Understanding Your Options After a Car Accident on a College Campus

An accident can cause serious injuries, no matter where it takes place. However, a car accident on your college campus is a shocking disruption to your life. Your campus is supposed to be a safe place. Experiencing a car accident as a driver, passenger, or pedestrian on campus is likely to leave you with a lot of questions and uncertainty, as well as expensive medical bills and delayed educational goals. 

Understanding your legal options is important for protecting your rights and securing the compensation you deserve. If you have been injured in a car accident on campus, you may be eligible for monetary compensation to alleviate your suffering. The Scott Pryor Law Group fights for the rights of Georgia’s students when they have been injured on campus. 

Contact The Scott Pryor Law Group today to set up a free case review. 

Immediate steps to take after a campus car accident

If you’re involved in a car accident on a college campus, take these steps to protect yourself and your rights: 

1. Report the accident to campus police or security immediately
2. Seek medical attention, even if injuries seem minor
3. Document the scene with photos and gather witness information
4. Notify your insurance company about the incident
5. Keep records of all medical treatments and expenses
6. Contact a personal injury attorney before accepting any settlement offers

These steps are the same whether you were a driver, passenger, or pedestrian. If you have already been injured and failed to take one or more of these steps, don’t give up hope! An experienced college campus car accident attorney can still help you understand the specifics of your case and what compensation you may be able to receive. 

Common causes of campus car accidents

College campuses are home to some unique driving hazards that contribute to accident rates. Unfortunately, some of the same features that make college campuses feel welcoming and exciting have the potential to cause accidents. 

For example, most of Georgia’s college campuses are pedestrian-friendly and walkable. This is great for the community, the environment, and the health of students and staff. Unfortunately, it also means that there are many more opportunities for car/pedestrian accidents than in communities that have fewer people walking, biking, and skating on the same roads that people drive. 

Additional factors that may contribute to accidents on campus include; 

• Distracted driving (texting, conversations, eating)
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or substances
• Inexperienced drivers navigating unfamiliar campus roads
• Parking lot congestion and limited visibility

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) reports that alcohol-related accidents remain a serious issue on college campuses, creating significant safety concerns for all campus community members.

Common injuries from college campus car accidents

Car accidents on college campuses can result in a wide range of injuries, from minor to catastrophic. 

Minor to moderate injuries include: 

• Whiplash and neck strains
• Concussions
• Broken bones
• Lacerations and contusions

Catastrophic injuries, which cause severe bodily harm or permanent disabilities, may include: 

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis
• Severe burns
• Disfiguring injuries
• Amputations

The costs for treating these injuries can quickly escalate into hundreds of thousands of dollars, with some requiring ongoing care and rehabilitation. Catastrophic injuries may even require lifelong care. 

Who is liable for an accident on a college campus?

Accidents can be pretty overwhelming, and it can be hard to remember all of the details. Sometimes things happen so fast that you can’t even figure out exactly what happened!

Determining liability requires a full understanding of all of the circumstances that caused the accident. This includes negligent behavior by drivers, but it can also include poor road conditions, bad weather, and other contributing factors. 

An attorney can investigate the accident on your behalf to determine who should be held responsible. Although insurance companies will often try to downplay their client’s role in the accident, a knowledgeable and experienced lawyer can prove who was responsible and negotiate on your behalf. 

Even if you were partially responsible for the accident, you can seek compensation as long as you weren’t 50% or more responsible. This is because Georgia follows the statute of modified comparative negligence. If you were less than 50% responsible, you can still sue for damages, but your total compensation award or settlement will be reduced by the same percentage of your responsibility. In other words, if you were 20% liable for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by 20%. 

Identifying liable parties requires a thorough investigation of all evidence related to the accident. Depending on the circumstances, liability may rest with: 

• Another student or driver
• The college or university (for poor road maintenance or inadequate security)
• Campus security or police
• Vehicle manufacturers (in cases of defective parts)
• Multiple parties sharing responsibility

Types of compensation available

If you’ve been injured in a campus car accident, you may be entitled to several types of compensation. 

Economic Damages

These damages cover measurable financial losses, including:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Rehabilitation costs
• Lost wages from missed work
• Reduced future earning capacity
• Property damage
• Transportation to medical appointments

If you had to drop out of one or more classes, or if you failed your classes due to your injuries, you may also be able to recoup lost tuition costs. 

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages compensate for personal losses such as:

• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Psychological trauma

Although it isn’t possible to put a price tag on the suffering you’ve gone through because of the accident, it is important for the responsible party to be held responsible for more than just economic losses. 

Punitive Damages

In cases involving willful misconduct, conscious indifference to consequences, or malice, Georgia law may allow for punitive damages, which are designed to punish particularly egregious behavior.

Statute of limitations for filing a car accident claim

Each state sets a statute of limitations for personal injury claims. In Georgia, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim. If you wait longer than two years, you will likely forfeit your opportunity to get compensated. 

There are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if your injuries do not become evident until some time after the accident, you may be able to file after two years. Similarly, if you were a minor at the time of the accident, your two years do not begin until your 18th birthday, no matter how old you were at the time of the crash. 

Please note: When you are dealing with public universities, additional notice requirements may apply with even shorter deadlines.

How the Scott Pryor Law Group can help after an on-campus accident

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident on a Georgia college campus, having experienced legal representation is essential. At The Scott Pryor Law Group, we understand the complexities of campus accident cases and work tirelessly to protect the rights of injured students.

Our firm offers:

• Free initial case evaluations
• Thorough investigation of all accident circumstances
• Expert calculation of all damages owed
• Skilled negotiation with insurance companies
• Aggressive courtroom representation when necessary

We represent injured individuals throughout Georgia and across the United States. Contact us today at (470) 777-9995 for a free case evaluation and learn how we can help you navigate the aftermath of a campus car accident.