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What to Do Right After a Car Accident in Georgia

The decisions you make in the hours and days following an accident can significantly affect your ability to recover compensation. Here’s what we recommend:

Your choices regarding what you need to accomplish following your collision may substantially affect your potential to collect compensation. Listed below are some steps that we recommend:

1. Ensure everyone is safe and call 911. Remain at the scene of the collision. Be certain to check on anyone else involved. Regardless of the severity of injuries sustained, please request emergency services to arrive. A police officer will create a formal report documenting the incident, which is vital when filing a claim.
2. Collect as much documentation as possible at the scene. Photograph the two vehicles involved in the collision, along with any injuries sustained, road conditions, tire tracks/skid marks, etc. Collect witness names and contact information. Avoid admitting fault or apologizing for your part in the accident, regardless of whether you believe you were responsible for contributing to the collision.
3. Visit a physician immediately, even if you believe your injuries are minor. Whiplash and head trauma-type injuries do not necessarily manifest themselves right away. Seeing a doctor immediately will protect your health and produce a medical history connecting your injuries to the collision. Please follow all recommendations from your treating physicians and maintain accurate records of all appointments.
4. Submit an incident report to the appropriate authorities. Georgia law mandates that you submit an incident report to the Department of Transportation if an Accident occurs resulting in injury or death or property damage exceeding $500. Thereafter, you can electronically submit an incident report using the Georgia Department of Transportation’s electronic incident reporting system.
5. Contact your auto Insurance provider. Inform your insurer concerning the incident; however, before discussing this matter with the adjuster from the defendant’s Insurance carrier, speak with an attorney. Insurance company representatives are schooled in obtaining pertinent information that can adversely affect your recovery.
6. Maintain all documentation supporting your claim. Retain receipt documentation for expenses incurred as a result of the collision, such as medical invoices, prescriptions, rental automobiles, and any additional items. Additionally, refrain from making public declarations about the incident on social networking platforms, as information posted on social networks can be used against you.
7. Speak with an automobile Accident attorney as soon as possible. The sooner you retain counsel, the greater chance you have of protecting your rights.

How Murphy Law Builds Your Case

As previously stated, Insurance providers employ attorneys from day one representing their interests. Similarly, you should also retain counsel.

Upon hiring Murphy’s Law, we initiate action immediately, and we promptly acquire:

• The police report
• Any applicable traffic cameras or surveillance footage
• Cell phone records (when suspicious of distracted driving)
• Information from the black boxes installed in most modern vehicles (to document speed, braking patterns, and other important details at the time of collision)

We will contact and interview witnesses prior to memory fades. Consult with forensic accident reconstructionists when there is disagreement regarding how an accident occurred. Coordinate with your physicians regarding ensuring that your medical history accurately documents all injuries. Document all past and projected economic loss, as well as long-term impairment to your ability to earn income and participate in everyday activities.

Additionally, we will communicate exclusively with the insurance provider(s). We are aware of their tactics, including their attempts to undervalue your claim via quick settlements and/or requiring recorded statements. When necessary, we will represent your case in court.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

Economic losses. These include those expenses you can list and account for:

• Medical charges (past/present/future)
• Physical therapy/rehabilitation
• Lost earnings due to the inability to attend work
• Reduced earning capability if injury impairs the ability to continue employment long-term
• Property damage (repair/replace your vehicle).

Non-economic losses. While these types of damages may be difficult to assign a specific monetary value to, they are very legitimate examples of damages:

• Pain & suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of enjoyment of normal daily routines
• Disfigurement.

Georgia law allows injured parties to pursue Compensation for Non-Economic Damages; however, Experience is needed to properly advocate for inclusion of these losses in your claim.

Punitative damages. In situations involving egregious negligence (for instance, a DUI or someone who was texting while operating a motor vehicle at excessive speed), Georgia courts have the authority to grant punitative damages (damages intended to punish the wrongdoer for their actions and prevent similar actions from occurring again). Punitive Damages are distinct from all other damages listed above.

The value of your case depends upon many factors, including:

• Severity of injuries
• Whether long-term medical treatment will be required
• Clearness of responsibility on behalf of the other party
• Amounts of Insurance coverage available to pay claims.

Who Can Be Held Responsible?

We understand that accidents can be frustrating, especially when they occur due to the actions of others. At Murphy Law Firm, our experienced attorneys handle a wide variety of personal injury claims related to car wrecks in Georgia.

When another driver causes a wreck, he/she is typically held fully accountable for his/her negligence. However, there may be instances where more than one party contributes to the accident.

For example, if the at-fault driver was behind the wheel of a company vehicle or was making deliveries, the company could be considered negligent as well. If someone else is operating a vehicle owned by you or borrowing your vehicle, you may be held accountable as well. 

Additionally, if a vehicle part fails and this results in an accident, then the manufacturer of that part could be held accountable for its defective product. Finally, if a bar serves alcohol to someone who is clearly intoxicated and then leaves the premises, and the person subsequently causes a wreck, then the bar’s liability would be covered under Georgia’s dram shop laws.

Additionally, the governmental agencies that design/maintain our public roadways could potentially be sued for negligence as well. For example, if a highway has no guardrail installed in a location where one is needed, the governmental agency that maintains the highway could be held accountable. Similarly, if signs along a roadway are confusing or poorly placed, or the roadway itself has inadequate lighting or poor road conditions, the governmental agency responsible for maintaining the roadway could be held accountable for failing to maintain safe roadway conditions.

There are many factors that determine which parties could be liable for an auto accident. One way that an experienced attorney can assist clients is by identifying each potential party who could be liable and ensuring that each party is held accountable.

Common Types of Accidents We Handle

Auto accidents can occur in numerous forms. Here are some examples of the different types of auto accident cases that we frequently represent:

Rear-end collision auto accidents are the most frequent type of auto accident in Georgia. Whiplash and/or back injuries commonly arise as a result of rear-end collisions. More serious spinal injuries than individuals may suspect may also arise from rear-end collisions.

Side impact or T-bone auto accidents usually happen at intersection areas. Such accidents often result in very serious injuries to either occupants on the side of the impacted vehicle or occupants inside both vehicles involved in the collision.

Head-on auto accidents are relatively infrequent compared to other types of automobile accidents; however are amongst the deadliest. Head-on auto accidents often result in catastrophic injuries to both drivers involved in the collision.

Multi-car pile-up auto accidents typically occur on Georgia metropolitan area interstates/highways. Determining liability for multi-car pile-ups can be difficult when numerous drivers were involved, and all may have shared some portion of blame.

Vehicle rollover accidents are usually associated with larger vehicles such as SUVs/pickup trucks and commonly result in serious head/spinal cord injuries.

Accidents involving ride-sharing/delivery service vehicles (i.e., Uber/Lyft/DoorDash) present unique complexities regarding the application of available insurance policies at the time of the accident. Experienced counsel is recommended for determining applicable insurance coverage and navigating subsequent litigation issues arising from such accidents.

Speeding, distracted driving (especially texting), drunk driving, drowsy driving, aggressive driving, failure to yield to pedestrians/bicyclists/vehicles, etc., and malfunctioning vehicles are several of the common contributing factors leading to automobile accidents in Georgia. According to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety in Georgia, over 1500 persons die annually on Georgia roadways. Safe operation practices and adequate representation after being injured in an automobile accident are paramount.

Common Injuries from Georgia Car Accidents

The severity of injuries resulting from automobile wrecks can range from minor injuries that resolve within a few weeks to permanent disability/life altering changes. Several common injuries we encounter include:

Soft tissue injuries (including whiplash) are often downplayed as minor yet can lead to months of debilitating pain and limited ability to perform normal activities. Soft tissue injuries are also consistently lowballed by insurance companies.

Fractures/Broken Bones – Fractures can necessitate surgical intervention and prolonged post-operative rehabilitation and physical therapy.

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) – TBIs (concussions) may not appear immediately after an accident, yet can significantly impair cognitive function/ memory/ concentration/ mood/ functionality many months after the accident.

Spinal Cord Injuries – Spinal cord injuries can manifest as chronic lower back pain/disability from herniated disc(s), or as significant impairment of function and sensation/paralysis as a result of damage to the spinal cord.

Internal Organ Damage – Internal organ damage is critical and can be fatal. Symptoms are not always evident at the scene of the accident.

Burns/Lacerations – Burns and lacerations can leave permanent scars/disfiguration, which have lasting physical/emotional impacts.

Amputation – Amputation is possible in extreme cases where severe force is applied and may be life-altering for victims.

Thorough medical documentation is key to building a strong case for fair compensation for your injuries. The greater detail documented in your medical records concerning your diagnosis/injury(s) will provide a much stronger foundation upon which to base your claim.

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