Car Crash

After the shock and trauma of a car crash, we are here for you.

Ride share crashes

If you are an Uber, Lyft or other rideshare passenger at the time of a wreck, the driver or rideshare company has insurance coverage to protect you, regardless of who was at fault.

  • Driver negligence — Drivers who are fatigued, inexperienced, under the influence of drugs or alcohol or distracted by GPS or other technology can contribute to a car crash.
  • Rideshare company negligence — Inadequate background checks, hiring of non-professional drivers and failure to require other safety precautions may also contribute to a crash.

Motorcycle crashes

Many factors can contribute to a motorcycle wreck, leaving a complicated claim to sort out. Also, victims of motorcycle crashes often have more severe injuries with a longer recovery time.

  • Perception — Insurance companies and other people involved in the crash often stereotype motorcycle drivers and may assume you were careless just because you were riding a motorcycle.
  • Other drivers — Other vehicles involved in the crash may not have properly looked, yielded or made space for you. Distracted driving can also contribute to collisions.
  • External factors — A broken part on the motorcycle or adverse road conditions can greatly impact the severity of a motorcycle crash.

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury deaths and second leading cause of hospitalizations and ER visits in Georgia.

GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH

Truck wrecks

Truck wrecks, involving semis, tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, and other large commercial vehicles, are among the most perilous kinds of wrecks on the road. Large trucks may only account for 3% of vehicles, but 12% of all crashes involve these trucks.

  • Head-on truck wrecks — When the front ends of two or more vehicles collide. Head-on crashes can be violent and cause serious damage, depending on how fast the vehicles are traveling at time of impact.
  • Rear-end truck wrecks — May happen for a variety of reasons, including if a driver suddenly decelerates, the following driver may not have enough time to brake if the truck is following too closely. A fatigued driver who does not adhere to the federal hour limits and rest regulations may have delayed reaction time, even when following at a safe distance.
  • Side collisions — Injuries and vehicle damage can be severe. Side-collision truck wrecks most typically occur when a truck fails to yield the right of way. The level of damage often depends on the vehicle’s safety features, how fast the vehicle and truck were traveling and the area in which the vehicle was struck.
  • Other crashes — Single-truck wrecks, multi vehicle truck wrecks (pileups) and under-ride truck wrecks can all cause serious damage.

Hit and run

The driver who hit you and left the scene is liable for damages caused by the crash. If we can find the driver, we can pursue legal action against them and their insurance. If not, we can work through your Uninsured Motorist coverage to recover the damages from your wreck.

  • Finding the driver — We encourage you to write down all details of the wreck and take photos. We will look for witnesses and possibly surveillance footage that might help the police identify the person who hit you.
  • Hit and run drivers — These drivers often leave the scene of a wreck because they have other factors that make the situation worse for them: no car insurance, no driver’s license, immigration status, or other legal trouble.

All vehicle wrecks

We serve those affected by any vehicle wreck: ATV, bike, boat, bus, golf cart or car.

What the law allows

  • Two years from the date of wreck for car crash victims to file a personal injury lawsuit
  • Four years for plaintiffs to file a lawsuit for property damage
  • No limits on compensatory damages (reimbursement for damage, injury or loss)
  • In some cases, punitive damages are available (punishment for reckless or intentional behavior)
  • To succeed in a claim in Georgia, you must be less at fault than the other driver. Your settlement or compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.

Damages allowed in car crash claims

  • Vehicle repair
  • Cost of rental cars
  • Lost income
  • Medical costs
  • Pain and suffering and other general damages resulting from your injuries
  • Future medical costs, loss of income, and general damages
  • Wrongful death in a fatal wreck

I learned that recovery is so much more than the medicine.

Matthew Watson

start your recovery

Call our team today for a free consultation.

We want to connect with you and help you during this challenging time. If it’s more convenient to communicate via email, please reach out to us at info@watsoninjurylaw.com.