Auto Accidents
An auto accident can change your life in less than a blink of the eye. You could be driving down I-20 or I-85 or through the streets of Downtown Atlanta and not ever see the other car or truck coming. In that moment, you could suffer serious, debilitating injuries.
When the accident was the result of another driver’s negligence, you should not have to bear the burden of the significant costs you incur. However, you should never count on the other driver’s insurance company to offer a fair settlement. An attorney can help you obtain what you truly deserve.
Atlanta Auto Accident Lawyer
ReShea Balams is an experienced Atlanta auto accident lawyer who helps the victims of motor vehicle crashes obtain the compensation they deserve from the responsible driver. She never seeks to settle a case to make a quick buck. ReShea Balams gives each and every client the attention they deserve.
Contact The Balams Firm today at (404) 445-2005 to schedule a free consultation to discuss your auto accident case. ReShea Balams is based in Atlanta and represents clients throughout the area, including Lawrenceville, Marietta, Decatur, Buckhead, Johns Point, Sandy Springs, East Point, Smyrna Brookhaven, Roswell, Milton and anywhere in DeKalb, Cobb, Clayton, Gwinnett or Fulton Counties.
Info on Auto Accidents in Georgia
- Factors in Auto Accidents
- Types of Injuries
- Don’t Just Take a Settlement from an Insurance Company
- Resources for Car Accident Cases in Atlanta
Factors in Auto Accidents
There is always a reason a car accident occurred. Whether or not an injured party will be able to recover for his or her damages depends on whether the accident was caused due to negligence of another party.
For an accident to be caused by negligence, the driver had to have done something a reasonable driver would not do. A reasonable driver, for instance, would not:
- Speed
- Drive while intoxicated
- Make an illegal lane change
- Text while driving
- Run a stop sign or traffic signal
- Engage in aggressive driving
- Drive when exhausted
In an auto accident, damages are usually inevitable, even if it’s a minor fender bender. However, in many cases, damages are more extensive. A car crash can result in your vehicle being totaled, and the injuries suffered could be life-altering.
The extent of the damages is often related to the type of vehicle being driven. If the other driver is in an 18-wheeler, the damages are frequently much worse for you.
Likewise, if you are in a motorcycle, you may suffer worse than a person who was in a passenger vehicle.
The type of accident may have a major effect, as well. A head-on or t-bone collision typically results in more damage than a rear-end accident. Any type of collision, though, can be serious.
Types of Injuries
Auto accidents are a leading cause of death in the Atlanta area. In cases involving death, a spouse or child may seek recovery for the wrongful death of their loved one.
Many accidents result in extensive injuries. A person could be hospitalized with broken bones, internal injuries, brain injuries and more. He or she could miss work for days or weeks. In some cases, they may not be able to work at the same job. Physical therapy can last years afterward.
Some accidents, however, have no or few immediate noticeable effects. You may walk away from a car accident with a slight headache or some very mild pain in your neck. It may seem like “no big deal.”
However, the true, long-lasting effects of whiplash, a common result of rear-end accidents, can sometimes not be apparently until much later on. It can cause long-term spinal injuries and nerve damage that can affect your ability to work, sometimes for the rest of your life. Failing to go to the doctor soon after the accident can have a strong negative effect on what you can recover.
It’s important to act soon if you are in any type of accident, including a “minor” rear-end accident to ensure that maximum recovery.
There’s also the damage to your car. Under Georgia law, you are able to seek and recover for the diminished value of your vehicle. You may also be able to be compensated for your rental car.
Don’t Just Take a Settlement from an Insurance Company
After an accident, it is common for the other party’s insurance company to contact you. They could offer you a settlement, and say it is a fair assessment of the value of your losses. They may say it’s the best you are going to do.
Do not believe the insurance company. They are looking out for their bottom line. They want the situation resolved with them paying as little money as they can get away with.
Your lawyer will be on your side, looking out for you. You attorney can negotiate a settlement that truly matches the extent of your damages. In most cases, the insurance company will settle. However, if they do not make an offer satisfactory to you, your lawyer can take them to court.
In some case, a driver responsible for an accident may not be insured or will be underinsured. Your attorney will look at other routes to obtain recovery, including any assets they may own or your insurance company.
Resources for Car Accident Cases in Atlanta
Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety: This state office compiles data relating to highway safety and seeks to reduce the number of injuries and fatalities on the road.
7 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SE #643Atlanta, GA 30334
Phone: (404) 656-6996
Georgia Department of Public Safety: The DPS enforces traffic laws throughout the state of Georgia, including DUI laws and speeding.
959 E. Confederate Avenue SEAtlanta, GA 30316
The Balams Firm | A Motor Vehicle Crash Attorney in the Atlanta Area
Having an experienced, knowledgeable advocate on your side after an auto accident can make a major difference in what you are able to recover. ReShea Balams is an Atlanta auto accident lawyer who can take on the insurance company to obtain compensation that truly covers your losses. Call today at (404) 445-2005 to schedule a free consultation.