A car accident can flip your world upside down in an instant, turning a routine outing into an event that may affect you for the rest of your life. You may deal with serious injuries, mounting medical bills, and crippling anxiety in the aftermath of a car accident in Bibb County. If you need help with the next steps after a collision, let our Bibb County car accident lawyers at Childers & McCain, LLC tell you how to protect your health and legal rights.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Bibb County?
After getting out of the traffic flow, seek medical attention immediately, even if you do not initially feel injured. Some injuries, such as whiplash or internal damage, may not present symptoms immediately, but you still need a professional to detect and treat the early signs. If possible, document the accident by taking photographs of the scene, gathering any eyewitness statements, requesting a copy of any police report or medical record generated, and exchanging contact information with the other drivers involved.
What Are Common Causes of Car Accidents in Bibb County?
Many car accidents in Bibb County result from driver negligence, including reckless behavior, distracted vehicle operation, or driving under the influence. Speeding also contributes significantly to accidents, as breaking the speed limit reduces a driver’s time to react to hazards and reduces the severity of any resulting crashes. If a government or private company fails to maintain safe road conditions, any potholes or poorly treated surfaces can cause drivers to lose control—as can inclement weather like ice or rain.
What Types of Compensation Can You Recover After a Car Accident?
Car accident victims in Georgia often have the legal right to claim various forms of compensation for their accident-related expenses. These often come in two forms: Economic and Non-economic.
Economic damages help address tangible losses such as medical expenses, lost income due to an inability to work, and property damage. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, attempt to cover losses without a tangible dollar amount, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
In rare cases where the at-fault driver acted particularly recklessly or egregiously, the court may also award ‘punitive’ damages to punish their actions and prevent similar behavior in the future.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Georgia?
Georgia law imposes a strict deadline for filing a car accident lawsuit, known as the ‘statute of limitations,’ which gives you two years from the accident date to file a personal injury claim. If you fail to meet this deadline, you may forfeit your right to seek compensation. However, depending on your circumstances, the law may lengthen that time period. For instance, if a car accident victim only discovers their injury after the fact, the statute of limitations starts ticking down from the date of discovery.
What if You Are Partially at Fault for the Accident?
In some cases, both drivers may share a measure of responsibility for a car accident. In these cases, Georgia courts follow what is known as the “Modified Comparative Negligence Rule.” According to this rule, you can still recover monetary damages if you are less than 50% at fault for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. For example, if a court finds that you failed to use your blinkers while turning and were 20% at fault for the collision, they may reduce your final payout amount by 20%. Insurance companies often take advantage of this rule and shift as much blame as possible onto the other parties to reduce their financial burden.
What Are Your Legal Rights After a Hit-and-Run Accident?
If the driver responsible for your accident flees the scene, Georgia law provides avenues for the affected victims to seek compensation. Similarly, you may have legal options if the driver who caused your collision does not possess insurance or carries insufficient coverage to fully pay for your injuries. Many insurance policies in Georgia include Uninsured/Underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage to help cover medical expenses and property damage when they cannot identify the at-fault party or recover sufficient compensation from them. However, even with active UM/UIM coverage, an insurance company may still seek to lowball your payout offer to save money.
Why Should You Hire a Local Car Accident Lawyer?
A local lawyer who understands Bibb County’s specific legal landscape can make a significant difference when you file a claim to collect compensation for your injuries. Because insurance adjusters often aim to minimize payouts, without legal help, you may not receive sufficient funds to pay for all your medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repairs. A seasoned lawyer can protect your rights by negotiating with insurance companies, gathering evidence to support your claim, and helping you demand a fair payout. If you cannot reach a fair settlement, a good lawyer will help you take the case to court.
Seasoned Bibb County personal injury lawyers will know the local courts, judges, and insurance tactics. They can also leverage their preexisting relationships with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, and other specialists to strengthen your claim.
Get on the Road to Recovery and Seek the Compensation You Deserve with the Bibb County Car Accident Lawyers at Childers & McCain, LLC
When another driver causes your car accident, you deserve personalized, seasoned legal advocacy to help you collect the payout you need and receive justice for your injuries. Contact the experienced Bibb County car accident lawyers at Childers & McCain, LLC to discuss the details of your accident, receive an evaluation of your case, and understand your legal options. Call our Macon, Georgia, office at 478-254-2007 or fill out our online form for a free consultation. We serve clients in Savannah, Albany, Atlanta, Bibb County, Chatham County, Columbus, Crawford County, Oglethorpe, and Peach County.
