While they are common, car accidents can significantly interfere with a person’s life and health. However, car accident victims can recover compensation from the person that injured them.
Drivers can be injured in car accidents in numerous ways. While determining liability is usually not too difficult, more complex cases means more parties could be to blame. Once the liable parties have been identified, a lawsuit should be file before the statute of limitations to file your case passes. If you do not bring your claim before the deadline, you will be unable to recover damages in Athens. Our attorneys will investigate your claim for evidence, like witness statements, that can be used to prove the defendant’s fault. When successful in your case, you will likely be able to recover compensation for all economic damages, like medical bills and lost wages, as well as non-economic damages, like your pain and suffering.
To set up a free and confidential case review with Howe Law’s Athens, GA car accident lawyers, call us today at (844) 876-4357.
Types of Car Accidents that Commonly Happen in Athens, GA
Determining liability for your injuries after a motor vehicle accident depends largely on the type of accident you were involved in. Although each car accident is unique, the causes of accidents are generally similar. Some car accident cases can resolve quickly depending on the type of accident. However, more serious cases could take much longer. Our car accident lawyers can help you regardless of the kind of car accident you were injured in.
Rear-End (Brake-Checking) Accidents
Out of all the car accident cases our attorneys handle, rear-end or “brake-checking” accidents are generally the most straightforward to navigate. This is because the person driving behind the car that was hit is typically at fault for the accident. In Athens, drivers have a responsibility to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of them. If they fail to do so, they may not have enough time to stop and avoid causing an accident. However, the driver in front could also be held responsible if they stopped suddenly or “brake checked” the other driver. So, do not assume that, just because you were the rear driver in such a circumstance, you are automatically at fault for a collision in Athens.
Head-on Accidents
When it comes to car accidents, head-on collisions are among the most severe. Such crashes occur when two vehicles moving in opposite directions collide with each other, often resulting in serious injuries for those involved. Typically, head-on collisions are caused by speeding, distracted driving, or driving while intoxicated. If you were injured in a head-on collision, our attorneys can assist you in building the strong case possible against the driver that injured you.
Lane Change Accidents
For car accidents resulting from an illegal lane change, determining liability is not too difficult, but cases vary. The driver who made the lane change is typically held responsible for the accident because it is their duty to ensure that the lane is clear before transitioning into it. Conversely, the driver in the other lane should continue traveling in their current lane while the other driver waits for space to open up to merge. However, there are instances where the driver changing lanes may not be at fault. If an aggressive driver intentionally prevents them from merging by accelerating or decelerating, they could be held liable for creating the conditions that led to the accident in Athens.
T-Bone Accidents
T-bone accidents are one of the most serious types that a victim can be involved in. These accidents often occur when a driver fails to obey a stop sign or traffic light. In such situations, determining which driver ignored the legal road signs is crucial. It is essential for all drivers to follow the rules of the road, and if one fails to do so by disregarding a stop sign or traffic light, they could be sued for their negligent actions.
Commercial Vehicle Accidents
Car accidents involving commercial vehicles can significantly complicate a car crash case. Given the abundance of commercial vehicles operating in Athens, they are just as likely to be involved in accidents as any other vehicle. While the driver at fault may be held responsible, their employer could also be held accountable if the driver was working at the time of the accident. That said, if the commercial driver was an independent contractor, their employer might not be liable. Furthermore, if a mechanical issue led to your crash involving a commercial vehicle, the manufacturer could be sued for damages. Our attorneys can help you determine who was liable for your injuries and file a lawsuit against them.
How to Report an Athens, GA Car Accident
When an auto accident takes place in Athens, there are certain reporting requirements that victims must adhere to. For example, any accident that results in injury must be reported to the Athens Borough Police Department.
According to O.C.G.A. § 40-6-273, any car crash that causes injury, death, or upwards of $500 in property damage has to be reported to the police in Georgia. You can report your auto accident by calling 911 and waiting for law enforcement personnel to arrive. While self-reporting after the fact is an option, it is not best, especially if you require compensation via a lawsuit.
Car accident injuries should also be reported to medical professionals. Without documents detailing your injuries, there is no way to prove that you were harmed or that you were injured because of a negligent driver’s actions. You should continue to get the necessary medical care as advised by doctors so that you have sufficient medical evidence of your injuries in Athens.
Parties that Can be Held Liable for a Car Crash in Athens, GA
It is a common misconception that the only person responsible for an auto accident is the other driver. While the other driver is usually the one at fault, other parties that were not even present at the accident can also be held responsible. For instance, the vehicle owner could be liable if they lent their car to the driver who caused the accident and they had reason to believe the driver was dangerous or careless.
If a commercial driver caused your accident, their employer might also be held responsible under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior. This theory holds that employers can be held vicariously liable for their employee’s negligence if the accident occurred while they were performing their job duties.
Ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft could also share responsibility if you sustained your injuries as a passenger. Although it can be challenging to hold these companies directly liable, their drivers and rideshare company typically have higher insurance limits that could be available in your case.
In rare cases, your injuries could be the result of a design or manufacturing flaw in your car. Fortunately, manufacturers and designers can be held liable for defects in the part that caused the accident. Further, poor road conditions could also cause your accident, for which the city or state government could be held responsible. Our attorneys can help you determine who is liable for your injuries so that they are held accountable for their negligence in Athens.
Witness Statements to Get for Your Car Accident Claim in Athens, GA
Car accident cases are most successful when victims have certain evidence in their corners. Some of the most useful pieces of evidence in these types of cases are witness statements.
Eyewitness Statements
We will begin by obtaining statements from those who witnessed your crash take place firsthand. These individuals are known as eyewitnesses, and their statements can be especially impactful, even more so when coupled with statements from victims and other evidence like surveillance footage.
Eyewitness statements can become less helpful the more time that passes from an accident date. Our lawyers will get in touch with those who witnessed your accident in the following days to obtain the most detailed statements possible.
Expert Witness Statements
Then there are others who, despite not seeing an accident happen themselves, can apply their expertise and knowledge to a car crash claim. These are known as expert witnesses. Based on the specifics of your case, our car accident lawyers can get in touch with experts who can provide an additional level of insight and wisdom to your claim. Often, in injury cases, statements from medical experts are necessary. Such experts can review a victim’s medical records, their diagnoses, and their treatment thus far to explain the extent of their injuries and their need for certain compensatory damages in Athens.
Other Witness Statements
Although they might not be experts or eyewitnesses, your friends and family can be invaluable to your case. In addition to providing you with substantial support throughout your lawsuit, those closest to you might give helpful statements that can aid in your recovery. Such witnesses can explain, from their point of view, the emotional and mental effects the accident has had on your life. Although victims can do this themselves, by turning to others around them, they can strengthen their own statements and improve their chances of recovery in Athens. Mental health professionals who have treated victims for various struggles after a crash can testify to their pain and suffering as well.
Statute of Limitations to File Your Athens, GA Car Accident Lawsuit
It is important for car accident victims to understand the significance of the statute of limitations requirement, which is the time limit to file an accident lawsuit in Athens. Under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, car accident victims have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit with the court, with very few exceptions. Essentially, the clock starts ticking as soon as you sustain injuries in an auto accident.
Filing a complaint after being negligently injured in a car crash involves adhering to various rules. These include drafting an accurate complaint, submitting the correct documentation to support it, and meeting court deadlines. Failure to follow these guidelines can result in the court rejecting your complaint and dismissing your case, leaving you with a smaller window to file your lawsuit in time.
Do not let this important deadline slip by and miss out on the compensation you deserve. Our experienced lawyers can help you prepare your case so that it is filed before time runs out. Bringing your claim well within the statute of limitations will be necessary so that crucial evidence is not lost or destroyed and so it is easier for you to prove causation in your case.
Compensation Awarded in Athens, GA Car Accident Lawsuits
Whether you settle your car accident case out of court or go to trial, our attorneys will fight to ensure you recover the damages you deserve in Athens.
Compensation across motor vehicle accidents differs and is awarded according to each victim’s specific losses. That said, most victims require some compensation for medical expenses, especially if they have suffered serious injuries. Other recoverable economic damages include those for lost wages, property damage, and other out-of-pocket expenses related to your crash.
In addition to financial damages, victims often experience some form of pain and suffering due to their injuries and experiences in auto accidents. Such damages are also recoverable in Athens, though they can be harder to prove. Unlike economic damages, non-economic damages do not come with a price tag. Because of that, our attorneys will use various methods to calculate your pain and suffering damages and prove that they exist to a jury. Punitive damages might be recoverable in your case, depending on whether or not gross negligence was at play.
Damages are paid out in lump sum payments or structured payments. The former will entail you recovering all damages at one time, while the latter will entail periodic payments over several months or years. Which type of settlement you receive will largely depend on the defendant’s financial ability.
Call Our Athens, GA Lawyers to Discuss Your Car Accident Claim Today
For a free case assessment, call our car accident lawyers at Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 today.
