Athens, GA Car Accident Lawyers
We rely on vehicles to get around each day, so it is no wonder that car accidents are commonplace. If you were hurt in an accident, an attorney can help you get financial compensation for your damages.
Car accidents might happen anywhere around Athens. Many accidents result from distracted drivers, intoxication, or ordinary traffic violations. You have limited time to file your case, so it is best to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. Generally, plaintiffs in Georgia have only 2 years to file an injury case. If your time is running out, talk to a lawyer about how you might get extra time. When we file your case, we need to know what kind of damages you have. They may include the economic costs of the accident and painful personal experiences like physical pain or emotional trauma. Insurance is a big part of most car accidents. If the other driver is uninsured, you might need to file a lawsuit to get compensation.
For a free, confidential assessment of your claims, call (470) 287-3070 and talk to our car accident lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras.
Where and How Vehicle Accidents Can Happen Around Athens, GA
Athens is a busy city that sees more than its fair share of traffic and car accidents. The city is not too far from Atlanta and is connected to the major city and others by numerous highways. As one could imagine, there are a lot of car accidents on these major highways in Athens.
Major highways running through Athens include U.S. Route 441, U.S. Route 78, and others. These highways tend to intersect and tangle with various other highways and major roads in the area. Considering the vast network of highways and their higher speed limits, it only makes sense that accidents in these areas are somewhat frequent.
Certain places around Athens tend to see more traffic than others. For example, the University of Georgia is located in Athens and is home to tens of thousands of undergraduate students. With so many young drivers in the area, drivers must be extra careful when on the roads.
Another busy area with heavier traffic is the Normaltown neighborhood, which makes up a major portion of downtown Athens. Many people drive in this area daily, and caution must be exercised at all times.
The cause of an accident varies just as much as the location. A common cause of many car accidents throughout Georgia is distracted drivers. Maybe the driver, in your case, was looking at their phone or adjusting the radio when they hit you.
Another common cause is intoxication. If the driver who hit you was drinking or under the influence of drugs, they may be liable for your injuries and even criminally charged.
Ordinary traffic violations happen every day. In some cases, nothing bad happens. In others, disaster strikes. Speeding, ignoring signs, failing to signal, and driving recklessly are common violations that often lead to accidents.
When to Get in Touch with an Attorney About Your Athens, GA Car Accident Case
People often take some time after an accident to recover and decide what they want to do next. While you should take the time you need, you must remember that time is limited. According to O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, injured car accident victims have only 2 years to file personal injury cases. If this time expires, you risk losing your right to file your case, and you might never receive fair compensation.
If time is running short, ask our car accident lawyers about tolling options. According to O.C.G.A. § 9-3-90(b), a car accident victim who is younger than 18 at the time of the accident might have more time. The statute of limitations would not begin until the plaintiff turns 18, giving them until age 20 to file a case.
You may similarly have the statute of limitations tolled if the defendant leaves the state. This is not an uncommon problem in car accident cases, as drivers can easily drive away and leave Georgia. Under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-94, if the defendant leaves Georgia, the time they spend out of the state does not count toward your filing deadline.
Recovering Damages in Your Athens, GA Car Accident Case
Non-economic damages are not related to money, although they may be financially compensated. Common non-economic damages claimed in car accident cases include physical pain, psychological trauma, loss of enjoyment of life, humiliation, and more. These damages are highly subjective, and we must have evidence that your injuries are severe to convince the jury to award these damages.
Economic damages are a bit more concrete as they relate to specific sums of money and expenses. Many accident victims claim the cost of medical bills, vehicle repairs or replacements, and the value of lost or destroyed personal belongings. Keep track of all your expenses after an accident, as they might add up to a significant sum.
What Happens if the Other Driver in an Athens, GA Car Accident is Uninsured?
Georgia is a fault-based state when it comes to filing auto insurance claims. In such states, drivers must file third-party claims with the other driver’s insurance to get compensation. They must also prove to the insurance company that the other driver is at fault for the crash. If the insurance company does not believe your evidence, they may deny your claim, and an attorney can help you sue.
Drivers run into problems when one driver is uninsured. You might have certain insurance policies that can help you in this kind of situation. For example, you might carry uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage. These policies are designed specifically for situations where the other driver does not have insurance. You might rely on other insurance policies like MedPay, which can help you pay for medical expenses if you are injured in an accident.
If you cannot cover your damages because the other driver is uninsured, talk to a lawyer. Driving without insurance is a legal violation, and you should not have to pay for someone else’s mistakes.
Reach Out to Our Athens, GA Car Accident Attorneys for Legal Support
For a free, confidential assessment of your claims, call (470) 287-3070 and talk to our car accident lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras.
