General Information About Car Accidents
Car accidents happen every day and add additional problems and worries to the lives of those involved. Many are unprepared for such events and can be stressed for a long time. In such cases, it is best to seek help from Augusta car accident lawyers. For them, resolving issues related to the settlement of road accident cases is a common task. They will be able to take care of all the legal aspects of the accident, allowing you to recover after the accident.
What About Car Accidents in Augusta
According to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), there were 8,735 accidents in Augusta in 2022:
- Fatalities – 39
- Serious Injuries – 132
- Visible Injuries – 564
- Complaint Injuries – 2161
Types of Car Accidents and Emergency Intersections
GDOT in its 2022 statistics indicates the following types of accidents in Augusta:
Not a Collision with Motor Vehicle | 1381 |
Rear End | 3155 |
Angle (Other) | 1571 |
Sideswipe-Same Direction | 1183 |
Left Angle Crash | 951 |
Sideswipe-Opposite Direction | 118 |
Right Angle Crash | 216 |
Head On | 156 |
These intersections were the most dangerous in Augusta in 2022:
Intersection | Number of crashes |
I 20 and Washington Rd | 81 |
Tobacco Rd and Windsor Spring Rd | 79 |
I 520 and Peach Orchard Rd | 67 |
Tobacco Rd and Peach Orchard Rd | 66 |
Washington Rd and Stevens Creek Rd | 61 |
Gordon Hwy and Jimmie Dyess Pkwy | 59 |
I 520 and Mike Padgett Hwy | 55 |
Peach Orchard Rd and Windsor Spring Rd | 53 |
Gordon Hwy and Highland Ave | 53 |
I 520 and Windsor Spring Rd | 49 |
N Leg Rd and Gordon Hwy | 49 |
Gordon Hwy and Deans Bridge Rd | 48 |
Gordon Hwy and Barton Chapel Rd | 47 |
Wheeler Rd and Robert C Daniel Jr Pkwy | 47 |
Lumpkin Rd and Deans Bridge Rd | 47 |
These Types of Injuries are Most Often Caused by Car Accidents
Car accidents are one of the most common sources of injury. There are many different types of injuries that occur in road accidents, but the most common are:
- traumatic brain injuries
- bone fractures
- back and spine injuries
- whiplash
- knee injuries
- lacerations
- paralysis
- limb amputation
- burns.
Types of Car Accident Cases Most Frequently Handled by Lawyers in Augusta
Augusta car accident lawyers handle many different types of cases. To understand which are the most common, you need to look at statistics. So, according to GDOT information, it is possible to classify them according to the types of vehicles involved in an accident or according to the first harmful event.
Passenger Car | 6558 |
Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) | 3392 |
Pickup Truck | 2077 |
Van | 557 |
Single Unit Truck | 190 |
Tractor/Trailer | 163 |
Motorcycle | 99 |
Bus | 66 |
Other | 52 |
Pedalcycle, Bicycle | 21 |
Ambulance | 19 |
First harmful event | Number of crashes |
Motor Vehicle in Motion | 7463 |
Parked Motor Vehicle | 299 |
Curb | 192 |
Other Object (Not Fixed) | 174 |
Other – Fixed Object | 165 |
Median Barrier | 142 |
Deer | 159 |
Ditch | 114 |
Other Non-Collision | 91 |
Guard Rail Face | 66 |
When Should I Hire Augusta Car Accident Lawyers?
Some car accidents may not have serious consequences and the settlement of such cases occurs quickly and does not require the involvement of lawyers in Augusta. However, in most accidents, you need to determine the cause and find out the degree of fault, and this may not work out in your favor. This is where the need to hire a car accident lawyer comes into play. He will be able to help resolve issues in various situations.
The insurance company greatly underestimates the level of compensation or denies the claim altogether. Augusta car accident lawyers will gather all the necessary evidence and use the help of medical experts to calculate an adequate level of compensation. Having such trump cards in hand, he will negotiate with the insurance company and seek payment of fair compensation.
The other party shifts all the blame for the accident onto you. Augusta car accident lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation of the accident: study the police report, witness statements, and CCTV footage, and involve experts in accident reconstruction. He will be able to determine the true cause of the accident and calculate the degree of guilt of each of the participants.
The case cannot be resolved through negotiations due to the complexity or irreconcilable position of the parties and is referred to the court for consideration. In court, a lawyer will prove your innocence or the minimum degree of guilt in the accident. He will need to convince the jury that the client’s claim for adequate compensation is correct and fair.
Criteria for Selecting Augusta Car Accident Lawyers
Reputation
This is a complex criterion, which in most cases reflects an objective assessment of the lawyer’s achievements. The formation of a reputation involves experience in doing business, quantitative indicators of victories, and customer reviews. In many legal databases and reference books, reputation can be expressed in the form of an indicator such as a rating. It is a good criterion for creating a list of Augusta car accident lawyers to hire.
Specialization
A good car accident lawyer in Augusta should specialize in personal injury law. This allows him to clearly understand the variety of injuries, their consequences, and the cost of rehabilitation. The level of compensation will primarily depend on the lawyer’s ability to identify and prove the negative impact of the injuries and their consequences on the client’s life.
Communication
In car accident cases, the interaction between lawyer and client is important. Experienced Augusta car accident lawyers are obliged to win over the client from the very first meeting and maintain a level of trust in interaction throughout the entire case. This will allow the client to feel protected, involved in the process, and recover faster.
Ideas for Finding Augusta Car Accident Lawyers
Start your search with the simplest thing – ask relatives, friends, or acquaintances who have been in a similar situation. They will be able to recommend a trusted car accident lawyer in Augusta.
Look around and you will find car accident lawyers in Augusta advertised on transport, bulletin boards, and in local newspapers and magazines. Use this information and call them back to clarify your questions.
Also, check out local law firms. Go to their websites and read information and reviews about their Augusta car accident lawyers. This can help in finding and choosing a lawyer.
Don’t bypass social networks. Now it is a source of information with inexhaustible potential. Visit various legal forums, and chat in groups. You can find recommendations for lawyers here.
Search for Augusta car accident lawyers in legal directories such as Avvo or FindLaw. Set the required search criteria and get a list of lawyers.
Be sure to attend your initial consultation. Many car accident lawyers in Augusta offer free initial consultations. Talk to the lawyers about your case and evaluate their approach and how well they meet your needs.
Steps to Take After a Car Accident
Start taking the right steps immediately after a car accident:
- seek medical attention if you are injured or feel unwell
- check other people involved in the accident for injuries and help those injured get medical attention
- protect yourself and other participants, and move to a safer place
- call the police to the scene of the accident and get their accident report
- record all the details of the accident: photos of vehicle damage, contacts of witnesses, all information about the participants in the accident
- notify your insurance company
- consult a car accident lawyer.
Actions That Can Weaken Your Position After a Car Accident
Guilty plea
The most harmful action you can take after a car accident is admitting fault. This may result in an inability to file a claim or a reduction in the level of compensation. Therefore, try to avoid the topic of admitting guilt when communicating with anyone.
Agreement for a quick settlement
A quick settlement can often mean less compensation because insurance companies look out for their interests. For example, some injuries, including psychological ones, may not appear immediately and require considerable rehabilitation costs. Consult with a car accident lawyer before agreeing to a quick settlement.
Discussion of a case about an accident on social networks
Social media is not the best place to “conduct an accident investigation.” Any statements, assumptions, and various conclusions when discussing social networks can be used against you. Do not give trump cards to the opposite side – do not bring your case to public discussion.
Compensation Possible as a Result of a Car Accident
Georgia, where Augusta is located, is a guilt state. This means that the at-fault party must pay for injuries and damages through insurance.
The law of comparative negligence also applies – if the fault is less than 50%, you can demand compensation and the amount of compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault.
Minimum insurance requirements have been determined:
- $25,000 for injury or death of one person
- $50,000 for total injuries or deaths
- $25,000 for property damage.
Compensation can be for economic and non-economic damage:
- repair or replacement of damaged property
- medical expenses
- rehabilitation costs
- pain and suffering
- mutilations and scars
- various associated costs.
Responsible Driving Can Prevent Car Accidents
Pay full attention to the road conditions.
Follow traffic rules.
Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Avoid aggressive driving.
Consider weather conditions when driving.
Communicate your maneuvers in advance by using turn signals.
Plan your route taking into account possible traffic jams and potentially dangerous intersections.
FAQs
In Augusta, the statute of limitations for car accident claims is two years from the date of the accident.
Many Augusta car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. Their fee is a percentage of the compensation received.
You can negotiate with insurance companies yourself. But this is not recommended. Lawyers know all the intricacies and will not allow the insurance company to underestimate the level of compensation.