If you were injured in a car accident in Jonesboro, GA, you deserve to understand your legal rights. Was the accident someone else’s fault? You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, trauma, pain, and more. An experienced Jonesboro car accident lawyer at Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers can help you fight for every dollar you deserve.
Between us, our lawyers have over 75 years of experience in personal injury law. Since we founded our law firm in 2019, we’ve recovered over $250 million in settlements and verdicts for our injured clients.
Today, we’re ready to stand up to the insurance companies on your behalf. To learn more about the benefits of legal representation, contact our law offices serving Jonesboro, Georgia, or call (404) 255-9000 to schedule a free consultation.
How Can Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers Help Me Recover Compensation After a Car Accident Injury in Jonesboro?
After a serious car wreck, you’ll need money to cover your losses. The road to recovery can be long. Many crash victims miss time at work and lose money when they need it the most. If you were injured due to someone else’s carelessness, you deserve to be compensated.
Filing a claim with insurance is almost always the first step toward recovering that compensation. Unfortunately, don’t expect that filing a claim will automatically guarantee you a fair settlement. The insurance company might deny responsibility, blame you for the crash, or even claim that something else caused your injuries.
Our experienced Jonesboro personal injury attorneys have a record of successfully advocating for accident victims like you.
When you hire Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers to handle your case, you can count on us to:
- Provide personalized support and guidance at every stage of the process
- Conduct our own investigation into the crash
- Analyze all available evidence as we build your case
- Determine the exact cause of the crash
- Identify all sources of insurance coverage and compensation
- Protect you when the insurance company claims the crash was your fault
- Bring in experts who can help prove causation and establish your case value
- Reject any lowball settlement offers and negotiate for a full settlement
- File a lawsuit and advocate for you in the courtroom if necessary
Car crashes happen every day. You deserve a Jonesboro personal injury lawyer who will work tirelessly to help you get the money you need and deserve. For more details about how we can help, call to schedule your free consultation today.
Why Should I Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
If you’re fortunate, you probably don’t have much experience with the insurance claims process. Insurance companies know that. An experienced car accident lawyer will prevent them from taking advantage of you.
When crash victims represent themselves, they tend to take home less money than those with an experienced attorney.
That’s because:
- Experienced lawyers have the resources to stand up to insurance companies with deep pockets. The insurance company has the resources to fight your claim. Your lawyer will force them to take your claim seriously
- Others will try to blame you for causing the accident, even if there isn’t proof. Your attorney will stop them from getting away with it
- Your attorney will have access to expert witnesses who can testify about complicated aspects of your case
- After a serious injury, you need time to rest. Your attorney will handle the legal issues while you focus on healing
You don’t have to handle your car accident claim on your own. Most personal injury law firms offer free case reviews if you have questions about your legal options. Call a lawyer in Jonesboro for help with your case today.
How Much Compensation Can I Recover by Filing a Car Accident Claim?
It’s impossible to predict the value of any personal injury case without a detailed understanding of the facts. All cases are unique. Even when victims are injured in similar types of car crashes, their injuries and losses will never be exactly the same.
You deserve an attorney who will take the time to evaluate all relevant factors in the valuation process, including:
- The type of injuries you have suffered
- The severity of your injuries and your prognosis for making a full recovery
- How much you have spent on medical treatment to date
- The cost of anticipated future medical care, physical therapy, nursing care, and more
- The value of your lost income during recovery
- Whether a long-term disability is expected to diminish your future earning capacity
- How the injury has damaged your quality of life
- Changes you’ve made to your lifestyle due to the injury
- The nature of the at-fault party’s acts
- Whether the other side can prove you share any blame
Every dollar counts when you’re struggling with a serious injury. Unfortunately, insurance companies often try to tempt accident victims with settlement offers that don’t fully account for their losses.
An experienced lawyer can offer more details about how much you deserve in a free case review. That way, you can be confident that you’re getting the full compensation you need.
How Long Do I Have To File a Personal Injury Lawsuit After a Car Accident in Georgia?
Under Georgia law, you have two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit. This deadline is called the statute of limitations. After the statute of limitations expires, you lose your right to pursue compensation from the responsible parties.
There are exceptions for rare cases. While it’s possible that you might have more time, you could have even less time to take legal action. Consulting a lawyer soon after your injury is always a good idea. The sooner they start investigating, the stronger the evidence will likely be.
What Types of Damages Can I Recover in a Car Accident Lawsuit?
The compensation you recover by filing a car accident claim is called “damages.” The types of damages you’ll receive are directly related to the types of losses you have sustained.
In Georgia, you can seek compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages. In rare cases, courts may award punitive damages.
What Are Economic Damages in Georgia?
Economic damages are your financial losses. If your case is successful, you should recover compensation to cover any expense related to the accident and injury.
That includes:
- Current medical bills, such as ER visits, surgeries, hospitalization, medications, medical devices, and follow-up doctor’s visits
- Reasonably anticipated future medical expenses
- Rehabilitation
- Skilled nursing care
- In-home assistance
- Lost wages during recovery
- Lost future earning potential
- Vehicle repair costs
- Other types of property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses include childcare, increased transportation, household assistance, and more
Of course, it’s important to keep any receipts and records that are related to the accident. The insurance company will want to see proof of all expenses you have incurred before they hand over a fair check.
What Are Non-Economic Damages in Georgia?
Non-economic damages are much more subjective. These damages compensate for your personal losses, meaning things money can’t buy.
Examples include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Anxiety disorders
- Depression
- PTSD
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Humiliation
- Loss of consortium and damage to relationships
Having an experienced attorney in your corner can be key to recovering the full value of these non-financial losses. Lawyers know how much juries are likely to award. We also have experts who can testify about the nature of your losses and the likely impact on your future.
When Are Punitive Damages Available?
While rare, punitive damages are available if the court believes the defendant deserves punishment. When the at-fault party in your case acted intentionally or with gross disregard for your safety, punitive damages can be used both to punish them and to deter others from committing similar acts.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Most car accident lawyers in Jonesboro work on a contingency fee basis. Your attorney’s fees are “contingent” on the amount of compensation you receive. Instead of paying upfront fees, you agree to pay a percentage of your settlement or verdict.
This allows accident victims to hire quality lawyers without worrying about hourly fees or large upfront retainers. It’s also important because if, for some reason, your lawyer doesn’t win money for you, you won’t have to worry about paying attorney’s fees.
What Happens to My Compensation Award if I’m Partly Responsible for Causing a Car Accident in Jonesboro?
The State of Georgia is a modified comparative negligence state. That means it is possible that you could lose your right to compensation if you share too much blame for an auto accident. It also means that you don’t automatically lose your right to damages if you share some blame.
After a crash, liability will be divided between all parties who share some responsibility. After reviewing and analyzing the evidence, each party is assigned a percentage of fault. You lose your right to damages once your percentage reaches 50% or higher.
Even if your percentage of fault is less than 50%, you’ll lose part of your compensation. Your settlement or verdict is reduced by your degree of fault. So, if you were 30% responsible, you’re only entitled to 70% of your compensation award.
Take allegations like these seriously. While blaming the victim is a common tactic, it’s also one that often succeeds. If you’re being blamed, call an experienced lawyer who knows how to defend you.
Will My Car Accident Case Go to Trial?
It’s unlikely that your case will proceed to trial. Skilled lawyers know how to convince the insurance company to be reasonable and have the tools to locate strong evidence. However, sometimes, filing a lawsuit may be in your best interest.
Some reasons why your case might go to trial include:
- Shared fault is a legitimate issue
- You want to gain a sense of justice in a public forum
- The insurance company refuses to negotiate in good faith for a full settlement
- Serious disputes over liability exist
While most cases do settle out of court, it’s always important to hire an attorney who has a track record of success at trial. If the insurance company knows your lawyer isn’t successful at trial, they won’t have a strong motivation to negotiate a fair deal.
The reverse is also true; insurance companies notice when the accident victim has a strong trial attorney on their side. That fact alone could lead to a better outcome for your case.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident in Jonesboro?
Your acts after a car crash can significantly impact your future. Failing to seek medical attention quickly can cause your condition to worsen. It can also make proving that the crash caused your injuries much more difficult.
Aside from seeking prompt medical care, here are some steps you can take to protect yourself:
- Remain calm and stay at the crash scene. If possible, you can move the vehicles to a safe place nearby. However, leaving the scene of a crash is a crime in Georgia, so always remain close to the accident scene.
- Call 911 to report the accident and request an ambulance if necessary. The police will also prepare a police report with details about the crash
- Use your smartphone and take photos and videos of the crash scene, vehicle damage, and any obvious injuries
- Once the police officer arrives, be polite, but avoid apologizing or accepting blame. Any of your statements will be documented and could hurt your right to recover compensation in the future
- Exchange contact information and insurance details with the at-fault driver
- If any witnesses stopped to help, obtain their contact information
- Avoid social media posts. The insurance companies can use those posts to minimize your compensation award
Contact a lawyer if you suffered injuries in the crash. Your lawyer can start evaluating your case from the beginning and preserve evidence to establish your right to compensation.
We Handle All Types of Car Accident Claims in Jonesboro
The relevant legal issues you’ll encounter often depend on the type of car accident involved. It’s important to hire a lawyer who has experience winning cases similar to yours.
At Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers, our Jonesboro car accident attorneys have the experience to handle any type of car accident case. Over the years, we’ve seen it all.
Some examples of the types of car accident claims we handle include:
Rear-End Crashes
Rear-end collisions are extremely common. Tailgating, speeding, and driver distraction can all contribute to a rear-end crash. While the driver in the rear is often responsible, liability isn’t automatic. Our experienced attorneys in Jonesboro can help you locate the evidence you need to prove your case.
Speeding Accidents
Over 8,700 people were injured in accidents involving speeding in Georgia during 2023. Exceeding the speed limit can be extremely dangerous, and doing so makes it much more difficult for drivers to react in time to prevent accidents.
If you were involved in an accident and the other driver was speeding, our lawyers are here to fight for you. Contact us today for a free case evaluation.
Intersection Accidents
Accidents happen at intersections all the time. Maybe a driver was speeding to “beat” a yellow light and t-boned you. Intersection accidents also often cause serious and life-threatening injuries for pedestrians and bicyclists.
If you were injured at an intersection in Jonesboro, call today for a free consultation with a lawyer who can help.
Highway Accidents
Highway accidents can be severe. Often, high speeds and multiple vehicles are involved. When multiple parties are involved, expect that those responsible will try to blame someone else for causing the crash. Our lawyers can help you sort through the details and locate the evidence to prove you deserve compensation.
Motorcycle Accidents
Accidents involving motorcycles can be incredibly dangerous. Even when the rider was wearing a helmet, injuries are likely to be severe. That means the insurance company will fight even harder to avoid a fair settlement. Contact our Jonesboro motorcycle accident lawyers for assistance today if you were involved in an accident.
Fatal Accidents
Losing a loved one in a preventable car accident is an unbearable experience. As a surviving family member, you have the right to take legal action to protect your family. However, winning fair compensation can be even more difficult because the victim is not here to tell their side of the story. Our wrongful death attorneys are here to stand up and help you fight for justice.
Additional Practice Areas
Our lawyers also handle car crash claims involving:
- Head-on collisions
- Rollovers
- Sideswipe accidents
- T-bone accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Multiple vehicle crashes and pile-ups
- Single-vehicle accidents
- Rideshare accidents involving Uber or Lyft
- Truck accidents involving big rigs, semi-trucks and 18-wheelers
- Commercial vehicle accidents
- Distracted driving accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Accidents involving uninsured or underinsured motorists
- Hit-and-run accidents
Regardless of the facts, our lawyers are ready to step up and fight for you. If you or a loved one were injured in Jonesboro, reach out to schedule your free initial consultation today. There’s never any obligation to hire us.
Who Can Be Held Liable for My Car Accident Injuries?
All parties to an accident can be held liable for damages.
Depending on the circumstances, examples of responsible parties may include:
- Negligent drivers
- Trucking companies and employers of negligent drivers who were on the job
- Government agencies
- Negligent passengers
- Pedestrians or bicyclists
- Motorcyclists
- The manufacturer of a defective vehicle or safety equipment
It’s always possible that multiple parties could share fault for the same accident. If that’s the case, more than one party could owe you compensation.
Common Types of Car Accident Injuries
Car crashes always have the potential to cause serious injuries. Even if you’re lucky enough to walk away from a crash, any type of injury can seriously disrupt your life.
Some common examples of car accident injuries include:
- Facial injuries
- Whiplash
- Deep cuts and lacerations
- Chest injuries and other airbag injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Joint injuries
- Dislocations
- Eye injuries
- Burns
- Nerve damage
- Soft tissue damage
- Concussions and other kinds of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Our attorneys are prepared to help you fight to recover compensation for all of your losses. Even if you’re still recovering from your injuries, contact an attorney who can protect your interests as soon as possible.
What Are Some of the Most Common Causes of Car Accidents?
Car accidents can happen for many different reasons. Human error is the root cause of most crashes. Identifying the precise cause of your crash can be critical to recovering compensation from the at-fault parties.
Some of the most common causes of car crashes in Jonesboro include:
- Speeding
- Ignoring stop signs and other traffic signs
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Tailgating
- Aggressive driving
- Passing too closely
- Unsafe lane changes
- Illegal or unsafe turns
- Wrong-way driving
- Road rage
- Fatigued drivers
- Running red lights
- Drunk driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Driving at night with limited visibility
- Hazardous road conditions
- Defective safety equipment
- Failure to maintain the vehicle in a safe condition
Most car accidents occur due to someone’s negligence. Negligence means that someone failed to exercise reasonable caution and someone else was injured because of that failure.
Statistics on Car Accidents in Jonesboro
According to motor vehicle accident statistics from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), 374,008 motor vehicle accidents were reported statewide in 2023. Overall, 148,330 people were injured in those crashes. Unfortunately, at least 1,801 people were killed.
In Clayton County alone, 5,099 people were injured in traffic accidents during 2023. In total, 50 crash victims lost their lives.
Call an Experienced Jonesboro Car Accident Lawyer for a Free Initial Consultation Today
Our team at Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers is committed to helping accident victims recover the maximum compensation they deserve. We know how overwhelming the aftermath of a serious accident can be.
Money is the last thing you should have to worry about. Unfortunately, the insurance claims process alone can be both frustrating and time-consuming.
An experienced Jonesboro car accident lawyer can aggressively advocate on your behalf while you recover. You can trust us to handle the insurance and legal headaches. We offer free consultations, so there’s never any risk to getting the legal advice you deserve. Just give us a call to schedule yours today.
*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website. These were some of the highest-rated auto repair shops on Google.
Jonesboro Client Review
https://maps.app.goo.gl/GCCQYWtD6psBupFY6
Read more of our client reviews here
Recent Jonesboro Car Accident Lawyer Blog Posts
- FAQs: Car Accident Reports in Georgia
- Should I Hire A Lawyer After A Minor Car Accident In Sandy Springs, GA?
- What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Do?
Car Accident Resources
- Georgia Laws Pertaining to Car Accidents
- Jonesboro, GA Daily Car Accident Info
- Georgia Integrated Report Exchange System
Highly-Rated Auto Repair Shops
- Reid’s Auto Repair and Emissions – 244 S Main St, Jonesboro, GA 30236
- Tires Plus – 7861 Tara Blvd, Jonesboro, GA 30236
- The Signature Auto Repair – 1836 Mt Zion Rd, Morrow, GA 30260
- Precision Tune Auto Care – GJGP+59 Jonesboro, Georgia