Car accidents in Marietta, Georgia, are not an uncommon occurrence. Getting involved in a car accident can leave you with severe injuries and expensive medical bills. Following up with insurance after getting involved in a car accident can be frustrating. Let a dedicated Marietta car accident lawyer help you through this process.
Attorney Jamie Ballard is well-versed with the Georgia laws and the legal process of filing personal injury claims. Call Jamie Ballard Law at 404-301-1687 and schedule a free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney.
Georgia Car Accident Statistics
Car accidents in Georgia are all too common. Per the NHTSA, Georgia has some of the most hazardous roads in the US, and in 2017, it was the 7th highest state with auto accident fatalities.
In 2020, Georgia ranked 4th as the deadliest state for auto accidents. According to car accident data released by the Georgia Department of Transportation, there were 331,796 total motor vehicle crashes in 2020. Of these, 125,000 crashes resulted in injuries, and 1,588 were fatal.
How Much Does a Marietta Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
At Jamie Ballard Law, we don’t charge out-of-pocket or upfront attorney fees. Instead, we have a contingency fee agreement with our clients. This means that we don’t charge any fees when you consult or work with our Marietta car accident attorney. We only get paid after we help you win your car accident claim. Call 404-301-1687 to learn more about how our contingency fee plan works.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
You may be scared and confused after getting involved in a car accident. Here is what to do when you are involved in a car accident:
Contact the Police
Ensure you contact the police to come to the accident scene. The police will assess the accident, note down the report, and give you directives on what next. Request for a copy of the police report so you can have it as evidence should you go to court.
Check on Other Involved Parties
If you are not severely injured, check on the other involved parties. Don’t leave the accident scene.
Exchange Info
Before leaving the accident scene, you must exchange information with the other involved party. Getting all their information makes it easier to track them down when seeking compensation. Write down the driver’s name, phone number, Email, address, license number, policy information, and the insurance company.
Record the Scene and Don’t Admit Fault
Ensure you document the accident scene by taking pictures. Do not admit to being at fault when you are involved in a car accident.
Seek Medical Attention
You must seek medical attention, even if you cannot see any external injuries. You need to be checked for internal injuries and have your injuries documented by a medical professional.
Call a Car Accident Lawyer!
After a crash in Marietta or surrounding areas, please call Jamie Ballard Law to help evaluate your case. While you focus on your healing and getting your life back on track, we will take the necessary measures to protect your interests, including following up with insurance to ensure you are fully compensated.
When Should I Get a Lawyer for My Auto Accident?
It would help if you got a lawyer after being involved in an auto accident. Retaining a lawyer ensures that you have a fighting chance to get rightfully compensated. When you are involved in an accident, the aftermath may include lost wages and medical bills that will keep growing after the accident. It helps to have a Marietta car accident lawyer on your side.
Once you are involved in a car accident, do not delay calling a reputable lawyer near you. Let us help you through this process.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer?
Car accidents can be traumatic incidents that significantly impact your life. When hurt, you may be forced to stop working, leading to lost wages, not forgetting the mountain medical bills that will accompany the treatment of resulting injuries. While you can pursue a car accident claim, navigating a legal battle with at-fault parties and their insurers can be challenging.
Luckily, fighting for the compensation you need can be more straightforward when working with Jamie Ballard Law’s Marietta car accident lawyer. We are knowledgeable about the law and will guide you through the legal process to ensure you are fairly compensated. Here is why you need a lawyer:
Case Preparation/Filing a Lawsuit
Your Marietta car accident attorney will help with your case preparation and collect the evidence to help you build a successful case. Furthermore, we work collaboratively with other experts to ensure the claim you file details all the losses you have incurred and injuries sustained due to the accident.
Settlement Negotiation
We take care of all the requirements and paperwork needed to file your claim. We also negotiate with the insurance firms on your behalf and ensure you are rightfully compensated.
Trial Preparation & Representation
If we cannot settle with the at-fault parties and their insurers outside court, our Marietta car accident attorney will represent you in court. Rest and recuperate, knowing our legal team will do everything to ensure you are rightfully compensated.
How Much Can I Expect to Receive for My Damages?
There is no standard damage compensation for a car accident as several factors influence your compensation. Call us 404-301-1687 and let us assess your case and determine how much compensation you may be entitled to based on your case. Some of the factors that will inform the damages you receive include medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Here are some factors that affect a victim’s potential recoverable damages:
Severity of Injuries
The nature, duration, and extent of an injury can affect the amount of damages you can obtain. A severe car accident case involving nerve trauma, amputation, or other life-changing injuries is likely to qualify for greater compensation.
The Credibility of the Parties
‘Jury appeal’ may also determine how much compensation you receive.
The Defendant’s Liability
A defendant’s degree or percentage of fault will also affect the amount of damages you obtain. The higher the defendant’s percentage of fault, the more you can recover. However, if you share fault, recoverable damages may be reduced.
Age of the Plaintiff
The victim’s age will affect how much compensation they receive. The logic is that if a younger person suffers a severe injury, they will be subjected to several years of mental anguish, pain, and suffering than an older person.
Witness Testimony
The witnesses testifying on your behalf can affect how much compensation you receive. They should be able to describe the accident in detail.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover?
According to Georgia law, you can file for damages when involved in a car accident. Here are the types of damages you are eligible for:
Economic Damages
These damages compensate you for the financial expenses you incurred due to your injury. Economic damages are calculable and easier to quantify. They usually include medical expenses, lost wages, and rehabilitative costs.
Non-Economic Damages
These are not easily quantifiable and are often intangible and emotional losses you experience due to the accident. They include loss of consortium, pain & suffering, reduced earning capacity, and emotional distress.
Punitive Damages
In Georgia, punitive damages are meant to punish the offender for their outrageous conduct and deter both the defendant and the public from indulging in similar behavior in the future. It is only available if a defendant’s conduct is especially egregious.
How Is Fault Determined in a Georgia Car Accident?
Several car accidents occur in Georgia, and it can be hard to determine fault without the help of an experienced attorney. Contact us 404-301-1687 and let us help you. Here are the four elements used to determine negligence in Georgia.
Duty of Care
Duty of care means that an individual is legally required to provide reasonable care that ensures the safety of others. The plaintiff has to prove that the defendant owed them the duty of care.
Breach
The plaintiff must also demonstrate to the court how the accused breached their duty of care. This can be through a particular action or inaction that a reasonable person ought to have acted agreeably.
Causation
The plaintiff has to demonstrate that the defendant’s action directly or proximately caused the accident, leading to injuries.
Damages
The plaintiff has to prove that they experienced injuries and losses, such as medical bills, because of the accident.
Georgia’s Modified Comparative Negligence Law
Georgia’s modified comparative negligence doctrine is used to allocate damages in cases where the defendant and the plaintiff share fault. The fact-finder assigns a percentage of negligence to the defendant and plaintiff, and the plaintiff’s damages are reduced by the blame assigned to them. However, if the plaintiff is at fault by 50% or more for their injuries, they are barred from recovering damages.
Were you partially at fault in a car accident? Don’t panic. Even if you share responsibility for the crash that caused you injuries, we can help. Your Marietta car accident lawyer can help make sure you are not blamed, determine your percentage of negligence, and work diligently to ensure you are compensated.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
In Georgia, you have two years from the time of your accident to file an injury claim and four to file a property damage claim. Don’t delay your path to healing and recovering the compensation you deserve. Contact Jamie Ballard Law right away.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me File My Insurance Claim?
A Marietta car accident lawyer at Jamie Ballard Law can help you file your insurance claim. We will:
- Inform the insurance company and start your auto insurance claim.
- Submit documents to your insurer like your car registration and driving license.
- Ask the insurer to send a surveyor to assess the damage.
What Can I Do If Insurance Denied My Claim?
Your insurance claim may be denied for a range of reasons. Here are reasons why your insurance claim may be denied:
- The claim is worth more than your coverage.
- You did not report the accident on time.
- You broke the law during the claimable accident.
- There are existent discrepancies on your original insurance application.
- You do not have the necessary coverage.
If your insurer denies your claim, there are options. All hope is not lost. We can dispute the decision and have it reviewed to recover the compensation you deserve.
Do I Have a Case?
You may feel overwhelmed after suffering injuries in a car accident. You may worry that you don’t have a case and cannot recover compensation for your injury and losses.
Every case is unique, and the smallest detail can make or break your case. The only sure way to know if you have a case is to talk to an experienced Marietta car accident attorney. Car accident cases are simply too complex for uninformed answers. A lawyer will review the details of your situation, including damages and liability, to determine if you have a case.
So, do you have a claim? If you believe that the other party was at fault for the accident and you have suffered injuries, then the odds are you may have an auto accident case. Your next step should be to consult a car accident lawyer right away.
What If the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
If involved in a crash where the other driver is uninsured, recovering damages can be tricky. However, a skilled Atlanta car accident attorney can work with you to explore available options. These include:
File a Car Accident Lawsuit
After an auto accident involving an uninsured motorist, you may choose to pursue a personal injury and property damage lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Many victims take this route when they don’t have uninsured motorist coverage and learn that their PIP coverage cannot adequately cover medical costs and other financial losses after being hurt by an uninsured driver.
File an Uninsured Motorist Claim
Another option for obtaining the compensation you need after a crash involving an uninsured driver is through your uninsured motorist coverage. Georgia law does not mandate drivers to have uninsured motorist coverage. However, it would be best to carry uninsured motorist coverage.
Have you been in a wreck or crash involving an uninsured motorist? Call us 404-301-1687 and let us help you navigate this situation.
How Can I Obtain an Accident Report in Marietta?
Under (O.C.G.A.) 50-18-70 through 50-18-76, individuals involved in a car accident in Marietta, GA, can request copies of accident reports from the Marietta Police Department. You can request reports by email, fax, or in person.
To get a copy of your accident online, visit buycrash.com. You will need your case number.
Common Car Accident Injuries
The type of injuries you sustain depends on the severity of your car accident. Getting involved in a car accident can impact the course of your life. The most common car accident injuries include:
- Death
- Spinal cord injuries
- Knee & leg injuries
- Facial disfigurement
- Internal injuries
- Head injuries
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Brain injuries
Types of Car Accidents We Handle
At Jamie Ballard, we handle different car accidents. These include:
- Drunk driving accidents
- Distracted driving accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Reckless driving accidents
- Speeding accidents
- Rideshare accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Truck accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
Contact a Marietta Car Accident Lawyer Today!
Getting involved in a car accident is a scary ordeal that can drastically change your life’s cause. Due to the severe injuries you sustain from the car accident, you may lose your job and be stuck with a mountain of medical bills. If you are not knowledgeable about the Georgia car accident law, going up against big insurance firms in a lawsuit can be a challenging and emotionally frustrating process.
That said, you do not have to do this alone. At Jamie Ballard Law, we are ready to help you every step of the way. We have experience assisting clients in filing car accident lawsuits in Marietta, GA, and are well-versed in the legal process and the law. Would you like to file a car accident claim?
Call us at 404-301-1687 and let us help. Alternatively, fill out our case review form to schedule a free consultation.
