No matter how many people suffered devastating injuries in car accidents, the number of car crashes continues to be a cause for concern across Stockbridge and the entire state of Georgia. It is not unusual for car accident injuries to permanently alter the life of the injury victim. You may not know the full extent of your injuries at the time, but it is important to be prepared for what’s to come. Do not attempt to pursue justice without the legal experience and support of a dedicated Stockbridge car accident lawyer from T. Madden & Associates, P.C.
When you need help with a personal injury claim, our team will collect significant evidence to support your case and ensure every loss is considered when we calculate the value of your Stockbridge car accident damages. You do not need to worry about any of the legalities when our car accident lawyers work for you. Our black-owned personal injury law firm puts your needs and interests first. Let us put our decades of legal training and experience to work for you. Contact our office for a free consultation.
Common Types of Car Accidents in Stockbridge
Our Stockbridge car accident lawyers have handled a wide variety of car accident cases. The type of accident can help us identify liable parties. For example, rollover accidents often indicate a mechanical defect whereas rear-end collisions usually mean the driver that struck you from behind is responsible. Some of the most common types of car accidents in Stockbridge and across the state of Georgia include:
- T-bone accidents
- Highway accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Motorcycle accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Sideswipe accidents
- Accidents at intersections
- Red light accidents
- Rear-end collisions
- Drunk driving accidents
- Truck accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bus accidents
- Rideshare accidents
- Distracted driving accidents
- Failure to yield accidents
- Speeding accidents
- Lyft accidents
- Uber accidents
If you have been involved in another kind of accident that was not described above, do not lose hope. These are just a few examples of some of the most common car accidents our firm has handled. Do not hesitate to connect with our car accident lawyers to discuss the accident you were involved in and find out whether you have grounds for legal action against the liable party.
Top Causes of Stockbridge Car Accidents
Once we understand how the collision occurred, we can figure out who is at fault for your car crash. The cause of the collision will help us determine which parties should be sued in your personal injury lawsuit. Most often, motor vehicle wrecks are caused by dangerous and negligent driving, including:
- Failure to check blind spots
- Speeding
- Failure to stop or yield
- Making illegal turns
- Tailgating
- Road rage and aggressive driving
- Distracted driving, including manual, cognitive, or visual distractions
- Impaired driving
- Failure to use a turn signal
- Fatigued driving
- Failure to adhere to traffic rules and regulations
In personal injury cases, the driver that hit you will likely be held accountable. You may be able to file a claim against their auto insurance policy or pursue a personal injury claim against them. However, depending on the cause of your car accident, other parties could also share liability. Georgia dram shop liability laws make it possible to hold dram shops accountable when they sell or serve alcohol to someone who is already visibly intoxicated. Some examples of dram shops could include:
- Sports venues
- Stadiums
- Nightclubs and bars
- Supermarkets
- Convenience stores
- Liquor stores
- Supercenters
- Restaurants
- Taverns
There is also a possibility your car accident could have been caused by mechanical defects or malfunctions. Generally, when defective parts are recalled, vehicle owners can go to dealerships to get the parts replaced free of charge. However, not all malfunctioning motor vehicle parts are recalled. When vehicle defects cause accidents, auto parts designers, distributors, retailers, and manufacturers can be sued. So can motor vehicle dealerships, executives, maintenance workers, safety inspectors, and other third parties. Some of the common parts that cause crashes include:
- Airbag inflators
- Tires
- Fuel tanks
- Gas lines
- Brake lines
- Ignition switches
- Windshields
- Seatbelts
The road conditions at the time of the accident may also have contributed to the collision. When road construction work zones have not been properly secured or government agencies fail to make road repairs despite repeated complaints, you may have grounds for a claim against the Georgia Department of Transportation, Stockbridge, or other third parties. You can rely on your auto accident lawyer at T. Madden & Associates, P.C. to complete a comprehensive investigation that will determine the cause of the act and identify anyone who shares the blame for your injuries and damages.
The Impact of Your Car Accident in Stockbridge
It is not unusual for car accident victims to find their lives completely turned upside down due to their injuries. Someone suffering from a traumatic brain injury may need to relearn how to read and write, feed themselves, and complete other daily living activities. Others may require round-the-clock medical care or suffer debilitating permanent disabilities, including loss of limbs. No matter what type of injury you have suffered, if your life has been severely impacted, you may have the right to compensation for your damages and suffering.
There is no specific type of injury that warrants a car accident claim. Even individuals dealing with seemingly minor injuries such as whiplash, concussion, or broken bones have the right to compensation if they have been significantly affected by the auto accident and their resulting injuries. You can find out whether you have grounds for legal action and how much your car accident case could be worth when you contact our legal advocates to discuss your damages in greater detail.
How Car Accident Insurance Claims Work in Stockbridge
One of the most common ways to recover compensation after an auto accident is by filing a claim with the insurance company. However, car accident claims can be more complex than injury victims realize.
Georgia Auto Insurance Requirements
Under Georgia law, all motorists are required to carry auto insurance coverage. Georgia is a fault state, so you are not required to carry personal injury protection (PIP) or no-fault insurance coverage. Instead, motorists must have a minimum of the following types of auto insurance:
- $25,000/$50,000 in bodily injury liability coverage per person/motor vehicle accident
- $25,000 in property damage liability coverage per accident
Motorists are under the legal obligation to carry uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, gap insurance, comprehensive, collision, or other types of auto insurance options. However, if you are ever involved in an auto accident and responsible for causing the collision, the more auto insurance coverage you have, the better your financial protection.
What Auto Insurance Covers
Do not expect your car accident settlements from the insurance company to completely cover your damages. In fact, insurance only offers compensation for specific types of covered losses. For example, bodily injury liability coverage pays for medical expenses and property damage liability coverage pays for the repairs to your vehicle. However, the insurance company is not required to pay for other types of economic losses and most types of non-economic losses. This means you could have damages not covered by the insurer.
What to Expect From the Insurance Company
Insurance companies care about one thing: their profits. If the insurance company has to manipulate your statement, blame you for causing the accident, or trick you into settling for less than your claim is worth, they will do so if it means paying out as little as possible on your claim. Do not go into negotiations with the insurance company alone. Do not accept a settlement offer from the insurance company without reviewing it with your car accident lawyer first. You can avoid being taken advantage of by having your car accident lawyer advocate for your rights.
Get the Most Out of Your Stockbridge Car Accident Claim
You have a chance to maximize your car accident settlement. Here are some of the most common types of damages that are awarded when you file a claim with the insurance company or bring your case to trial:
General Damages
General damages include non-economic damages. They do not have an inherent monetary value, which means they may not be covered by the insurance company. Some examples include:
- Mental anguish
- Scarring
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement
- Apprehension
- Reduced quality of life
- Damage to your reputation
Special Damages
Special damages include economic losses which have a tangible financial value. Some of these can be recouped through your insurance claim while others will need to be sought in a car accident lawsuit. Examples of special damages include:
- Vehicle repair costs
- Loss of income
- Medical bills and equipment costs
- The diminished value of your vehicle
- Rental car expenses
- Loss of household services
- Personal property losses
Hire an Atlanta Car Accident Attorney on Contingency
When you are ready to take charge of your lawsuit, working with an Atlanta car accident lawyer on contingency may be in your best interests. Some types of auto accident lawyers require you to put down a retainer, which will be used to cover the costs of pursuing your case and your attorney’s fees. However, working on a contingency fee basis is different. You will only be required to pay attorney fees if we win. This means we only get paid if we win.
Our car accident attorneys will cover every expense related to pursuing your case so you do not need to worry about risking your personal finances. If we lose, you will not need to pay anything for our effort. Nor will you be expected to pay us back for the cost of pursuing your case. If we win, a previously agreed-upon percentage will be deducted from your settlement.
Many contingency agreements state that attorney’s fees will be anywhere from 20% to 40% of your award. The exact amount will vary based on how much time, energy, and resources needed to go towards your case. You can find out exactly how your contingency agreement will work when you connect with our attorneys to discuss your case.
Get Help From Our Black-Owned Car Accident Law Firm Today
You do not need to feel intimidated about filing a claim with a nationwide insurance provider or bringing your case before a judge and jury when you have a powerful Stockbridge car accident attorney advocating for your rights. We handle the legal details so you can recuperate from your injuries and reduce the stress and anxiety many car accident victims feel in the days, weeks, and months after the collision.
T. Madden & Associates, P.C. cares deeply about supporting the city of Stockbridge and surrounding communities. Our team can start building a compelling case against the liable party so you can pick up the pieces of your life and put this devastating experience behind you. Are you ready to take control of your future? Fill out our convenient contact form or call our office to request a no-cost, risk-free consultation and meet with our personal injury lawyers today.