Damages Available to Atlanta Auto Accident Victims
Understanding the value of your claim is critical to getting the compensation you deserve. An experienced Atlanta car accident attorney at Gilormo Injury Law will calculate your losses and provide a realistic estimate of what your claim is worth. The value of your claim will be based on the following:
- Your medical expenses, both those that are covered by your health insurance as well as your uncovered expenses such as your deductible and any copays. You will not be compensated for covered expenses, but the value of those expenses is important in determining the overall value of your claim.
- Any lost income, including time off for doctor’s appointments as well as extended leave from work necessary for your recovery.
- The cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle.
- Any additional expenses incurred as a result of your accident, such as increased transportation costs
- Pain and suffering
Because they are subjective, pain and suffering is often the most disputed part of a car accident claim. As a result, this is where the insurance company will first attempt to reduce your claim value. However, your pain and suffering are real, and under the law, you are entitled to be compensated for them. A skilled Atlanta personal injury lawyer will know how to articulate a realistic claim for pain and suffering and be able to get you the compensation you deserve.
Georgia Car Accident Statute of Limitations
Georgia has a two-year statute of limitations on car accident cases, which means you have to file a lawsuit within two years of the date of your accident, or you will lose your rights. Even if you don’t want to go to court, this deadline is important – insurance companies will not consider your claim if the deadline has passed. In fact, some insurance companies may delay settling your claim in the hopes that you won’t file within the statute of limitations.
The sooner you contact an Atlanta car accident lawyer, the better, even if you’re not sure whether you want to proceed with a claim. Your lawyer can explain your options, formulate potential strategies, and explain what you may need to successfully pursue a claim. If you delay, you risk losing important evidence that you will need later to prove your case.
Even “Minor” Mistakes Can Lead to Life-Altering Collisions in Georgia
It doesn’t take much to cause a life-altering accident. While major mistakes such as speeding through a red light or driving under the influence are to blame for some accidents, the vast majority of accidents result from mistakes that can seem relatively minor out of context.
When it comes to recovering your losses after a traumatic accident, all types of mistakes provide you with the same legal rights. If another driver made any mistake that led to your injuries, then you are entitled to just compensation under Georgia law. For example, at Gilormo Injury Law, our Georgia car accident attorney helps accident victims and families pursue claims for just compensation in cases involving:
Forgetting to Signal
Forgetting to signal is a common mistake, and it might be harmless most of the time. But, Georgia law requires drivers to signal for a reason, and failure to signal can be the primary cause of a car accident in many cases.
Changing Lanes Without Checking Blind spots
Changing lanes without checking blind spots is another all-too-common driving mistake. While rear-view and side-view mirrors provide a view of most vehicles on the road, checking mirrors alone does not provide drivers with all of the information they need to make informed decisions about whether it is safe to change lanes.
Turning or Merging Without Having the Right of Way
Many drivers do not have an accurate understanding of Georgia’s right-of-way laws. As a result, accidents resulting from drivers’ failure to yield the right of way are very common. Ignorance of the law is not an excuse, and drivers who cause accidents by turning or merging without the right of way can – and should – be held accountable with the help of your Atlanta auto accident lawyer.
Pulling Out of a Turn
Sometimes, drivers will start to turn and then change their minds. When pulling out of a turn, drivers will often attempt to merge back into traffic without looking. This can be a dangerous mistake, and it is a frequent cause of accidents on busy streets in Atlanta, Alpharetta, Canton, Cumming, and other cities in Georgia.
Braking or Swerving to Avoid an Animal Often Causes a Car Crash
Encountering a cat, dog, deer or another animal on the road can be an extremely dangerous scenario. While drivers may need to brake or swerve to avoid an animal in some circumstances, they must also be careful to ensure that doing so does not put other motorists in harm’s way.
Backing Up or Pulling Out Into Oncoming Traffic
While it can be difficult to see when backing up or pulling out of a parking space, this is not an excuse for leaving other drivers with nowhere to go. Drivers must always put safety first, and they must be patient to ensure that they are backing up or pulling out safely.
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