Car accidents lead to thousands of deaths and injuries and extensive property damage every year in Georgia. Data shows that in 2022, on average, five people were killed in car accidents every day. Year after year, car accidents continue to be the second leading cause of injury-related deaths and hospitalizations in the state.
What makes this crisis even more tragic is that most of these accidents are caused by driver negligence – including speeding, distracted driving, and driving under the influence. These actions are entirely avoidable, yet their consequences are often irreversible.
At Miller Injury Trial Law, we believe negligent drivers must face the repercussions of their actions. If you have been injured in a car accident, we are ready to provide with you the legal counsel and guidance you need to hold the at-fault party accountable and recover monetary compensation from them. With in-depth legal knowledge, extensive resources, and a proven track record of success, we are well-equipped to represent you and fight for you.
Call us today at 855-44MILLER to schedule a free consultation with one of our highly rated Chamblee, GA car accident lawyers.
Major Intersections in Chamblee, GA
Intersections are high-risk zones for car accidents due to the convergence of multiple vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists – all with differing right-of-way rules. Factors like complex traffic patterns, driver inattention, and reduced reaction times also tend to increase the risk of collisions in intersections.
Some of the major intersections in Chamblee include:
- Chamblee Tucker Road and Peachtree Road
- Buford Highway and Dresden Road
- Chamblee Dunwoody Road and Peachtree Road
Things You Should “Not” Do After a Chamblee Car Accident
After a car crash in Chamblee, GA, it is important to avoid certain mistakes that could jeopardize your health, your legal rights, and your potential compensation. These include:
Apologizing to the Other Driver
Do not apologize to the other driver at the scene of the accident, even if you think that you were partly responsible for the accident. Statements like “I didn’t see you” or “I’m sorry” can be misconstrued as an admission of liability, even if the other driver was entirely at fault.
Delaying Medical Care
Even if you do not have any visible injuries or feel any pain, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries, like whiplash or internal damage, might not manifest symptoms right away. Delaying treatment could worsen your condition and give the insurance company grounds to argue that your injuries are not serious or were not caused by the accident.
Not Following the Doctor’s Instructions
Once you have sought medical care, it is important to follow your doctor’s treatment plan. Ignoring prescribed therapies, medications, or follow-up visits can hinder your recovery and can also weaken your injury claim. The insurance company might argue that you failed to mitigate the damages and that your injuries might not have been as severe if you had followed the doctor’s instructions.
Giving a Recorded Statement to the Insurance Company
Insurance adjusters might seem friendly, but their goal is to minimize the amount they pay out. Avoid giving recorded statements or providing detailed accounts of the accident without consulting your attorney first. Anything you say could be used against you to deny or reduce your claim.
Posting on Social Media
Avoid sharing details about the accident, your injuries, or even unrelated activities on social media. The insurance company might be monitoring your online presence to find anything they can use to undermine your case. A harmless post of you smiling or engaging in a fun activity could be misrepresented as evidence that you are not truly injured or that your injuries are not as serious as you claim to be.
Can More Than One Party Be Held Liable in a Chamblee, GA Car Accident Claim?
Yes. Depending on the circumstances, more than one party can be held liable for your injuries in a car accident claim. In fact, many car accidents involve multiple factors and parties whose negligence might have contributed to the crash. Identifying all responsible parties is essential to make sure you receive the full compensation you deserve.
For example, in a multi-vehicle crash, two or more drivers can be held liable, if it is revealed that they acted negligently and that each party’s negligence contributed to the accident in its own way. Similarly, if you are hit by a delivery driver, you can hold the driver as well as their employer accountable for your injuries.
Determining liability in car accidents can be complex, especially when multiple parties are involved. At Miller Injury Trial Law, we can conduct a comprehensive investigation into every aspect of your case and carefully analyze police reports, witness statements, and accident reconstruction data to identify all liable parties. By holding everyone accountable, we can recover the maximum compensation you need to recover and move forward.
Why You Should Avoid Direct Negotiations with the Insurance Adjuster
Following a car accident in Chamblee, GA, you might feel tempted to handle the negotiation with the insurance company yourself to speed things up, especially if the adjuster seems friendly. It can prove to be a costly mistake for several reasons. These include:
Unequal Power Dynamic
Insurance adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. Their primary goal is to protect the company’s bottom line by minimizing payouts. They are backed by extensive resources, training, and experience, while you are likely navigating the claims process for the first time. This imbalance puts you at a disadvantage from the start.
Limited Knowledge of Your Legal Rights
Unless you are well-versed in personal injury law, you might not fully understand your legal rights or the true value of your claim. Insurance adjusters often exploit this lack of knowledge by offering low settlements, misrepresenting policy terms, or convincing you to settle quickly before you realize the long-term costs of your injuries.
Adjusters Are Skilled Negotiators
Insurance adjusters are highly skilled and highly trained negotiators who handle claims on a daily basis. They know how to ask leading questions, use your words against you, and present offers that seem fair but are far below what you deserve. Without the same level of expertise, it is easy to fall into their trap and accept a settlement that might not adequately compensate you for all your damages.
The Process Is Time-Consuming and Stressful
Negotiating with an insurance company involves extensive back-and-forth communication, gathering evidence, and responding to requests, all of which can be incredibly stressful, especially while you are recovering from injuries. This added burden can drain your energy and distract you from focusing on your health and well-being.
You Might Undervalue Your Claim
Without professional guidance, it is easy to overlook certain damages like future medical expenses and lost earning capacity or non-economic losses like pain and suffering. The insurance adjuster certainly will not point these out to you and you might end up settling for much less than you are entitled to.
To avoid these risks, you should hire an experienced Georgia personal injury lawyer immediately after the accident and let them handle all communication and negotiations with the insurance company.
If the Police Report Mentions That the Other Driver Caused the Accident, Do I Still Have to Prove Liability?
Yes. While a police report that assigns fault to the other driver can be a strong piece of evidence, it is not the final word when it comes to proving liability in a personal injury claim. Insurance companies and defendants are not bound by the conclusions in a police report and they might challenge its findings to reduce or deny your claim.
Police Reports Can Be Erroneous
Police officers typically write their reports based on the information available to them at the scene of the accident. At that time, they might not have access to all the facts and their conclusions can sometimes be incomplete, biased, or based on inaccurate witness statements. A small error in the report could provide an opening for the other party to dispute their liability.
Defendants May Pick the Report Apart
Insurance companies are skilled at dissecting police reports to find inconsistencies or mistakes. They might argue that the officer’s opinion is not definitive or claim that other evidence contradicts the report’s findings. It’s why you need to have additional evidence to back up your claim, even if the police report supports your claim.
Evidence Needed to Prove Liability of the Other Party in Chamblee, GA Car Accident Cases
- Surveillance Camera Footage: Video recordings from nearby traffic cameras, businesses, or dashcams can provide objective and irrefutable proof of what happened.
- Witness Statements: Testimonies from neutral witnesses can corroborate your account of the accident and help establish the other party’s fault.
- Photographs and Physical Evidence: Pictures of the accident scene, vehicle damage, skid marks, and other relevant details can illustrate how the collision occurred.
- Accident Reconstruction Reports: Professional opinion from accident reconstruction experts can indisputably prove how the accident occurred, which can be used to establish the other party’s fault.
How Our Chamblee, GA Car Accident Attorneys Can Help
At Miller Injury Trial Law, we know that relying solely on a police report is risky – regardless of how comprehensive and accurate it is. It is why we always conduct a thorough investigation to uncover all relevant evidence that proves the defendant’s fault and liability. By building a strong case with multiple layers of support, we can secure the compensation you deserve, even when the other side tries to dispute the facts.
Get Our Proven Chamblee, GA Car Accident Attorneys on Your Side
At Miller Injury Trial Law, we know what kind of impact a car crash can have on you and your family. We have a team of personal injury lawyers who are dedicated to providing you with strong legal representation and protecting your rights.
Call us today at 855-44MILLER or get in touch with us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a member of our legal team.
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