There’s no way around it. Car crashes are scary. In a split second, everything changes. It’s hard to know what to do next. You may be overwhelmed when you’re injured and need to pay for medical treatment on top of other damages. At Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C., our experienced car crash lawyers in Cumming can help.
The Cumming injury attorneys at Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. understand your burdens because we’ve worked with many injured Georgians like you. We’re ready to be by your side to help you get through it. You can depend on us to fight for the financial compensation you need for your medical expenses, missed work, and pain and suffering.
Insurance companies are notorious for rushing through claims to force injured victims to settle for less than they deserve. They may use intimidation tactics to convince you that the number they offer is fair. Please don’t believe them.
Believe the attorney on your side. We won’t let them take advantage of you. It’s our job to protect your rights and demand the maximum monetary settlement available. Schedule a free consultation with one of our Cumming car accident lawyers today by calling 770-205-8887.
We can help you with a variety of car accidents, including:
- Distracted Driving Accidents
- Drunk Driving Accidents
- Rear-End Accidents
- Speeding Accidents
- Hit-and-Run Accidents
- Uber Accidents
Why Hire Jonathan R. Brockamn, P.C. to Handle Your Car Accident Case in Cumming?
A car accident claim may sound like an ordinary personal injury matter. But the defendants in these claims are anything but ordinary; they are usually large insurance companies with endless resources to challenge your claim. You deserve representation that can fight back and protect your interests when the insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement.
Injured drivers across Cumming choose our firm because:
- Our attorneys carry more than 70 years of combined experience litigating personal injury cases, including trials in federal court and arguments before the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Georgia Supreme Court
- We have earned recognition from the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
- Our firm holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell for the highest standards of ethics and legal ability.
- We maintain a five-star Google rating from former clients.
- We handle every case on a contingency fee basis.
Contact us today to schedule a free case review with a Cumming car accident attorney. We’re here for you after your accident.
Common Injuries from Cumming Car Accidents
The injuries from a car accident vary widely depending on the speed, angle, and force of the collision. Even seemingly minor crashes can cause serious injuries based on the impact.
We regularly represent clients who have suffered:
- Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries to the neck and back
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Broken bones and fractures
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Cuts, lacerations, and permanent scarring
The worst crashes can also cause fatal injuries and lead to wrongful death claims.
Unfortunately, some injuries are not always obvious right after a crash. Symptoms can take hours or even days to surface fully. That’s why it’s important to seek immediate medical treatment after a crash.
Common Causes of Georgia Car Accidents
Most car accidents across Georgia are based on driver negligence rather than unavoidable situations. The most common causes of preventable collisions include:
- Distracted driving due to phone use and other distractions
- Speeding, which can reduce reaction times and increase the severity of any resulting collision.
- Impaired driving from alcohol and drug use
- Following too closely behind another vehicle
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Fatigued driving that leads to drifting out of a lane
- Merging without checking mirrors or blind spots
Many crashes have more than one contributing cause. Identifying the specific cause(s) of your crash is often the first step in determining who is liable and what insurance policies may cover your injuries. An experienced attorney can help you determine who is responsible for your collision.
Minimum Insurance Requirements in Georgia
Georgia is an at-fault state for car accidents and insurance. That means the driver who causes a crash is responsible for the resulting harm
As part of this system, state law requires every driver to carry bodily injury and property damage liability insurance that meets the state’s minimum limits. Commonly written as 25/50/25 coverage, these limits require:
- $25,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person, per accident
- $50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage for all people injured in a single accident
- $25,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident
These minimums are enough to satisfy legal requirements, but they are often not enough to cover the real cost of a serious accident. A single hospital stay can easily exceed a $25,000 policy limit, leaving an injured victim to look to other sources of recovery, such as the at-fault driver’s personal assets or their own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
Because Georgia’s mandatory minimums are so low relative to the cost of a serious injury, it is essential to pursue every defendant and policy applicable to the crash.
Medical Care Is Crucial After a Car Accident
Besides hiring a lawyer to help you with your case, seeking medical treatment should be your top priority. Even if you think your injury is minor, see a doctor for a thorough evaluation.
Some injuries seem superficial, but examinations might reveal internal damage or other invisible medical problems. Shock can mask the pain of a severe injury. You might not realize how hurt you are until days or weeks later. Visiting a hospital or urgent care center should be the first thing you do after leaving the crash site.
Medical records document the injury you suffered and the treatment necessary to recover. If you consistently see your doctors, there should be sufficient evidence that the car accident was the cause of your injury and that the damage was severe enough to justify medical care.
Medical Care and Insurance Claims
Insurance companies sometimes deny claims if the claimant has a gap in treatment. That means the accident victim waited a significant period before getting an initial medical evaluation or followed through on medical advice for a bit, then waited weeks or months before getting treatment again.
Gaps can indicate to the insurance adjuster that the injured victim wasn’t really hurt in the crash or didn’t require medical care to recover. Either way, they’ll use it as an excuse to deny a claim. Remember, you must regularly treat your injury until you heal.
Insurance companies will also review referrals. You should follow their orders if any of your doctors refer you for imaging or treatment with a specialty provider. If you ignore their instructions, the insurance company might assume your symptoms aren’t real or your injury isn’t as bad as you claimed. They care about their bottom line, so they’ll use the excuse to deny your claim or provide a low settlement offer.
Why Eyewitnesses Can Strengthen Your Case
When someone is clearly at fault for a car accident, the injured victim has a better chance of collecting the largest possible insurance settlement. Sometimes it’s more complicated than that. If there’s any doubt about who caused it or if you share some blame for the crash, you could end up with less compensation than you deserve.
Witnesses provide solid evidence of the fault for an accident. Instead of relying on memory, speak to anyone who saw what happened and write down their names and numbers before leaving the crash scene. If you can’t, your Cumming car accident lawyer can track down witnesses for you.
Determining fault is necessary because Georgia follows a traditional fault system. That means the person who causes the accident is automatically financially responsible for the resulting injuries and damage. Instead of paying out of pocket, their auto insurance company usually pays the injured party for their medical costs and other expenses associated with the accident.
The Crash Report Might Contain Relevant Information
You should call 911 to report the car accident, even if your injury is minor. A police report could strengthen your insurance claim. Wait at the scene for emergency responders to show up and perform an investigation. They’ll look at relevant evidence and speak with witnesses and everyone involved in the crash.
After investigating, they’ll write a traffic crash report. This report usually includes the details your lawyer can use, including:
- Date, time, and location of the accident
- Names of all parties involved in the crash, contact information, insurance details, and vehicle information
- Eyewitness names and phone numbers
- Type and location of damage to all cars
- Diagram depicting the events of the accident
- Description of how the accident occurred
- Traffic citations issued
- Determination of fault
A police report of the accident is one of the pieces of evidence that can greatly strengthen your claim. Your attorney can request and submit the report with your personal injury claim.
The Insurance Adjuster Isn’t Your Friend
Insurance companies want to save money no matter what. They have to do it. But they don’t want to pay out claims. They’ll try to minimize the payment if they have to offer a settlement.
If you don’t have a Cumming car accident lawyer, you might not know the maximum amount you deserve. Insurance companies will take advantage of claimants who didn’t seek legal representation by intimidating them into accepting a low settlement. Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. won’t let that happen to you.
If their initial offer isn’t sufficient, we’ll turn it down and provide the insurance company with a counteroffer. If evidence indicates the other driver was at fault and you suffered injuries from the crash, we can demand the maximum compensation available.
When you hire Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C., your attorney will take care of each step of the process. We’ll file the insurance claim on your behalf, complete all the paperwork, perform an investigation, submit evidence, and negotiate a settlement.
You don’t have to argue with insurers alone. We’ll work hard to get you a fair settlement that covers your expenses. You can focus on recovering from your injuries.
Lawsuits Must Meet a Statute of Limitations
A statute of limitations is a strict deadline that accident victims must follow to pursue financial compensation from the person who caused their injuries. In Georgia, the statute of limitations for car accidents is two years.
That means you have two years from the crash date to file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver. If you miss the deadline and try to file anyway, the judge may dismiss your case.
Most people attempt to recover compensation from an insurance claim before resorting to a lawsuit. Claims can take a long time, so begin your case by contacting a lawyer immediately to protect your right to demand compensation.
Under particular circumstances, the deadline could be delayed by stopping the clock. These include:
- If the injured victim is a minor, the statute won’t begin until they turn 18.
- If the injured victim is mentally incompetent, the statute won’t start until they become mentally competent.
- If there’s a pending criminal case against the at-fault driver for the car accident, such as a DUI charge, the statute won’t begin until the case concludes.
The Difference Between Compensatory Damages and Punitive Damages
Compensatory damages are the total expenses and losses an accident victim suffers because of another person’s negligence. They include both economic and non-economic damages.
You can seek this form of compensation, whether you file an insurance claim or a lawsuit.
Examples of economic and non-economic damages you could pursue include:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income and benefits, including future earnings
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
- Inconvenience
- Loss of companionship or consortium
When you meet with a Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. Cumming personal injury attorney, we’ll discuss the details of your crash and injury. When we fully understand your circumstances, we’ll look for evidence of the damages you suffered. We’ll calculate everything you’ve spent because of the injury, everything you can reasonably expect to spend because of the crash, and the money you lost due to treatment and recovery. Then we’ll demand the at-fault party’s insurer pay it.
Punitive damages are entirely different. They don’t compensate the injured party for their economic and non-economic damages. Instead, they aim to punish the liable party for their actions and deter similar behavior in the future. They’re also only available in a lawsuit.
Punitive damages are only available in specific situations. There must be clear and convincing evidence that the driver who caused the accident displayed malicious, grossly negligent, egregious, reckless, or wanton acts. For example, if the other driver was under the influence, you might receive compensation for punitive damages.
Contact Us
At Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C., our Cumming car accident lawyers understand the suffering the reckless driver who hurt you caused. It’s a long road to recovery, so we want to help you win the financial settlement you deserve.
Our legal team will fight hard to seek just compensation for your injury and hold the other driver responsible for their careless actions. You can depend on us to work diligently until we resolve your case.
If you were the victim of a car accident in Cumming, call us at 770-205-8887 today. We’ll schedule a free initial consultation to discuss the details of your injury and determine your legal options.