Articles Posted in Car Accident Injuries

images-4When you are injured in a car accident, it can be challenging to navigate the legal system. Additionally, the financial ramifications of a serious accident can be devastating. And the worst part is you may have no idea where to start seeking compensation for all the costs associated with your injury. A personal injury attorney can help you regain financial footing after an accident.

However, choosing an Atlanta car accident lawyer is more complicated than reviewing their credentials and rates. To help you get started, here are some tips on how to choose the right attorney for your case:

Ask About Their Experience

airbag-deployment-300x200Sometimes, consumer products that are specifically designed to protect us, malfunction or are defective and – as a result – end up harming us instead. Airbags save lives and have significantly increased survival rates in traffic accidents that would otherwise prove deadly. When airbags malfunction or are otherwise defective, however, they can be the direct cause of serious car accident injuries. If you or someone you care about has been harmed by a dangerously defective airbag, an experienced Atlanta product liability attorney can help. 

A Note about Airbags

Airbags are like powerful air-filled pillows that help absorb the impact of car accidents when they deploy, and the process is not without some risk. In other words, even when airbags perform exactly as they are supposed to, you can be injured in the process. This is generally a matter of balancing the overall risk, and the protections afforded to you by a deployed airbag typically outweigh the risk factor. 

close-up-of-two-cars-damaged-in-road-traffic-Y5DTMJR-e1620907538720-300x169Being injured by another motorist’s negligence puts you in a very vulnerable position. You are facing medical bills, may be experiencing lost wages, and are enduring physical and emotional pain and suffering. It’s a lot, and achieving your most complete recovery will likely be based on your ability to obtain a fair settlement. The best way to help ensure your recovery and protect your claim is with an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer in your corner. 

Your Car Accident Claim

Your car accident claim will address the losses you experience as a result of the other driver’s negligence (what the law calls your damages). Your covered losses can include all the following:

The Lyft LogoRidesharing services like Lyft and Uber have changed the way that Atlantans get around the city. Unfortunately, ridesharing drivers get into accidents just like anyone, often causing serious injury to their passengers, other motorists, or anyone else unlucky enough to be in the vicinity.

Ridesharing accidents can be legally complicated, but an Atlanta car accident lawyer at Slappey & Sadd can help ensure that you get the compensation you deserve. Here are some of the general principles regarding liability in ridesharing accidents in Georgia. To learn more, call our office today.

Fault Determines Liability

A man crossing his fingers behind his backMost car accidents are resolved through insurance settlements. That means that if you have recently been hurt in a wreck that was not your fault, there is a good chance that your case will end by negotiating a settlement with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. As a victim, it’s important to remember that the insurance company is not on your side and will gladly settle your case for far less than it is worth.

Here are some of the tricks that insurance companies use to justify lower settlement offers. To protect your rights, call one of our Atlanta car accident lawyers today.

Unreasonably Broad Medical Record Requests

Man with his head in his hands sitting outside of a wrecked carMotor vehicle accidents leave victims with injuries and scars that impact them for years to come, possibly even the rest of their lives. Many people do not consider that these victims are often left with invisible emotional scars. Sometimes the emotional distress that remains is worse than the physical and apparent injuries. Even minor accidents can cause lasting psychological damage.

Although emotional distress after a car accident is considered damage for which the plaintiff could receive compensation, it is difficult to prove. This is why you need an experienced Georgia personal injury lawyer who will do what it takes to increase your chances of fair compensation.

Car Accidents and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

a man driving a car as viewed from the backseatUber – and other rideshare companies – arrived on the scene seemingly overnight, and they aren’t going away anytime soon. While hopping in an Uber can be extremely convenient, as drivers ourselves, we also have to contend with this additional traffic. The fact is that drivers for Uber and Lyft (and all the other companies) aren’t commercial drivers in any real sense – but they are out hustling to earn a living and they sometimes cause dangerous accidents. If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by a rideshare driver, it adds an additional layer of complications to your insurance claim, and you should consult with an experienced Atlanta-area personal injury attorney. 

Claim Complications

The brilliance of most rideshare companies’ business plans is that they keep their profits high by hiring drivers as independent contractors whom they take very little responsibility for. While public outrage and the law is catching up with these companies somewhat, complications remain for those injured in accidents caused by their drivers. If you’ve been injured by a rideshare driver’s negligence, there are some basics that you should understand.

side mirror of a car showing highwayRear-end accidents are among the most common car accident cases we handle. A rear-end collision can result in serious injuries, leaving you unable to work or take care of your family. If you’ve been injured in a rear-end car accident, a Georgia car accident lawyer can determine whether you are entitled to compensation and help you understand your options. 

Liability in Rear-End Car Accidents

In a rear-end accident, the following driver is almost always at fault. Rear-end accidents typically occur because the following driver was negligent. Below are some common causes of rear-end accidents: 

A timelapse photo of busy urban streetsSome good news: the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has reported that 2018 has shown a 2.4 percent decrease in the number of traffic fatalities across the United States. The report notes that this is the second consecutive year that the traffic fatality rate has declined. NHTSA also notes that 2019 is on track to show a similar decline. Nonetheless, more than 36,500 people died in car accidents last year – a sobering reminder of the risks we face every time we get behind the wheel.

The Atlanta car accident attorneys at Slappey & Sadd have been fighting for injured Georgians since 1992. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, we know how to get you the compensation you need. Don’t let your accident compromise your future – contact the car accident attorneys at Slappey & Sadd. Call us today at 888-474-9616 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and how we can help you. 

A Hopeful Trend

A severely damaged red carA new study released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration sheds some interesting light on fatal car accidents. The report compares accident fatality rates between urban and rural areas and reveals some interesting conclusions. By studying where fatal car accidents happen, perhaps we can better understand their causes, and reduce the number of people who are killed in car accidents every year.  

At Slappey & Sadd, we stay abreast of these studies so that we can better understand the trends involved in our clients’ cases. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, or have a loved one who has been killed, we can help you get the compensation you need to put your life back together. We work with clients in Atlanta and other cities and across the state of Georgia. If you’ve been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, give us a call at 404-255-6677 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced car accident attorneys. 

Fatalities in Urban vs. Rural Areas

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