Car accident attorney in Athens

Being involved in a car accident in Athens can be a terrifying experience. If the car accident is a serious one, then the shock and trauma may stay with you for months or even years. You may have many questions about what your recovery will be like and what you will do with your debilitating injuries. You will also want to know how you can recover compensation for your losses. 

With over 75 years of combined legal experience, our Athens car accident lawyers at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, have seen how driver negligence causes most car accidents in Georgia, including speeding, distracted driving, and driving under the influence of impairing substances. Because Georgia is an at-fault car accident state, a driver who causes an accident is responsible for paying for it.

To discuss how we can help you pursue compensation from the party who caused your crash in Athens, call or reach our Athens car accident lawyers online today.

Why Choose Alan Cleveland After a Car Accident in Athens?

The decisions you make in the days and weeks that follow a car accident in Athens can shape the outcome of your entire claim. The attorney you choose will be one of the most consequential of those decisions. The right lawyer can mean the difference between a low settlement offer and a payout that truly reflects what you’ve been through.

At R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, we’ve spent decades helping injured people in Athens and across Georgia to demand accountability and pursue full and fair compensation from negligent and reckless parties who harmed them.

Here’s what you can expect when you bring your case to us:

• Our Hands-On Approach

Some law firms pass clients off to paralegals or leave them to field calls from insurance adjusters on their own. At R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, that’s not how we operate. Our legal team stays actively involved in your case from start to finish and handles all the legal work directly, so you’re not left to figure things out alone during an already difficult time.

• Freedom to Focus on Your Recovery

A car accident can disrupt every part of your life, and the last thing you should have to worry about while you’re recovering is whether your lawyer is handling your claim properly. When you hire R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, we take on all the insurance calls, the claim paperwork, and every other detail so you can stay focused on getting better.

• Depth of Experience That Makes a Difference

With decades of combined legal experience, our team has a thorough understanding of how car accidents happen in Georgia and what it takes to build a compelling claim. That depth of experience matters when a case calls for a detailed investigation into complex evidence or persistent negotiation with an insurer that’s looking for any reason to pay less than your claim is worth.

• Compensation That Reflects Your Losses

A fair payout does more than just cover your immediate medical bills. At R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, we work to pursue the full range of compensation you’re entitled to receive, such as reimbursement for past and future medical expenses, income losses, and lost earning capacity. We also work hard to demand compensation for non-economic losses, such as pain, suffering, and the broader toll the crash has taken on your life. We don’t measure success by how fast we close your case. We measure it by whether you walk away with what you need and deserve.

How We Help You Every Step of the Way

There’s a lot more to a car accident claim than most people expect. Between collecting evidence, tallying up expenses, and going back and forth with an insurance company that puts its own interests first, it can get overwhelming.

At R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, we take that burden off your plate. We handle every step of your claim with the same care and attention we’d want for our own loved ones. Here’s what that process looks like when you work with our team:

• Thorough Investigation

Before we can make a strong case for what you’re owed, we need a clear picture of what happened. Our team will get to work quickly after an accident to gather crash reports, photographs, witness information, and medical records. If the facts are in dispute or the cause isn’t immediately clear, we may also work with accident reconstruction experts who can piece together how the crash unfolded and who bears responsibility.

• An Honest Assessment of What Your Claim Is Worth

Once we have all the facts, we’ll turn our attention to calculating your crash-related losses. We will account for your current expenses and those you might face down the road, such as the costs of future medical treatment, physical therapy, and time away from work. A thorough, well-documented valuation is one of the most important things we can do for your case. An undervalued claim is a difficult thing to correct later.

• Direct Handling of All Insurance Communications

One of the most stressful parts of any car accident claim is dealing with insurance adjusters. It’s also one of the areas where having an attorney from R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, in your corner can make a difference.

Our team can handle all communication with insurers on your behalf, from initial demand letters through every round of negotiation. We will keep the focus on the facts and the evidence and push back when offers don’t come close to reflecting the harm you have actually suffered.

• Litigation When It’s What the Case Requires

As experienced car accident attorneys, we approach every case with trial readiness in mind from the start. That level of preparation helps at the negotiating table. Insurers take claims more seriously when they know the attorney on the other side is ready and willing to litigate.

Our goal in every case we handle is to reach a fair resolution without going to court. However, when an insurer won’t negotiate in good faith, we are fully prepared to take the next legal steps.

Our Proven Case Results

Every case is different. The results in past cases do not guarantee that the same or a similar outcome may result in your case. All outcomes depend on a case’s unique circumstances.

At R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, our record of recovering over $150 million for our clients reflects the depth of our experience in helping individuals who have suffered severe, life-changing injuries or the loss of a loved one, including:

• $1.15 Million Hit-and-Run Verdict

We took this case to trial and secured a jury verdict for a commercial truck driver who suffered a serious shoulder injury after a hit-and-run driver struck his parked tractor. The defense opened with a $125,000 settlement offer.

• $3 Million Wrongful Death Verdict

An 83-year-old woman was killed in a T-bone collision with an overloaded commercial vehicle.

• $1.175 Million Car Accident Settlement

A client died while making a left turn and was struck by a driver who was drag racing.

How Can an Athens Car Accident Lawyer Help You? 

When you are in a crash and left with serious injuries, you need to prioritize your physical care and mental well-being. Our Athens car accident attorneys at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, will handle the rest by:

• Investigating your accident and gathering evidence
• Working with accident reconstruction and other experts to make a determination about fault
• Calculating your damages
• Filing a demand letter with the at-fault party’s insurer 
• Reviewing any settlement offers that you receive
• Negotiating your settlement
• Litigating your case if necessary

We are here to handle 100 percent of the claims process on your behalf. We will guide you through every step, make sure that you understand your rights, organize all evidence and documents relevant to your claim, and advise you of all of your options. We will also be available 24/7 to answer your texts, e-mails, or calls.

Our car accident attorneys give our clients their personal cell phone numbers for a reason. We take pride in being highly responsive and attentive to our clients’ needs and goals. 

What Should You Do After a Traffic Collision? 

After you leave the scene of your car accident in Athens, the steps that you take next will be important to your claim:

• Seek medical care. If you have been in a serious crash, chances are that medical care won’t be optional. You will likely be transported to a hospital directly from the scene. If not, then you should still see a doctor as soon as possible. A doctor can provide a timely diagnosis of any injuries that you have suffered and start your treatment. If you wait too long to see a doctor, an insurance company may try to use your delay against you.
• Collect everything. You should do your best to collect all items related to your accident, including crash scene photos, witness names, the police report, medical invoices, car repair bills, and any letters or e-mails that you receive from insurance companies. You should also write down everything that you can remember about the accident.
• Contact an attorney. The sooner that you call an attorney, the earlier that your attorney can start investigating your case. Your lawyer can also deal directly with the insurance companies on your behalf and prevent them from hassling you with requests for a recorded statement or access to your medical records.  Contact our Athens car accident lawyer today.

What Are Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Collisions in Athens? 

Negligence is the failure to exercise the proper degree of care for a given situation. If more drivers exercised a greater degree of care when behind the wheel, fewer accidents would happen in Athens and throughout Georgia. Common negligent acts are:

• Speeding
• Illegal and unsafe lane changes
• Driving while impaired
• Distracted driving
• Failing to yield
• Running through red lights and stop signs
• Aggressive driving, such as tailgating

In some cases, other factors contribute to a crash as well, such as vehicle defects or dangerous road conditions. Because fault for an accident and related damages is not always clear, it is important to open an investigation into the crash as soon as possible. Our law firm can manage this process on your behalf. 

How Do You Prove Fault in an Auto Accident? 

Georgia is an at-fault car accident state. So, to recover compensation after a crash in Athens, you will need to prove that another party was at fault. In other words, you must establish that “but for” someone else’s negligence, your accident and injuries would not have occurred. Proving fault requires gathering a variety of evidence, including: 

• Photos of the accident
• Dash-cam footage
• Details about traffic lights and traffic controls at the time of the collision
• Eyewitness statements 
• Black box data
• Cell phone records
• Breath, blood, or urine test results

If fault is disputed or unclear, hiring an accident reconstruction expert who can investigate the crash and reconstruct what happened can be incredibly valuable. In addition to proving the fault of the other driver, you may have to contest allegations of fault made against you. Our Athens auto accident lawyers at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, can protect you against unfounded allegations. 

Car Accident Frequently Asked Questions

What Compensation Can You Recover in a Personal Injury Car Accident Claim in Athens?

If a negligent driver injures you in an Athens car crash, you deserve to be fully compensated for the damages you have suffered.

The types of damages that you may be eligible to recover include:

• Economic losses – These losses have an actual monetary value. Your medical expenses, property damage costs, lost wages, and travel expenses to and from the doctor are examples of these losses.
• Non-economic losses – These losses can be more difficult to calculate. They include damages for pain, suffering, emotional distress, and other intangible harm that you have suffered. 

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Georgia Injury Claims? 

The statute of limitations limits the amount of time that you have to file a lawsuit against another party in Georgia. If the statute of limitations expires before you take legal action, you can lose the right to recover any compensation. The statutes of limitations that most commonly play a role in car accident cases are: 

• Personal injury – Two years from the date of the injury
• Wrongful death – Two years from the date of the death
• Property damage – Four years from the date when the damage occurred 

Our Athens auto accident attorneys can review your case and determine the time limits that apply to your claim. We will take all steps to ensure that your claim is timely filed.

• Rear-end accidents
• T-bone accidents
• Head-on accidents
• Uber and Lyft accidents
• Hit-and-run accidents
• Distracted driving accidents

How Do I Know If I Have a Case?

Determining whether you have a car accident case hinges on understanding and proving three fundamental prerequisites:

• Establishing negligence – Identifying the responsible party’s negligence is the first step. Negligence could be anything from a driver disregarding a stop sign to a motorist behaving recklessly, resulting in an accident.
• Proving causation – You must also demonstrate the direct connection between the negligent behavior and your injury or loss. For instance, if a driver’s carelessness led to an accident that caused your broken leg and severe back pain, you must be able to prove that their negligent act directly resulted in your injury.
• Quantifying losses – The accident must have caused legally recognizable losses that you can quantify and seek compensation for, such as medical expenses, lost wages, or emotional distress.

Identifying the At-Fault Party

Filing a lawsuit for your accident-related injuries also requires determining the party at fault for your losses. One or more of the following parties might bear liability for your losses:

• Other drivers – In many cases, another driver’s negligence is the cause. This negligence can manifest in various forms, including ignoring traffic signs, speeding, failing to signal, driving under the influence, and reckless lane changes.
• Vehicle and equipment manufacturers – If the accident results from an equipment malfunction, the manufacturer may be liable for your losses. Such cases can involve defective brakes, faulty tires, and malfunctioning transmissions.
• Government entities – When poorly maintained roads or infrastructure lead to an accident, the government entity responsible may be liable. Cases of government liability can include malfunctioning traffic lights, missing traffic signs, potholes, and inadequate lighting.

Determining whether you have a claim and identifying all responsible parties can be challenging without legal assistance. The experienced Athens legal team at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC, can handle the process for you so you can focus on your recovery.

What Are Common Car Accident Injuries?

In a recent year in Georgia, motor vehicle wrecks were the second greatest cause of injury deaths, ER visits, and hospitalizations. Particularly at high speeds, car accidents can cause a wide range of serious injuries, such as:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) – The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reports that car accidents are among the leading causes of TBI. TBIs range from concussions to severe outcomes like penetrative injuries, intracranial hemorrhaging, and irreversible brain damage.
• Broken bones – The immense force from car accidents can put extreme pressure on a person, leading to fractures or even completely shattered bones. In some scenarios, broken bones may cause additional problems, such as internal bleeding.
• Soft-tissue injuries – These injuries affect connective tissues like skin, muscles, tendons, and nerves. They typically present with symptoms such as pain, swelling, bruising, and reduced range of motion.
• Spinal cord injuries – Damage to the vertebrae or surrounding soft tissues can disrupt signals from the brain to the body, leading to conditions like paraplegia or quadriplegia.
• Back injuries – Back injuries can occur in all types of car crashes when the spine is hit, crushed, or penetrated. These injuries include dislocated vertebrae, compression fractures, and herniated discs.
• Neck injuries – Whiplash, resulting from sudden jerking of the neck, is especially common in rear-end collisions. It can cause severe trauma to neck muscles, tendons, and ligaments, leading to long-lasting pain and other symptoms.
• Joint damage – Impacts during car accidents frequently injure joints like shoulders, knuckles, knees, hips, and elbows. The knees are especially vulnerable, as they can easily be struck or smashed against the dashboard during a crash.
• Internal injuries and bleeding – Injuries like puncture wounds, internal injuries, and organ ruptures are often life-threatening and may require surgery. These injuries may not present symptoms until it is too late, making prompt post-accident medical attention crucial.
• Deep cuts, bruising, and scarring – Various elements during an accident, such as broken glass, debris, seat belts, or airbags, can cause lacerations or contusions. While minor cuts and bruises heal with time, deeper wounds can result in infections. Permanent scars can also lead to a significant decrease in confidence.

How Can I Get a Police Report After My Accident in Athens?

After a car accident in Georgia, obtaining a copy of your police report is crucial. You can get a copy in person, go to BuyCrash.com, or have your car accident attorney secure one for you. Also referred to as an incident or crash report, this official document provides a detailed account of the accident from the police’s impartial perspective. The report includes observations the police made at the accident scene, as well as their interpretation of the events.

Visit the Responding Law Enforcement Agency

Your first option is physically going to the police department or respective of the law enforcement agency that attended to your accident. You can get a copy of the report by paying a small fee, usually less than five dollars.

Remember to contact the specific department that responded to your accident, which may not be in the city or county where you live. If you are uncertain which law enforcement agency responded to your accident, don’t worry. You can call the police, sheriff, or Georgia Highway Patrol in the area where the crash occurred to find out who has your report.

Also, note that it can take several days post-accident for the report to be ready. Call the station’s general number to find the Records Unit’s location and operating hours.

Order It Online

If visiting a police station in person is inconvenient, you can obtain your police report online at BuyCrash.com. For a $13 fee, this website allows you to locate and purchase a copy of your accident report. To find your report, you may need the accident’s date and location and the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) from your car.

Hire a Car Accident Attorney

If you are working with an Athens car accident lawyer, they can obtain the police report on your behalf. Legal professionals are equipped to do this efficiently, saving you time. This service is a routine part of their job as they gather evidence for your case.

Get Help from an Experienced Athens Car Accident Attorney 

If you have been harmed in a car accident in Athens, don’t try to deal with the insurance companies on your own. Instead, reach out to an experienced car accident attorney at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC. We can provide a free consultation and help you to understand and explore all of your legal options.