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Sandy Springs Auto Accident Lawyer
Car accidents can change your life in a matter of seconds. It doesn’t matter if you’re a cautious driver. You can never be prepared for what other drivers are doing behind the wheel. The aftermath of a car accident can have serious financial consequences, whether it’s medical bills, lost wages, or car repairs. If another person’s negligence caused your car accident, you shouldn’t have to pay for all of the expenses. That’s why it’s important to contact an experienced Sandy Springs auto accident lawyer to help you receive the compensation you deserve. At Ashenden & Associates, our auto accident lawyers have a combined 50 years of experience representing individuals involved in car accident lawsuits. If you’ve been involved in a car accident in the Atlanta metropolitan area, talk to a personal injury lawyer today at 770-394-8909 to schedule a free consultation.
How Many Auto Accidents Occur in the U.S. Every Year?
As long as drivers are on the road, there will always be car accidents. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a car accident happens every 13 minutes in the United States. Even though car companies are continuously improving vehicle technology, accidents are sometimes unavoidable. In 2020, there were an estimated six million car accidents in the United States alone.
In Georgia, the Department of Transportation recorded 331,795 total car accidents in 2020, with 1,588 of them being fatal.
Common Types of Auto Accidents
The various types of car accidents are broken down to describe where and how the impact occurred. Listed below are the common types of auto accidents:
- Head-On Collisions – An accident that involves the front end of one car crashing into the front end of another vehicle. These collisions are often caused by distracted driving and can be one of the most devastating types of car accidents.
- Rear-End Collisions – An accident that involves the front end of one car crashing into the back end of another. These accidents are the most common and typically cause whiplash.
- Single Vehicle Accidents – This type of accident only has one vehicle that receives damage, but it does not mean they were the only ones involved. Some single-car accidents involve a car avoiding hitting someone or something. Weather is also usually a factor during single-car accidents.
- Multiple Vehicle Accidents – These accidents involve three or more vehicles that receive damage. These accidents can range from minor to severe and sometimes are fatal. Determining the individual at fault in these types of accidents can be difficult.
- Rollover Accidents – These accidents occur when the driver turns the steering wheel suddenly and rolls the car. Rollovers can be very serious, especially when the driver and or passengers are not wearing their seat belts.
- Sideswipe Accidents – These accidents occur when two cars traveling side-by-side touch. Sideswipes are typically minor as long as the drivers do not lose control.
Car Accidents
In 2019, Atlanta drivers were involved in over 34,000 car accidents. As the city continues to grow, car accidents are happening more frequently, with accidents steadily climbing every year. Car accidents are the most common type of personal injury lawsuit, which is no surprise since we travel with more distractions than ever, like TikTok and other social media apps. Most car accidents are caused by the driver’s negligence. You could be entitled to a car accident settlement if you’ve been hurt due to someone’s negligence.
Semi-Truck Accidents
Accidents involving semi-trucks are almost always devastating. These trucks carry heavy loads and can sometimes be difficult to operate, especially in poor weather conditions. It can be overwhelming if you or a loved one has been injured in a semi-truck accident due to the numerous trucking regulations and multiple parties involved. Injuries from a trucking accident are usually major and can result in a massive amount of medical bills. If you’re pursuing a personal injury claim that involved a semi-truck, call one of our Sandy Springs car accident attorneys at Ashenden & Associates today.
Motorcycle Accidents
Despite motorcycles making up only 2% of vehicles registered in Georgia, they made up 11% of traffic fatalities and 21% of driver fatalities in 2019, according to the Georgia Department of Driver Services. Motorcycles offer no protection to the rider, which is why these accidents almost always result in serious injuries and even death. Motorcyclists are at risk of severe injuries like broken bones, brain injuries, partial/complete paralysis, skull/facial fractures, and nerve damage. Talk to a personal injury attorney today at Ashenden & Associates to discuss possible compensation from your motorcycle accident case.
Cycling Accidents
Similar to motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents can cause equally devastating injuries. With more individuals adopting cleaner transportation routes, bicycle accident numbers are steadily climbing. As driver negligence almost always contributes to auto accidents, the same goes for bicycle accidents. Many drivers also don’t understand the laws that protect cyclists and don’t know how to share the road. It’s common for an insurance company to try and blame the cyclist in these types of accidents, so it’s important to have Sandy Springs car accident lawyers from Ashenden & Associates on your side.
Bus Accidents
Many individuals depend on buses in large cities like Atlanta to get them to where they need to be. When an accident occurs involving a bus, the passengers can sustain severe injuries due to its size. Like semi-truck accidents, bus accidents involve many parties, which can lead to a very complex personal injury lawsuit. Not only can the driver be held liable for damages, but the bus company can also be held liable as well. Not to mention, bus companies are often armed with the best insurance policies, which can make it difficult for victims to seek compensation through a personal injury or insurance claim. Let an experienced car accident lawyer at our law firm handle your bus accident claim so that you can focus on recovering.
Pedestrian Accidents
As the Atlanta metropolitan area continues to grow, so do pedestrian-related accidents. Drivers traveling at even a slow speed can cause catastrophic injuries to pedestrians. While pedestrians need to stay on the lookout for vehicles, cars must remain on the lookout for pedestrians as well, especially in larger cities. Most pedestrian accidents are caused by the driver’s negligence, but pedestrians can be negligent too. If you were injured in a pedestrian accident, car accident attorneys at Ashenden & Associates will ensure you receive maximum compensation.
Boating Accidents
Georgia has over 150 boat ramps that people can use to enjoy the state’s many lakes and waterways. With boating being such a popular recreational activity in Georgia, the likelihood of a boating accident steadily increases. In 2021, 114 boating incidents resulted in 67 injuries and 14 fatalities, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. The most common cause of a boating accident is driving while intoxicated. Other causes of boating accidents are speeding, machinery failure, overloading, inclement weather, and operator experience. If you were injured in a boating accident due to operator negligence, contact the legal team at Ashenden & Associates.
Common Causes of Auto Accidents
It can be easy to sit behind the wheel and feel indestructible. When you’ve been driving for years, driving can almost feel like a reflex that motorists don’t have to think about. This is why it’s easy for drivers to get in their cars while drunk, tired, or performing other tasks instead of focusing on the road. When drivers focus anywhere other than the road, a car wreck can happen. While driving negligently is a very common cause of car accidents, defective auto parts can cause a vehicle to malfunction, resulting in a car accident.
Below, our legal team lists some of the most common causes of car accident claims.
Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is a very common cause of car accidents across the nation. When a driver’s mind is impaired, so is their driving. Alcohol can affect a motorist’s reactions, judgment, and motor skills. Drunk driving accidents have terrible repercussions that can affect the victim and their families for a lifetime.
Distracted Driving
Drivers focused on anything other than driving are extremely likely to cause car accidents. Distractions can include: reading books or maps, eating or drinking, talking, texting, putting on makeup, using GPS, or tuning the radio.
Fatigued Driving
Tired drivers have a greater chance of causing accidents. Without rest, the body can’t react fast enough or remain alert while driving.
Defective Car Parts
Many parties can be held liable for damages when a defective car part causes an automobile accident. It’s important to reach out to a Sandy Springs car accident lawyer when you’ve been involved in an accident caused by defective parts. The entire process can be very confusing, and the big companies want the accident to go away more than anything, so they’ll push you to settle. Don’t be bullied by car manufacturers if you’ve been injured in an accident caused by defective car parts. Let a Sandy Springs car accident attorney at Ashenden & Associates handle the legal battle so that you can receive the fair settlement that you deserve.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accident injuries can range from minor to severe, depending on how serious the accident was. The most common types of car accident injuries are:
- Broken bones
- Burns, lacerations, and road rash
- Facial and skull fractures
- Internal organ damage
- Paralysis
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Soft tissue injuries like bruises, sprains, etc.
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries, like a concussion
- Whiplash
- Seat belt syndrome
- Wrongful death
Determining Fault in Auto Accidents
The party at fault for the car accident will usually be responsible for paying damages to the injured parties. When pursuing a car accident claim, determining fault is important since the police and insurance companies rely on the percentage of fault when determining punishments and payouts.
At-Fault States vs. No-Fault States
When it comes to determining fault in auto accident cases, there are two main types of states: at-fault states and no-fault states.
At-fault states mandate that the at-fault party use their own insurance company to cover the damages of the accident victim. Meanwhile, no-fault states mandate that each driver covers their own damages through their own insurance companies.
Is Georgia an At-Fault State?
Georgia is an at-fault state, meaning that victims involved in a car accident can pursue compensation through the other driver’s insurance company.
Modified Comparative Fault in Georgia
Georgia follows the 50% modified comparative fault rule. According to Georgia law, the amount of damages the at-fault party is liable for will depend on the percentage of fault. As long as your percentage of fault is less than 50%, you can still recover some financial compensation. It’s important to realize, though, that your financial recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you were found to be 10% at fault in a car accident case, your compensation will be diminished by 10% because you share part of the blame for the car accident.
The Four Elements of Negligence
When pursuing a car accident claim, the four elements of negligence must be proven. Negligence occurs when someone has failed to act with reasonable care, which has resulted in unintentional harm or injury to another. Proving negligence can be complicated, so it’s essential to have an experienced car accident attorney representing you.
- Duty of driver: First, it must be established that the driver owed the legal duty of care to the victim. According to the law, drivers are required to exercise care and obey traffic laws. All motorists owe one another the duty of care to drive safely and follow the laws of the road.
- Breach of duty: A violation, or breach, of duty must be proven. Breach of duty in a car accident is when someone fails to act with a reasonable level of caution. Examples of this are speeding, not stopping at a red light, and not using turn signals.
- Cause of injury or damages: The victim must prove that this breach of duty resulted in the injuries they received from the car accident. For example, the victim can prove that they would not have suffered a concussion and whiplash had the negligent driver not rear-ended them.
- Damages: Lastly, the victim must provide a monetary amount for the losses and costs related to the accident. If you’ve been hurt in a car accident due to the negligence of another, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Auto Accident Damages
While no amount of financial compensation can undo the harm caused by a car crash, it can help ease the financial burden that follows. If you were injured in a car accident, you could be entitled to the following damages:
- Medical expenses include ambulance transportation, surgical costs, diagnostic testing, hospitalization, medication, physical therapy, and other medical devices.
- Loss of wages from not being able to work
- Loss of future earning capacity if the accident left you permanently disabled
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
- Funeral and burial expenses if the wreck resulted in wrongful death
Georgia Statute of Limitations for Auto Accidents
If you were involved in a car accident in Georgia, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Since the statute of limitations is two years in Georgia, it’s best to contact a Sandy Springs car accident lawyer sooner rather than later.
