Let an Alpharetta Car Accident Attorney Manage Your Claim
When dealing with the aftermath of a car accident, it is important to have help. Managing everything isn’t easy, and it can be made even more difficult by insurance companies and repair shops that don’t have your best interests in mind. An Alpharetta car accident lawyer can deal with these companies for you, and a lawyer can help make sure you receive the financial compensation you deserve.
Amber Gilormo is an Alpharetta car accident attorney who is passionate about protecting her Alpharetta clients. She has helped her clients recover millions of dollars in financial compensation. If you’ve been injured, Amber can explain everything you need to know, and she can use her experience to make sure no one takes advantage of you.
Alpharetta is a Growing City
Alpharetta has grown significantly over recent years. The population has increased approximately 20% since the 2010 census and has experienced an estimated 1.4% growth in recent years. All of this growth supports economic, cultural, and educational development in Alpharetta.
Alpharetta Car Accident Statistics
More people travel the roadways in Alpharetta and Fulton County as the area continues to grow and develop. This increased traffic lends itself to more opportunities for car accidents occurring. Examples of driving hazards in a developing area include construction changing roadways and traffic patterns, uneven lanes, and the general unfamiliarity of new residents and visitors that lead to sudden or risky driving behaviors. In 2020, Alpharetta had over 1,000 recorded car accidents according to data from the Georgia Department of Transportation. Fortunately, this is a decrease from 2018 and 2019 and we can hope the trend continues.
GDOT also monitors fatal car accident statistics. The good news is that fatal crashes have been on the decline in Alpharetta for the last several years, however, losing anyone in a fatal car accident is a loss no one should suffer.
Despite the encouraging improvements in car safety and car accidents are still an awful part of our lives. If you are involved in a car accident, you should contact an experienced Alpharetta car accident lawyer to discuss your case. Amber can explain to you the different ways you can recover compensation for your loss and will fight for you to obtain what you deserve.
Types of Car Accidents in Alpharetta
With its growing population and productive business environment, our roadways are becoming more crowded. This also leads to a higher chance of being in a car accident.
Some common types of car accidents that can occur in a bustling city like Alpharetta include:
- Head-on collisions: When two or more cars meet in a head-on collision the injuries from the crash can be severe since the force of the collision has nowhere to go other than into the other vehicles.
- Rear-end collisions: This is a common type of collision commonly associated with a lapse in driver focus when one hits the other from behind. Sometimes this occurs while both vehicles are in motion, which can cause the trajectory of the vehicle to change and result in additional collisions and accidents. However, another common rear-end situation is when a vehicle is properly stopped and an unfocused driver hits the stopped vehicle.
- Multi-vehicle accidents: There are many types of multi-vehicle accidents that can occur when more than two vehicles are involved in a collision. The difficulty with these accidents is determining who is at fault for what damages. A skilled accident lawyer can advocate for a fair assessment of fault to cover your damages.
- Hit-and-run accidents: Unfortunately, not everyone is forthcoming when it comes to owning up to responsibility and fault in a car accident. When an at-fault party flees the scene of an accident, it is considered a hit-and-run. In a hit-and-run crash, having a proper investigation to find the at-fault party can be difficult, but a knowledgeable attorney can help investigate and seek compensation for your injuries on your be
Common Accidents That Drivers Face
There are many circumstances in which car accident victims can recover financial compensation under Georgia law. Some of the most common grounds for seeking financial compensation after a car accident include:
- Driver Negligence – This includes all types of driving mistakes, from driving while drunk or high to running red lights and falling asleep behind the wheel.
- Vehicle Defects – Some types of vehicle defects and maintenance issues can lead to accidents (i.e., defective brakes or a faulty brake job), while others can lead to serious accident-related injuries (i.e., defective seatbelts or airbags).
- Road Defects and Maintenance Issues – Road defects and maintenance issues can create extremely dangerous situations, and they will often lead to claims against government agencies and contractors.
- Negligent Entrustment or Vicarious Liability – Was the driver who hit you working at the time of the crash? If so, you may have a claim against his or her employer.
- Dram Shop Liability – Under Georgia’s dram shop law, establishments can face liability for drunk driving accidents when they serve underage or visibly intoxicated individuals.
Damages Available for Accident Victims
If you were injured in a car accident that was someone else’s fault, you are entitled to financial compensation under Georgia law. While the amount you can recover will depend on your unique personal circumstances, the types of losses car accident victims can typically recover include:
- Property damage
- Medical bills
- Prescription costs
- Other out-of-pocket expenses
- Lost income and benefits
- Emotional trauma
- Pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of companionship and consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
When you choose us for your case, you will work one-on-one with experienced Alpharetta car accident lawyer Amber Gilormo. Amber will calculate the amount you are entitled to recover in each of the categories listed above and use her experience to seek just compensation on your behalf.
What if you were partially at fault in the accident? While you should never assume this is the case, you could still be entitled to partial compensation if you were partially at fault. Georgia law allows car accident victims to file claims as long as they are not more than 50 percent at fault for their own injuries.
To recover your losses, your Alpharetta accident attorney will first need to determine who is liable. While the other driver might be responsible, there are other possibilities as well. After conducting a thorough investigation, your lawyer will be able to file your claim, calculate your losses, and help you decide whether to accept a settlement or take your case to court.
What to Do After an Alpharetta Auto Accident
To seek financial compensation for your car accident, there are some steps you will need to take promptly. These steps include:
- Seek Medical Attention – If you have not yet seen a doctor about your injuries, you should do so right away.
- File an Insurance Claim – You will need to file a claim with your insurance company. But, when doing so, make sure you don’t say anything that could jeopardize your rights.
- Take Notes and Keep Records – Take detailed notes about the accident, and get in the habit of keeping all records related to your accident or your injuries.
- Be Careful – Take care of yourself, keep the details of your accident to yourself, and don’t say or do anything that could make it more difficult to recover your losses.
- Talk to an Alpharetta Accident Lawyer – The best thing you can do to protect yourself is to speak with an experienced attorney as soon as possible.
Car Accident FAQs
What if the negligent driver does not have enough insurance to cover my damages?
Insurance is a primary way to recover damages in a car accident case, but it is not the only way. You can pursue a lawsuit against the driver individually, though your recovery may be limited by the assets they have to pay the judgment if you are awarded one. It is best to discuss your options with an accident lawyer and make an informed decision as to how to proceed to maximize your financial recovery.
Can I still recover compensation for my car accident injuries if I was not wearing my seatbelt?
Georgia is a comparative fault state, which means that even if you are partially at fault, you can still recover. However, your recovery amount will be reduced by the amount of fault determined to be caused by you. For example, if 10% of your injuries were determined to be the result of not wearing a seatbelt, your award would be reduced by 10%. A car accident attorney can help ensure that you recover the maximum amount to which you are entitled and work to make sure insurance companies or other parties do not assess a higher amount of fault to you than appropriate.
Can I sue an automaker for my car accident?
If the injuries from your car accident were caused by vehicle design or manufacturing defects, you may have a claim against the automaker. These product liability cases are different areas of the law, but Amber Gilormo can handle this aspect of your financial recovery and legal remedy for you.
Can I get punitive damages from a negligent driver?
Punitive damages are designed to punish the at-fault party and deter the behavior in the future. Georgia law traditionally requires more than negligence in order to award punitive damages, but evolving case law is opening the door to further punitive recovery. As this area of law continues to evolve, working closely with an experienced car accident attorney will be beneficial to your case.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Alpharetta Car Accident Lawyer Amber Gilormo
As an accident victim, you may be entitled to financial compensation. But, this does not mean that recovering financial compensation will be easy. In fact, the insurance companies will make it far more difficult than it should be. The good news is that help is available, and you can recover your losses with an experienced Alpharetta car accident attorney on your side.
Contact us 24/7 for a free, no-obligation consultation. Call 770-343-7101 or request an appointment online to speak with Amber as soon as possible.