As trusted car accident lawyers in Georgia, we have years of experience in protecting the rights of injury victims who’ve been harmed by negligence. If you’re struggling to recover after a car accident caused by someone else, we may be able to help.
No one gets into their car expecting to be in an accident. However, that’s the situation that many Georgians find themselves in everyday.
While some accidents amount to nothing more than a dented bumper and a higher insurance premium, others carry life-altering consequences. And for drivers who’ve never experienced an accident before, making sense of the aftermath can be a daunting task—especially if they’ve sustained serious injuries.
Fortunately, they don’t have to figure it out alone.
At Joseph Williams Law, we’ve helped countless injury victims pursue the justice and compensation they deserve. No matter what type of car accident you’ve been in, we can help you understand your legal options and potential avenues for recouping your losses.
Plus, getting started with us won’t cost you a dime. If we decide to partner with you, you won’t owe us anything until—and unless—you receive a settlement. Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about car accidents in Georgia and how our compassionate attorneys can help protect your future.
Need help now? Don’t wait until you’re out of options to pursue a car accident lawsuit. Get in touch with our law office online or give us a call at (912) 259-6548 today.
Why Choose Us?
When you need an injury lawyer in Georgia, there’s no shortage of options. However, not attorneys are equally qualified to handle your car accident case.
As trusted car accident lawyers in Statesboro and beyond, we’ve built our reputation on giving a voice to the people who need it most. When you choose us as your legal advocate, you’ll be treated with the respect, care and dignity you deserve.
That’s because to us, you’re more than just a client. We’ll fight for you with the same determination and passion that we’d give to our own family members. When you partner with us, you can expect the following benefits:
- Frequent communication
- Listening to your needs, goals and concerns
- Thorough investigation of the accident scene
- Gathering pertinent evidence
- Determining the at-fault party
- Calculating a fair settlement
- Negotiating with insurers on your behalf
- Preparing your case for litigation
- Suing for maximum compensation
At the end of the day, your attorney is more than your legal partner—they’re your confidant, advisor and advocate, too. That’s why it’s important to choose your representation wisely. When you’re ready to join forces with a top car accident lawyer in Georgia, there’s no better firm than Joseph Williams Law.
What Causes Car Accidents in Georgia?
Car accidents happen for countless reasons and are precipitated by too many factors to count. However, some culprits make more frequent appearances than others and are important to identify. Here are the five leading causes of car accidents in Georgia:
- Driving under the influence, whether by alcohol, illegal drugs or medications that cause impairment
- Dangerous driving behaviors, including tailgating, speeding, last-minute lane changes and aggressive driving
- Distracted driving, which can be caused by cell phone use, adjusting a car’s control panel, eating, drinking, grasping for something out of reach, vaping, smoking and myriad other actions
- Inexperience and poor driving skills, especially among young drivers
- Violating traffic rules, including failure to stop or yield, speeding, illegal U-turns, unsafe passing, dangerous merging and more
Unfortunately, these are just the tip of the iceberg. Many car accidents also result from non-driver-related errors, including poorly maintained roads, defective car parts and construction zones. If you’re unsure what caused your accident, an attorney can help you investigate.
Georgia Car Accident Statistics
Car wrecks happen in every state, but Georgia is home to more than its fair share of serious accidents. In fact, data provided by Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety suggests our state has a disproportionately high rate of traffic-related deaths.
In the five-year span between 2017 and 2021, Georgia had more fatal car crashes than the national average every single year. Crashes involving a single vehicle caused the most fatalities, followed by wrecks involving large trucks, speeding, rollover, a roadway departure and dangerous intersections.
Here are some of the most notable Georgia car accident statistics, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health:
- In 2020, motor vehicle crashes were the second leading cause of injury death.
- For children between the ages of five and 14, motor vehicle crashes were the primary cause of injury deaths.
- Additionally, motor vehicle crashes were the second leading cause of hospitalization and ER visits for injury victims across age groups.
Even when car accidents don’t claim the lives of their victims, they can leave them with life-altering injuries and conditions, some of which are more common than others.
Types of Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can cause a variety of injuries, ranging from mild to severe. The following are among the most common non-fatal injuries in Georgia car accidents:
- Whiplash, a neck injury caused by a rapid jerking motion
- Head injuries, ranging from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones, especially rib fractures
- Internal bleeding and other organ injuries
- Knee damage resulting from trauma to the ligaments, muscles or knee cap
- Herniated discs, a type of spinal injury caused by a disc moving out of place
- Cuts, scrapes and bruises, caused by glass and impact with other objects
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a psychological condition marked by mental and emotional stress and flashbacks of a traumatic event
As you can see, many non-fatal car crashes leave their victims with debilitating conditions that demand extensive medical treatment. If you suffered injuries in a car accident caused by someone else, you shouldn’t have to foot the bill for your recovery. Contact a Georgia car accident lawyer to explore your options for legal recourse.
Steps to Take after a Car Accident
In the aftermath of a car accident or any other traumatic event, it can be difficult to think clearly. That’s why it’s so important to make an action plan before finding yourself in that situation.
As a personal injury law firm, we have the unique advantage of knowing which mistakes people tend to make in the wake of an accident. We suggest considering the following steps, should you ever find yourself in a car accident:
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- Put your safety first. Directly after an accident, it’s important to do a quick self-assessment and scan for injuries. If you think you can move without causing yourself additional harm, try to get out of the street and away from traffic.
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- Call 911 for emergency help. When your body is flooded with adrenaline and endorphins, it can be difficult to assess the full extent of your physical injuries. That’s why it’s a good idea to call for emergency medical assistance, even if you think you’re okay. Plus, calling 911 will bring police to the scene, and you’ll need their accident report when arguing your claim.
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- Gather evidence at the scene. If—and only if—you feel you can move around safely, try to gather evidence at the scene. Any photos, eyewitness accounts and notes you take could be invaluable to your insurance claim or personal injury case. Try to get license plate numbers, names of people involved and their insurance information, as well as photos of the wreck and injuries.
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- Call a trusted car accident lawyer. Whether or not you end up pursuing a car accident lawsuit in court, you can benefit from the assistance of an experienced attorney. They can help you calculate damages, send a demand letter to the at-fault party, negotiate with insurance companies and more.
If you sustained serious injuries in a car accident, there’s a good chance you could benefit from an outside perspective of your situation. An attorney can investigate your accident and outline your options for legal recourse.
What Is My Car Accident Case Worth?
As a personal injury law firm, we get this question a lot. Although we wish we could provide a standard answer, the reality is that the compensation you may receive through a car accident lawsuit depends on many factors. These include the strength of your evidence, quality of your lawyer, extent of your injuries and other specifics related to your accident.
In most cases, car accident victims are eligible to pursue compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. Whereas economic damages refer to calculable financial losses, such as medical bills, treatment expenses, property damage, etc., non-economic damages are losses that evade a dollar amount. They may include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life and similar damages.
Thanks to a 2010 Georgia Supreme Court decision, there are practically no limits on how much an injury victim can receive in compensatory damages (including both economic and non-economic losses). However, punitive damages—damages intended to punish the defendant for especially egregious actions—are capped at $250,000.
Joseph Williams Law: Premier Car Accident Lawyers Serving Statesboro and Beyond
Suffering serious injuries and emotional turmoil is bad enough without having to worry about how you’ll be able to pay your bills. If a car accident has left you financially devastated and feeling hopeless, don’t give up: There’s a good chance you have legal recourse. However, the options available to you depends on whether or not you decide to partner with an experienced car accident lawyer in Georgia. Luckily, the legal experts at Joseph Williams Law are just a phone call away. When you’re ready to pursue the compensation you’re owed and protect your future, we’re here for you. Simply contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation, or get in touch with our law firm by calling (912) 259-6548 today.