While vehicle collisions occur in a split second, the consequences can last for a lifetime. Unfortunately, most people don’t realize how much a vehicle accident has disrupted their lives until much later. That’s why it’s vital that you seek comprehensive medical attention and speak to a car accident lawyer soon after the collision.
Georgia state law grants traffic accident victims the right to seek compensation for bodily injuries and losses from a liable party. As an accident victim in Union City, Georgia, your lawyer can help protect your legal rights and ensure that you receive appropriate medical treatment.
At the Law Offices of Gilbert Sperling, III, P.C., we have a very reputable Union City car accident lawyer. Call (404) 383-6975 now to schedule your free, confidential case review.
Car Accident Statistics in Georgia
Georgia car accident statistics are very worrying. According to 2020 data from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), the state experienced more than 331,796 traffic accidents. These traffic accidents resulted in at least 1,588 fatalities, and 125,000 led to injuries. The GDOT data also indicates that 1,730 people died due to car accidents in 2020. This was a significant increase from the 1,417 fatalities associated with vehicle accidents in 2019.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
When it comes to seeking legal assistance, many people shy away from this move because they fear the “alluded” high cost of legal services. As a result, some people wanting to pursue car accident claims choose to deal with insurance companies independently. However, you should not allow the fear of costly legal services to keep you from seeking legal assistance from our Union City car accident lawyers.
At the Law Offices of Gilbert Sperling, III, P.C., serving Union City and the surrounding areas, we offer our legal services to persons pursuing auto collision claims on a contingency basis. You won’t have to pay a penny for us to take over your case. We will cater for any upfront expenses concerning your claim case.
Only after winning the case will you pay for the legal services we’ve offered you.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
A vehicle crash can leave even an experienced driver in a state of trauma and confusion. Despite the challenging situation that you might find yourself in after a car accident, you must stay calm and think clearly. Here’s what to do immediately after the impact.
Contact Police
Call the police and emergency services to the crash scene. The police will do a preliminary assessment of the accident to determine the possible cause of the accident, such as drunk driving. This will guarantee that you get official documentation about the crash from the police. Don’t let the other parties in the collision talk you out of calling law enforcement.
Check on Other Involved Parties (Do Not Leave!)
Walk around the crash site, checking on the other parties involved in the accident. If someone is injured, provide first-aid. If someone is stuck inside their vehicle, try to get them out. Get all the vehicles involved in the accident to the side of the road.
Remember to stay at the scene of the accident and wait for the police. Do not leave. Your accident may be treated as a hit-and-run if you leave the scene before law enforcement officers arrive.
Exchange Information
Ask the other parties involved in the crash to share their pertinent details, including their names, license details, phone numbers, and insurance details. You can also talk to any bystanders who may have witnessed the crash and request their contact details.
Record the Scene
Get your smartphone or camera and use it to capture videos and photos of the crash site. Make sure you capture both close-up and wide-angle photos and videos of the damages to the vehicles, your injuries, and the scene of the accident. You can also note details about the accident you think you might forget.
Never Admit Fault
In the state of confusion following the traffic accident, you might feel tempted to take responsibility or apologize for the crash, even if it’s not your fault. At no moment should you admit fault for a crash or apologize. Nor should you say something that can be interpreted as an admission of fault or an apology. Doing any of these things may derail any chance you have of getting compensation for your Union City car accident claim.
Seek Medical Attention
Once the emergency services arrive at the scene, it’s vital that you get a routine check-up. After leaving the accident scene, head straight to your physician for a comprehensive check-up. Ensure you request the doctor to give you a medical record of injuries and medical bills.
Remember to follow all your doctor’s orders.
Call a Union City Car Accident Lawyer!
Call a knowledgeable car accident lawyer to start working on your compensation claim. Our Union City car accident lawyer, Attorney Gil, will represent your interests during the claims process and ensure that insurance adjusters don’t mislead you into signing their forms. Our legal team will also evaluate your injuries and losses to establish the value of your claim.
What is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident?
How much compensation you receive from your car accident claim will largely depend on the negotiations between you or the lawyer representing you and the parties liable for the crash. Data released by the Insurance Information Institute (III) showed that the average claim for bodily injury was $18,417 in 2019. At the same time, the average property damage compensation was $4,525.
When Should I Get a Lawyer for my Auto Accident?
The sooner you speak to a car wreck attorney after a crash, the better. If you are unsure about what you should do immediately after an accident, call a lawyer while you are at the scene. If you don’t get an opportunity to make the call at the accident scene, do it once you see a physician.
If you are in Union City, GA, you should contact our firm to get unrivaled legal assistance. Remember, the longer you wait before contacting a lawyer, the more time you give the other parties in the crash and their attorneys to build a case against you.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer?
Following a vehicle collision, it’s best that you contact an attorney who has experience dealing with auto crashes. At the Law Offices of Gilbert Sperling, III, P.C., our car accident lawyers near Union City will work day and night to ensure you have the best chance of a fair settlement. Our reliable personal injury attorneys will handle:
Case Preparation / Filing a Lawsuit
You should know that the lawyers representing the other parties involved in the accident and the insurance adjusters will try to find any loophole in your car accident claim to reject it or pay you the minimum compensation. You need to have a very strong compensation claim to secure maximum compensation.
At the Law Offices of Gilbert Sperling, III, P.C., our lawyers will gather all the evidence needed to support your claim, such as medical and police reports. We will also compile your compensation claim and file it appropriately.
Settlement Negotiation
Attorney Gil is ready to lead the settlement negotiations with the insurance company or the lawyers representing the liable party on your behalf as you recuperate. Our legal team is very skilled in handling settlement negotiations. We will aggressively push for the most favorable compensation and will not accept anything that doesn’t match the value of your claim.
Trial Preparation & Representation
Our car accident attorneys in Union City are ready to take your compensation claim case to court for determination by a judge and jury. We will present a concrete case to the court backed by the testimonies of expert witnesses. The expertise and experience of our trial attorneys in arguing cases in Georgia courts will ensure you receive your rightful compensation.
How Much Can I Expect to Receive for My Damages?
It’s tricky for anyone to accurately calculate the compensation you might receive without analyzing the unique factors and surrounding factors of your car crash. Some unique factors that might impact the amount of settlement you get include the insurance policies involved, the nature and severity of injuries, and the property damage involved.
Our car accident lawyers near Union City can help estimate the amount of settlement you should expect.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover?
In a Union City, GA, car crash lawsuit, you can recover economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
Economic Damages
These are tangible damages whose actual monetary value can be calculated and verified. Economic damages include:
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Loss of capacity to earn
- Property damage
- Future medical expenses
Non-Economic Damages
These are intangible damages whose actual monetary value is challenging to determine and calculate. Non-economic damages include:
- Diminished enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
- Loss of companionship
- Psychological trauma
- Pain and suffering
Punitive Damages
These are distinct damages imposed to penalize at-fault drivers for their actions or omissions. Punitive damages punish at-fault drivers for fraud, malice, wantonness, willful misconduct, or oppression in causing collisions, like drunk driving.
How is Fault Determined?
Georgia is one of the “at-fault states” in the U.S., where the driver who contributed more than 50+% to the occurrence of the accident is liable for the injuries and damages incurred. Car accident liability is established on the following four principles:
Duty of Care
Every road user owes a duty to act and meet a certain level of standard of care to other road users. Duty of care establishes a relationship between the defendant and the plaintiff, requiring the former to exercise care and avoid harming the latter.
For example, it’s the duty of all drivers on Union City roads to abide by all traffic rules. They should obey both federal and state rules and regulations while on the road. This guarantees the safety of all road users.
Breach of Duty
The other driver violated the natural duty of care to you, causing the collision. This occurs when the defendant fails to meet the required standards of care. Simply put, a reasonable person wouldn’t have done what the defendant did that led to the crash.
For example, drunk driving amounts to a breach of the duty of care. If a driver exceeds the DUI limit of .08% BAC, they commit an offense and breach their duty of care. Remember, drunk driving can lead to catastrophic accidents.
Causation
The bodily injuries and damages you suffered are a direct result of another driver’s breach of duty of care. Here, you must prove that the defendant’s violation directly caused your injury. For example, you can show that a driver’s inattention led to them hitting you as you were walking on the side of the road, leading to your spinal cord injury.
Damages
You should demonstrate beyond doubt that you suffered damages, like medical bills and mental anguish. To proceed with a car accident claim you must prove that you suffered significant losses. Compensation may also cover past and future losses. An experienced lawyer can help you to accurately determine the value of your claim.
How Long do I Have to File a Claim?
Most insurance compensation claims in Georgia have a limited time window for filing — the statute of limitations. State law expresses that a vehicle crash compensation claim can only be filed within a two-year time window from the date of the incident.
If the statute of limitations expires without you filing your claim, you will lose the right to seek compensation benefits. The lawyers at the Law Offices of Gilbert Sperling, III, P.C. will ensure that your car accident claim in Union City is filed within the stipulated period.
How Can a Lawyer Help me File My Insurance Claim?
At the Law Offices of Gilbert Sperling, III, P.C., our lawyers are highly versed in the technicalities of filing a car accident claim. Here is an insight into our expert car accident lawyer’s role in filing your claim.
- Compiling and collecting evidence
- Drafting and sending demand letters
- Interviewing witnesses and obtaining their statements
- Collecting any legal documents necessary to support your case
- Obtaining the necessary expert witnesses that can testify on your behalf
- Leading settlement negotiations
- Facilitating communication with the insurance company, the liable party, or their lawyers
What Can I Do If Insurance Denied My Claim?
You should know that most of the claims that get denied are pursued without a lawyer’s help. If your car collision compensation claim is denied, our lawyer leading your case will file an appeal. Our car accident law firm in Union City can also submit a complaint with the state’s Insurance Commission. We also have the option of filing a lawsuit seeking the determination of your claim case by a jury or judge.
Do I Have a Case?
Traffic accidents are somewhat complicated and unique occurrences. Since each collision is unique, you can’t tell whether you have a case or not without an in-depth analysis. To determine whether you have a personal injury claim, you must establish negligence as well as liability.
If the defendant’s reckless actions such as drunk driving, distracted driving, or speeding led to your accident, you may have a case. However, it’s important to note that you also need to have damages or injuries to have a valid claim.
Once you bring your case to us, our lawyers will diligently examine it and inform you whether you have a case. If you have a case, our experienced attorneys will help you to pursue it.
What if the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
Under Georgia state law, all drivers are mandated to carry insurance. If you are in a traffic accident and the other driver has no insurance, our car crash attorneys will aid you in filing a claim against them directly. This will be very helpful if your policy doesn’t include underinsured or uninsured motorist coverage.
Alternatively, you can turn to your own comprehensive insurance policy for compensation. Here, your own insurer will pay for your medical bills and other damages.
How Can I Obtain an Accident Report?
Our Union City car accident lawyer, Attorney Gil, can get your accident report from the police on your behalf. Your accident report will be available at your local police station/sheriff’s office. You can also access it online at BuyCrash.com.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Here are the common injuries we see from our clients:
- Brain Injuries
- Back Injuries
- Neck Injuries
- Head Injuries
- Internal Injuries
- Facial Disfigurement
- Leg & Knee Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Death
Types of Car Accidents We Handle
Our Union City car accident lawyers are more than familiar with car accidents, and here are just a few main types we have dealt with in the past.
- Driving Under the Influence Accidents (Drinking & Drugs)
- Distracted Driving
- Head-on Collisions
- Hit & Run Accidents
- Rear-End Accidents
- Reckless Driving
- Rideshare Accidents
- Rollover Accidents
- Speeding Accidents
- Uninsured Motorist
Contact a Union City Car Accident Lawyer for Legal Guidance
Whether you hire a car accident lawyer or not will have a massive influence on whether your compensation claim will be successful and whether you will receive your deserved settlement. At the Law Offices of Gilbert Sperling, III, P.C., we have attorneys with years of experience leading traffic accident cases.
Letting our lawyer lead your car accident compensation claim means you will benefit from our experience and expertise and will likely end up with a satisfying settlement.
Attorney Gil graduated from New York Law school and has been helping injured victims all over Georgia get the best settlement for their personal injury claims. You too can secure maximum compensation for your lost wages, medical bills, and property damage.
Contact us now to schedule your free consultation. Let us help you get the justice you deserve. Call now at (404) 383-6975 before it’s too late.
