Athens Car Accident Lawyer

Athens Car Accident Attorney

Have you or a loved one been involved in a car accident in Athens? Depending on the circumstances of your car accident, you might be entitled to receive compensation for the damages you have suffered. In these situations, it is essential to hire an experienced and trusted Athens car accident lawyer who can review your case and help determine the right course of action to take in order to hold the at-fault parties responsible for your injuries.

Call our Athens accident attorneys at 706-955-1559.  An accident can cause minor or sometimes serious injuries.  No matter what your circumstances, having a trained experienced lawyer on your side can help. At Merritt & Merritt our Athens injury and car accident attorneys specialize in personal injury law and can walk you through the process. Let us take on your case, handling everything from evidence collection and review to insurance company negotiations.

What to Do Following an Athens, Georgia Car Accident?

No one plans to find themselves in the aftermath of a car accident, yet these unfortunate situations do occur. If you experience a car accident, you might wonder what to do following the event. There are certain steps to take that can also help you should you choose to pursue legal action against the at-fault party in the future.

Following a car accident in Athens, Georgia, it is prudent to:

• Call 911: First and foremost, contact emergency services. Even if you do not feel injured, someone else might, or you may be suffering from injuries that cannot be seen or felt. Likewise, police need to report to the scene in order to record what they see and make an official report. This report will become important later on in the claims process.
• Move to Safety: If you are physically capable of doing so, move yourself and any passenger to safety. Get out of the roadway and the path of any oncoming traffic. Remain calm and wait for the emergency services to arrive. Do not speak to anyone about the accident or discuss fault.
• Obtain a Police Report: Once the police arrive, they will take time to make a report of what they see and hear at the scene. It is important that you get a copy of this report, as it can help your compensation claim. However, under no circumstances should you admit to having any kind of fault in the accident itself. This will hurt your chances of getting future compensation.
• Collect Evidence: If you are physically able to, you will want to document the scene. Take videos and photographs of the scene of the accident, including the positioning of the vehicles, any applicable road conditions, and any malfunctioning or absent signage or traffic lights. Additionally, you will want to take photos of the injuries sustained and the property damage your vehicle has suffered.
• Gather Contact Information: If you are capable of doing so, you will want to gather the contact and insurance information for the other parties involved in the accident. During this time, do not discuss fault. Simply exchange information, and do not let your emotions become tense or get the better of you. Additionally, collect the contact information for any individuals who might have been witnesses to the accident.
• Notify Insurance: Contact your insurance company and tell them about the accident, providing any necessary details.
• Receive Medical Attention: It is prudent to seek additional medical attention from your primary care doctor following a car accident. Even if you do not feel injured, visiting your doctor can help your claim appear more legitimate, and this medical professional can uncover any injury that might not have been present at the scene of the accident.
• Consult a Personal Injury Attorney: When it comes time to seek compensation for the damages you have sustained, you will want to contact a competent and trusted personal injury attorney.

What Sets the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm Apart

Regardless of whether you are in the hospital or recovering from your injuries at home, we can come to you.  We understand the inconvenience that an accident can place on a family and we are here to provide you with peace of mind, simplifying the process as much as possible.

What makes us different?

• Recovered millions in settlements and verdicts
• Established in 1973 with over 40 years of experience.
• We have 3 Georgia Offices
• 1,000s of personal injury and car accident cases handled

Our Athens injury and car accident attorneys are known around Athens and the surrounding area for providing great results for our clients.  If you need further assistance, please call us at 706-955-1559. The sooner you contact us the quicker we are able to help!

Also, please visit our social media platforms to see our reviews.

Common Kinds of Injuries Suffered in an Athens Car Accident

The most common injury from a car accident is whiplash.  Whiplash is a neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip. Whiplash most often occurs during a rear-end auto accident but the injury can also result from a sports accident, physical abuse or other trauma. Usually, whiplash injuries can be treated through physical therapy or chiropractic care but some severe cases require surgery.

Other common injuries that occur as a result of an auto accident might include spinal cord injuries, cuts and bruises, broken limbs, loss of limbs, traumatic brain injuries, concussions, or even the loss of life.

The Most Common Types of Car Accidents in Athens, GA

Car accidents occur in many different ways, but there are some types of collisions that our Athens injury and car accident attorneys see more often than others.

Some of the most common are listed below.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions occur when one vehicle crashes into the rear of another vehicle. In most of these accidents, the rear driver is at fault.

Side-Impact Collisions

These accidents occur when two vehicles collide on their sides. Only one car can be moving, or both cars can be in motion when these collisions occur.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on collisions are some of the most dangerous accidents that can happen. When these collisions occur, two vehicles collide on their front ends as they are traveling in opposite directions. These accidents often result in catastrophic injuries or death.

T-Bone Collisions

A T-bone collision occurs when one vehicle strikes another on its side, thereby forming the shape of a “t”. These accidents generally occur when one vehicle runs a red light or stop sign and crashes into the side of another vehicle.

Fixed Object Collisions

A fixed object collision occurs when a car crashes into an immobile object, such as a tree or concrete barrier. These accidents occur when the driver of the vehicle leaves the roadway and collides with the fixed object.

Legal Tip Property Damage:

Claims for vehicle damage are covered by your collision or comprehensive policy, if you have one. If another motorist is at fault in an accident, you may sue for property damage to your car regardless of whether you can sue for bodily injury.

Legal Tip Personal Injury Claim:

If another motorist is at fault in an accident, you may sue for personal injuries which are generally measured by your medical expenses and loss wages caused by the accident and an amount which may be determined by the jury for pain and suffering. Under special circumstances, other types of damages may be recoverable.

Athens Car Accident Law FAQs

Q: Who Can You Sue for a Car Accident in Georgia?

A: In the state of Georgia, who you can sue for a car accident typically depends on the exact nature and details of the accident itself. Based on these factors, you might be able to sue another driver, the manufacturer of your vehicle, a city, or a municipality. The manufacturer might be held responsible if your vehicle suffered a malfunction due to broken or dangerous components. A city or municipality might be held liable for accidents caused by potholes or missing signage.

Q: How Much Compensation Is Available for a Car Accident in Georgia?

A: In the state of Georgia, the amount of compensation you can pursue in a personal injury case is highly dependent on several factors. These factors might include the severity of your injuries or property damage and the costs you have faced due to these injuries and property damage. Likewise, you may be able to pursue compensation for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, and the loss of quality of life.

Q: Is Georgia an At-Fault State?

A: Yes, the state of Georgia is considered an at-fault state. This means that if a driver is at any kind of fault for the accident due to negligent behavior, they are responsible for any damages that have occurred. For this reason, it is important that you hire a personal injury attorney who can assist in proving this fault and holding this party legally responsible.

Q: Is There a Limit to How Much Compensation One Can Receive in a Car Accident Claim?

A: In the state of Georgia, there is no maximum amount set for how much compensation you can pursue in a car accident claim. However, there is a time limit as to how long you have to file this claim. This time limit is called the statute of limitations. In the state of Georgia, you have two years to file a compensation claim for a personal injury. This time period begins on the date the injuries were sustained.

Contact a Trusted Athens Car Accident Attorney Today

If you or someone you love has suffered due to the negligence of another driver, a car manufacturer, or a negligent city or municipality, you might be entitled to pursue compensation. These cases can be complex and overwhelming, but don’t have to be stressful with the assistance of an experienced and trusted personal injury attorney from the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm. We are here to walk the path to recovery alongside you.

Contact our offices today to learn more. Let us review your case, determining which course of action might be right for you. We can handle every step along the way, from negotiations with your insurance company or the at-fault party’s legal team to helping you collect evidence and representing you in any litigation. This is not a path you’ll want to walk alone, but you don’t have to do so.

Legal Tip Car Accident:

Did you know med-pay coverage on your automobile covers the named insured, resident spouse, and any resident relative while occupying the covered vehicle, and any other person legally occupying the automobile?

Athens Car Accident Resources:

Athens-Clarke County Police Department
3035 Lexington Road
Athens, Georgia  30605
Phone: 706-613-3330

Athens Sheriff Department
325 E. Washington St.
Suite 125
Athens, Georgia  30601
Phone: 706-613-3250

St. Mary’s Health Care System-Hospital
1230 Baxter St.
Athens, Georgia 30606-3791
Phone: 706-389-3000

Athens Regional Health System-Hospital
1199 Prince Avenue
Athens, Georgia 30606
Phone: 706-475-7000

If you have further questions or need to discuss a potential claim, contact us at 706-955-1559 or via our free case review form.