Georgia residents, like those in Gwinnett County who are victims of car accidents, are often uncertain about their rights after an automobile collision. This is especially true for those who are one of the thousands of victims who suffer an injury that results in lost time from work, increased medical bills, or life-time disability as a result of the accident. Therefore, it is important to know your rights, the potential causes of car accidents, and who you can count on to protect your rights and help you get compensation for your injuries. Our Gwinnett County personal injury law firm has a track record of successes, and we’re here every step of the way.
Gwinnett Car Accident Data Tells Sobering Story
While the most recent statistics for accidents in Gwinnett County date back to 2017, there is little doubt given historical records they were no in line with 2018 accident reports. More than 13,000 drivers and passengers suffered an injury in 2017 as a result of a car accident, and an additional 66 lost their lives. Overall, there were nearly 40,000 accidents on the roadways of Gwinnett County.
The leading causes of roadway incidents in Georgia’s Gwinnett County are perhaps even more concerning to those who share the roadways with others. Here are some of the leading causes of car accidents across Georgia through the end of the fiscal year of 2015.
- Alcohol related accidents – According to the Georgia Highway Department, nearly one-quarter of all accident fatalities related to alcohol-related crashes. This is a staggering number and one that should concern every driver on Gwinnett County roadways. There is little doubt if you were struck and injured by a drunk driver, they may be held liable for your injuries and damage to your vehicle.
- Distracted driving – There are few things more frustrating for a cautious driver than looking over and seeing a driver in another car who is texting, talking, or paying more attention to their telephone than to the roadways. Since the passage of the Hands-Free Georgia Act one would anticipate there would be a reduction in distracted driving. However, most of us are aware that there are still distractions and they are often a cause of Gwinnett County car accidents.
- Speed is a factor – While the numbers keep improving, 2018 was a deadly year on Georgia roadways for victims of speeding drivers. More than 450 victims lost their lives on Georgia roadways due to speeding drivers. This number represents more than 20 percent of all fatal accidents in the state.
Nothing can help ease the pain and suffering of a family who has lost a loved one due to the negligence of a driver on Georgia roadways, but our wrongful death lawyers may secure a settlement or award to help ease the financial pain associated with their loss.
Broad Range of Car Accident Injuries
One of the challenges car accident victims face is that there are so many injuries that may not be evident early on after a crash. For some victims, symptoms that something is wrong may not present themselves for several hours, days, or in rare cases, weeks after an accident. Injuries like broken bones are evident nearly immediately; however, more serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries can take often take several weeks to become obvious.
Regardless of whether you suffered a broken bone, whiplash injuries, or suffered only from bruising caused by trauma, you will lose some time from work because you need time for your body to recover from the shock of the accident. However, if you are seriously injured and suffer from a traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or you lose a limb after an accident, you want to work with an attorney who has a proven track record of obtaining a reasonable settlement on behalf of car accident victims.
Determining Fault and Level of Fault
The determination of who is at fault for a car accident and the role they played is an important part of evaluating your personal injury case. Georgia’s statutes use a rule called the “modified comparative fault rule.” What this means is you, as a victim, can still be partially at fault for an accident, and if the other party can prove you had a role in the accident, the court will reduce any settlement by the percentage of fault they assign to you.
Keep in mind, in addition to another driver, there may be other parties who share the blame. For example, if you are involved in an accident with a commercial vehicle, the driver’s employer, maintenance company, even the manufacturer of the tires on the vehicle may be partially responsible. You can rest assured that when you work with a knowledgeable car accident attorney they will carefully review the entire situation and determine who is at fault and how much of the fault they bear for your injuries.
Our Proven Record of Success for Gwinnett County Car Accident Victims
We understand hiring a personal injury attorney after a car accident is a big decision. Some victims prefer to take their chances with their insurance company and hope the company treats them fairly. However, insurance companies often have their own goals: To minimize the amount of money they pay to victims of car accidents to protect their bottom line and their investors. This often means they will try to settle with you before the final results of your treatment, before you know how long you will be out of work or the long-term consequences of your injuries.
Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC is a leading car accident victim’s lawyer in Gwinnett County. We have been able to help victims of accidents recover funds for their injuries as well as lost wages, medical expenses, and mental pain and suffering.
We have years of experience helping victims get the compensation they might otherwise be unable to secure on their own. This is because we have the experience and knowledge to help hold insurance companies accountable, and we evaluate every case individually. If you are a car accident victim, or you lost a loved one in a car accident in Duluth, contact us at 404-418-8244, or through our online contact form.
