Helping Georgia Car Accident Victims Recover As Fully As Possible

Cromartie Law provides experienced legal representation to people who have been injured in car accidents in northern Georgia. We understand the problems injured people face, like medical bills, lost wages, physical rehabilitation, and pain and suffering. We can help you obtain fair compensation for your losses.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, call our Rome office at 706-622-4853 to schedule your free consultation.

What Are Some Common Causes Of Car Accidents In Georgia?

Car accidents in Georgia can happen for a wide variety of reasons, making them difficult to avoid, even for safe, defensive drivers. Remember, you are only as safe as the drivers around you on the road. Some of the most common reasons for these car crashes include:

• Texting and driving: Physically holding a phone to text and drive is illegal in Georgia, but many drivers do it anyway. It’s not just texting, either, as many will take pictures or videos, make phone calls, use social media, read emails and more.
• Other forms of distracted driving: Distraction can also come from events like talking to passengers, changing a radio station, looking at a GPS, adjusting the mirrors, picking up dropped items or interacting with children.
• Daydreaming: Many drivers get distracted when their minds wander and they daydream during the drive.
• Impaired driving: Drunk driving is common, but alcohol is not the only cause of impairment. Other causes include marijuana, illegal drugs or prescription medications.
• Aggressive driving: This includes making unsafe passes, speeding excessively and tailgating other drivers. Road rage also falls under this category as one of the most extreme examples.
• Mistakes at intersections: Roughly half of all serious accidents happen at intersections. Mistakes include running stop signs, running red lights and failing to yield the right of way.
• Driving too fast for conditions: In poor weather conditions, drivers cause accidents if they fail to adjust their speed. Examples include hydroplaning on wet roads or driving too fast to see properly in the fog.
• Fatigued driving: One often underreported issue is when drivers continue to drive even when they are too tired to do so safely. An example could be a truck driver who has a deadline to meet and nods off behind the wheel.

Finally, it is important to note that age can play a role. Drivers from 16 to 19 have the highest accident rate of any age group. Often, the root cause of these accidents is just driver inexperience, which leads to mistakes that older drivers would be less likely to make.

Common Injuries Associated With Serious Car Accidents

Injuries suffered by victims of serious car accidents may range from mild to severe, and they include things like:

• Whiplash: This injury occurs when the neck is suddenly jolted forward and then backward, causing strain on the muscles and ligaments.
• Broken bones: Fractures are common in serious car accidents due to the impact force.
• Head injuries: These can range from minor concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
• Back injuries: The force of a car accident can cause damage to the delicate structures of the spine, leading to herniated discs, spinal cord injuries or other debilitating conditions.
• Internal injuries: The impact of a car accident can cause damage to internal organs, leading to bleeding, bruising or organ failure.
• Cuts, bruises and lacerations: Flying debris, broken glass or impact with hard surfaces can leave scars.
• Chest injuries: The chest can suffer significant trauma in a car accident, leading to injuries like fractured sternum, broken ribs or punctured lungs.
• Psychological trauma: Car accidents can have lasting psychological effects on victims, including anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
• Soft tissue injuries: Muscles, ligaments and tendons can be strained or torn in a car accident, leading to pain, swelling and decreased range of motion.

After an injury in a car accident, it is important to promptly seek the guidance of an experienced Georgia car accident lawyer. Cromartie Law can act quickly to preserve evidence and protect your rights and interests. Our lawyers can also protect you against the manipulations of the insurance companies involved.

What Compensation Do You Deserve After A Car Accident?

We are dedicated to providing quality care to our injured clients. While many seek compensation for more tangible losses, such as injuries and medical bills, they may also be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering.

Pain and suffering can encompass physical pain, mental anguish and other factors. We have substantial experience identifying the entirety of our clients’ injuries.

We confidently handle injury claims arising from:

• Auto accidents (head-on, broadside, T-bone, rear-end)
• Truck accidents, including accidents with semi trucks and large commercial vehicles
• Motorcycle accidents, which can result in significant injuries to the motorcyclist
• Boating accidents, which are more likely when alcohol is involved
• Hit-and-run accidents, including pedestrians and other cars
• Accidents with pedestrians, which can severely injure or even kill the pedestrian
• Bicycle accidents, which may also result in severe injuries
• Distracted driving accidents, whether caused by texting while driving or some other type of driving while distracted

Accidents Caused By Drunken Drivers

People who have been injured in auto accidents caused by drunken drivers may seek compensation for punitive damages. Punitive damages are available when gross negligence, recklessness or intentional harm is involved.

Our Georgia firm begins by negotiating fair settlements with insurance companies. For most people, we can resolve the case without going to trial. However, if the insurance company is offering an unreasonable figure, we will take your case to trial. Insurance companies recognize that attorneys who will go to trial are focused on obtaining maximum compensation for their clients.

What Damages Are Recoverable In A Serious Georgia Car Accident?

Compensation recoverable in a serious Georgia car accident may include:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Loss of consortium
• Punitive damages

At Cromartie Law, we will not leave anything to chance when pursuing the maximum possible compensation for your car accident injury claim. Our experienced Georgia car accident lawyers will diligently investigate your case, negotiate with insurance companies and, if necessary, advocate for your rights in court to help ensure you receive the full extent of damages you are entitled to receive.

Factors That Could Influence The Value Of Your Car Accident Claim

Clients often ask what their claim is worth, but there is no standard answer. Instead, the value of a claim depends on a wide range of case-specific factors, including:

• The severity of injuries and the costs of necessary medical care
• The victim’s normal wages and how long they were out of work because of the crash
• Whether the victim suffered permanent injuries or disabilities
• The victim’s level of pain and suffering and how long it lasted
• The level of property damage
• Whether the victim shared any fault for the crash (shared fault can reduce compensation)
• The limits of the at-fault driver’s insurance policy (in some cases)
• Whether the at-fault driver’s actions were egregious enough to warrant punitive damages

The value of any personal injury claim can also fluctuate based on the skill and investment of the plaintiff’s attorney. A good lawyer understands how to accurately calculate the full extent of the victim’s losses, and they may be able to find damages that more novice attorneys would overlook. Additionally, a tenacious attorney who aggressively advocates for their clients is more likely to be successful than one who is quick to accept a settlement without much negotiation.

Don’t Wait To Take Legal Action – Your Claim Is Time Limited

Every state imposes what’s known as a “statute of limitations” on personal injury claims. If you were seriously injured in a Georgia car accident, you typically have just two years from the date of the crash to sue for damages. If you don’t file within that window, your claim will no longer be actionable, regardless of how extensive your injuries and other losses were. In rare circumstances, there may be exceptions that give you more than two years, but you shouldn’t count on that without knowing how the law applies to your case.

Two years may seem like plenty of time, but investigations, negotiations and securing court dates can all take longer than you might expect. Additionally, as time passes, evidence disappears and memories fade, potentially weakening your claim. For these and other reasons, it is best to contact an attorney as soon as reasonably possible so they can get started on building a case for compensation.

Georgia Car Accident FAQ

If you have never been involved in an auto accident claim before, you probably have a lot of questions. Here are the general answers to some commonly asked questions:

What should I do if I get into a car accident?

Safety and health are your first priority. If possible, get yourself and your passengers out of traffic and call 911. If you do not need emergency medical attention, stay at the crash scene until the police arrive. Exchange contact and insurance information with the other drivers and ask for contact info from any third-party eyewitnesses. Use your phone or a camera to take pictures of the accident scene.

Should I report the accident to my insurance company?

Georgia law requires you to report any car accident involving injury, death or property damage exceeding $500 to your insurance company. Even if the accident seems minor, failing to report it promptly could lead to complications with your claim later. Reporting helps ensure your insurer has accurate details, which is critical for protecting your rights under your policy. Delays or omissions might be used to dispute your coverage eligibility.

Should I speak to the other driver’s insurance company?

You are not legally required to speak with the other driver’s insurance company. Insurers often seek statements to minimize their liability. Politely decline to provide a recorded statement or sign documents without first reviewing your legal options. If contacted, you may request they communicate through your attorney or adjuster to avoid inadvertently harming your potential claim.

How soon should I see a doctor after a serious car accident?

You should see a doctor as soon as possible, ideally within hours or a day of the accident. Georgia law does not set a specific deadline, but waiting too long can hurt your health and weaken any future claims. Injuries like whiplash or internal damage might not show up right away. Moreover, medical records tie your condition to the crash, which is key for legal purposes.

What if I was involved in a car accident where the other driver had no insurance?

If the other driver was uninsured, you are not out of options. Georgia requires drivers to carry insurance, but if they do not, you can file a claim with your own uninsured motorist coverage (if you have it). You can also sue the driver personally, though collecting damages may be tough if they lack funds.

What is the one thing I must never do after an auto accident?

Never admit fault at the scene. Georgia follows a comparative negligence rule, meaning if you take the blame – even casually – it could reduce or bar your ability to recover damages later. Stick to exchanging information and let the police and insurance companies sort out who is responsible based on evidence.

How long after a car accident can you make an injury claim?

Every state, including Georgia, imposes a time limit on filing personal injury claims. This is known as a “statute of limitations.” In Georgia, the statute of limitations generally requires you to file a claim within two years after you were injured or discovered your injuries.

What is considered a serious car accident?

Most car crashes are fairly minor and cause no more than bumps and bruises. But if you suffered injuries that required a hospital stay, surgery and other intensive medical care and took months to recover from – or if you were left with permanent pain or disability – your accident could be considered serious.

Is Georgia an at-fault state for car accidents?

Yes. In an at-fault state, when two people get into a car accident that one of them caused by acting negligently, the other party can file a claim with the negligent driver’s auto insurance provider. You also have the option of filing a claim on your own insurance policy or suing the negligent driver. Which option you choose can depend on the extent of the harm you have suffered and whether the other driver was insured.

How long does a car accident settlement take?

This largely depends on how severe your injuries were and how reasonable the insurance company acts. Roughly, your claim could take between six months and two years to settle or get resolved in court.

Holding Negligent Drivers Responsible

If you have been injured by the negligence of another motorist or because of a defective road condition, contact Cromartie Law to schedule your free consultation. We handle most personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You owe no legal fee unless we obtain compensation for you. Call our lawyers at 706-622-4853.

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Our firm is located at the corner of Broad Street and Fourth Avenue in front of the Floyd County Courthouse and Forum in downtown Rome. Our office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with off-site evening and weekend appointments available.