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Let a Cumming Car Accident Lawyer Ease Your Stress After an Accident
Recovering from a serious car accident is not easy. Every step requires a clear understanding of your rights under Georgia law. Unfortunately, many car accident victims settle for much less than they deserve—and for much less than they could have collected with the help of an experienced Cumming car accident lawyer.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Cumming, hiring an experienced lawyer is the best way to protect your legal rights. A lawyer can help every step of the way, from determining who is responsible to negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf (and taking your case to court if necessary). Amber Gilormo is an experienced accident attorney who has helped her clients recover millions of dollars in financial compensation, and she can use her experience to help you recover the financial compensation you deserve.
Accident Statistics in Forsyth County, Georgia
The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety in Georgia provides statistics on car crashes and fatalities by county. There was a slight decrease in car accident fatalities from 2018 to 2019 throughout the county. Despite this good news, especially when coupled with the growing population of residents and businesses in Cumming, the Forsyth County Sheriff Department is eager to continue reducing such incidents through traffic enforcement and education. Data from the Sheriff’s office indicates that most fatal or serious car accidents involve factors such as speeding, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and other reckless driving practices.
The sheriff’s report is a stark reminder that any accident-related death is tragic and we should all work toward achieving a zero rating when it comes to car accident fatalities. If you do have the unfortunate experience of losing a loved one in a fatal crash, Gilormo Injury Law is here to support and help you with your fatal car accident claim.
Medical Care in Cumming
Cumming has a strong medical presence with its proximity to Atlanta and small city vibe. This is fortunate for those who may suffer injuries in car accidents. Northside Hospital Forsyth received high rankings, and Emory Healthcare has a medical center in Cumming that provides medical care to the Cumming and Forsyth County communities.
When Can I Seek Financial Compensation for a Car Accident in Cumming?
You can seek financial compensation for a car accident anytime someone else is to blame. In most cases, this “someone” is another driver. Driver negligence is the leading cause of car accidents in Georgia. This includes common forms of negligence such as:
- Driving under the influence of alcohol
- Driving under the influence of prescription medications
- Driving under the influence of marijuana and other drugs
- Speeding, tailgating, and other aggressive driving behaviors
- Running red lights and stop signs, merging without looking, and other common driving mistakes
But, driver negligence is not the only possibility; and, when you need to recover financial compensation, you need to make sure you explore all possibilities. For example, other grounds for seeking financial compensation after a car accident in Cumming, GA include:
- Negligent vehicle maintenance and repairs
- Vehicle defects (such as defective brakes and tires)
- Road hazards and defects (such as potholes and low shoulders)
- Negligent hiring and entrustment (if you were hit by someone who was working at the time of the accident)
- Serving alcohol to someone under the age of 21 or who was visibly intoxicated (in the case of a drunk driving accident)
Additional Accidents with Compensation Available to Victims
You may think of a car accident as simply an accident involving a standard vehicle operated by an average resident or visitor in your community. However, this is not a complete picture. There are several nuances to what is considered a typical car accident that could affect the way you pursue your car accident claim.
- Rideshare accident: Rideshare services such as Uber or Lyft have become commonplace. Accidents involving these vehicles can quickly become complex due to issues of liability of the driver and whether the rideshare service had responsibility for its driver at the time of the accident. Your attorney will identify liability in the case to pursue your remedies.
- Company vehicle accidents: When an employer provides a vehicle for employees to use for business and there is an accident, the employer and the employee could both potentially be liable for your injuries.
- Distracted driving accidents: There are many distractions for today’s drivers. Despite the existence of hands-free laws in Georgia, phones and other devices provide dangerous distractions to motor vehicle operators. Other contributors to distracted driving include other passengers, doing other activities such as eating or drinking or simply daydreaming. When drivers lose focus, the chances of being involved in an accident and sustaining injuries increase, putting everyone in the vicinity at risk
How a Cumming Car Accident Lawyer Can Help with Common Insurance Company Tactics
When you file an insurance claim after a car accident, reality might not match your expectations. Unfortunately, despite what the insurance companies say on TV and in online ads, they do not have your best interests in mind. In fact, they will use a variety of tactics not only to try to limit how much they pay you but also to avoid paying you at all if possible. Some examples of common insurance company tactics our Cumming car accident lawyer can help you overcome include:
1. Accusing You of Causing the Accident
Unless you have “no-fault” medical payments (Med Pay) insurance, you need to be able to prove fault to file a successful insurance claim after a car accident in Georgia. If you were at fault in your car accident, then you are not entitled to coverage under the other driver’s policy or under your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage.
If you have a fault-based insurance claim, our Cumming car accident lawyer can help you overcome any accusations that you caused the crash. We can investigate the accident, collect evidence of fault, and present this evidence to the insurance companies on your behalf.
2. Claiming You are Partially Responsible for Causing the Accident
The insurance companies may also try to deny coverage by claiming that you were partially at fault. Under Georgia’s “modified comparative fault” law, you are not entitled to any compensation if you were 50 percent or more at fault in your accident. However, if you were between 0 and 50 percent at fault, the insurance companies can pay a reduced amount based on your percentage of liability.
To overcome allegations of partial fault, we will rely on evidence from the crash scene and other sources. If the evidence indicates that you were partially at fault, we will work to convince the auto insurance companies that you are still entitled to recover the majority of your losses.
3. Disputing Whether You Suffered Your Injuries in the Auto Accident
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, the insurance companies may try to use this to limit the amount they pay. If your medical records do not prove that you suffered your injuries in the accident, the insurance companies may argue that you can’t prove your injuries are accident-related.
In either scenario, we can use your medical records to tell the true story. If necessary, we can refer you to a qualified doctor who can clearly demonstrate the cause and effects of your injuries. In addition, we can dispute the insurance companies’ allegations that your medical records are inadequate, and we can work to expose any bad faith insurance practices.
4. Arguing You Received Unnecessary or Unreasonable Medical Care
Another common insurance defense tactic is to claim that accident victims have received unnecessary or unreasonable medical care. If this happens in your case, we can engage a qualified medical expert to explain why your medical care has been appropriate and outline your long-term medical needs.
Car Accident FAQs
What should I do after I am in a car accident?
- If you are involved in a car accident you should take the following steps:
- Check yourself and others for injuries. Call for paramedic services if necessary.
- Call the police. The police can interview the parties and witnesses present. You will need an accident report for your insurance and for your claim.
- Take pictures of the accident.
- Schedule a medical examination if you do not have one already. The extent of some injuries like whiplash or muscle strains are not immediately apparent, and a thorough evaluation will allow your injury to be properly addressed.
- Inform your insurance company of the accident.
- Contact a Cumming car accident lawyer to handle your claim.
Will I have to go to court if I file a claim for my car accident?
Pursuing a legal case in court is a significant and personal decision. Initially your claim will start as a demand followed by settlement discussions, but if you are not getting a fair response or offer from the at fault parties or their representatives, you may decide to pursue litigation. Sometimes filing a legal case will prompt a more favorable offer to you and you will be able to settle before actually going to court. At each stage of your claim, your Cumming car accident lawyer will explain your options to you as well as likely outcomes and next steps depending on your decision. If a resolution is not able to be reached, Gilormo Injury Law can take your case to trial.
Can I still get my medical bills paid from my car accident if I am partially at fault?
In Georgia, it is still possible to recover financial compensation for injuries suffered during a car accident even if you are partially at fault. However, the amount you are able to recover will be offset by the amount you are deemed to be at fault for your injuries. Your Cumming car accident lawyer can explain to you how these calculations work and what you can expect when you are partially at fault.
What information do I need to support my claim?
Each case is unique, but typically, you will need an accident or police report, pictures of the damage to the vehicles or other property, medical records showing treatment after your accident, medical bills for the treatment received, and any orders for continuing treatment for your injury.
Do I Need to Hire a Cumming Car Accident Lawyer After an Accident?
While you don’t technically need to hire a lawyer for your car accident, you have every reason to do so. As we said, recovering your losses is not easy. If you don’t have evidence of liability or don’t know how much you are entitled to recover, you simply won’t be able to assert your legal rights effectively. But, Cumming car accident lawyer Amber Gilormo can take all necessary steps for you, and, with our contingency-fee representation, you only pay a fraction of your settlement or verdict if we win.
If you have questions about your legal rights after a car accident, we encourage you to contact us promptly. For a free, no-obligation consultation with Cumming car accident lawyer Amber Gilormo, call 770-343-7101 or tell us how we can reach you online now.