may determine how much you may potentially recover in a suit.

If you were in a hit-and-run accident, you may have a longer, more challenging road ahead of you. For this reason, it is especially important to retain professional legal counsel.

Schedule a Free Consultation with Experienced Auto Accident Lawyers Today

If you or a loved one have been in a car accident, you must consider hiring lawyers to represent your case. For the injured, a personal injury claim can help you recover damages to pay for your bills. And for the dearly departed, we can assist you in filing a wrongful death claim. While every car accident case is unique, we remain confident that we can represent your interests in pursuit of justice and compensation.

At Go Big Injury Law, we pride ourselves on providing excellent service and our track record of exceptional results. If you’ve been harmed because of someone else’s negligence, you deserve to have things made right. We will make it our mission to see to it that you receive the maximum compensation for your case.

In addition to offering a free case review to all prospective new clients, we also work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we win. The consultation is zero-obligation, so call our law offices today! Just call (800) 777-7777 anytime, day or night, and we’ll connect you with a member of our team to schedule your free consultation.