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.
Contact our car accident attorneys at Howe Law today at (844) 876-4357 for a free case review.
Types of Car Accidents that Commonly Happen in Athens, GA
Determining liability for your injuries after a car 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 attorneys 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 car accident 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.
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 car accident 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.
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 accident 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. Our car accident attorneys can help you determine who was liable for your injuries and file a lawsuit against them.
Parties that Can be Held Liable for a Car Accident in Athens, GA
It is a common misconception that the only person responsible for a car 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 performing their job duties.
Ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft could also share responsibility if your injuries were caused while in a rideshare vehicle. 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 car accident attorneys can help you determine who is liable for your injuries so that they are held accountable for their negligence.
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 a car 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 a car accident.
Filing a complaint after being negligently injured in a car accident 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.
Don’t let this important deadline slip by and miss out on the compensation you deserve. Our experienced car accident lawyers can help you prepare your case so that it is filed before time runs out.
Our Athens, GA Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
For a free case assessment, call our car accident injury attorneys at Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 today.
