Gainesville Car Accident Lawyer

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Suffering an injury in a car wreck can be incredibly challenging. No matter how careful a driver is on the roads, accidents still happen. Traffic crash victims often suffer significant financial damages, even when they are not at fault. In addition to steep medical bills, injured victims often suffer damage to their careers and emotional trauma. After a collision on the road, one of the best actions you can take is to call a Gainesville car accident lawyer. One of the skilled personal injury lawyers at Smith Hulsey could work tirelessly to represent you and your interests. En Español.

Our Attorneys Get Real Results for Gainesville Car Accident Victims

At Smith Hulsey Law, our lawyers focus a large part of our practice on assertively representing Gainesville car accident victims. Our attorneys have a record of achieving significant awards for our clients who have been in automobile accidents. The following are examples of significant settlements we have negotiated for our clients injured in car accidents:

  • A $1.9 million dollar settlement in a roadside wrongful death accident
  • A $1 million dollar settlement for a traumatic brain injury caused by a truck accident
  • A $1 million dollar settlement for a pedestrian truck accident

We understand how stressful suffering an injury in a car accident can be for individuals and families. Our attorneys focus on providing excellent legal representation. We fight hard for our clients to receive the most compensation possible for their injuries. Our clients frequently comment on our excellent customer service and responsiveness to clients. We keep our clients informed every step of the way. If you or a loved one have suffered an injury in a Gainesville car accident, we can help. Make sure that your car accident claim is in great hands. Contact our law firm today to schedule your initial consultation.

Negligence and Liability in a Car Accident Lawsuit

Even the safest drivers can become victims of someone else’s negligent or reckless driving. Under Georgia law, negligent, reckless, or intentionally dangerous drivers are liable for any injuries caused by their driving. As a Gainesville auto accident lawyer could explain, those who fail to use reasonable care when driving breach the duty they owe to other motorists, passengers, and pedestrians. Examples of negligent driving include the following:

Holding Municipalities Accountable for Gainesville Car Accidents

Sometimes, the negligence of one or more drivers is not the cause of the car accident. Poorly designed roads, highways, and intersections can be the cause of a victim’s injuries. In these situations, the following government entities may be liable for a car accident’s injuries:

  • Georgia towns or cities
  • The state of Georgia
  • The Federal government
  • A private individual or business who owns the property

The lawyers at Smith Hulsey Law have the necessary experience to bring lawsuits against municipalities and government agencies. If you are unsure who is at fault for your car accident injuries, we can help. We conduct thorough investigations of all of our client’s car accidents in order to determine who is at fault. When the government agency fails to maintain the area where the accident occurred, it may be liable for the victim’s damages.

Common Types of Car Accident Injuries

Car accident injuries range from mild to severe, depending on the circumstances of the accident. According to the National Highway and Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 37,000 individuals died in motor vehicle accidents in 2016 in the United States. That year, over 2 million individuals suffered injuries as a result of car accidents. Approximately 100 people die in motor vehicle accidents every day in the United States.

Head injuries are some of the most common and devastating injuries caused by car accidents. The force of a motor vehicle accident can cause a driver or passenger’s head to crash against the steering wheel or window, causing injury to the brain. In severe cases, car accidents cause brain hemorrhages that can result in significant brain damage, cognitive delays, and even death. Concussions are also common in car accidents.

Back, Neck, and Spinal Injuries Caused by Car Accidents

Back and neck injuries are also extremely common in car accidents. Back injuries often require ongoing, costly medical treatment. Whiplash is a type of car accident injury that causes damage to the tissue, ligaments, and muscles in the neck. In a rear-end car accident, a person’s head propels forward and backward quickly, while the body stays in place. Sometimes car accident victims do not realize how serious their whiplash or back injury is until days after the car accident.

Whiplash injuries often take a long time to heal and cause fatigue, blurred vision, dizziness, pain, and stiffness. Spinal fractures are some of the most severe back injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents. Victims who suffer from spinal fractures can experience ongoing pain and even paralysis.

Recovering Damages in Car Accident Lawsuits

Georgia is an at-fault state when it comes to car accidents. The person who causes the car accident is responsible for paying all the costs, or damages, associated with the accident. The person who has been injured in a car collision has the right to file an insurance claim against the at-fault driver. They could pursue the following types of damages with the help of a Gainesville auto accident lawyer:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Missed past and future wages
  • Vehicle repair and property damage costs
  • Medical costs, including hospital bills, surgery, and physical therapy costs
  • Compensation for physical impairment, mental anguish, or loss of companionship

Our experienced attorneys could explore all the available damages that may be available to a person after a severe accident.

Frequently Asked Questions About Car Accidents

After an auto accident, you might be wondering what steps to take to preserve a claim and pursue compensation against the driver responsible for the crash. A Gainesville car accident attorney could work with an injured motorist to pursue compensation for their medical expenses, lost income, and other damages. Below are some frequently asked questions about car accidents:

1. Should I get a lawyer for a car accident that was my fault in Georgia?

Although legal counsel is not required, retaining a car accident lawyer can be beneficial for various reasons, especially when you are at fault. An experienced attorney could help someone injured in an accident navigate the claims process and protect their interests throughout the litigation. Similarly, a lawyer could negotiate a fair settlement with the other party’s insurance to avoid a lengthy and expensive battle in court. Ultimately, the decision of whether to hire an attorney is a personal one. Consider discussing the case with one of our attorneys at Smith Hulsey Law.

2. Why should you never admit fault?

Accepting fault after a car accident can have serious implications. The other party and their insurance company can use any statement admitting liability. If the case goes to court, the admission of liability may be used as evidence, making it difficult to win. Determining liability after an accident can be complicated and requires an analysis of various factors. It is best to leave the determination of fault to legal professionals and insurance adjusters and refrain from accepting liability at the scene of the crash or during discussions with the insurance companies.

3. How long after an accident can you sue in Georgia?

In Georgia, people have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the driver responsible. The deadline, known as the statute of limitations, requires a personal injury claim to be filed within the applicable timeframe. Those not filing within two years will be barred from seeking compensation. Although there are some exceptions to this rule, it is beneficial to consult a car accident attorney early on to get started on the claim to ensure it is filed within the applicable deadline.

4. How is fault determined in a car accident in Georgia?

Georgia is an at-fault state when it comes to auto accidents. This means that the driver who caused the collision by their negligent conduct is liable for the other driver’s damages. Insurance companies will analyze various factors to determine who is at fault. Some relevant factors in determining fault after a car accident include:

  • A police report
  • Traffic violations
  • Physical evidence
  • Driver negligence
  • Eye witness statements
  • Road and weather conditions
  • Accident reconstruction reports

In some accidents, both drivers may be culpable. Georgia applies a comparative fault approach in these cases, which means that the injured person can recover compensation even if they are partially at fault. Their damages will be reduced based on their respective share of the liability for the crash.

Let Our Gainesville Car Accident Lawyers Fight for You

At Smith Hulsey Law, our attorneys help clients recover as much compensation as possible. We help our clients recover through insurance payments, settlements, or at trial, depending on the facts of the case. We have won damages awards of $12.5 million and $9.2 million for car accident cases. Contact our experienced Gainesville car accident lawyers today to learn how we can fight for you.

Smith Hulsey Law

Smith Hulsey Law
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Gainesville Personal Injury Lawyer

If you were hurt in an accident caused by someone else's negligence, call our former insurance attorneys to help maximize your case's value.

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Ronnie did an excellent job on our car accident, personal injury case. He worked tirelessly from the time we called him soon after the wreck until our case was settled. He made sure all of our needs were taken care of and that we had the best experience possible with all of the things we were going to have to face. He walked us through step by step when necessary and never hesitated to return our calls. Could not have ask for a more caring team. We highly recommend them to anyone that is in an unfortunate situation like we were.

Trina W.