Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer

The Atlanta car accident attorneys at Cruz & Associates are here to help our clients in the Atlanta metro-area handle their car accident claims with greater peace of mind and a better chance of securing the compensation they need to return to normalcy. Car accident lawsuits may seem straightforward at first, but there are many possible issues that can complicate the process. The accomplished attorneys at Cruz & Associates are here to help.

Impact of Car Accidents on Atlanta Drivers

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reported more than 34,000 fatal crashes in 2016 alone resulting in more than 37,000 deaths, with a rate of 11.6 deaths per 100,000 U.S. citizens. This is a staggering number, and many factors cause car accidents. Some of the most common causes include:

This is not an exhaustive list, and anyone involved in a car accident should know what to expect afterward. Speaking with a qualified, licensed Atlanta accident lawyer can help sort out any confusion you may have about your case.

Steps After an Atlanta Car Crash

If you find yourself involved in a car accident, you should do the following:

  1. Check yourself and the other drivers or passengers for injuries. If you are seriously injured, wait for paramedics to arrive. Attempting to move can make your injuries worse. If you are only mildly injured or feel well enough to move around, try to preserve as much evidence as possible before moving your vehicle out of traffic, if possible. Some accidents occur on busy roads, so this isn’t always possible.
  2. Contact the police if another driver hasn’t already and while you wait for them to arrive, gather evidence from the scene.
  3. Take photos of your injuries, the damage to your vehicle and the other vehicles involved, and the scene of the accident. Photos of things like tire marks on the road, debris, notable landmarks, and nearby street signs, intersections, or traffic lights can all help your future case.
  4. Once the police arrive, take care to answer their questions truthfully and concisely. Avoid saying anything that a police officer might misconstrue as an admission of fault, like “I’m sorry,” or “I couldn’t see them.” Although these may seem innocuous, they could potentially hurt your chances of succeeding in a lawsuit later.
  5. Seek medical attention immediately. Even if you think you only sustained minor injuries, visiting a doctor is wise for both your personal health and the viability of a lawsuit if you intend to sue. Any delay in seeking medical attention may cause a jury to look unfavorably on your claim, often assuming that your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim since it took so long for you to seek medical care.

Winning Your Car Accident Case

To succeed in a personal injury lawsuit for a car accident, you will need to prove the at-fault driver was negligent, and your damages are the direct result of this negligence. This requires proving the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care, breached this duty, and the breach directly caused the plaintiff’s damages.

At Cruz & Associates, our accident attorneys have more than 25 years of experience winning cases for our Atlanta clients. We can help an injured driver handle his or her insurance claims and a personal injury lawsuit against a negligent driver. We can also suggest alternative routes to compensation through product liability claims or other legal actions, if possible. Reach out to the Cruz & Associates team today for more information about personal injury law in Georgia or to schedule a free case evaluation with one of our attorneys.