If you or a loved one has just been injured in a car accident, you’re going through a painful and potentially life-altering experience. Injuries in car accidents can range from minor scrapes and bruises to lifelong afflictions. When you’re facing endless medical expenses and a potential loss of income, the financial strain can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to face this burden alone.
Our seasoned Fayetteville car accident attorneys at Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. understand Georgia car accident liability and highway law, and we have the skillset and resources to build a solid case on your behalf. Our case results speak to the dedication we give to every case, and we’ll make sure your right to comprehensive compensation is protected. We’ve helped numerous clients secure the financial reward they deserve, and we’re ready to secure a positive outcome for you, as well. Call us today at 770-205-2231 to set up a free consultation.
Why You Need a Lawyer
There are often many legal issues to resolve in a car accident, including liability, medical recovery, and insurance claim deadlines. Your focus right now should be on healing from your injuries. A good accident attorney can handle the essential aspects of your case, such as conducting an investigation to determine liability, speaking with insurance company representatives, making sure your claim meets all the important deadlines, and, if necessary, filing a lawsuit and arguing your case in court.
You should speak with an attorney before talking to anyone from the insurance company. An insurer’s goal is to pay out as little compensation as possible, and they may try to get you to say or sign something that harms your case.
You should also contact a lawyer immediately if you were involved in an accident with or in a rideshare or Uber, whether as a passenger or another driver. Our Fayetteville Uber accident lawyers specialize in car accident cases, including rideshare and Uber accidents, and we will help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
Why Hire Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. to Handle Your Case?
For thirty years, Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. has been helping clients in Fayetteville and throughout Georgia recover compensation for their injuries. Our firm knows how to handle insurance claims, and we understand what it’s like to be hurt in an accident caused by the negligent actions of another. When you hire our firm, we make sure your case is treated with the same care and energy as if you were a member of our own family. We work tirelessly to make sure that you get the best outcome possible.
Our work on behalf of our clients has been recognized by prestigious organizations, such as the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association.
Causes of Car Accidents
There are a variety of different factors responsible for car accidents, but some of the most common are entirely preventable when drivers take more care behind the wheel. These causes include:
- Distracted driving – Using a cell phone to make a call or send a text, undertaking personal grooming, or eating while driving can take the driver’s eyes off the road for crucial moments before a crash occurs. The distracting behavior is never worth the pain and damage that it may cause.
- Drowsy driving – Driving while drowsy can be just as dangerous as distracted driving, as a driver who is not alert or falls asleep behind the wheel is not only unable to avoid a crash, but may cause one themselves.
- Drunk/Drugged driving – Getting behind the wheel while under the influence of alcohol or certain drugs is extremely dangerous. These substances reduce the brain’s ability to react to changes in traffic, and they often distort perception and sense of balance, so that the driver is unable to properly control the vehicle and may misjudge the speed of traffic or their position in the lane.
- Aggressive/Reckless driving – It is easy to get frustrated while in traffic and forget to follow basic rules of safety. These rules exist for a good reason. Speeding gives a driver less time to avoid an accident if another vehicle makes an unexpected move. Other drivers rely on the driver signaling to warn them that a nearby vehicle is about to change lanes. When a driver tailgates the vehicle in front of them, they lose the ability to avoid a rear-end crash if that vehicle slows or stops without warning.
- Rear-end collisions – When drivers tailgate or drive while distracted, they are much more likely to cause a rear-end accident. Unlike the name “fender bender” suggests, these accidents can cause severe injuries and damages, such as head and neck injuries and spinal cord injuries.
- Speeding accidents – Drivers who speed in traffic reduce the amount of distance between themselves and others in their lane of travel. If the car in front stops suddenly, it is unlikely that the speeding vehicle will be able to stop in time. The faster the car is going, the more space it needs to stop.
- Hit-and-run accidents – Drivers who leave the scene without stopping to see if the other driver is alright or exchange information are usually the ones who have something to hide. Don’t let the evidence of their crime disappear with them. Contact an attorney immediately to help you investigate and document the incident.
Inclement weather and low visibility can compound these dangerous behaviors and make an accident even more likely. Drivers should be cautious of those around them, as other drivers on the road may be engaged in negligent behavior that could lead to a devastating crash.
Car Accident Injuries
The injuries a car accident victim sustains can range from minor to severe or even life-threatening. Even seemingly minor injuries may obscure much more serious problems that can emerge later. Some unfortunately common injuries include:
- Muscle strains, sprains, and soft tissue damage
- Cuts and bruises
- Broken and fractured bones
- Lacerations or deep flesh wounds from broken glass or metal
- Burns from fire or hazardous chemicals
- Lungs or organs punctured by broken bones or sharp debris
- Back and neck damage
- Crushed extremities
- Concussion
- Spinal cord damage, which could mean partial or full paralysis later
- Head and brain trauma, sometimes ending in permanent brain damage
It’s vitally important to see a doctor as soon as possible after an accident. Your case for compensation for injuries cannot move forward without a doctor’s diagnosis. Even if you don’t think you were hurt, you might have hidden problems that could become life-threatening if left untreated.
Car Accident Frequently Asked Questions
It’s natural to have a lot of questions at this point. After your lawyer evaluates your case, they can answer any question you may have about the process. Here are answers to a few questions that clients commonly have about what to expect after a car accident.
What can I do after my accident to help my case?
There are a few things you can do to improve the likelihood that you get the right amount of compensation for your accident.
- Don’t admit to fault. Be careful about saying anything regarding responsibility for the accident. Don’t apologize. Right after the crash, you don’t have a full idea of what happened, and your statements may jeopardize your claim.
- Speak to witnesses and get their contact info. People can be hard to track down later. Gather the contact information of any witnesses, in case you need their testimonies later.
- Get pictures of the damage to your vehicle, of the surrounding area, and of your own injuries. Snapping photos with your cell phone is fine. It’s important to collect evidence like this before wounds heal, and the damage is repaired. Keep photos, receipts for medical treatment, and other paperwork in one file dedicated to your case.
- Follow all treatment instructions from your doctor. Take all medications you’ve been prescribed and follow all treatment plans to their conclusion.
- Hire an experienced accident attorney right away. Don’t wait. Even though the statute of limitations is six months for an accident involving certain government entities and two years for most other parties, your lawyer will need to conduct an investigation of the crash site and meet important insurance company deadlines in order to properly move your case forward.
Your attorney can guide you through the process of filing an insurance claim and what to expect if it’s necessary to file a lawsuit.
How long will my case take?
The length of a car accident case can vary widely from a few months to several years. The duration depends on a number of factors, including your level of injury and the total value of damages in the crash. The amount of time it takes you to recover will be one important factor, because the amount of compensation depends partly on the cost of your medical bills. The more money that is at stake, the more likely the insurance company will try to fight the claim in court. An experienced accident attorney can ensure that you meet all insurance deadlines and that your claim moves forward as smoothly as possible.
If I’m partly responsible for the accident, can I still be compensated?
Under Georgia’s comparative negligence law, the court will determine the level that you and other parties contributed to the accident, as a percentage of fault. The compensation awarded would then be reduced by that amount. For example, if you were found to be 10% at fault for the accident and the other party had 90% fault, and you were awarded $100,000 in damages, you would receive $90,000. You cannot recover any damages if you are more than 49% at fault for the crash.
What can I be compensated for after a car accident?
The amount and form of compensation you receive after an accident will depend on several factors: the negligence of other drivers, whether you contributed to the accident, and how badly you were injured, among others. The types of compensation available may include:
- Damages for pain and suffering
- Hospitalization and medical bill coverage
- Prescription medication reimbursement
- Home care and rehabilitation costs
- Payment of lost wages
- Replacement of household income due to disability or death
- Treatment for mental and emotional trauma
- Funeral or burial costs due to wrongful death
You will need to work out an exact figure with your attorney. They can help you assess how the accident has affected your quality of life in addition to the economic damages you’ve suffered.
Speak With a Fayetteville Car Accident Lawyer Today
Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. has decades of experience helping clients recover millions of dollars in compensation and damages. A car accident is a terrifying ordeal, but we can get through this process together. Call us at 770-205-2231 or fill out our contact form today for a free evaluation of your case.