Types of Car Accidents Attorney in Georgia

Car accidents come in many different types. They range from rear-end collisions to T-bone crashes and from fender-benders to severe multi-car pileups. The specific nature and circumstances of a crash can affect everything from the type of injuries that victims suffer to those who might be responsible for compensating them. As such, it’s important to work with a law firm that’s seen it all and knows how to use what they’ve learned about different types of accidents to your advantage.

At Bayuk Pratt, our attorneys have over 50 years of combined legal experience and have recovered over $300 million for our clients to date. As former senior partners at top defense law firms, founders Frank Bayuk and Bradley Pratt have in-depth insight into how insurance companies fight a broad range of car accident claims. Today, we use these insights to give our clients an advantage in the court and during settlement negotiations.

Did a drunk driver run a red light and T-bone your car? Did a careless motorist sideswipe you while they were trying to merge? Or were you hurt in some other type of collision altogether? If so, you know where to turn to for experienced guidance and time-tested advocacy. Contact Bayuk Pratt today, and let’s discuss your case during a free, no-obligation consultation.

Benefits of Hiring an Attorney for Your Car Accident Claim

Recovering from a devastating car crash can take up much of your time and energy, which can make it challenging to pursue insurance or legal claims at the same time. When you hire a car accident attorney from Bayuk Pratt for your case, you’ll benefit from a knowledgeable, dedicated advocate who can pursue your claims while you focus on your medical treatment and rehabilitation.

Our firm will fight to secure the financial resources you need to recover from a car accident by:

• Investigating the crash to recover evidence, such as accident scene photos and videos, witness statements, camera footage, and police crash reports
• Reviewing the evidence to understand the type of accident involved and determine who bears responsibility for the crash
• Evaluating your options for obtaining financial recovery, including identifying available insurance coverage
• Documenting your injuries and losses so that we pursue maximum financial recovery for your ongoing and future losses or needs
• Filing your claims and negotiating with insurance adjusters and defense attorneys
• Vigorously pursuing full compensation for you through a settlement or, if necessary, by taking your case to trial

What Compensation Could I Be Entitled to in an Auto Accident?

If someone else caused the accident you were involved in, they could owe you compensation for the following losses:

• Medical treatment and rehabilitation expenses, including hospitalization, surgeries, pain management care, medical/orthopedic equipment purchases, and physical/occupational therapy
• Long-term disability care and replacement services
• Loss of wages/income if you need to take time off work or transfer to a lower-paying role due to medical restrictions
• Loss of future earning capacity and employment benefits if you become disabled from working
• Physical pain and emotional distress
• Reduced quality of life caused by disabilities or disfigurement/scarring
• Car repair bills or reimbursement for your car’s value if the accident totaled it

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Injury Lawsuit in Georgia?

Under the statute of limitations in Georgia, you typically have two years to file a lawsuit against any at-fault parties. However, certain things can shorten or lengthen this time period, and you may have other obligations to meet.

For example, suppose the car accident involved a state vehicle or government employee driving for work. You may have a legal claim against the state government, which means you must file notice of your claim within 12 months of the accident.

Don’t risk having your case dismissed because you waited too long to file. Talk to a car accident lawyer from Bayuk Pratt as soon as possible so that we can file your claims on time.

What Are the Most Common Types of Car Accidents in Georgia?

Motor vehicle collisions are wide ranging. Some of the more common types of car accidents in Georgia are as follows:

• Head-On Collisions – A head-on collision may cause more severe injuries than other types of car accidents due to the combined forces involved when two vehicles collide directly into one another. These crashes typically occur when a driver drifts over the center line, travels the wrong way, or turns left in front of an approaching vehicle.
• Rear-End Accidents – A rear-end accident, which involves the front of one vehicle striking the back of another, typically happens at intersections or in heavy traffic due to speeding or distracted driving. This leaves drivers unable to brake and stop for traffic ahead of them. They can cause facial, chest, and neck injuries, as the force of the collision causes vehicle occupants’ heads and bodies to snap back and forth. Whiplash is among the most common injuries in these accidents.
• Sideswipe Accidents – A sideswipe accident involves the sides of two adjacent vehicles hitting each other. These typically occur when a driver tries to change lanes without signaling or checking mirrors and collides with a vehicle next to them.
• Left-Turn Accidents – A left-turn accident occurs when a driver runs a red light or fails to yield the right of way to an approaching vehicle from the opposite direction. These accidents can also occur when drivers fail to signal their left turns.
• T-Bone Accidents – A T-bone or side-impact collision occurs when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another. T-bone accidents typically occur when drivers run red lights or stop signs, try to beat a yellow light, or otherwise enter an intersection with cross-traffic that has the right of way.
• Intersection Collisions – Common intersection accidents include left-turn accidents, T-bone accidents, rear-end collisions, bicycle accidents, and pedestrian collisions.
• Multi-Vehicle Accidents and Pileups – A multiple-vehicle collision can lead to complex car accident cases due to the number of injured parties and disputes over fault for the crash.
• Single-Vehicle Accidents – Approximately one-quarter of all injury crashes involve a single vehicle. Passengers may have the right to pursue financial recovery from their driver after a single-vehicle accident. Drivers may also have a compensation claim if the accident occurs due to a design or manufacturing defect in their car.
• Highway Accidents – Accidents on highways or freeways typically involve more severe injuries due to higher speed limits.
• Uber/Lyft Accidents – Accidents involving rideshare vehicles can involve complex legal issues. While Uber and Lyft do not employ their drivers and are therefore not directly liable for their actions, Georgia law requires rideshare companies and drivers to carry at least $300,000 in liability insurance per accident.
• Uninsured Accidents – Georgia requires drivers to carry liability insurance coverage. However, some drivers do not purchase insurance or let their coverage lapse. People injured by an uninsured motorist may have the option of turning to their insurance company for uninsured motorist coverage.
• Hit-and-Run Accidents – The law requires drivers to stop at the scene of a collision, exchange information with the other parties involved in the crash, and assist injured people. A hit-and-run accident is one in which a driver fails to meet this duty with potentially disastrous consequences. Victims may be forced to turn to their own insurance for coverage.
• Merging Accidents – Merging accidents can occur when drivers fail to follow right-of-way rules when changing lanes or entering a freeway or traffic circle. Accidents may also occur due to aggressive driving and failing to use a “zipper” method to merge traffic.
• Low-Speed Accidents – Low-speed accidents can occur in parking lots, garages, and gated communities where vehicles typically travel at 20 miles per hour or less. Low-speed accidents can cause injuries such as sprains and strains or herniated disc injuries.
• Blind Spot Accidents – All vehicles have blind spots that create areas which a driver cannot easily see. When drivers fail to check their blind spots before turning or changing lanes, they risk colliding with road users hidden from their view.
• Rollover Accidents – A rollover accident involves a car flipping onto its side or roof or tumbling over multiple times before stopping. Rollover accidents can cause severe or life-threatening injuries, including head, brain, neck, and spinal injuries. They may occur when a car gets clipped by another vehicle at high speeds or when a car strikes a hazard and “trips” over it.

What Are Common Injuries Caused in Car Accidents?

Depending on the type of car crash in question, victims might suffer common injuries like the following: