Car Accident Attorney in Atlanta
Between 2019-2023, there were more than 1.8 million motor vehicle crashes in Georgia according to the Georgia Department of Transportation. For all those crashes, there were nearly 740,000 injuries. Some injuries are minor, but others are life-changing, leaving victims permanently disabled or disfigured.
Anyone injured in an Atlanta car accident due to another person’s negligence is entitled to pursue monetary compensation from the careless driver. A seasoned personal injury attorney might be helpful if you decide to seek damages.
When another driver is responsible for your injuries, you don’t have to face them alone. A trusted personal injury lawyer in Atlanta may have the experience necessary to pursue the damages you deserve, even if it’s a drunk driving case.
Atlanta car accident lawyers like The Scott Pryor Law Group understand what you’re going through. Our team knows how to:
- Deal with the insurance company and their lawyers
- Investigate the cause of an accident
- Build a persuasive case for liability
Putting an attorney in your corner might be one of the best decisions you ever make.
- What should I do if I’m in a car accident in Atlanta?
- Car accident cases we handle
- What if the car accident wasn’t my fault?
- Common car accident Injuries that can get compensated
- What are the long-term effects of a car accident?
- How much compensation am I entitled to after a car accident?
- What is the average settlement for a car accident in Georgia?
- How much do accident lawyers charge in Georgia?
- How long after an accident can you sue in Georgia?
- How long does a car accident lawsuit take?
- How our attorneys prove the other party is liable
- How to find a good car accident lawyer in Atlanta
- Do I need an attorney for my Atlanta car accident?
- An Atlanta car accident attorney may be able to help
What should I do if I’m in a car accident in Atlanta?
If you have been involved in a car accident, there are some important steps you should take:
- Move your vehicle to the side of the road, if possible. If you cannot move your vehicle, turn on your hazard lights.
- Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone is injured, call 911 right away.
- Do not leave the scene of the accident until the police have arrived.
- Exchange insurance information with the other driver.
- Take photos of the accident scene, if possible.
- Write down everything you remember about the accident.
- Contact an experienced car accident lawyer in Atlanta, GA as soon as possible to discuss your legal options.
For a free consultation, contact our Atlanta personal injury law firm and get the dedicated and compassionate representation you deserve.
Contact The Scott Pryor Law Group for a free consultation
Car accident cases we handle
Motor vehicle accidents happen for a variety of reasons. Whether it’s because of a distracted driver, speeding, drunk driving, or something else, our firm can manage your Atlanta car accident case.
Some of the most common reasons for car accidents in Georgia are:
- Distracted driving: This is one of the most common—and most dangerous—reasons for car accidents. Distracted driving can involve anything from talking on a cell phone to fiddling with the radio. And, as anyone who has ever been in a car knows, it only takes a second of distraction to cause an accident even in a parking lot.
- Speeding: Speeding is another leading cause of car accidents, especially in rear end accidents. Even if speeding doesn’t seem like a big deal, it gives drivers less time to react to obstacles on the road—and that can lead to serious accidents.
- Driving under the influence: Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is never a good idea. Not only is it illegal, but it also significantly impairs a driver’s ability to make split-second decisions on the road, which can lead to grisly results like catastrophic injuries or even death. For families facing these tragic outcomes, catastrophic injury legal support in Atlanta is essential, especially in cases of wrongful death, to ensure justice and compensation are thoroughly pursued.
- Fatigued driving: Driving while tired doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it can be just as risky as drunk or distracted driving. Rideshare drivers are especially susceptible to fatigued driving, as they usually spend hours giving people rides all over the city, sometimes in the middle of the night.
- Failing to follow traffic laws: Speeding isn’t the only traffic violation that can lead to an accident. Running a red light, making an improper left turn, changing lanes without checking first, and a number of other mistakes can lead to a disastrous collision.
Regardless of how your car accident occurred, the experienced car accident attorneys at The Scott Pryor Law Group can advocate on your behalf and help you get the compensation you need to recover. To learn more about how we can help you, contact us today for a free consultation.
What if the car accident wasn’t my fault?
If you’re in a major car accident in Atlanta that wasn’t your fault, you should seek damages for the injuries you suffered. Our job as your car accident attorneys would be determining who is at fault in the accident and holding that person accountable.
But what if you were partly at fault? Georgia follows a rule known as “modified comparative negligence.” Under this rule, a plaintiff can recover damages even if they were a party at fault. However, if the plaintiff is 50 percent at fault or more, Georgia’s comparative fault rule bars them from recovering any damages.
At trial, a jury will determine the total amount of damages an injured driver has suffered. Then, it will reduce those damages by the percentage of the plaintiff’s fault. For An Atlanta car accident attorney, it is crucial to minimize the plaintiff’s fault in front of a jury. An experienced attorney may use accident reconstruction experts, traffic videos, and eyewitness testimony to establish that the defendant was fully at fault.
Common car accident Injuries that can get compensated
Car accidents can cause a wide range of injuries, which you may be able to get financial recovery for. Some of the most common examples of car crash injuries are:
- Whiplash: Whiplash is a neck injury caused by the sudden jerking motion that often occurs in car accidents. Symptoms can include neck pain, headaches, and dizziness.
- Broken bones: Broken bones are also common in car accidents, especially if the impact was severe. Arms, legs, and ribs are particularly susceptible to being broken in an accident.
- Lacerations: Cuts and scrapes—known as lacerations—are also common car accident injuries. These can be minor or severe, depending on the depth of the cut and whether it has hit any major blood vessels.
- Traumatic brain injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are some of the most serious injuries that can result from a car accident. TBIs can cause long-term problems, including memory loss, difficulty speaking, and paralysis.
- Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries can also occur in car accidents. These injuries can cause partial or complete paralysis, depending on the severity of the injury.
- Back and neck injuries: The jolting motion of a car accident can often cause injuries to the back and neck. These injuries can be extremely painful and may require surgery to correct.
If you’ve been in a car accident and suffered any type of injury, it’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. In some cases, injuries may not be immediately apparent after an accident. For example, whiplash symptoms may not show up until days or even weeks later. Get medical attention right away so you can ensure that any injuries are properly diagnosed and treated.
What are the long-term effects of a car accident?
For some people, car accidents are a minor inconvenience that causes little property damage and some short-term pain. But for others, car accidents can have lasting effects. These long-term effects can include:
- Chronic pain: Chronic pain is a common long-term effect of car accidents. This can be due to injuries like whiplash or broken bones that never heal properly.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): PTSD is another potential long-term effect of car accidents. This psychological condition can cause flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and depression.
- Memory loss: Memory loss is another common long-term effect of car accidents, especially if the accident resulted in a traumatic brain injury.
If you’ve been in a car accident and are struggling with chronic pain or PTSD, seek help from a mental health professional. These conditions can be debilitating, but there are treatments available that can help.
You can also potentially get compensation for mental health counseling or therapy to help you work through these conditions, as part of your personal injury claim. Our team will fight for financial relief that helps you recover as much as possible, by paying for the services you need.
How much compensation am I entitled to after a car accident?
The amount and type of damages available in a car accident will depend on the severity of the crash. These accidents can involve economic or non-economic damages.
- Economic damages, also known as specific damages, are measurable losses like medical bills, and they are typically represented by a receipt or invoice for a particular dollar amount.
- Non-economic losses, also referred to as general damages, are more subjective, and include emotional and personal considerations like pain and loss.
One of the primary roles of an Atlanta auto accident attorney is to identify all potential damages stemming from a car wreck, just as they would when assessing damages in motorcycle accident claims or truck collision claims. This thorough evaluation ensures clients receive fair compensation for the full extent of their injuries and losses.Below are some of the most commonly awarded damages:
Medical expenses
A plaintiff may include the bills for emergency room visits and follow-ups to a general practitioner in a car crash lawsuit. These damages can include prior medical bills as well as expected future medical costs.
Pain and suffering
One of the most common non-economic damages, a plaintiff may seek recovery for their physical pain and suffering suffered due to the car accident.
Lost wages
When an injury victim misses work due to their injuries, the lost wages can have a significant financial impact. An injury lawsuit may seek damages to recover the plaintiff’s missing income.
By filing a personal injury claim, you can receive compensation for your damages. The amount of compensation you are entitled to will depend on the severity of your injuries, as well as other factors such as lost wages and medical bills. An experienced car accident lawyer will be able to help you determine the full extent of your damages and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Vehicle repair or reimbursement
As part of your compensation package, you may be able to get funds to help repair your vehicle, or replace it entirely. Factoring in property damage is just as crucial as damage to your person, as replacing a vehicle can be prohibitively expensive.
Depending on the specifics of the accident, you may also be able to recover damages for any other personal property that was inside of the vehicle during the accident, such as a laptop computer.
What is the average settlement for a car accident in Georgia?
Settlement amounts for Atlanta car accidents vary greatly, ranging from a few thousand dollars to $75,000 or more. The amount of compensation you can potentially get depends on several factors, such as:
- The severity of your injuries
- How many vehicles were involved in the accident
- If the responsible party was driving a commercial vehicle
- Extent of the property damage
- If the accident leaves you disabled and unable to work
Our car accident attorneys will thoroughly assess your accident and calculate the damages you’ve suffered to arrive at a fair settlement amount for you. Some expenses, like hospital bills, are easy to factor. Others, like trauma preventing you from getting behind the wheel again, aren’t so straightforward. The Scott Pryor Law Group has experience assessing damages and we can determine how much you may be entitled to.
How much do accident lawyers charge in Georgia?
Whether you seek a car accident attorney, a bus accident injury lawyer, or pedestrian accident representation in Atlanta, most personal injury attorneys use a contingency fee structure. That means that they only make money with your case if you get awarded a settlement. If you do get a settlement, the attorney usually charges between 33-40% of the final amount.
Many car accidents will say “we don’t get paid unless you do” and this contingency fee structure is why. It also means your attorney is invested in your case’s success. Our team takes every car accident case seriously, treating you like family and working diligently to get you the justice you’re owed.
How long after an accident can you sue in Georgia?
The state of Georgia lets you file personal injury claims for up to two years after the accident date. That means if you want to start a lawsuit concerning an accident you were in, you should start thinking about filing your claim and speak with an attorney as soon as possible after it occurs.
If you wait longer than two years, you may forfeit your right to hold another party negligent in the accident, potentially preventing you from getting compensation for your injuries. Once you’ve started recovering your health, we highly recommend contacting a car accident attorney to get the claim process started.
How long does a car accident lawsuit take?
Car accident claims in Georgia can take anywhere from a few months to a few years to get resolved. For minor accidents, the matter could be settled in just a few months. For more severe accidents that lead to serious injuries, the process could last much longer.
Personal injury claims in Georgia usually get resolved in one of two ways:
- With a settlement between the opposing parties
- At trial
The majority of cases are settled before they need to go to court. You and the at-fault party will come to an agreement that usually includes compensation for you. However, some cases don’t get resolved this way and must go to trial before a judge or jury.
Car accident cases that go to trial can continue for many months and even years. At The Scott Pryor Law Group, our attorneys prepare every case for trial, so we’re ready to represent you if that’s what happens. We understand the process can feel long and drawn-out at times, and we’re here to support you and provide guidance every step of the way.
Contact The Scott Pryor Law Group for a free consultation
What is the process for filing a car accident claim?
After being involved in a car accident, you may have a lot of questions about what to do next and how to file a personal injury claim. The process can be confusing, but we will help make it as smooth as possible.
- First, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you don’t think you’ve been injured.
- Once you have seen a doctor or been released from the hospital, you will need to start gathering evidence to support your claim. This includes taking pictures of the damage to your vehicle, getting the contact information of any witnesses, and saving any relevant medical records.
- You will also need to file a police report and notify your insurance company about the accident. Your insurance company will likely send an adjuster to assess the damage to your vehicle and may give you a rental car while yours is being repaired.
- Once you have gathered all the evidence, you will need to sit down with a personal injury lawyer to discuss your claim. Your lawyer will review the evidence and help you determine how much money you are entitled to.
- If the other driver’s insurance company is offering you a settlement, your lawyer will negotiate on your behalf to get you the best possible outcome. If an agreement cannot be reached, you may have to file a lawsuit.
No matter what stage of the process you are in, our experienced team of car accident lawyers can help guide you through it and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
How our attorneys prove the other party is liable
For your claim to succeed and for you to get compensation, our attorneys must prove the at-fault party is legally responsible. Most car accidents are not intentional, but there can still be a responsible party who’s required to pay damages to the injured party (you).
We have to prove that the responsible party was negligent, which involves four elements:
- Duty of care: The other party had an obligation (“duty of care”) to operate their vehicle safely.
- Breach of duty: The other party breached this duty and failed to operate their vehicle safely.
- Causation: This failure is what caused the accident.
- Damages: Another party in the accident was harmed because of the breach of duty.
Our team works with professionals to gather the evidence needed to prove your claim. We keep fighting until you reach the highest possible settlement or award for your case.
How to find a good car accident lawyer in Atlanta
You don’t want to work with just any car accident attorney. You want someone who treats you like family, who’s willing to take your case all the way to court — and win. You want an attorney that will actually return your calls and emails and explain every step of your personal injury claim, ensuring you always have the most relevant information to make the best decisions.
Get recommendations
Ask for recommendations from friends, family, and colleagues. If someone you know was in a car wreck, ask if they had attorney representation and what their experience was.
Do your research
Research attorneys online by checking their websites, reviews, and more. Their website will tell you what kind of cases they take on and reviews on Google, social media, and other review sites will let you know what other people’s experiences were.
Ask the right questions
When searching for an attorney for your Atlanta car accident claim, consider asking them the following questions:
- How long will my case take?
- What is my case worth?
- Who will handle my case?
- What are your fees?
- Do you think my case will go to trial?
- Have you handled cases like mine before? How’d they work out?
- What damages do you think I can recover?
- How should I handle the insurance company and adjusters?
- What kind of strategy will you use for my case?
- How will I be able to stay in touch with you as my case is ongoing?
- What will you need from me throughout the case?
If you want to hire a compassionate attorney who keeps your best interests as their top priority throughout the entire process, you should work with The Scott Pryor Law Group. We take the time to answer all your questions and ensure you fully understand the process.
Do I need an attorney for my Atlanta car accident?
There is no requirement under the laws of Georgia that you hire an attorney to handle your personal injury claim. However, car accident cases are complicated, and even a minor error in dealing with an insurance company could cost you your entire claim.
Insurance companies don’t usually have your best interests in mind, either. They won’t hesitate to take advantage of you or may even pressure you into a decision that bodes well for you.
With the help of a seasoned Atlanta car accident lawyer, you could have the legal guidance you need to avoid such pitfalls. The Scott Pryor Law Group knows how to deal with insurance companies and we’ll stand up to them for you.
An Atlanta car accident attorney may be able to help
Our personal injury law firm in Atlanta is dedicated to protecting the rights of car accident victims. We have a long track record of success in negotiating fair settlements with insurance companies and, when necessary, taking cases to trial.
Our lead attorney, Scott Pryor, understands the unique challenges that accident victims face and will work tirelessly to help you get the maximum compensation for your injuries. For a free consultation, contact our Atlanta personal injury law firm and get the dedicated and compassionate representation you deserve.