Side-impact accidents on the roads of Georgia may seem to be less serious than other types of car accidents. The truth is that Gautreaux Law has represented many side-swipe accident victims throughout the state in need of significant compensation. They suffer all manner of injuries and sometimes fatalities, just like victims of head-on and other types of crashes.
If you or someone you love has been harmed in a side-impact accident, don’t despair. Our experienced Georgia car accident lawyers will work vigorously to recover the funds you need to get better. Call our office for a free consultation and learn how Gautreaux Law can help.
Who’s to blame for Georgia side-impact accidents?
In Georgia, car accident cases are settled using at-fault rules. The victim must prove that the other driver or some other party was negligent or reckless in order to receive compensation. They must also prove that the driver’s negligence or recklessness was the cause of the accident and their injuries and losses.
Proving Fault
As you might imagine, proving fault can sometimes be a challenge in side-impact accident cases. Attorneys in these cases must work diligently to gather proper proof of fault, such as proof of:
- Improper lane changes
- Following too closely
- Drowsy driving
- Driving while distracted
- Driving while under the influence
- Driving an unsafe vehicle
Each of these and other types of negligent and reckless driving commonly lead to side-impact crashes. To prove that they were the cause of your accident, your attorney will pursue hard evidence in the form of:
- Traffic cam footage
- Dashcam footage
- Social media footage and posts
- Witness testimony
- Police accident reports
- Medical records
- Accident reconstruction reports
- Auto shop reports of damage
Once they have sufficient evidence of negligence, they can comfortably approach the insurance company handling the claim and demand damages.
Gautreaux Law Car Accident Attorneys Fight Hard for Your Damages
Side-impact accident victims are entitled to pursue a variety of damages to deal with their economic and non-economic losses.
If you have been hurt in a side-impact crash, your accident attorney will meticulously calculate each category of damages owed to you. With an attorney from Gautreaux Law on your side, you never have to worry about leaving any compensation on the table.
Available damages in side-impact car accident cases include compensation for:
- Your medical care and treatment costs
- Lost income or wages caused by your injuries
- Expenses incurred from hiring homecare workers
- Pain and suffering
- Physical impairment
- Loss of consortium
In the unfortunate case of a fatality, certain loved ones of the victim are permitted to seek wrongful death damages. Wrongful death damages include the full value of the decedent’s life, funeral and medical expenses, and compensation for pain and suffering and other intangible harms.
Timing Issues in Georgia Car Accident Cases
If you have been harmed in a side-impact accident (or any other type of accident), you are strongly advised to take swift legal action for compensation. When it comes to personal injury cases and compensation, the sooner you seek legal representation, the more optimal position you are likely to be in.
Statute of Limitations
Statutes of limitations are time limits that govern many legal actions. In car accident cases, the time limit is generally two years from the date of the accident, but each case is unique and must be analyzed individually to determine all applicable deadlines. Once the statute of limitations has expired, the victim loses their right to compensation. For this reason, swift action is essential for car accidents and other types of personal injury claims.
Evidence Issues
Failing to act quickly can lead to serious evidence problems and shortfalls. In most cases, evidence is most optimally collected as soon after an incident as possible. The more time that passes after an incident, the more problematic evidence can become.
For example, witness testimony becomes more unreliable the more time that passes after an occurrence. It should be memorialized as soon as possible. Video footage is also susceptible to issues with the passage of time. Traffic cam and other types of footage are routinely deleted after a certain period of time.
How Our Car Accident Lawyers Can Help
A lot goes into a successful car accident claim. Insurance companies and defendants’ attorneys require strong proof of fault and fight tooth and nail at every turn to pay less than what they owe. Your attorney will do what it takes to hold the insurance company accountable for damages owed, including:
- Thoroughly investigating the side-impact accident
- Meticulously gathering evidence
- Ensuring all paperwork and documents are properly drafted, completed, and filed
- Vigorously negotiating with insurance companies for proper compensation
- Filing a lawsuit to compel payment
- Representing you in mediation or at trial
You deserve to have your injuries compensated appropriately and not with low-ball insurance company compensation offers. With a lawyer fighting for you, you have a much greater chance of getting what you deserve.
Contact Gautreaux Law for Help With Car Accident Compensation Today
If you are facing injuries and losses from a side-swipe accident, you don’t have to worry about fighting for the compensation you deserve. Gautreaux Law is here to fight for you. Contact our team for a free consultation.