It happens more often than you would think: a motorist drives through a perfectly safe intersection and gets struck by a reckless driver who ignored a traffic signal. An accident like this can cause injuries and damages that can take months or years for a full recovery.
Thankfully, an Athens red light accident lawyer from our firm can help you move past your crash with the guidance and support you need. We’ll work with you to prove the other driver’s negligence when running a red light and get you as much compensation as possible.
What Should I Do After a Red Light Accident?
Being in a car crash is disorienting and scary. The first thing you should do is make sure you’re okay. Go to the doctor, even if you don’t think you’ve been injured.
After you know you’re safe, take as many pictures of your car, the other driver’s car, and the scene of the collision as possible. Write down what happened while the memory is still fresh in your mind. Your lawyer will need as much evidence as possible for your case.
The next thing to do is file a police report. Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) § 40-6-273 requires you to file a report if the damage exceeds $500. However, you should file a police report any time you plan on making a claim.
Once you’re ready to go forward with your claim, get in touch with a red light car accident lawyer in Athens from our firm. We’ll help handle your case with the insurance company.
Get the strong arm
Is it Worth It to Hire a Lawyer for My Accident?
Even if your accident was not major, there can still be aspects of your case that warrant hiring a lawyer. Insurance adjusters and other parties may want to convince you to reduce a settlement or not pursue a claim at all. An attorney who is on your side can help you navigate the tricky legal repercussions of your crash.
Our law offices offer free initial consultations. Even if you’re not sure if you have a solid case, we can assess your situation. We can let you know what your next steps should be.
How an Athens Red Light Accident Attorney Can Help
Once you get a free consultation with our red light accident lawyers in Athens, we’ll assess your situation and get to work.
Gathering Evidence and Determining Liability
The first step in the process of your settlement is making it clear that your red light crash was not your fault. We will look at the crash scene, review witness testimony, and investigate driving records to prove that the other driver was at fault.
In Georgia, the amount of compensation you recover depends on how much liability you had in the accident. OCGA § 51-12-33 states that whatever percentage of fault you have can be deducted from your settlement. That’s why you should have an experienced attorney by your side to prove the other driver’s negligence.
Calculating Your Damages and Negotiating With the Insurance Company
There can be serious expenses associated with a traffic light accident. If someone crashes into you, it can mean property damage, medical expenses, and even wrongful death. An Athens red light accident attorney can tally up the expenses you’ve already paid, as well as what you’re likely to pay in the future, so you can recover the damages you deserve.
Insurance companies want to pay out as little as possible, so even when they know how much compensation you can get, they’ll still try to reduce your settlement. They can do that by tricking or bullying you so you have to accept less than you’re owed. Our attorneys have the knowledge necessary to keep you from being taken advantage of.
Fighting for You in Court
It’s unlikely that your case will go to trial. In most cases, the at-fault party will be willing to settle outside of court. In the event that they don’t, though, one of our Athens red light accident attorneys will represent you.
What Damages Can You Recover from Your Athens Car Accident Case?
Being in an auto accident can be scary and painful. The last thing that you need is the worry of how you’re going to pay for the damage. If someone else was at fault for your crash, you stand to receive compensation. Damages in a red light accident lawsuit can include:
- Medical bills
- Ongoing care
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Punitive damages
When you get a free consultation at our law offices, one of our personal injury attorneys can assess your situation and tell you what you stand to recover from your claim.
When Should I Call a Red Light Accident Lawyer in Athens?
In Georgia, you have two years to take action on your personal injury case. That’s the statute of limitations, according to OCGA § 9-3-33. That doesn’t mean you should wait two years, though.
It’s important to contact one of our red light accident attorneys in Athens as soon as possible. Our lawyers need to gather evidence to prove fault, which means we need to get to work on your case while the incident is still fresh. Plus, you don’t need the stress of medical bills piling up.
Talk to a Red Light Accident Attorney in Athens Today
If you’ve been injured in a crash where the other driver failed to heed a traffic light, you shouldn’t be responsible for paying all of your expenses. The negligent driver should be held accountable. A red light accident lawyer in Athens can help with your accident claim.
Our team of car crash attorneys is standing by 24/7 to help you with your claim. Contact John Foy & Associates today for your free consultation.
706-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
