Evans, GA Car Accident Lawyer

Some accidents in Evans are minor and do not cause drivers too much trouble. However, most accidents, even minor ones, often result in significant losses for those who did not cause them.

When another driver injures you and causes you to deal with numerous damages, our lawyers can help make you whole again by filing a lawsuit against them. When our team investigates your crash, we will gather evidence showing how the other driver caused it. If multiple drivers were involved in your crash, we can sue each and sort out liability during the case. We can also help in more complex cases, like suing your car designer for a defect that contributed to your accident. With the evidence we obtain, we can fully calculate the range of damages you suffered.

Call Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (470) 287-3070 for a free case review today with our Augusta, GA car accident attorneys.

Common Reasons Car Accidents Happen in Evans, GA

Car accidents are arguably the most common reason for filing a lawsuit in Evans. However, car accidents can happen in numerous ways. Our car accident lawyers can help you determine what caused the accident, which will be the first step in holding the other driver accountable. In some cases, our investigation might reveal that the other driver only played a role in your accident, and other parties should also be sued.

Many car accidents result from everyday traffic violations. Perhaps the driver was speeding when they hit you or failed to check their blind spots before changing lanes. If they violated a traffic law and were cited for it, that can be used as evidence of their negligence.

Drivers can also be held liable even when they do not technically break a traffic law but act unreasonably behind the wheel. For instance, if the other driver was swerving between heavy traffic when they hit you, we can argue that they were acting unreasonably under the circumstances.

In rarer situations, your car might have caused the accident. More specifically, your car or an integral part malfunctioned at a critical time to cause the accident. Perhaps your newly repaired brakes failed when you applied them, or your power steering gave out. We can investigate the defect to determine if we should sue the car’s designer, manufacturer, or both.

Damages We Can Help You Recover in an Evans, GA Car Accident Lawsuit

The damages you can claim in your case are intended to make you “whole,” meaning to put you back in the financial position you were in before the accident. Thus, you can claim the economic losses stemming from your injuries and accident from the defendant. However, your “compensatory” damages also include your non-economic losses, which you probably know as “pain and suffering.” If the defendant in your case acted particularly egregious, we can pursue “punitive” damages, as well.

Compensatory Damages

As the name implies, compensatory damages compensate you for the damages caused by the accident and for treating your injuries, including economic and non-economic losses. To accurately assess your damages, we will need to review the financial impact and the day-to-day issues you have lived with since the accident.

First, we will add up your medical expenses so far. As your claim proceeds, you will likely still be getting treatment. We will include ongoing medical costs and work with your healthcare providers to determine what future medical costs your claim should cover. Our team will then add your daily lost income if the accident keeps you from working. If your injuries completely alter your professional life, we can include lost future earning potential in your claim. Lastly, property damage, like damage to your car, can be included in your economic losses.

The other half of your compensatory damages consist of your non-economic damages, or pain and suffering. While these damages are harder to calculate, they are just as impactful and real as your medical bills. Non-economic compensation is reserved for your physical pain, emotional distress, and other psychological damages. Your car accident can affect you in numerous ways, which the court will put a value on.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are awarded in a case not to compensate the injured party but solely to punish and deter the defendant. These damages are rarely awarded in a lawsuit since the accident must be caused by malice, willful misconduct, wantonness, or a total lack of care that shows the defendant’s conscious indifference to the consequences of their actions, according to O.C.G.A. § 51-12-5.1(b). Further, you must prove this by “clear and convincing” evidence, which is a higher standard to meet than when proving ordinary negligence. Thus, punitive damages are reserved for the most serious cases.

Unfortunately, § 51-12-5.1(g) caps how much punitive damages you can recover in most lawsuits to a maximum of $250,000. However, your punitive damages will not be capped if the defendant injured you while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, as per § 51-12-5.1(f).

Where to Find Evidence to Support a Car Accident Claim in Evans, GA

Evidence to prove a car accident claim will typically come from several sources. You might have taken pictures of the accident scene and your injuries with your phone. These can be submitted to substantiate your damages. You might also have dashcam footage we can use to show how the accident occurred. If the defendant had the dashcam, we can demand that they turn it over during litigation.

Your medical records will also help prove the extent of your injuries and future needs. Your doctor will note your car accident as the reason for your visit and instruct you on how to get further treatment, which you should follow explicitly.

You and eyewitnesses can also testify to what you saw and experienced during the accident. You must usually testify to explain your pain and suffering to the court.

Call Our Evans, GA Car Accident Lawyers for Assistance with Your Case Today

Contact Rice, Murtha & Psoras at (470) 287-3070 to get your free case assessment with our car accident lawyers.