Augusta Car Accident Lawyers

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 Vehicle1381
Rear End3155
Angle (Other)1571
Sideswipe-Same Direction1183
Left Angle Crash951
Sideswipe-Opposite Direction118
Right Angle Crash216
Head On156

These intersections were the most dangerous in Augusta in 2022:

IntersectionNumber of crashes
I 20 and Washington Rd81
Tobacco Rd and Windsor Spring Rd79
I 520 and Peach Orchard Rd67
Tobacco Rd and Peach Orchard Rd66
Washington Rd and Stevens Creek Rd61
Gordon Hwy and Jimmie Dyess Pkwy59
I 520 and Mike Padgett Hwy55
Peach Orchard Rd and Windsor Spring Rd53
Gordon Hwy and Highland Ave53
I 520 and Windsor Spring Rd49
N Leg Rd and Gordon Hwy49
Gordon Hwy and Deans Bridge Rd48
Gordon Hwy and Barton Chapel Rd47
Wheeler Rd and Robert C Daniel Jr Pkwy47
Lumpkin Rd and Deans Bridge Rd47

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 Car6558
Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV)3392
Pickup Truck2077
Van557
Single Unit Truck190
Tractor/Trailer163
Motorcycle99
Bus66
Other52
Pedalcycle, Bicycle21
Ambulance19
First harmful eventNumber of crashes
Motor Vehicle in Motion7463
Parked Motor Vehicle299
Curb192
Other Object (Not Fixed)174
Other – Fixed Object165
Median Barrier142
Deer159
Ditch114
Other Non-Collision91
Guard Rail Face66

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

How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Augusta?

In Augusta, the statute of limitations for car accident claims is two years from the date of the accident.

How much does it cost to hire a car accident lawyer in Augusta?

Many Augusta car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. Their fee is a percentage of the compensation received.

Can I do without a lawyer in negotiations with the insurance company?

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.