Cartersville Car Accident Lawyers

Common Types of Car Accidents

A car accident is an incident involving one or more automobiles that results in damage to property, injury, or loss of life. These accidents occur for various reasons and can have varying degrees of severity.

Common types of car accidents include:

• Rear-End Collision: This happens when one vehicle collides with the rear end of another, often due to sudden stops or distracted driving.
• Head-On Collision: In this type of accident, two vehicles collide front to front, which can lead to severe injuries and fatalities.
• T-Bone or Side-Impact Collision: These accidents occur when one vehicle strikes another on its side, often at intersections. They can result in serious injuries, especially for passengers on the impacted side.
• Sideswipe Collision: This happens when two vehicles are traveling parallel and make contact along their sides, often while changing lanes.
• Multi-Vehicle Pileup: Also known as a chain reaction accident, this type occurs when several vehicles are involved in a series of collisions. These often occur on highways during adverse weather conditions or due to low visibility.
• Single-Vehicle Accident: This involves only one vehicle and typically occurs when a driver loses control and runs off the road, hits a stationary object, or overturns.
• Rollover Accident: This occurs when a vehicle flips over onto its side or roof. It is more common in SUVs, trucks, and vehicles with a high center of gravity.
• Hit and Run: A hit-and-run accident occurs when one party involved in the accident leaves the scene without identifying themselves or providing assistance.
• Pedestrian or Bicycle Accident: These accidents involve a vehicle colliding with a pedestrian or cyclist. They often result in serious injuries or fatalities, as vulnerable road users lack the protection of a vehicle. 

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Car accidents can be caused by a wide range of factors, many of which can be attributed to driver behavior and decisions. 

Here are common causes of car accidents:

• Driver Distraction: Activities like texting, talking on the phone, eating, or adjusting the radio can divert a driver's attention from the road.
• Speeding: Exceeding the posted speed limits or driving too fast for road and weather conditions reduces a driver's reaction time and increases the severity of accidents.
• Driving Under the Influence: Alcohol or drug impairment can significantly reduce a driver's coordination, judgment, and reaction times.
• Driver Fatigue: Drowsy driving can impair a driver's alertness and decision-making, leading to accidents.
• Failure to Yield the Right of Way: Failing to yield to other vehicles at intersections or while merging can result in accidents.
• Unsafe or Illegal Turns: Making abrupt or illegal turns without signaling can cause accidents, especially at intersections.
• Unlawful Passing: Passing without using proper lanes, signaling, or when it's unsafe to do so can lead to accidents.
• Reckless or Aggressive Driving: Behaviors such as tailgating, road rage, and weaving in and out of traffic can provoke accidents and endanger others.
• Road Rage: Extreme anger or frustration while driving can lead to aggressive behaviors that escalate to accidents or confrontations.
• Traffic Law Violations: Ignoring traffic signals, running red lights, and failing to stop at stop signs can result in accidents.
• Mechanical Failures: Vehicle malfunctions such as brake failure, tire blowouts, engine problems, and more can lead to accidents.
• Poor Road Conditions: Factors like potholes, lack of proper signage, slippery roads, or construction zones can contribute to accidents.
• Adverse Weather: Rain, snow, ice, fog, and other weather conditions reduce visibility and make roads slippery, increasing the risk of accidents.
• Wildlife or Animals: Collisions with animals, such as deer, can lead to accidents, especially in areas where wildlife crossings are common.
• Inexperienced Drivers: Novice drivers, including teenagers, are more likely to be involved in accidents due to their limited experience and tendency to make errors.
• Elderly Drivers: Older drivers may have diminished vision, hearing, and reaction times, making them more susceptible to accidents.
• Inadequate Vehicle Maintenance: Neglecting vehicle maintenance, like worn-out brakes or bald tires, can lead to accidents due to equipment failure.
• Distracted Pedestrians or Cyclists: Pedestrians or cyclists who are not paying attention to their surroundings can contribute to accidents involving vehicles.
• Debris on the Road: Objects, debris, or cargo that fall onto the road can create hazards and potentially cause accidents.

Who Is Responsible for Damages After a Car Accident in Georgia?

Under Georgia’s traditional fault-based car insurance system, the person or party that caused the accident is typically the one responsible for paying the victim’s damages. Most often, another driver is liable.

Georgia follows a modified comparative fault system. This means that if you are partially at fault for the accident, your compensation will be reduced in proportion to your level of fault. If you are found to be 50% or more at fault for the accident, you may not be eligible to recover any compensation.

Typically, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit and four years for property damage claims. If you fail to file your lawsuit within these timeframes, you may lose your right to seek compensation through the court.

At Perrotta, Lamb & Johnson, LLC, our Cartersville car accident lawyers work with accident reconstructionists and other experts to fully investigate our clients’ claims. By carefully reviewing how the accident occurred, we are able to accurately identify the liable party and bring a powerful, evidence-based claim on your behalf.

What to Do If You Are Involved in an Accident 

If you are involved in any type of motor vehicle accident, whether relatively minor or catastrophic, there are certain steps you can and should take to protect yourself, your rights, and your future recovery.

To the best of your ability, try to do the following after an auto accident: 

• Get to a Place of Safety: First and foremost, make sure that you are not in further danger of being hit by oncoming traffic after the crash. If you can, remove yourself from immediate danger and get to a place of safety, but avoid moving your vehicle if possible.
• Seek Medical Attention: Check yourself and others for injuries. If necessary, call 911 and wait for paramedics to arrive. Do not try to move anyone who appears gravely injured unless they are in immediate and imminent danger. If you must move someone, do so extremely carefully. 
• Call the Police: Call 911 or local law enforcement and have the police come out to the scene of the accident. In Georgia, you are required to report any motor vehicle accident resulting in injury, death, or property damage amounting to more than $500.
• File a Police Report: When the police come to the scene, you should file an official accident report. Be honest about what happened, but avoid admitting fault or making any statements that could be construed as admitting fault. You should also ask for a copy of the report. 
• Exchange Information with the Other Driver: If you are able to, you should exchange information with the other involved driver(s). This includes exchanging names, contact information, and insurance information. 
• Document the Scene: Using your cellphone, take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to your vehicle. You should also preserve evidence, such as torn or bloodied clothing, and get the names and contact information of any witnesses to the crash.
• Notify Your Insurance Company: You are likely required to report the accident to your own auto insurance provider. Depending on the specific language of your insurance policy, you may have just several days to a couple of weeks at most to report the crash. 
• Follow Your Doctor’s Orders: For your own health and continued wellbeing, you should follow all of your doctor’s recommendations and orders. Additionally, this helps prove the validity and severity of your injuries for your future personal injury claim. 
• Avoid Speaking to the Other Insurance Company: You should avoid talking to any adjusters from the other person’s insurance company. NEVER make any official statements, sign anything, or agree to a settlement before first speaking to an attorney.
• Call a Car Accident Lawyer: Reach out to an experienced attorney as soon as possible after the accident to protect your right to a full and fair settlement. Your attorney can communicate with the insurance company on your behalf and, if necessary, represent you in court.

When you contact our Cartersville car accident lawyers after a serious crash, we will immediately take steps to protect you and your rights. We are prepared to handle every legal detail so that you can focus on your physical and emotional recovery.

Let the Perrotta, Lamb & Johnson, LLC team help you get back on your feet after a serious motor vehicle crash. Get in touch with us today to learn how we can help you fight for the maximum compensation you are owed. In addition to representing injured auto accident victims, we also represent the families of those killed in fatal motor vehicle collisions in Cartersville, Bartow County, and all of Georgia and the South.

Call our office at (770) 637-7603 or contact us online to get started. Hablamos español.