How Can a Car Accident Attorney Help Me?

The goal of any car accident attorney is for you to focus on your physical and mental recovery while they work on your behalf to represent and negotiate your case.

How Much Is a Car Accident Injury Claim Worth?

The amount of compensation you may recover for a car accident claim depends on the seriousness of your injuries and the extent of property damage.

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim?

In Georgia, the statute of limitations to file a claim is two years from the date of the accident. This applies to anyone injured in the crash in addition to the driver. If you were driving a state-owned vehicle, you have one year from the accident date to file.

Effingham County car accident lawyers

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If you have ever been involved in a car accident, you know that it can be an extremely stressful and traumatic experience, particularly if you suffered serious injuries from the crash. While all motorists are expected to obey the rules of the road and avoid dangerous driving behaviors like distracted driving, speeding, and drunk driving, this does not always happen. Even the most responsible driver can be involved in a serious car accident if another motorist is negligent when they are behind the wheel.

If the other driver involved in the accident was at fault, you may be eligible for financial compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit. To recover the maximum damages you deserve and ensure that your legal rights are protected as you navigate the claims process, it is highly recommended that you contact the Effingham County car accident lawyers at your earliest convenience.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents?

Most car accidents can be avoided if motorists obey the rules of the road, pay attention to other drivers in the vicinity, and avoid unsafe, potentially dangerous driving behaviors that can increase the risk of a serious car accident. The following are examples of some of the most common causes of car accidents in Effingham County and across the state of Georgia:

Speeding: Over 20 percent of fatal car accidents in Georgia involve speeding. All motorists must obey the posted speed limits at all times. Driving too fast makes it difficult to slow down or stop in time to avoid hitting another vehicle, cyclist, pedestrian, or object. In addition, the injuries caused by speeding-related car accidents are often much more severe due to the extreme force of impact.
Distracted Driving: This is the leading cause of car accidents across the state. Distracted driving is any activity that takes a motorist’s attention away from the road. The widespread use of smartphones and other electronics has only exacerbated this problem. While talking and texting on smartphones is the primary cause of distracted driving, other distracting behaviors include eating, putting on makeup, reaching for something in the back seat, and interacting with other passengers in the vehicle.
Impaired Driving: Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is another common cause of serious, yet preventable, car accidents. Drugs and alcohol can cause a range of impairments, including reduced coordination, impaired judgment, slower reaction times, and poor decision-making skills. Any driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.8 percent or higher is considered legally impaired. The limit is 0.04 percent for commercial drivers and 0.02 percent for drivers under the age of 21.
Drowsy Driving: While this is not generally considered as serious as drunk driving or distracted driving, it can have devastating consequences, particularly if you have gone without sleep for an extended period of time. Extreme drowsiness can cause many of the same symptoms as drunk driving, including decreased alertness, slower reaction times, and impaired judgment.
Reckless Driving: This is defined as a deliberate disregard for the safety of others and the consequences of your actions while driving. Examples of reckless driving include speeding, tailgating, weaving in and out of lanes, cutting off other drivers, and running through red lights or stop signs.
Inexperience: Newly licensed, inexperienced drivers lack some of the skills necessary to recognize and react to potential hazards, anticipate the actions of other motorists on the road, and respond to changing traffic conditions. Young drivers are also more likely to speed and engage in distracted driving due to peer pressure, overconfidence, and the desire for independence.
Inclement Weather: While you cannot control the weather, you can take the necessary steps to avoid driving altogether or use extreme caution if road conditions are hazardous. Slow down, leave extra following distance, maintain your vehicles, and use headlights and windshield wipers appropriately.

What Steps Do I Take After a Car Accident?

Knowing what to do after a car accident is essential, particularly if serious injuries are involved. Keep the following checklist in mind:

Call 911. Report the accident so that police can arrive at the scene. Notify dispatch if there are injuries so they can also send an ambulance to the scene.
Seek immediate medical attention. Even if your injuries do not seem serious, it is crucial that you are examined by an emergency medical technician (EMT) who can determine the nature of your injury, provide basic treatment, and take you to the nearest emergency room, if necessary. If you fail to get medical attention, an undiagnosed injury could worsen. This can also have a negative impact on your claim if you plan to seek compensation by filing a personal injury claim.
Collect evidence. Take pictures of the damage to your vehicle, your injuries, skid marks or debris on the road, and any other pictures that can help prove fault.
Exchange information. Share driver’s license numbers, license plate numbers, contact information, and insurance information with the other driver. Do not say anything that could be interpreted as admitting fault. This can be used against you and impact the outcome of your claim.
Contact an experienced car accident lawyer. The Effingham County car accident lawyers will protect your legal rights, assist you with every step of the claims process, and recover the damages you are entitled to.

How Do I Prove that the Other Driver Was at Fault?

To secure the financial compensation you deserve, you will need to prove that the other driver was at fault. The more evidence you can collect, the more likely you will be able to prove fault. The following are examples of evidence that can help you do this:

Photos from the accident scene.
Statements from eyewitnesses who saw the accident happen.
A copy of the police report that identifies the at-fault driver.
Footage from dashboard cameras, traffic cameras, or other video surveillance.
Phone records, which can help prove distracted driving if the records show the other driver was talking or texting at the time of the accident.

How Can Kicklighter Law Help Me with My Effingham County Car Accident Case?

Hiring a car accident lawyer may not be necessary if you are involved in a minor fender-bender and there were no injuries and only minimal property damage. However, contacting the Effingham County car accident lawyer at Kicklighter Law is highly recommended if you suffer serious injuries.

We will collect evidence, interview witnesses, consult with doctors and other healthcare professionals about your injuries and treatment, communicate with the insurance company on your behalf, and negotiate the best possible settlement outcome.