Traffic is a fact of life for Atlanta residents. Whether you have to drive to work, to ferry kids to school, or to the grocery store, you probably hit the road every day. Unfortunately, car accidents occur every day in Atlanta, ranging from minor fender-benders to major multi-vehicle wrecks with devastating consequences.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of a car accident, you may be experiencing trauma and potentially life-changing injuries. Atlanta car accident injuries can vary from minor to catastrophic. Some are deadly. If the crash wasn’t your fault, you should have to pay for the expensive treatment of those injuries and their consequences.
You need a skilled attorney who knows Georgia vehicle accident laws if another party’s negligence on the road caused your crash. At Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C., our Atlanta car accident lawyers are experienced in Georgia’s car accident injury law and can protect your right to compensation. You may be owed financial damages for your injuries, your missed work, and your pain and suffering. Call us today at 770-282-8357 to set up a free consultation with one of our Atlanta injury attorneys.
Why You Need a Lawyer for Your Car Accident Claim
Car accident claims can be complicated, so it may be difficult to determine liability on your own. If you’ve been injured, the last thing you should be focused on is the complex legal details of an accident claim and filling out reams of forms. Contact a lawyer instead.
Your collision may require an investigation and a practiced accident lawyer to analyze the evidence. Insurance companies are in business to protect their bottom line, so it doesn’t serve their interests to pay out compensation for accident victims. They may attempt to pay as little as possible for your claim or take advantage of your lack of experience to make you say something that will put your claim in jeopardy.
An attorney who has experience dealing with insurance company representatives, like ours at Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C., can speak with them on your behalf. We’re ready to negotiate for the maximum compensation you’re owed.
Why Hire Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C.?
Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. has been helping Georgia families recover compensation for their car crash injuries for three decades. We treat each client and their case like we would one that impacted a member of our own family.
Our team of acclaimed accident lawyers has won numerous victories for difficult cases over the years. When you hire our firm, your success becomes our priority. Don’t take our word for it; you can read some of our clients’ satisfied reviews here. We’ve been honored by Atlanta Magazine as the 2015 Top Lawyers of Georgia. No matter what caused your car accident, we’re ready to help.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
Some of the most common causes of car crashes are unfortunately the most preventable. When someone drives recklessly or practices unsafe behaviors behind the wheel, the risk of an accident increase dramatically.
The most common causes of roadway accidents in Atlanta include:
- Distracted driving – A leading cause of car wrecks, distracted driving may mean using a phone to text or make calls, personal grooming, and performing other tasks while driving. It diverts the operator’s attention from the road and can cause them to lose control of their vehicle. Studies by the National Safety Council have shown that the brain is unable to do two things at the same time. When one of those tasks involves operating a vehicle, a crash could result.
- Drunk or drugged driving – Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and often associated with car accidents. Unfortunately, it’s responsible for numerous deaths and debilitating injuries. Alcohol distorts a driver’s perception and can cause the brain to react more slowly. They may drive erratically or fail to react in time to avoid a crash.
- Aggressive driving and speeding – Aggressive driving behaviors like tailgating, changing lanes without signaling, and weaving through traffic can easily lead to a crash. Exceeding safe speeds gives drivers less time to react and requires more space for vehicles to come to a stop. Driving too closely behind other vehicles creates a problem if the car in front stops suddenly. The driver who is following won’t have time to brake and will often cause a rear-end collision.
- Unsafe driving conditions – Driving during inclement weather conditions or at night can increase the chances of a collision because of low visibility, high winds, or slick roads. When combined with reckless behavior, these circumstances can be deadly.
Many of the aforementioned causes would be considered serious negligence in the event of a crash. A thorough investigation can provide evidence of an impaired driver as well as aggressive behavior that led the accident to occur.
Typical Injuries in Car Accidents
The types of injuries resulting from auto accidents can vary widely. Even a minor accident, like a low-speed rear-end impact, can produce enough force to cause whiplash. A major crash involving multiple vehicles can cause much more serious injuries.
Some of the injuries caused by car collisions include:
- Minor cuts, scrapes, and bruises
- Strained and sprained muscles and soft tissue damage
- Broken and fractured bones
- Broken ribs, which can puncture the lungs or other organs
- Deep lacerations from glass or metal debris
- Crushed extremities, sometimes requiring amputation
- Internal bleeding and damage to vital organs
- Burn damage and smoke inhalation from a fire
- Back or neck injuries, possibly leading to partial or full paralysis
- Head trauma from heavy impacts, which can cause permanent brain damage
Even if your injuries seem minor or nonexistent, get a thorough checkup performed by a doctor after your crash. If you fail to get medical treatment, it could prevent you from the fair compensation you deserve. More importantly, you could suffer from invisible or late-onset injuries. If they go undiagnosed and untreated, you risk permanent physical impairment.
Car Accident Frequently Asked Questions
You probably have questions about your case. Many of the answers will depend on the details of your own situation, so your lawyer is the best person to go to for advice on these matters. We can help with a free consultation. In the meantime, below are a few answers to some questions we often receive.
How Long Will It Take to Resolve My Case and Receive Compensation?
The timeline will depend on the circumstances of your crash. It may take anywhere from a few months to several years to resolve your crash. There are several factors involved. Your compensation will depend on the level of injury you sustained, and the amount of time it takes you to recover.
Longer recovery time means higher medical bills since your attorney will include future medical costs as part of your claim. The more compensation is at stake, the longer the insurance company will take to investigate the claim. They’ll also be less likely to settle quickly. If they refuse to pay what they should, we may need to take your case to court to demand fair compensation. That can take time.
How Do I Prove Negligence?
The best way to prove the other driver’s negligence is to bring on a trained accident attorney to perform a thorough investigation of the crash. They can review the facts of the crash for potentially negligent or reckless behavior, like speeding, drunk driving, or running a red light. They can interview witnesses and analyze photographs of the scene to put together a complete picture of what happened. They can use all of this evidence, along with your medical records, to form an argument that the other driver was negligent and that the insurer should settle with you, or the court should award you a judgment for the maximum compensation possible.
What Can I Be Compensated for After a Car Accident?
The compensation you receive from the at-fault party’s insurer can address many of the expenses you incurred as a result of the accident. The financial damages you’re eligible for will depend greatly on the particular circumstances of your case, but some common forms of compensation include:
- Damages for pain and suffering
- Reimbursement for medical and hospital bills
- Prescription drug reimbursement
- Coverage for home care and rehabilitation
- Costs related to mental and emotional trauma
- Lost wages for the time you spent in recovery
- Loss of household income or loss of consortium, due to permanent disability
- Funeral or burial arrangements, in the event of a wrongful death
Speak with your Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. lawyer to determine how much compensation you may be owed.
Speak with an Atlanta Car Accident Attorney Right Away
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, you need an advocate on your side who will fight for the best resolution possible for your case. Whether you suffered a simple collision or a multi-car pileup, being involved in a car crash is painful and terrifying.
In the aftermath, your attention should be on what matters most: your recovery and your family’s wellbeing. Don’t try to face the legal system on your own. Call Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. at 770-282-8357 or fill out our contact form today to schedule a free case evaluation.