Columbus, GA Car Accident Lawyer

Injuries from auto accidents are often severe, meaning victims typically need compensation. To recover damages caused by negligence, you can file a lawsuit in Columbus.

Car accidents in Columbus are just as serious as car accidents elsewhere, injuring thousands of victims annually. When accidents happen, victims should call 911. This can help your case in the future and is also mandatory for certain accidents in Georgia. You will have just two years to file a civil lawsuit for a car accident, so do not delay your case. After filing, we might negotiate a settlement with the defendant or go to court. Regardless, we will carefully calculate your losses from the car accident so you know your claim’s value.

Call Rice, Murtha & Psoras today for a free and confidential case evaluation from our Columbus, GA car accident lawyers at (410) 694-7291.

Recent Car Accident Statistics for Columbus, GA

According to information from the Georgia Department of Transportation’s Crash Data Portal, there were 6,802 reported car accidents in Columbus in 2022. Of those accidents, 26 were fatal, and 2,200 caused injuries.

The causes of accidents in Columbus vary. In 2022, 504 accidents were caused by aggressive driving, and 282 were caused by speeding. However, the top cause of car accidents in 2022 was distracted driving, which led to 2,619 accidents in Columbus.

Intersections are common locations for accidents in the area. These crashes often involve a T-bone collision between vehicles, which could cause devastating, crushing injuries to the side of a victim’s body.

Speeding is not only a common cause of car accidents in Columbus but could also lead to more serious injuries for victims. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding caused 29% of traffic accident fatalities in recent years. When hit at faster speeds, vehicles might flip and roll, which could increase the risk of injury or death for victims.

Mandatory Car Accident Reporting in Columbus, GA

If you get injured during a car accident, you must call the police to report it, according to O.C.G.A. § 40-6-273. Do this yourself unless you need assistance because of your serious injuries.

Those involved in motor vehicle accidents that cause death, injury, or property damage of $500 or more must inform local law enforcement. When you report an car crash, police officers will make an accident report. Our car accident lawyers can help you get the report from the Columbus Police Department soon after the crash.

To ensure the report’s accuracy, stay at the scene long enough to speak to the police. Tell them what happened to the best of your ability. If you need to go straight to the hospital, officers might contact you for additional information in the future if they need it. While you do not have a legal obligation to go to the hospital like you do to call the police, you should get medical treatment to help your future claim.

The Statute of Limitations for Filing Car Accident Claims in Columbus, GA

Under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, you will have two years from the date the accident occurred to file your lawsuit. You might not have much time to prepare and file your case, depending on how long it has been since the crash happened in Columbus.

Our lawyers can start investigating the incident and organizing evidence as soon as possible. Even if your accident happened very recently and you still have nearly the full amount of time to file, waiting to do so unnecessarily is not wise, as it will only delay your access to compensation.

The court may dismiss any late-filed claim in Columbus, so victims should not risk it. If you file just before the deadline, you might face questions about why you delayed filing or if your injuries are related to the defendant’s actions.

Negotiating Car Accident Settlements in Columbus, GA

While some cases go to trial, others settle without the need for court. That said, before settling, victims should always ensure offers are fair. Victims who accept bad settlements might not get all their damages covered.

Initial settlement offers do not indicate how much a defendant is willing to pay to avoid court. If the first offer is unfair, our lawyers will respond with our preferred amount, supported by evidence. It is normal for settlement discussions to take some time, especially if both parties want to avoid court.

The matter is resolved once you accept a settlement and sign an agreement. Suppose you realize your damages are far greater than you originally thought after settling. In that case, you might be unable to pursue additional action against the negligent party with whom you signed a settlement agreement. Do not feel pressured to accept a settlement unless you are confident in the agreement.

Possible Compensation for Columbus, GA Car Accident Victims

Compensation for car accident victims can be divided into economic and non-economic damages. Our lawyers can help you sort your damages accordingly and calculate them before filing your lawsuit in Columbus.

Starting with more elusive damages of the two types, non-economic damages can be hard to quantify. These are a victim’s losses due to pain and suffering or other intangible damages. In addition to using complex calculation methods, our lawyers advise you to document your non-economic damages, such as by speaking with a mental health professional or keeping a personal journal.

Economic damages are any financial losses from an injury, like medical damages. Document all costs throughout your treatment so we have proof you incurred them. If you cannot return to work because of a crash in Columbus, tell our lawyers, and we can refer to your employment and wage history to calculate your lost income.