A traffic crash can be a life-changing incident. The injuries you sustain can leave you suffering from pain for a long time and make it very challenging for you to do simple daily tasks, including working, walking, and eating. A car collision can also leave you permanently disfigured.
You may be entitled to compensation if you have sustained injuries from a traffic crash in Buford, GA. At H. Groves Law, we offer experienced and dedicated representation to car accident victims. Let our Buford car accident lawyers handle your claim and win you the best settlement possible.
Contact our Buford personal injury lawyers today to schedule your free case review.
Car Accident Statistics in Georgia
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that at least 38,824 people died in vehicle accidents on U.S. roads in 2020. This constitutes a 6.8% jump from the 36,355 fatalities in 2019.
The approximate number of people injured in vehicle accidents fell in 2020 to 2.28 million, a 17% decrease from the previous year. Speeding, not using seat belts, and alcohol-impaired driving were the leading causes of traffic accident injuries in the nation in 2020.
Georgia recorded the fourth highest number of car accident deaths among U.S. states in 2020. At least 1,664 people perished in auto accidents, an 11.5% increase from the 1.492 fatalities in 2019. Alcohol-impaired driving accounted for 24% of the fatalities.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer in Buford Cost?
After a car crash, you should never hesitate to call our auto accident attorneys near Buford because you are worried that our legal services will be expensive. We understand that the accident likely massively disrupted your life, and you should be focusing on recovery, not worrying about expensive lawyer costs.
At H. Groves Law, you won’t have to pay any upfront charges for our legal services as we serve our car accident clients in Georgia on a contingency basis. We handle all the upfront costs of your case, including court fees and documentation. You will pay us once we have won compensation for you.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
The worst thing you can do after you get involved in an accident is to panic. You need to remain calm and make your next moves carefully. If you mess up during the minutes or hours after your crash, this may affect the success of your car accident claim.
As a top car accident law firm serving Buford and the greater Atlanta metro area, here’s what we recommend.
Contact Police
Call 911 immediately after your collision. The other driver might try to convince you not to call the police, but you shouldn’t listen to them. Explain to the police how the accident happened. You should also alert the police if you suspect the other driver is intoxicated or high on drugs.
The incident report that the police will prepare can be very beneficial to your compensation claim.
Check on Other Involved Parties (Do Not Leave!)
Check on the drivers and passengers of the other vehicles involved in the collision. If anyone requires help getting out of their wrecked car or first aid, provide it. Move the vehicles to the roadside and stay at the scene of the accident.
Do not leave the scene of the accident! In some instances, police may view such actions as hit-and-run incidents.
Exchange Information
Ask the drivers of the other cars involved in the collision to give you their contact information and insurance details. Write down the license plates of vehicles in the accident next to the details provided by the other drivers.
Record the Scene
You will likely have your smartphone with you when the crash occurs. Use your smartphone to record the scene. Take pictures and videos of your injuries, vehicle damage, and skid marks at the scene. Ensure that you capture photos and videos from multiple angles.
Your Buford car accident lawyer can use photographic evidence to establish negligence and determine liability.
Never Admit Fault
When talking to the other drivers or the police, you shouldn’t say anything that might hint you are admitting fault. Avoid uttering anything that might be perceived as an apology. A hint of apology might be construed as an admission of guilt.
Seek Medical Attention
Seek medical attention even if you have no visible injuries and seem fine. Vehicle collision injuries, such as concussions and whiplash, may not immediately show symptoms — but can create significant health problems for you. Get a thorough examination and treatment for your injuries from an experienced doctor.
Remember to keep medical records of your injuries and receipts of your medical expenses.
Call a Buford Car Accident Attorney!
Contact an attorney with expertise in dealing with car accident cases in Buford and throughout Georgia and ask them to take over your case. At H. Groves Law, we will examine your car accident to discern whether you have a case, perform further investigation, and promptly submit your claim for you.
Call our reputable personal injury law firm now to speak to an experienced Buford car accident attorney.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident?
Data from the Insurance Information Institute indicates that vehicle accident victims who had filed bodily injury claims in 2019 were compensated an average of $18,417. Those who had filed property damage claims received an average settlement of $4,525 during the same year.
When Should I Get a Lawyer for My Auto Accident?
We advise that you contact our law firm and speak to our Buford car accident lawyers immediately after your traffic collision. Don’t wait because the other driver might be contacting their lawyer or insurer to build a case against you as you wait.
Once you call H. Groves Law, our legal team will guide you through what you need to do moving forward to build a stronger case. You will be able to collect concrete evidence, and there will be limited opportunities for the other parties to try and lowball you during settlement negotiations.
Why Do I Need a Buford Car Accident Lawyer?
Here are some highlights of how our team of competent car accident attorneys near Buford, Georgia can assist with your vehicle accident case.
Case Preparation / Filing a Lawsuit
Our lawyers representing you will conduct background investigations of the incident and the at-fault parties to uncover more evidence, compile all the available pieces of evidence, and interview witnesses to build an airtight car accident case. We will also handle the paperwork for your case and file your claim before the deadline.
Settlement Negotiations
During settlement talks, you shouldn’t speak to the insurance company on your own. Our skilled lawyers can help you during such negotiations. Insurance adjusters are typically very crafty during settlement negotiations, and they will attempt to lowball you.
Our lawyers have handled numerous car accident settlement negotiations and understand all the tactics of insurance adjusters. You can expect our attorneys to go above and beyond to win you fair compensation for your damages.
Trial Preparation & Representation
If the insurance provider fails to offer a fair settlement, our skilled Buford auto accident attorneys will file your car accident case in court. H. Groves Law will find expert witnesses to testify in court and prove your claim.
Our lawyers will go through the documents provided by the defendants during discovery to find any details that can support your claim. We will offer you exceptional legal representation and help you secure your rightful compensation.
How Much Can I Expect to Receive for My Damages?
Predicting your compensation for your car accident claim in Buford, GA, is very challenging. Your compensation will be determined by the injuries you endured, the accident’s circumstances, and the damage to your property. How the negotiations between our lawyers and the parties found liable for the crash go will also impact the compensation amount you receive.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover?
As a traffic accident victim in Buford, GA, you may be entitled to three primary damages: economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
Economic Damages
These damages have a verifiable monetary value since invoices, bills, and receipts exist. Economic damages include:
- Loss of income
- Property damage
- Lost earning capacity
- Medical bills (current and future)
Non-Economic Damages
Assigning a monetary value to these damages is complex because they are subjective and intangible losses. They include:
- Loss of companionship in cases of wrongful death
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability and disfigurement
Punitive Damages
These awards punish defendants for extremely reckless or negligent behavior. This may involve hit-and-run, drunk driving, driving while texting, and more. Our attorneys will scrutinize the circumstances of your auto collision and discern whether the at-fault party was grossly negligent. If they were, we will seek punitive damages.
Georgia state law caps punitive damages at $250,000 for most instances. There is no cap on punitive damages for drivers under the influence of drugs and drunk drivers.
How Is Fault Determined in a Georgia Car Accident?
Georgia is an at-fault state where the driver determined to be responsible for the collision is liable for the damages and injuries resulting from the crash. Plaintiffs must prove these elements of negligence to determine fault.
- Duty of care: All road users owe a duty of care to other road users and are expected to drive in a manner that promotes safety for all.
- Breach of duty: You have to demonstrate that the other driver failed to honor the duty of care. Actions like speeding amount to a breach of their duty.
- Causation: You have to show beyond doubt that the injuries you endured are a direct result of the other driver’s breach of their duty of care.
- Damages: You should show that you incurred damages, such as medical expenses and lost income, due to the defendant’s negligence.
If you are partially at fault, you may still be able to claim compensation. Under the “modified comparative negligence” doctrine used in Georgia, each party involved in a car crash is assigned a percentage of fault. Car accident victims found to be less than 50% at fault are eligible to recover compensation. However, their award is reduced by their percentage of fault.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
Georgia has a statute of limitations deadline of two years, starting from the day of the collision, for victims to file car accident compensation claims. Failure to file your car accident claim within the statute of limitations deadline means that you will forfeit your right to present the personal injury claim in the future.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me File My Insurance Claim?
You should let our competent Buford car wreck lawyers handle filing your claim while you rest and focus on recovery. Our legal team will facilitate the following for your case:
- Gathering and organizing evidence
- Interviewing witnesses and acquiring their statements
- Pursuing legal documents that support your case
- Writing and sending demand letters
- Seeking relevant industry experts to testify on your behalf
- Leading settlement negotiations with the at-fault parties
- Handling communication with other lawyers and insurance adjusters
What Can I Do if Insurance Denied My Claim?
Georgia law allows you to appeal your car accident compensation claim if the insurance providers deny it. You can also file a complaint about the denial of your claim with the state’s Insurance Commission. Alternatively, you can submit a lawsuit and seek a court resolution for your car accident claim. Our experienced lawyers will help you through the appeals process.
Do I Have a Case?
It may be difficult to know if you have a valid car accident case without speaking to a knowledgeable lawyer. If you contact us at H. Groves Law, our attorneys at law will examine your accident thoroughly to determine if you have a case. Call us for a free consultation today.
What if the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
Under Georgia law, all motorists are expected to have auto insurance. If the at-fault driver in your collision has no insurance or is underinsured, we can help you seek compensation from your uninsured/underinsured insurance coverage.
It’s also possible to sue the at-fault driver personally, but uninsured drivers rarely have many assets. Filing an uninsured/underinsured motorist claim is almost always the better option.
How Can I Obtain an Accident Report?
You can get an accident report of your crash from your local sheriff’s office or a police station. The accident report should be available for pick-up a couple of days after your accident. If you are unable to visit the local police station or sheriff’s office, you can obtain the accident report online at BuyCrash.com.
Call Our Buford Car Accident Lawyers to Find Out if You Have a Case!
Hiring a reputable lawyer will be invaluable to the success of your Buford car accident claim. A lawyer can look into the facts of your case and help you recover maximum compensation.
At H. Groves Law, our legal team will help you secure the maximum settlement. If you need top-notch legal help, call our law firm near Buford, GA at (770) 329-1868. Get started now before it’s too late.
