Car accidents are so common that people often do not bat an eye after hearing about a crash. However, many crashes are serious causes for concern, and drivers are often badly hurt.
Car accidents can be unpredictable and could happen almost anywhere. Some common places for accidents around Augusta include busy highways, streets, and intersections like the Bobby Jones Expressway or Mike Padgett Highway. An attorney can help you submit an insurance claim in addition to a personal injury lawsuit, so you get all the compensation you deserve. A lawyer can also help you gather evidence and assess your damages.
For a free case review to get started, call our car accident attorneys at Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
Where Car Accidents Can Happen Around Augusta, GA
Car accidents have happened all over Augusta and the Augusta-Richmond County area. Some roads have proven to be higher-risk areas, and accidents have been more frequent. There are various roads, highways, expressways, and intersections in and around Augusta where accidents are particularly dangerous. The intersection of Washington Road at Interstate 20 has seen its fair share of collisions, and so has the intersection at Tobacco Road and Windsor Spring Road.
The Bobby Jones Expressway has numerous intersections along its lengthy stretch where accidents are frequent. Similarly, Mike Padgett Highway has been host to numerous crashes and collisions.
Although accidents are frequent on major highways, they also occur on remote backroads. People living in Augusta often leave the city and find themselves on empty backroads. Poor road conditions might cause a single-car accident, or another driver might come along and recklessly cause a collision.
How an Attorney Can Assist You Car Accident Case in Augusta, GA
Car accidents are complicated, and getting sufficient compensation is often difficult. You can explore several legal options for compensation, including insurance claims and lawsuits. In many cases, a combination of these legal actions is necessary to get the full extent of damages covered.
Filing a Claim with Insurance
Georgia insurance laws require that we prove the other driver is at fault before any damages are covered. This means you need not only evidence of the crash but also evidence of the other driver’s wrongdoing or negligence. Under this system, people submit third-party claims through the insurance of the other driver. The kind of proof you need is specific to your accident, but most insurance companies require a copy of the police report at a minimum.
If the other driver in your accident was uninsured, you might need to follow a different path. Uninsured motorist coverage is not required, but if you have it, you can submit a claim and hopefully cover some of your economic damages.
Another possible insurance option is MedPay. MedPay can help injured drivers pay for medical bills after an accident. MedPay might be helpful when the other driver lacks insurance, but you do not have and uninsured motorist policy, or if the insurance company is pushing back against your claims.
File a Lawsuit
One of the biggest benefits of a lawsuit is that plaintiffs can claim damages usually unavailable through insurance. Pain, suffering, and other non-economic damages are rarely available in insurance claims, but you may claim these in a lawsuit.
Our car accident lawyers will assist you in preparing and submitting a complaint. The complaint is far more than an allegation against the defendant. It is a formal legal document that must spell out specific details about you, the defendant, how the accident happened, and why you believe the defendant should be held liable. The complaint is also where we claim your damages. Your overall compensation might be reduced if certain damages are left out by mistake.
It is important to act quickly, as the statute of limitations under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 gives us only 2 years to file your case. If the deadline passes, you might lose your right to bring a civil action for the accident. It might be possible to buy extra time by having the statute tolled, but this is only possible in specific situations.
Gather Evidence
One of the hardest parts about filing a lawsuit is gathering enough evidence to support your claims. Much valuable evidence comes directly from the accident scene, although it might be lost after law enforcement clears the scene away. Take photos of the accident after it happens to preserve as many details as possible.
Witnesses are key elements in almost any case. Other drivers or pedestrians walking by might have seen your accident happen. These people can testify in court about what they saw and shed light on how the defendant’s negligence caused the crash.
Other evidence might include security camera footage, dash cam videos, your medical records, and help from accident reconstruction experts. Remember, evidence is unique to each case.
Assess Damages
Your damages are the basis of your compensation. Damages account for losses, injuries, and costs directly resulting from the crash and the defendant’s negligence. Your economic damages should include the cost of medical care, repairing or replacing your vehicle, and the money you lost from being unable to return to work.
Damages may also take into account your subjective experiences. Pain, suffering, damage to your reputation, embarrassment, and overall quality of life after the crash are significant factors in non-economic damages calculations. Since these losses are very subjective, juries usually have the final say on how much compensation they deserve.
Call Our Augusta, GA Car Accident Lawyers for Help Now
Call our car accident attorneys at Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 for a free assessment of your accident and claims.
