What to Do After a Car Wreck in Georgia?
While unfortunate, serious car accidents are occurring and will continue to occur more and more often, especially in the iPhone age. We’ve all seen drivers in the lane next to us scrolling or texting away on their devices. You shouldn’t let their irresponsible decision cause you a lifetime of pain. In addition to distracted driving, some of the more commonly litigated causes of an accident are as follows:
- Following too Closely,
- Failure to maintain lane,
- Failure to Yield,
- Speeding,
- DUI,
- Defective Roads & Highways
- Failure to Secure Loads, and
- Reckless Driving
If you are in a car accident, you will want to do everything you can to protect yourself, your finances and your quality of life. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, what you do next could determine the rest of your life, and choosing the right attorney for you is perhaps the most important decision you will ever make. Below is a list of recommendations and suggestions to better help assist you in that decision:
CALL 911 & get MEDICAL HELP for yourself and anyone else who may be injured. Under Georgia law, drivers that are involved in an accident resulting in injuries, death, or property damage exceeding $500.00 must report the wreck to the authorities. O.C.G.A. § 40-6-273. Further, some injuries will be obvious, while others may not, and may need to be diagnosed by a professional medical provider. The old adage “better safe than sorry” should guide your decision whether to seek medical care or not. The best way to look at it is this way – better to get checked out and be told that you are okay rather than finding out the hard way that you needed medical care all along. If you are not transported to the hospital, then make sure to get checked out by your doctor or at an urgent care/emergency room. Plus, if you are injured, medical care and treatment will help document your case. That will be helpful later when some insurance company is trying to lower the value of the settlement.
- GATHER YOUR EVIDENCE – When and if safe to do so, use your phone to take photos and videos of the scene as well as the property damage to all vehicles. Likewise, take pictures of all injuries. You can also take pictures of driver’s license or identification cards of witnesses. Make sure you get photos of the roadway and any skid marks that might exist. Those skid marks can disappear over time. The roadway might be important if road construction, barriers, uneven roads or downed traffic controls played a part in your accident in Georgia. Save your clothes, if possible. Any item could be valuable evidence in your claim.
- EXCHANGE INFORMATION: Witnesses can help. Ask for witness’ contact information. Use your phone to text an exchange of information with any potential witnesses. Get the contact information and insurance information from all parties involved in the wreck. Also, get the name of the investigating police officer and ask for a case number so you can obtain a copy of the accident report.
- NOTIFY YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY regardless of whether it was your fault.
- BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU SAY: What you say could potentially be used against you in a legal proceeding. You must cooperate with the authorities and your insurance company, but you are not required to give a statement to the other driver or his insurance company. Conversely, listen to what other people say at the scene of the accident, if you are physically able. Whatever they say might be deemed an admission and be helpful if a lawsuit is filed.
- PICK THE RIGHT ATTORNEY: Get the best accident injury lawyer you can find and do your research. Ask your family and friends. Be smart and don’t fall for a good sales pitch or billboard. You will need an attorney to keep the insurance company from taking advantage of you. Insurance adjusters are skilled negotiators and will do everything possible to pay you as little as they can to resolve your claim.
Every year, thousands of people are involved in accidents caused by individuals driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Georgia law recognizes drinking and driving or any other form of impaired driving as driving under the influence, or DUI. One of the most important aspects of DUI accident cases is establishing whether or not the driver was under the influence of a drug or alcohol. Personal injury cases require a number of elements that prove a defendant’s negligence. Sobriety testing and other evidence weigh heavily in DUI accidents. Once proximate cause, breach of duty and cause in fact – among other things – are proven, the defendant will be held liable for damages.
If you or a loved one is laying in a hospital bed after a motor vehicle crash in Georgia, you need to call Wehunt Trial Law as soon as possible. Even though your life may be on hold, your responsibilities are unrelenting. Wehunt Trial Law helps you get through this trying time and receive just compensation for your injuries and losses. Your main concern should be getting well and getting your life back on track. You don’t deserve to pay for another person’s neglect.
While motorcycles are a great way to travel, motorcycle riders are at a greater risk of injury than other motorists. Distracted drivers often don’t look for motorcycles, and road defects may surprise a motorcyclist, often with injuriou results. Wehunt Trial Law understands the intricacies of motorcycle accident cases and can help injured bikers maximize financial awards.
Why choose Wehunt Trial law to represent you?
As a former insurance defense attorney, I have the experience and knowledge to successfully represent clients who have been injured in various types of motorcycle accidents, recovering for them the monetary compensation that they deserve. Wehunt Trial law will attempt to establish legal responsibility, review the damages, prove the damages, and collect the financial settlement or judgment that you deserve. Wehunt Trial Law is capable of handling all aspects of the case in a timely and efficient manner.