Car accidents often involve severe injuries, high medical bills, and costly vehicle repairs. Many accident victims cannot handle these expenses on their own and need to file lawsuits to claim financial compensation.
After a car accident, the very first thing you should do is call for emergency help. A 911 dispatcher can send emergency medical responders and law enforcement to the accident scene. You should also look for evidence that might become important later if you can. Photographs and videos from the crash site might preserve important details to help your case in the courtroom. Some other important evidence might include witnesses, physical evidence, surveillance camera videos, and more. An attorney can help you use this information to claim special and general damages in your lawsuit. An attorney can also help you collect evidence, develop legal strategies, and negotiate settlements if necessary.
If you or someone you care about was in a car accident, our Macon, GA car accident lawyers can help you secure fair compensation for your damages. For a free case evaluation, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
What to Do Immediately After a Car Accident in Macon, GA
After a car accident, the very first thing you should do is call for emergency help. Some drivers in accidents hesitate to call for help because they do not feel badly injured or are afraid of involving the police and insurance companies. However, you might be required by law to report your accident to the authorities. Under Georgia Code § 40-6-273, you are legally required to report car accidents resulting in death or injuries to any people or property damage of at least $500. Even if you do not believe it necessary, failure to do so may lead to penalties.
Once you have called the authorities and reported your accident, you should try to gather any evidence if you can. If you are badly injured, wait where you are for help to arrive. If possible, take photos and record videos of the accident scene. Important details, including the damage to your vehicle, weather conditions, and the location of the accident, might be preserved in your photos.
You should also identify possible witnesses in the area. Anyone who might have seen your accident happen can provide testimony indispensable to your case. Our Macon, GA car accident attorneys can help you plan your next steps following your accident.
Important Evidence to Look for in Car Accident Cases in Macon, GA
There is much more important evidence to consider in car accident cases. As mentioned earlier, some evidence will come directly from the crash site. However, our investigation should not end there. Much more evidence might come from the surrounding area or people not even present when the accident happened.
Your photos and videos from the accident scene are important because they preserve the scene as it was at the time of the crash. Unfortunately, accident scenes do not stick around for long. Law enforcement officials tend to clear them away quickly in the interest of public safety.
Our Macon, GA car accident lawyers can take the investigation further by checking for security camera footage from nearby locations. Private homes or businesses near the accident scene might have security cameras that captured your accident on video. An actual video of the crash as it happened might be the strongest piece of evidence in our arsenal.
Police reports might contain very useful information, but the reports themselves are usually not considered admissible evidence in court because they violate the rule against hearsay. Even so, the accident report might contain information about witnesses or other evidence we can track down for your lawsuit.
Damages Available in Macon, GA Car Accident Lawsuits
Your damages represent your losses, injuries, and experiences surrounding the car accident that deserve compensation. Damages are the focus of your lawsuit as they are the primary reason most plaintiffs file their cases in the first place. Our Macon, GA car accident attorneys can help you understand the extent of your damages.
Special damages are your losses or injuries that cost you actual money. Medical bills, property damage, and lost income from being too injured to work may be summed up by bills, invoices, and paystubs. It is likely part of your special damages if it came with a receipt.
General damages are more subjective and sometimes harder to evaluate. They represent your personal experiences during and after the accident and usually are not connected to monetary costs. Even though general damages do not technically cost plaintiffs money, plaintiffs may still be financial compensation. Emotional suffering, physical pain, humiliation, and reputational damage are all considered general damages.
How a Macon, GA Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
An attorney can help you with your case beginning the day your accident happens. Starting a lawsuit is often more complex than people realize, and your lawyer should have the skills and knowledge necessary to file all the appropriate documents and paperwork. For example, your initial complaint must contain specific details about your case and be filed with the correct court. Your attorney can help you do this quickly and efficiently.
Once filed, your lawyer can also help you develop legal strategies and tactics to win your lawsuit. Having things like evidence and witnesses is one thing, but you must know how to use them to succeed. There are complicated rules and court procedures our Macon, GA car accident attorneys are familiar with that must always be followed.
If you would rather avoid a full trial, your lawyer can advise you of other legal options, including a settlement agreement. Reaching a settlement might take time and negotiation skills that the average person might not have. However, your attorney will know how to negotiate to get your damages covered while avoiding a lengthy trial.
Contact Our Macon, GA Car Accident Attorneys for Assistance
If you were injured in a car accident, our Macon, GA car accident lawyers can help you understand your legal options and hopefully help you secure compensation. For a free case review, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
