Atlanta Car Accident Attorney

Call the police and get an official accident report—even for minor fender benders.

It doesn’t matter if the crash seems small. In Georgia, having a police report is critical. It creates an official record of what happened, who was involved, and who the officer believes is at fault. This document can be the key to proving liability when filing an insurance claim or lawsuit later on.

Take clear, wide, and close-up photos of the damage, the accident scene, and all vehicles involved.

Use your phone to snap pictures from multiple angles. Show the position of each vehicle, any skid marks, debris on the road, road signs, and traffic lights. Also photograph your car’s interior if airbags deployed or personal items were damaged. These images help reconstruct what happened and prove damage levels.

Photograph any injuries—no matter how minor they may seem.

Cuts, bruises, swelling, or visible scrapes should all be documented right away. These photos can strengthen your injury claim by showing what your body looked like immediately after the crash, before inflammation subsides or wounds heal.

Seek medical attention right away—even if you think you’re fine.

After a crash, adrenaline can mask pain. Injuries like whiplash, concussions, or soft tissue damage may not show symptoms until hours or days later. Visiting a doctor or urgent care creates a medical record that links your injury directly to the accident, which is crucial for any personal injury case.

Exchange information with all drivers involved—but keep it basic.

Only share your name, insurance information, license number, and contact info. Don’t admit fault or discuss what caused the crash. Even a casual “I’m sorry” can be twisted by an insurance adjuster later.

Get contact info from any eyewitnesses.

If someone saw the crash and is willing to speak, get their name and number. Third-party witness statements can carry serious weight in proving fault—especially if there’s a dispute over what happened.

You have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.

Under Georgia law, this is your statute of limitations. That means you must file a lawsuit for any injuries—like back pain, broken bones, or trauma—within 24 months of the crash. If you miss that deadline, you could lose the right to recover anything, no matter how strong your case is.

You have four years to file for property damage, like vehicle repairs or replacement.

This includes damage to your car, phone, laptop, or any personal items inside the vehicle during the crash. But don’t wait—delays can hurt your case. The longer you wait, the harder it is to gather reliable evidence or track down witnesses.

Don’t wait until the deadline—insurance negotiations can drag out.

If you try to settle with the insurance company on your own, they may delay, lowball, or stop communicating—hoping you’ll miss the deadline. Having a lawyer early keeps the pressure on and protects your timeline if negotiations fail and a lawsuit becomes necessary.

If a government vehicle was involved, your timeline is even shorter.

Claims against city, county, or state agencies must follow special rules and deadlines—sometimes as little as 6 months to provide notice. If you were hit by a police car, city bus, or municipal worker, get legal help immediately.

Yes. Georgia follows a rule called “modified comparative negligence.”

This means even if you were partially responsible for the crash, you can still recover money—as long as you were less than 50% at fault. If you’re found to be 50% or more at fault, you’re barred from recovering damages.

Your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Let’s say your total damages are $50,000 but you’re found 20% at fault. Your recovery would be reduced by 20%, so you’d receive $40,000. The more blame assigned to you, the less you can collect—so proving the other driver’s fault clearly is key.

Insurance companies love to shift blame—even when it’s not justified.

It’s common for insurers to argue that you were texting, speeding, or “should have reacted faster.” This tactic reduces their payout. A real estate or injury attorney helps gather evidence, challenge inaccurate claims, and make sure fault is assigned fairly.

Dash cam footage, witness statements, and expert reconstructions can make a big difference.

If you suspect the other driver or insurer may try to pin blame on you, act fast. Evidence fades quickly, and proving your side of the story often depends on early documentation and legal strategy.

Yes—these cases are more complicated than they seem.

If the at-fault driver has no insurance (or not enough), you’ll likely have to file a claim through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM). But just because it’s your policy doesn’t mean your insurer will make it easy.

Your own insurance company will act like the other side.

When you file a UM/UIM claim, your insurer steps into the role of the defendant. They may dispute your injuries, argue you were partially at fault, or offer far less than your case is worth. This is when a skilled attorney becomes critical—to push back, document the full extent of your damages, and negotiate aggressively.

You might not even know you have UM/UIM coverage.

In Georgia, insurers must offer this coverage—but you can reject it in writing. Many people don’t remember if they accepted or declined it. A lawyer can review your policy and confirm whether you’re covered—and how much coverage applies.

You may have multiple layers of coverage to access.

You could stack policies from different vehicles or even household family members with UM/UIM coverage. A good attorney will find every possible source of compensation so you’re not stuck with the bill for someone else’s negligence.

Uninsured driver claims often lead to litigation.

If the insurance company won’t pay—or if they delay too long—you may need to file a lawsuit to preserve your rights. That’s not something you want to navigate alone, especially when your own insurer has legal teams working against your interest

No—don’t give a recorded statement without speaking to a lawyer first.

Insurance adjusters are trained to ask leading questions and get you to say things that weaken your claim. Even something innocent like “I didn’t see them coming” can be twisted into an admission of fault. Once it’s recorded, it can be used against you later.

You’re not legally required to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer.

Many people think they have no choice—but you don’t owe the other driver’s insurance company anything. You’re better off letting your attorney handle all communication to avoid saying something that could be misunderstood or taken out of context.

Even your own insurance company can use your words against you.

If you’re filing a UM/UIM claim or any claim under your own policy, your insurer might still try to limit how much they pay. That’s why it’s best to let an attorney review your case and prepare you for any interviews or statements.

Anything you say—even casually—can impact your claim.

Adjusters may ask how you’re feeling, if you’re back at work, or if you’ve seen a doctor. If you say “I’m fine” or “it’s not that bad,” that can be used to argue your injuries aren’t serious. Stick to the facts, and don’t volunteer information without legal guidance.

Start with the police report—it’s your first piece of evidence.

The officer’s findings, statements from drivers and witnesses, and any citations issued are all documented in the accident report. If the report shows the other driver was speeding, ran a red light, or rear-ended you, it can strongly support your claim.

Photos and videos from the scene are incredibly valuable.

Images showing damage, skid marks, traffic signals, road conditions, and vehicle placement help paint a clear picture of what happened. If nearby businesses or traffic cams caught the crash on video, that footage can be even more powerful.

Eyewitness statements can support your version of events.

If anyone saw the accident and is willing to make a statement, that third-party perspective can help prove the other driver’s negligence—especially in cases where it’s your word against theirs.

Expert accident reconstruction may be needed in complex cases.

When fault isn’t clear, attorneys often bring in crash reconstruction experts. They use math, physics, and forensic evidence (like vehicle angles and damage patterns) to determine who caused the crash.

Medical records show how your injuries align with the impact.

The type, location, and timing of your injuries can help prove what happened. For example, seatbelt bruising or neck trauma from a rear-end collision can help confirm how the crash occurred.

Don’t count on the insurance company to “figure it out.”

Insurance companies are focused on paying out as little as possible. It’s your job—or your attorney’s—to present the full picture, backed by evidence, to clearly show why the other driver is at fault.

Medical expenses—both current and future.

This includes emergency room visits, ambulance bills, surgeries, physical therapy, follow-up appointments, and prescription medications. If you’ll need long-term treatment or future care (like rehab or pain management), that should be factored into your claim as well.

Lost income and loss of earning capacity.

If your injuries forced you to miss work—even just a few days—you can seek compensation for those lost wages. If your injury affects your ability to do your job in the long term or requires a career change, you may also claim future lost income or diminished earning capacity.

Property damage.

Your vehicle repair or replacement costs are included, as well as any personal belongings that were damaged in the crash (phones, laptops, child car seats, etc.). A real estate or personal injury lawyer will make sure all damages are thoroughly documented.

Pain and suffering.

This covers the physical pain, emotional distress, and general disruption to your life caused by the accident. These damages are harder to quantify—but they’re real and often significant. Pain and suffering is typically based on the severity of your injuries and how long recovery takes.

Emotional trauma and mental health treatment.

If the accident caused anxiety, PTSD, depression, or other psychological effects that require counseling or medication, those treatment costs and impacts can also be included in your claim.

Punitive damages (in rare but extreme cases).

If the other driver was extremely reckless—like driving drunk, racing, or intentionally causing harm—you might be eligible for punitive damages. These are designed to punish the at-fault driver and send a message, not just cover your losses.