Common Causes of Car Accidents in Decatur, GA (2024)

Anyone driving in the Decatur area must know the risks they face on the road. Knowing the most common causes of car accidents in Decatur, GA, can potentially help you reduce your risk of having an accident yourself, and it is also critical to know what steps you may need to take to recover from an accident someone else has caused. A Decatur personal injury lawyer will be an invaluable asset to your recovery efforts after any type of car accident in Decatur.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Decatur, GA

A Decatur car accident lawyer can help an injured car accident victim make clearer sense of their recovery options after another driver has injured them. After most car accidents in the state, auto insurance is the primary avenue of recovery for an injured driver, but dealing with insurance companies can be challenging without legal representation. When insurance won’t cover all of a victim’s damages, they must be prepared to file a personal injury suit.

Before the victim of another driver’s actions can recover compensation, however, they must be ready to prove fault for the accident. A Decatur car accident lawyer can make this easier as they will know what type of evidence their client will need to firmly establish fault for the accident.

Most of the car accidents reported in Decatur happen because of driver negligence, but they may also occur due to illegal misconduct:

• Speeding is one of the most common causes of car accidents in Decatur, GA, and a leading contributing factor to the number of fatal accidents reported throughout the state each year. Any level of speeding is potentially dangerous because it reduces the time a driver has to react to sudden changes on the road, and excessive speeding can also lead to criminal charges for reckless driving.
• Moving violations also cause many accidents in Decatur. Illegal turns, failing to stop for red lights or stop signs, failure to yield the right-of-way, and any other moving violation that disrupts the flow of traffic can potentially cause an accident.
• Distracted driving is another leading cause of accidents in Decatur. Anything that distracts a driver’s attention away from the safe handling of their vehicle can potentially cause a serious accident, such as cell phone use while driving.
• Intoxicated driving is the most common type of illegal misconduct responsible for accidents in the Decatur area. A driver who causes an accident this way faces serious criminal penalties that could increase dramatically if they cause great bodily harm or death.

These are only a few examples of the most common causes of car accidents in Decatur, GA. Ultimately, no matter how your recent accident happened, if you believe another party is directly responsible for causing it, you will need to prove fault before you can recover any compensation for your damages.

An experienced Decatur car accident lawyer can make this process easier. They will know what evidence you will need to prove fault and how to obtain it. They will also know the optimal path to recovering your losses and assist you in your efforts to obtain as much compensation as possible for your damages.

FAQs

Q: What Evidence Do I Need to Prove Fault for a Car Accident in Decatur?

A: The evidence you may need to prove fault for a car accident in Decatur could include testimony from witnesses who saw the accident happen, traffic camera recordings, cell phone data, and vehicle computer data. Your Decatur car accident lawyer can help you gather all the evidence you will need to submit with your insurance claim and/or to build a personal injury suit against the at-fault driver.

Q: What Happens if I Share Fault for My Car Accident?

A: If you share fault for your car accident in Georgia, the state’s modified comparative fault rule will apply to your case. As long as you are less at fault than the defendant, you can still claim compensation for your damages, but you will face a diminished recovery and will lose a percentage of your case award equal to your percentage of fault. If you are found more at fault than the defendant, you cannot claim compensation from the defendant.

Q: What Happens if the At-Fault Driver Does Not Have Auto Insurance?

A: If the at-fault driver does not have auto insurance, they not only face penalties from the state for failing to meet their insurance requirement, but they will also be personally liable for any damages they caused in an accident. If you have uninsured motorist coverage with your own policy, then you can submit a claim for compensation from your insurance carrier, but otherwise, you will need to prepare a personal injury suit against the at-fault driver.

Q: Why Should I Hire a Decatur Car Accident Lawyer?

A: You should hire a Decatur car accident lawyer because your case may be more difficult to resolve than you initially expected, and the right attorney can help you make clearer sense of your situation. Your attorney can help you file your auto insurance claim and assist you with building a personal injury suit to ensure maximum recovery of your damages. You’re more likely to win your case and reach optimal results with the right attorney handling your case.

Q: What Does It Cost to Hire a Decatur Car Accident Lawyer?

A: The cost to hire a Decatur car accident lawyer may not be as high as you might assume. When you choose Merritt & Merritt Law Firm to represent you, you only pay a percentage of your final case award as your fee, but only if and when you win your case. There is no fee if you are unable to obtain a recovery, and you do not pay any upfront attorneys’ fees for your legal representation.

Merritt & Merritt Law Firm has successfully helped many car accident victims in Decatur and surrounding communities with their recovery efforts, and we know the challenges you will face as you seek compensation for your damages. Proving fault for your accident is just the first step in your recovery. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our team and learn how a Decatur car accident lawyer can assist with your case.