Douglas County, GA, is fairly small, yet it’s a hotbed for car crashes, truck accidents, and motorcycle collisions. If you’ve had a car crash in Douglasville, Fairplay, or Lithia Springs, you’re probably nursing your injuries and wondering what to do next. A car accident lawyer in Douglas County, GA, can help. 

Below, discover everything you need to know about car accident claims in Douglas County, including types of compensation that might be available to you.

Car Accident Statistics for Douglas County, GA

Like other Georgia counties, car accidents in Douglas County are steadily on the rise. There were 6,150 accidents in 2021, 23 of which were fatal. The vast majority of accidents happened due to speeding and alcohol use.

Metro Atlanta, in general, is home to quite a few dangerous streets and highways. Some of the worst offenders include:

  • Moreland Avenue from Wylie Street to S. River Industrial Boulevard
  • I-20 from Candler Road to Panola Road
  • Georgia Highway 85, I-75 to Springdale Drive

What Types of Crashes Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help With?

A car accident lawyer in Douglas County, GA, can assist with all types of collisions, including:

What Compensation Is Available for Car Accident Victims?

This is one of the first questions our Douglas County clients ask when they call The Foster Firm. The short answer is that the compensation available to you depends on the specifics of your case.

If you’re considering hiring a car accident lawyer in Douglas County, GA, you almost certainly have economic damages. These can include:

  • Medical bills related to the accident, such as hospital stays, surgery, medications, etc.
  • Lost wages from being too hurt to work
  • Loss of future earning potential
  • Property damage to your car and other belongings

You might also have non-monetary or non-economic damages. These are a bit harder to calculate because they don’t have an inherent value. They can include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of household services

In rare cases, a judge might decide to award you punitive damages. For example, this could happen if someone deliberately hit your car and seriously injured you. 

Can Passengers Seek Compensation for Accidents?

In Georgia, passengers in a vehicle at the time of an accident have the right to bring a claim against anyone involved in the crash. That includes the driver of the vehicle in which they were riding.

Remember that if you’re partly at fault for the crash, you might not be eligible for compensation. For example, the court might find you partially liable if you grabbed the steering wheel or distracted the driver while on the road.

If an Uninsured Driver Hit You, Do You Have Any Recourse?

Few things are worse than being in a car crash and then learning that the at-fault driver has no auto insurance. Normally, you’d make a claim with the driver’s insurance company, but what can you do in this situation?

If you pay for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage as part of your auto insurance policy, you can breathe a sigh of relief. Your policy will cover your medical bills and the damage to your car.

You could also use your health insurance to pay for medical care. However, your policy might have a substantial deductible that you must meet before insurance kicks in.

Lastly, you can bring a lawsuit against the driver who hit you. Your lawyer will go after the driver’s personal assets to recover your damages. This can be difficult, though, as many uninsured drivers don’t have much in the way of resources. As the saying goes, you can’t squeeze blood from a stone.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for GA Car Accident Claims?

Generally, Georgia gives car accident victims two years from the date of the collision to make a claim. This is one deadline that you absolutely don’t want to miss. If you do, you won’t be able to recover any damages.

It’s sometimes possible to extend the deadline, but you’ll have to meet specific criteria to do so. For example, if the driver who hit you is involved in a related criminal case, the clock won’t start ticking until that case ends. You might also be able to pause the clock if the at-fault driver flees the state.

What To Do After a Car Crash in Douglas County

Whether you were involved in a minor fender-bender or a serious crash, it’s important to take your next steps carefully. What you do (and don’t do) after an accident plays a big part in the success of your claim.

  • Take pictures of everything you can at the accident scene, even if you think it’s irrelevant. Snap photos of all involved vehicles, skid marks, street signs, potholes or debris in the road, and your injuries. If you can record a video of the scene, even better.
  • Ask all involved drivers for their insurance and contact information. If the driver who hit you tries to offer you cash “under the table” or asks you not to report the crash to the insurance company, don’t give in.
  • Do not admit fault for the accident to anyone. The insurance company will review the facts and decide who’s at fault.
  • Talk to people at the scene who might have seen the accident. Your car accident lawyer in Douglas County, GA, will review their statements and use those that benefit your case.
  • When you make it home, write down everything you remember about the accident in a notebook while the details are fresh in your mind. If you use your phone to take pictures, upload them to your computer for safekeeping.
  • Schedule a doctor’s appointment ASAP. Do so even if you think you’re not badly hurt. You might have hidden injuries that you wouldn’t otherwise know about without a doctor’s help.

How To Win Your Car Accident Claim

You’ll first need to hire a good car accident lawyer in Douglas County, GA, to win a car crash claim. Once you’ve done that, your lawyer will need to prove that the other driver acted negligently. This means proving that:

  • The driver had a duty of care to you. All drivers have a duty of care to others on the road. This means they shouldn’t drive recklessly, play with their phones while behind the wheel, and so on.
  • The at-fault driver breached their duty of care.
  • The breach of duty caused your car accident.
  • Because of the accident, you incurred compensable damages (medical expenses, lost wages, etc.).

How a Car Accident Lawyer in Douglas County, GA, Can Help

In addition to proving negligence, your attorney can help by:

  • Calculating your damages so you don’t miss out on any compensation
  • Gathering evidence, such as witness statements and camera footage of the crash
  • Asking witnesses the right questions to present your case in a favorable light
  • Handling insurance claims and negotiating with the insurance company for a fair settlement
  • Submitting paperwork on time within the statute of limitations
  • Determining which arguments the defense will likely use
  • Representing you in court if your case doesn’t settle

Contact The Foster Firm for Car Accident Legal Representation

Looking for an experienced car accident lawyer in Douglas County, GA, for your case? Call The Foster Firm at 678-2-INJURY for a free consultation.

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