Albany Car Accident Lawyer

Albany Car Accident Attorney

There aren’t many situations in your life that can be as traumatic and life-changing as a car accident. A car accident can come out of nowhere to completely change your life by inflicting severe physical, emotional, and mental trauma upon you. They can be small inconveniences, nightmarish catastrophes, or something in between. If you ever find yourself dealing with the aftermath of a car accident, an Albany car accident lawyer can help you take legal action.

Car Accident? Call the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm today at 229-469-8266.

For over 40 years, the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm has been respected as one of the leading personal injury and car accident law firms in Albany and throughout southwest Georgia.  Accidents occur in Albany every day, some severe and others minor, but when there is an accident, it is always prudent to get counsel from an experienced attorney. Our Albany Injury and Car Accident Attorneys specialize in car accidents, personal injury cases, and slip and falls.  Some firms consider themselves a general practice wherein they practice all areas of law.  We, however, decided that if we wanted to be the best we would need to spend our expertise and resources handling only car accidents and personal injury cases.

You may be traveling on Georgia Route 3 or U.S. Route 82 and see the traffic slowing just ahead of you.  The police and ambulance speed by in the emergency lanes and at that point you know it must be an accident. All of a sudden you feel your car impacted from the rear and you are pushed into the car in front of you. Car accidents are not planned and almost always require the accident victim to seek medical treatment and vehicle repairs.

Our Albany Injury and Car Accident Attorneys can assist you with medical treatment, medical bills, getting your car repaired and a rental provided during that time.  We will even make sure the insurance company pays for the diminution in value of your vehicle; that is, we will force the insurance company to pay any loss of value that your vehicle may have from the accident.

Georgia’s Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims

Whenever you are driving, you should always try your hardest to be aware of the other drivers around you. As safe as you may feel you are as a driver, never forget that other drivers may be erratic, distracted, or even dangerous. There is always the possibility of an accident. Keeping that in mind at all times may help you react better if something were to happen.

An experienced car accident lawyer can make sure you aren’t taken advantage of by insurance companies in the aftermath of your accident.

If you decide to file a legal claim for damages, it is important to the success of your case that you adhere to the state of Georgia’s statute of limitations for a car accident claim, which is a type of personal injury claim. You have two years from the date of your accident to establish grounds for your claim, build a strong case, gather the evidence you will need, speak with a car accident lawyer, and file your claim for compensatory damages.

If you are unable to file your claim before two years have passed, there is a chance that your claim will be denied, your case will be dismissed entirely, and your opportunity to seek damages for what happened to you will pass by with no action taken. Building a strong car accident case can take a lot of time, so you should start building yours as soon as possible. If you are worried that your case isn’t strong enough, bring it to a car accident lawyer.

When is a vehicle declared a total loss?  Typically, cars are considered to be “totaled” when the cost to repair the vehicle is higher than the actual cash value (often referred to as ACV) of the vehicle. Otherwise, the vehicle does not meet this criterion at which time the insurance company will be required to repair your vehicle.  Georgia Law states you cannot force an insurance company to pay a specific repair shop to fix your car; however, you can request a property damage check from the insurance company for the damages and take the vehicle wherever you see fit.

At the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, we can provide the services you need to get back on your feet.  From the initial consultation to when you receive your settlement check, we will walk you through the process and reduce your stress when we can.  Most cases settle within 6 to 9 months; however, some do settle sooner.

Call us now at 229-469-8266.  Our Albany Injury and Car Accident Attorneys are ready to assist you!

Is My Consultation with an Albany Injury and Car Accident Attorney Really Free?

In short, the answer to this question is “yes,” the consultation at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm is really free. We can understand why you may have questions about this, so let us go over how we get paid and what is expected of you.

We understand accident victims are usually struggling to meet the basic needs for themselves and their families and do not have any money to pay up-front for a consultation with a lawyer. So, we do not charge for our first meeting. Instead, we view this as an opportunity for us to get to know about you and your case, and for you to get to know us and our firm. If during this meeting we feel we can help you recover the compensation you are due, we will offer to represent you. If you feel that we are a good fit and you trust us to help you with your case, you can accept our offer. It is at this time that we will explain how we make our money.

The important thing to remember is we only get paid if you do. So if your case fails and you do not recover any compensation, you owe us nothing. If your case is successful, we will collect a percentage of the amount you are awarded. The percentage amount and how it is collected is something we will go over before we agree to accept your case.

Car Crash Facts and Statistics

No matter what caused your auto accident, your injuries are your biggest concern. As Georgia auto accident attorneys, some of the most common injuries our clients suffer in highway accidents include:

• Broken bones, fractured limbs
• Cuts and lacerations
• Head, concussion neck, and spinal injuries
• Internal bleeding and organ damage
• Paralysis and nerve damage

How To Navigate the Aftermath of a Car Accident

Knowing the most effective ways to deal with the aftermath of a car accident can make all the difference for you. The actions that you take in the moments after an accident can influence the strength and validity of your claim, so it is important that you do the right things. Protecting yourself is important, but so is protecting your claim. Here are some things you can do after an accident to ensure your claim is protected:

• Stay Calm: Try your hardest not to panic after the accident. It’s going to be hard because your instincts may be pushing you to panic, but it could make things worse. Stay as calm as you can, take a breath, and ignore the instinct to panic. Assess your situation.
• Stay at the Scene: It is absolutely vital to your claim that you do not try to flee the scene of the accident. Fleeing the scene is against Georgia state law and could result in significant legal action being taken against you. Every driver who is involved in an accident that results in someone’s death, serious injury, or significant property damage is required to stop immediately and report the accident to the proper authorities.
• Check Yourself: Depending on the accident, you may be dealing with serious injuries. If you are in shock, you may not even be aware of those injuries. After an accident, you should take a moment to check yourself for injuries. Do the same for any passengers you may have. Look out for bruising, wet spots, red spots, protrusions, sprains, and broken bones. If you are in pain but not visibly injured, tell the EMTs when they arrive.

FAQs

Q: How Long After a Car Accident Can You Take Legal Action in Georgia?

A: In Georgia, you have up to two years after an accident to take legal action and file a claim for compensatory damages. That gives you two years from the date that your accident occurred to build your case and file a claim. If you cannot file your claim within the two-year window, your case may be tossed out, and you won’t be able to seek damages.

Q: What Is the Maximum Amount You Can Pursue in a Car Accident Claim in Georgia?

A: There is no maximum amount you can pursue in a car accident claim in Georgia. The state does not have a damage cap for the amount you can ask for in medical expenses, pain and suffering, and lost wages. The only legal damages that are capped are punitive damages. The at-fault driver’s insurance policy may also limit the amount you can receive from them.

Q: Why Should You Never Admit Fault in a Car Accident?

A: The main reason you should never admit fault in a car accident is because admitting fault can significantly impact your chances of recovering a substantial settlement in legal damages. If you admit that even a part of the accident was your fault, you may no longer be eligible for any damages, or the amount you receive may be greatly reduced. It is wisest to simply say nothing when it comes to fault.

Q: How Much Are Most Car Accident Settlements?

A: Every car accident case is different, so there is no telling how much most car accident settlements might be. A car accident settlement is going to be influenced by unique factors that may not be present in every case. Your lawyer’s negotiation skills, the severity of your injuries, and the insurance company’s stance are all going to be factors in determining a settlement amount.

Reach Out To Speak With a Car Accident Lawyer

The legal team at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm can effectively assist you in building your car accident claim. We can give you advice on how to gather evidence, make sure your interests are protected, and keep you from being taken advantage of by insurance companies. Contact us to schedule a consultation with a valued team member today.

Emergency Contact Information:

Albany Police Department
201 West Oglethorpe Boulevard
Albany, Georgia 31702
(229) 431-2100

Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office
Judicial Building
225 Pine Avenue
Albany, Georgia 31701
229-431-3259

Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital (Main Campus)
417 W. Third Avenue
P.O. Box 3770
Albany, GA 31706-3770
229-312-1000

If you have further questions or need to discuss a potential claim, contact us at 229-469-8266 or via our free case review form