404-636-4900 If you suffered a car accident in Augusta and you think someone else is at fault for it, pursuing legal action will enable you to get financially restituted for all the injuries and damages sustained in the accident. At Deming Parker, we can be the advocates you need to enforce this right and secure justice. Over the past 50+ years, our team of personal injury attorneys has helped thousands of residents all over Georgia recover damages after being harmed by a negligent driver. We can do the same for you.
Need expert legal advice? Our experienced team of injury attorneys are here to help. Call our personal injury lawyers in the state of Georgia at (404) 636-4900 or contact us online.
Suffered a Car Accident in Augusta? – Our Attorneys Champion Your Case
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, each year there are over 30,000 fatalities due to motor vehicle accidents in the United States, with an estimated 2.28 million people injured. When one of those accidents occurs and is caused by negligence, our car accident attorneys in Augusta can help you by:
- Evaluating your case: Meticulously assessing the details of your accident to determine the best legal strategy moving forward.
- Investigating and gathering evidence: Before proceeding, we’ll collect all necessary evidence, interview witnesses, and analyze police reports to establish liability and build a strong case.
- Handling insurance negotiations: Later, we’ll stand firm in negotiations with insurance companies to counteract any lowball offers or unfair claim denials made by them.
- Representing you in court: If necessary, we’re prepared to represent you in court and fight for your right to compensation before a judge and jury.
Our team of car accident lawyers in Augusta more than just legal expertise to the table. We can handle every little detail of your case, from initial evidence gathering to final settlement negotiations.
Any lawsuit arising from a car accident must be filed within a specific time limit; otherwise, any legal claims you have will be barred, and your right to sue will be permanently lost. This time limit is known as the “statute of limitations.” In Georgia, the statute of limitations for car accident claims is two years.
Negligence Causes of Car Collisions in Augusta
Successfully recovering accident damages hinges on proving that another motorist, entity, or even product manufacturer acted negligently and directly caused the incident. That’s why it’s crucial to understand the root causes of car accidents to build a robust legal case. In Augusta, we have seen various factors contributing to motor vehicle collisions. Some of the most common causes of negligence include:
Driver Error
Driver error encompasses a range of behaviors that go from distracted driving to outright disregard for traffic laws. For example, driver error might include:
- Distracted driving: Talking or texting on the phone, eating, adjusting the radio, or simply taking your eyes off the road for even a moment is a common cause of accidents.
- Speeding: Exceeding the posted speed limit significantly reduces your reaction time and control over your vehicle and it’s a cause of negligence.
- Drunk or drugged driving: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs judgment and coordination. In these cases, establishing liability is usually straightforward.
- Reckless driving: Aggressive lane changes, tailgating, running red lights, and ignoring traffic signals are all examples of reckless driving, often causing crashes that could be easily avoided.
Inadequate Road Conditions
Poorly maintained roads, such as those with potholes, unclear signage, or inadequate lighting, can contribute to car collisions. In those cases, the government entities that were responsible for road maintenance may be negligent for the accident if they failed to address known hazards that posed a risk to drivers.
Improper Cargo Loading in Commercial Vehicles
In the case of commercial vehicles, improper loading of cargo often leads to accidents. This is very common in truck accidents, when overloading or unevenly distributing weight affects vehicle stability and control. If a company or loading crew fails to adhere to safety standards for cargo loading, they can be held legally responsible for negligence.
Defective Vehicle Parts
When manufacturing defects in vehicle parts (such as faulty airbags or ignition switches) lead to accidents, the manufacturer can be held liable for negligence. This happens when they produce and distribute a vehicle or parts with known defects.
The Legal Process for Seeking Damages After a Car Crash in Augusta
After being injured in a car accident in Augusta, you can recover damages for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses if the accident was caused by negligence. If you are ready to take legal action, these are the steps you can expect to undergo when seeking compensation:
Step 1: Initial Consultation
During our first meeting, we’ll embark on a detailed discussion of your case. This consultation is crucial in setting the direction for your claim, since here we’ll listen to your story and provide initial legal advice on which may be the best legal path to pursue moving forward.
Step 2: Investigation and Evidence Collection
During this phase, we proceed to thoroughly collect every piece of relevant information, including accident reports, witness statements, and video footage. Additionally, we collaborate with accident reconstruction experts to reconstruct the event sequence, which is vital for determining liability and assessing damages.
The importance of collecting evidence lies in Georgia’s comparative negligence doctrine, as outlined in the Georgia Code 51-12-33. Comparative negligence means that if you, as the victim, are found partially at fault for the accident, your compensation will be reduced proportionally to your degree of fault.
The adjuster reviews the basic facts of the incident and provides an opinion on who was at fault. They examine evidence such as the police report from the accident, statements from both drivers, and testimonies from any witnesses.
By meticulously compiling evidence and building a compelling case, we aim to establish a strong argument against the other party’s liability, thereby reducing the potential reduction in compensation due to comparative negligence.
Step 3: Negotiation or Litigation
Once we have the necessary evidence, the next step is deciding our legal strategy: negotiation or litigation. On the one hand, negotiation may offer a quicker resolution that consists of engaging with opposing parties to settle outside of court.
However, sometimes negotiations don’t result in proper compensation. In these cases, the next step would be to proceed to litigation, where our car accident lawyers in Augusta will present your case before a judge or jury and argue to defend your interests backed by the evidence gathered earlier.
Need expert legal advice? Our experienced team of injury attorneys are here to help. Call our personal injury lawyers in the state of Georgia at (404) 636-4900 or contact us online.
Our Augusta Car Accident Lawyers Are Ready to Assist You – No Matter What Issue You’re Having, We Can Help
Backed by over five decades of experience assisting car accident victims, our car accident lawyers in Augusta have the necessary knowledge, resources, and expertise to handle even the most complex of cases.
If you’ve suffered a car accident in Augusta due to someone else’s negligence, please know that you don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Just contact us today and get a free consultation to discuss your case with one of our lawyers.
