Traffic deaths have decreased by 2.3 percent in Griffin, Georgia. This is according to the latest report published by the NHTSA (National Highway, Traffic Safety Administration. The report also suggested that road accidents can be reduced by a great percentage if all drivers would comply with traffic laws. Today, car accidents in Georgia still continue to occur because of various reasons, and when they do they cause a lot of damage and even death. If you live in Georgia contact a Griffin car accident lawyer at Bethune Law Firm to help you with your case.
How Much Does A Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Many law firms have been established in Georgia and their legal services do not cost the same. Moreover, there are those who charge advance fees for their services, while others charge very high rates. However, at Bethune Law Firm, we only request a contingency fee, which only applies when we win the client’s case. That means you can always rely on our personal injury lawyers to offer you legal services even when facing financial challenges
What Should I Do After A Car Accident?
After being involved in a car accident in Griffin, Georgia, it is vital that you do the following;
Call The Police
Do not be in a rush to leave the scene, even if you are not injured. Instead, call the police and wait for them to arrive. The police will help control the situation and help keep the rest of the traffic moving. Moreover, the police will also investigate more on the matter before writing the final report. Another reason why it is important that you call the police is because they also assist the injured victims and move them to safety.
Check On Other Involved Parties
Think of the other victims while you wait for the police to arrive. Check to see whether someone is in need of help and assist where you can. If some of the victims are trapped, try to set them free and if you cannot do this alone, then call for help. Make sure that everybody is moved out of the wreck before taking any other action.
Exchange Information
It is a legal obligation to exchange contact details after being involved in a car accident. Besides exchanging contact details, the parties involved in the car crash are also required to exchange license plate numbers as well as driver’s license numbers and insurance details. Moreover, parties involved in the accident should exchange these details without causing trouble or harassing each other.
Record The Scene
It is vital that you record the scene of the accident so that you can capture all the important details such as the day and time of the accident, damaged property, the vehicles involved as well as the weather. Remember, that the recorded footage can be used as key evidence when seeking compensation for damages and injuries sustained. Therefore, make sure that you record everything including the exterior and interior damage of all the cars.
Never Admit Fault
No matter what happens after the car accident, it is advisable that you stay calm and never admit fault. Whether you are to blame for the accident or not, wait for the police to arrive at the scene and investigate the matter. Do not try to apologize for anything, since such statements could complicate your case, especially if you are to blame for the accident. Being apologetic means you accept to take the blame and you could be held liable for all the damages and injuries sustained by the victims.
Seek Medical Attention.
Car accidents can cause severe or minor injuries and even death. That is why you should consider seeking medical attention to make sure that you are in good health. Moreover, the only way you can be sure that you are not suffering from internal injuries is by going for a medical checkup. After being examined by the doctor, you will be given a medical report, which can be used as evidence for a personal injury claim.
Call A Car Accident Lawyer
If the car accident was caused by another driver, then you might want to contact a car accident lawyer. That is because a car accident lawyer will give you legal advice on what you can do to build a strong case against the party held liable. Moreover, besides offering you legal advice, the car accident lawyer will also help with the preparation of your case using the information collected at the scene of the accident such as the police report and recorded footage of the accident.
Why Do I Need A Lawyer?
Many car accident victims do not know what to do after they are involved in a car accident. Most of them focus on getting better no matter how severe their injuries might have been. However, with the help of a car accident lawyer, a victim can recover for all his or her losses by being compensated for injuries sustained and damaged property. Here are other reasons why you need a car accident lawyer.
File Lawsuit
If the matter goes to court, you will need a car accident lawyer to file a lawsuit on your behalf. Filing such a lawsuit is not easy and you need an experienced lawyer who can do this without making any mistakes during case preparation. Another reason why you need a lawyer to file a lawsuit is that a lot of legal documents are involved in filing a lawsuit and each legal document must be filed in accordance with the law.
Be In Charge Of Negotiations
Car accident cases do not necessarily have to be settled in a court of law. Sometimes such cases are solved outside the courtroom through peaceful negotiations. If the party held liable is willing to compensate the victim for his or her losses, then the victim’s lawyer will handle the settlement negotiation process and see to it that a fair settlement is awarded. This is not an easy process and might take longer to complete since such negotiations usually involve a lot of people including the defendant’s lawyer and insurance providers.
Trial Preparation And Representation
If the car accident case is not solved through settlement negotiation, then your lawyer can decide to take the next legal action, which is to go to trial. Trial preparation requires planning and time. That is because your lawyer will be required to prepare all the necessary paperwork needed for trial. Furthermore, besides gathering evidence and filing legal documents, your lawyer will also represent you in court and use his or her skills to get you fair compensation.
What Type Of Damages Can I Recover In Griffin, Georgia?
Car accident victims can recover all their damages with help of an experienced lawyer. In Georgia, damages are usually divided into 3 categories which are non-economic damages, economic damages, and punitive.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are the type of damages that are considered to be real but not tangible. Besides being tangible, such damages cannot be quantified. An example of non-economic damages includes pain and suffering and psychological distress. Another factor you should acknowledge is that this type of damages can lead to other health complications and take a long period to heal or recover.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are any financial loss incurred by the victim as a result of the injuries sustained. An example of economic damages is medical bills, lost wages, damaged property, and future treatment.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages do not only compensate the victim for his or her losses, but it is also awarded to the party held responsible for causing the accident as a warning. Punitive damages are legal actions used to discourage any behavior that may risk the lives of other road users.
How Is Fault Determined After A Car Accident In Griffin, Georgia?
Determining fault in a car accident is not easy. However, after proper investigation, the police use the evidence gathered to determine the main cause of the accident. Even though other parties may get involved with the investigation such as accident investigators and insurance companies, the final report made by the police is what determines the fault of a car accident in this region.
How Long Do I Have To File A Claim In Georgia?
According to the Georgia Statute of limitations, a car accident victim is given an extended period of at least two years to file a claim. Therefore, if you are a victim of a car accident, make sure that you file your claim within this period.
How Can I Obtain An Accident Report In Georgia?
In Georgia, you can obtain an accident report by visiting the records department where you will have the privilege of making an open record request. This is considered to be the easiest and quickest way of getting an accident report in this region.
Review Your Claim With Our Griffin Car Accident Lawyers
If you or someone close to you has been involved in a car accident, contact our experienced lawyers at Bethune Law Firm, and we will review your case. Moreover, we will also give you free legal advice on what to do so that you can recover all your losses.
