Articles Posted in Car Accidents

A stethoscopeCar accidents happen on a daily basis in the Atlanta metro area. While vehicle crashes are certainly capable of causing extremely severe injuries that require emergency medical attention, in most car accident cases, victims are able to walk away without a trip to the ER.

This is not to say that people do not sustain serious injuries in these less-than-catastrophic accidents, however. Victims who do not need emergency medical attention may still suffer from injuries such as whiplash, concussions, and serious soft tissue injuries. For this reason, they need to protect their rights by seeking medical attention and calling an Atlanta car accident lawyer as soon as possible.

Call Your Physician Today

A black minivan with damage to the rearNo matter how minor your car accident may seem, it can be the beginning of a long and complex legal matter. One of the key factors in getting a fair settlement or court verdict is being able to back up how the accident unfolded and the damages you are claiming. Your Georgia personal injury attorney will have several ways to accomplish this. However, one of the best ones is using the testimony of any witnesses.

Obtain Witness Info Whenever Possible

It should go without saying that your safety and well-being after an accident are paramount to anything else. Always have someone call local law enforcement and an ambulance if needed before worrying about witnesses. When and if you can, you should attempt to obtain the names and contact information of any witnesses, as well as their statement about what they observed. Such information will be valuable as your Georgia personal injury lawyer builds your case. It is worth noting that statements obtained as soon as possible will probably be more accurate than later statements.

raindrops on a window show a wet congested roadywayHere in the Atlanta area – and the great State of Georgia in general – we experience wet weather throughout the winter months. Some drivers fail to take wet driving conditions into careful consideration when they get behind the wheel, and they often end up causing dangerous accidents. If a negligent driver leaves you injured in a wet-weather accident, it’s time to consult with an experienced Atlanta-area personal injury attorney. 

Wet Weather Accidents: The Statistics

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration shares significant statistics related to driving in adverse weather, including:

traffic safety barrel in streetDespite our efforts to make our roads safer, the unfortunate reality is that the number of car accident fatalities is trending upward. The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety has compiled statistics for the years 2009 through 2018, demonstrating an overall increase over the 10 year period. This is alarming for anyone traveling on our highways and underlines the potential hazards that most of us face every day. 

State-wide Car Accident Fatalities

The number of accidents across the state of Georgia has increased during the 2009-2018 time period. There is some fluctuation, but the overall trend is upward

emergency worker standing near emergency vehicleCar accidents are catastrophic events. Sometimes it can be difficult just to determine what happened, let alone who may be at fault. Even when you can determine what happened, the other party may deny that it was their fault, or may even say that you caused the accident. If the other driver is trying to blame you for the accident, don’t lose home – there are things you can do to protect yourself and still successfully pursue a claim. 

Get Statements from Witnesses

The people who were involved in the accident aren’t always reliable witnesses. For one, they may not have seen what happened or may have difficulty remembering details. Second, they are sometimes motivated to give a version of events that is biased in their favor. Any third-party witnesses to your accident can be tremendously helpful when it comes to proving liability. Because they are considered to be neutral parties, their statements or testimony can be very persuasive. 

A severely damaged red carIf someone else’s negligence leaves you injured in a car accident, you are probably also experiencing a tremendous amount of anxiety and stress about getting your life back together. The fact is that a serious car accident can throw your life into considerable turmoil, and this turmoil often motivates injured parties to settle for far less than they need to recover from the full scope of their damages. If you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by another motorist’s negligence, an experienced Atlanta personal injury attorney will fight for the compensation to which you are entitled and that you need to make your fullest recovery.

The Insurance Company’s Motivation

If you’ve been injured by another driver’s negligence, you’re going to be dealing with his or her insurance company. That insurance company is motivated by profits, which translates to keeping settlement offers low. While obtaining a swift settlement can be extremely motivating when you are enduring the stressful aftermath of a car accident, it’s important to take all the details of your damages into careful consideration before accepting such a settlement. 

Heavy trafficThe Atlanta-Journal Constitution is reporting that we can expect an increase in vehicle traffic of almost 3% this year. More cars on the road doesn’t just mean more traffic – it also means that your chances of getting into an accident are higher than normal. Recognizing this fact can help you be prepared so that you can keep your family safe. 

The car accident lawyers at Slappey & Sadd have been working with car accident victims in the Atlanta area and across the state of Georgia since 1992. We have the knowledge and experience our clients need to get them the compensation they deserve. If you’ve been injured in a car accident due to someone else’s negligence, we can help. Call us at 888-474-9616 or send us an email to schedule a free consultation about your case. 

Drivers Under the Influence

Highway trafficThe National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently reported that 2018 saw a decline of almost 6% in speeding-related traffic fatalities. While this is certainly good news, speed-related fatalities still accounted for more than 9,000 deaths across the country last year. Speeding presents a very real danger to everyone on the road. 

The car accident attorneys at Slappey & Sadd help people injured in car accidents get the compensation they deserve. Whether your accident was caused by speeding or by someone driving while under the influence, our attorneys know how to build a case and fight for your rights. Call us at 888-474-9616 or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation with one of our Atlanta car accident lawyers today. 

An Encouraging Trend

An urban sunsetIt seems like the dog days of summer have barely passed but already the days are getting shorter. Soon it will be time to turn the clocks back. In a 2001 study, the National Center for Biotechnology Information documented an increase in car accidents whenever we change the clocks. This could be due to a variety of different factors, but the reality is that the sudden change in available daylight can result in serious accidents. 

The personal injury attorneys at Slappey & Sadd have been helping injured Georgians since 1992. We have the knowledge and experience you need to get the compensation you deserve. If you’ve been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence, contact us at 888-474-9616 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and how we can help. 

Tips for Drivers

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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