Marietta Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents are a common occurrence in Marietta, GA and unfortunately, they are on the increase. Many of these crashes are quite devastating, leading to not only property damage but also severe injuries. There has also been a rise in the number of fatalities caused by auto accidents. Even though there are many new regulations aimed at making the roads safer, drivers are still careless. Hiring a Marietta car accident lawyer will immensely increase your chances of recovering the compensation you deserve.

If you are involved in an accident with a reckless driver, you need to inform the police. You also need to seek medical attention whether or not you feel injured. The police will inspect the scene and take the statements of all those involved as well as any witnesses. This information will go into their report.

When you are the victim of an auto accident, the police report is vital. That is because it contains the details of the accident and names the driver who officers believed was at fault. Insurance companies are keen on acquiring it so you need it as well so you know what to expect. A good move is to get a trusted attorney as soon as the accident happens.

An accident lawyer plays an important part in ensuring that you get justice and compensation. Insurance companies will want to pay out the least amount possible. Through your accident attorney, you can work to make sure that you get compensation for all your losses.

Statistics on Car Accidents in Georgia

Georgia is ranked as one of the states with the deadliest roads in the country for reasons unknown. According to a 2016 report, it’s ranked at position 14 among states with the deadliest roads. The report also showed that there were more than 1,500 road deaths in that year.

The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety report showed an increase in injuries caused by accidents since 2010. There were about 15 serious injuries caused by crashes for every 100 million miles. However, this was a 6% decrease from 2015 where the rate was at 16.

The report also showed that there was an 8.5% increase in fatalities in 2016 when compared to 2015. Two hundred and sixty-six out of the 1,500 fatalities were caused by speeding. This represented a 2.8% increase from the previous year.

However, there is a projection that fatalities and accidents will decrease in the coming years. This is attributed to the new evidence-based enforcement plan. The plan is aimed at reducing fatalities by at least 41 every year.

If you were involved in an accident where you suffered severe injuries, you need a skillful law firm. He will help ensure that you receive compensation to cover your medical bills and other costs. If a loved one dies in a vehicle crash, you have a right to seek wrongful death compensation. Doing this on your own may be complicated. You need experienced accident lawyers to help you figure it out.

Major Causes of Car Accidents in Georgia

There are several reasons why there are so many accidents in Georgia. Most of them are caused by the driver’s negligence. If you are involved in such an accident, your dedicated attorneys can help you seek compensation. They can assist you with filing an insurance claim or filing a lawsuit if that fails. The following are some of the most common causes of Georgia accidents:

Speeding

There are long stretches of rural roads in the state where many drivers take the opportunity to speed. This is because they don’t believe they will get into an accident since there are few vehicles on the road. It is also quite common for drivers to use excessive speed in the morning and evening. This is so they can avoid the usual rush hour traffic jams.

Driving While Intoxicated

Even though Georgia roads have a good amount of police patrolling the streets, the number of drunk drivers is high. Many drivers often do not believe they will get into an accident so they still drive after drinking. Alcohol impairs one’s judgment and vision so they cannot make sound decisions while driving. Unfortunately, drunk driving accidents tend to be quite serious and may also end in fatalities.

Distracted Driving

In this age of technology, many drivers are distracted while driving in Marietta, Georgia. They are usually using a mobile device even though this is illegal. Distracted driving is by far one of the most common causes of crashes. This is because the driver’s attention is not on the road. Some of the causes of distracted driving accidents include:

• Texting someone while on the road.
• Using a GPS device while driving.
• Talking to passengers especially those in the back seat.
• Tending to a child in the back seat.
• Fixing or applying makeup when driving.
• Taking pictures.
• Changing the radio station or music on the phone.

Ignoring Traffic Signs

Many drivers have a tendency to ignore traffic lights and stop signs, especially when there is no vehicle in sight. This often results in serious crashes. This is because the other driver who is following the signs may believe it is okay to drive. Some drivers may be distracted and therefore not notice a sign. This is a common cause of head-on collisions. Speeding often makes such accidents even more severe than if the driver was within the speed limit.

Neglect

There are those drivers who do not really care when they are driving. They will recklessly overtake, ignore traffic lights, and drive the wrong way on purpose. If you are not extra careful, they may end up crashing into you, causing serious damage and injuries. If you are involved in such a crash, you can have your Marietta car wreck lawyer file for punitive damages. Due to the recklessness involved, this can get you more compensation to pay for treatment and repairs.

Weather Conditions

When the road is wet or it has snowed, it is important that you drive carefully. This is because it will likely be slippery and you could easily go off the road. You should not drive at more than 45 miles per hour if you want to avoid an accident. If you see a driver speeding while the road is wet, it is best to just keep your distance. That will help you to prevent an accident. In many cases, it may become a multi-vehicle accident so slowing down is usually beneficial to you.

Reckless Teenage Drivers

Georgia statistics show that many Marietta, GA teen drivers are very reckless and cause a lot of car accidents. They tend to speed and even drive under the influence since they believe that the punishment isn’t harsh. Many teenage drivers do not pay attention to traffic laws even though they are aware of them. They recklessly overtake, text while driving, and even speak on the phone while on the road.

Faulty Vehicle Parts or Un-Roadworthy Vehicles

When vehicle parts such as tires and brakes are faulty, it almost always leads to a serious car accident. It is important that you buy your vehicle parts from reputable dealers in order to prevent this from happening. If you buy a part and there is a recall, ensure that you return it. Keeping it could mean that you later endanger lives. Some vehicles on Georgia roads are not even supposed to be in use due to serious issues. However, you find that they are still being driven and the drivers don’t worry about the consequences. There are also some design issues that cause some types of cars to be prone to accidents. That is why it is important to seek a professional opinion when purchasing a vehicle.

Types of Compensation Available for Auto Accident Victims

If you are a victim of a car accident, you should seek compensation for your losses. Depending on the extent of the losses suffered and your injuries, you can get different compensation packages. Ensure that you involve your car wreck attorney in this process so you get what you deserve. A lawyer will help you get much higher compensation than you would receive on your own. The following are the types of compensation that you can get:

Economic Compensation

You can collect economic damages for financial losses to you and your family. This money is used to cover any direct financial costs that you may have incurred as a result of the crash. Economic damages cover:

• Hospital bills – If you were seriously injured in an accident, then you will definitely incur financial costs. Compensation is awarded for any hospitalization bills, surgery, and drugs you need following an accident. If you try to seek compensation on your own, you may receive much less than you need. This is why you should involve your auto accident attorney.
• Future medical costs – For severe injuries, there are other costs that may arise in the future. For example, you may need physical therapy, surgery, and more drugs until you are better. A Marietta cars accident attorney is important here. He will help prove that you will need more money for future medical attention.
• Lost wages – You can receive compensation for the money that you lost because of your injuries. You usually get a certain percentage of your typical daily earnings. Your team of lawyers in Marietta will help you prove that your injuries prevented you from earning a living. You will likely need a doctor’s report and proof of how much you lost during that time.

Non-Economic Compensation

You can get non-economic compensation for losses that are not directly financial. They include:

• Loss of enjoyment or reduced quality of life. If the injuries have a long-term impact on your life, you could request this type of compensation. It is meant to reimburse you for things you may not be able to enjoy due to your injury.
• Loss of companionship. This is awarded to the family of the deceased following an accident. Although it doesn’t really cover the loss that they feel, it helps them to move on with their lives. It is also awarded to the spouse of a person who became incapacitated or suffered a permanent traumatic brain injury.
• Pain and suffering. This is meant to compensate the injured person or the family of the deceased for emotional trauma. This type of compensation is necessary since autos accidents often result in losses that aren’t purely physical. It can allow victims and their families to seek professional help such as therapy.

Punitive Damages

The court can award punitive damages to the victim as a way of punishing the offender. This usually happens when there is proof that the driver at fault was extremely negligent or reckless. You may request punitive damages through your lawyers. They will work to prove that the driver was grossly inconsiderate. If your loved one perished in a crash, you can also request this type of compensation. Consult your personal injury attorney to know whether your case is eligible for damages of this type. If it is, he will work on proving your claim. He will present all the available evidence to ensure the courts approve the request. This can help to get an even better package.

How Can a Car Accident Lawyer in Marietta Help?

Car accidents are devastating occurrences that no one would want to be a part of. However, they do happen and if you fall a victim, you need the best legal help to get justice. Compensation may not fully cover what you have lost, but it will make your road to recovery easier. Contact our Marietta accident attorneys at Schneider Hammers and let us evaluate your case. We have an experienced team that is ready to take up your case and find a solution for you.