Before changing lanes, a driver must first ensure that it is safe to do that maneuver and merge, abiding by all traffic laws. Failure to do so is negligence and directly puts others in harm’s way. If an unsafe lane change caused your accident, you are entitled under Georgia law to file a claim for your damages.
Our Smyrna unsafe lane change lawyers can help you start your claim. With years of experience, we have helped thousands of clients reach a settlement. You can get a free consultation today. Call our law firm at (404) 341-6555 to schedule an appointment.
Compensation for Your Damages
The damages you sustain from an unsafe lane change accident can range from moderate to severe. As long as they resulted from your accident, you can receive compensation for them in your settlement.
Most accidents caused by unsafe lane changes usually result in:
- Lost wages or reduced earning capacity
- Medical expenses for treatment, equipment, and prescriptions.
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Psychological trauma
- Wrongful death
- Vehicle and property damages
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement
- Permanent disability
Don’t find yourself paying for damages caused by a negligent driver. What happened to you wasn’t your fault, so you shouldn’t have to pay for any of the expenses you incur trying to fix and heal from your damages.
Comparative Fault in Smyrna
The state of Georgia operates on a comparative fault system for personal injury claims according to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) § 51-12-33. You need to be sure that you aren’t more than 50% responsible for your accident. If you are more than 50% responsible, you won’t be able to file a claim.
If you are partially responsible but less than 50%, you can still file, but your settlement will get reduced based on how much you were at fault. Because of these comparative fault regulations, it is essential that you get a lawyer to help represent your claim and win you the compensation you deserve.
Insurance Companies Will Try to Shift the Blame to You
When you file your claim, you can expect the insurance companies and the defense to fight back and resist your attempts at receiving compensation. They will use various tactics to try and shift the fault of the accident onto you, preventing you from filing your claim.
When the insurance company reaches out to you after your accident, try to avoid talking to them. The adjusters that contact you aren’t working for your benefit. They are trying to take advantage of any lack of legal knowledge to get you to settle for less quickly before you hire an attorney.
Insurance companies have big legal teams and lots of resources at their disposal to try and trip you up to accept a low settlement offer. Don’t become victim to their strategies. Having a lawyer represent your best interests forces them to actually listen and work out an agreement at the negotiating table.
Let Our Lawyers Help You
A lawyer can help you win your claim in multiple different ways:
- By handling all of your communications with third parties.
- Helping you gather all of the evidence you need to build a strong case against the negligent driver.
- Consulting with accident reconstruction experts to accurately describe how you sustained your damages.
- Helping you calculate all of your damages, so nothing gets left out of your settlement.
- Fighting back against the tricks that insurance companies pull to undermine your settlement value.
You don’t have to spend hours studying the car accident and traffic laws of Smyrna. Instead of stressing yourself out over your claim, let the experts handle it for you. That way, you can get back to focusing on what matters the most, your health and wellbeing.
Two Years to File Your Claim
You only get two years in Georgia to file a claim to compensate for your damages after a car accident. Don’t sit on your case for too long. Two years can pass by really fast, and if you miss the deadline to file, you won’t be able to get the compensation you need.
Many people end up paying out of pocket because they didn’t file their claims on time. Our attorneys will help you build up a strong case and file your claim before the deadline.
Get a Free Consultation on Your Case Today
We don’t charge any fees upfront. If we can’t win your case, you pay us nothing. Our goal is to get you the best settlement possible for your damages. Allow us to help you with a free case review and consultation. You can reach us at (404) 948-4815.
