Roswell is a beautiful and historic city in Fulton County with a population of more than 90,000. Many people flock to the area to take in nature's bounty along the Chattahoochee River or see a concert at the Ameris Bank Amphitheater. With so much vehicle traffic in Roswell, the potential exists for you to get into a car accident through no fault of your own.
If another motorist caused a car crash that injured you or someone you love, you should contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to help seek compensation from the responsible parties. A Roswell car accident lawyer from Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group could advise you on seeking damages for your particular case. Contact us today for a free consultation regarding your legal rights and options for obtaining the financial compensation you deserve.
What Makes Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group Different?
Our attorneys at Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group know the stress of dealing with life after a car accident firsthand. Our founding attorney, Jennifer Gore-Cuthbert, vowed to help accident victims as her life’s work after she went through a challenging car accident process.
We want to make your experience as smooth as possible. From the start to the finish of your case, you can expect the following from Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group:
- Prompt and courteous communication: Not knowing what comes next after a crash is a significant stressor. Our car accident attorneys will ensure you get the information you need promptly.
- A can-do attitude: Our team believes in focusing on the positive and supporting each accident victim without judgment. No matter your story, we’re here to help you seek financial recovery from the at-fault party.
- Results for our clients: We pair a client-first approach with experienced legal representation. We know how to get results for car accident victims and have won high six-figure settlements for past clients. These include $650,000 for a victim of a head-on collision and $908,334 for a rear-end collision victim.
You can call us today to learn more about our attorneys’ services. We offer free consultations so that you can get answers and clarification about your case. What's more, our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so you won't pay anything upfront for us to represent you, and we will only accept a fee if we help you obtain compensation.
Other Benefits of Having Our Roswell Car Accident Lawyers on Your Side
The above process may seem relatively straightforward. However, we know that the car accident claims process comes with many common pitfalls and complications. We will help you understand what to expect throughout any of these challenges, and we can also work to resolve them for you.
We can help you:
- Push back against lowball claims
- Demonstrate the validity of your case if the insurance company denies it
- Move forward during any unnecessary delays to your case
- Advise you on how to maximize your case's potential value
Car Accident Statistics in Georgia and Roswell
According to the Georgia Department of Public Health, car accidents pose a significant public health hazard to Georgians.
Motor vehicle crashes are:
- The top cause of injury-related death in the state
- The second-highest reason for emergency room visits in the state
Georgia is overrepresented among the nation's fatal accidents. Even though Georgia has the eighth-largest population in the country, it had the fourth-highest number of fatal crashes in 2017.
Between 2018 and 2022, the Roswell area also saw its share of serious accidents. In that time, the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) logged 13,960 crashes in Fulton County. Of these accidents, 4,702 resulted in injuries, and 16 resulted in fatalities.
Future Plans May Address Congested Streets in Roswell
As noted by Roswell’s Department of Transportation (RDOT), Roswell is a major crossroads in North Fulton County. This includes five state routes, including SR 400.
The city faces the following roadway challenges:
- Overburdened roads
- Increasing congestion due to population growth in the past 30 years
To address these issues, the RDOT has proposed several projects to break ground between 2022 and 2027, including intersection improvements at:
- Pine Grove Road Corridor at Magnolia Street
- Nesbit Ferry Road Corridor at Johns Creek
- Riverside Road Corridor
For now, however, drivers in Roswell continue to face the daily challenges of congestion and intersection dangers—as those recovering after an accident know all too well. Our team has an in-depth understanding of these local roadway issues in Roswell and will use our local resources to gather compelling evidence for your case.
What Are Some Common Car Accidents in Roswell?
Car accidents can happen due to various reasons, and some of the most common types of car accidents we see in Roswell include:
- Rear-end collisions: These occur when one vehicle collides with the back of another vehicle. Rear-end accidents often happen due to tailgating, distracted driving, sudden braking, or slippery road conditions.
- Side-impact collisions: Also known as T-bone or broadside collisions, these happen when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle, forming a "T" shape. They often occur at intersections when one driver fails to yield or runs a red light.
- Head-on collisions: This type of accident happens when the front ends of two vehicles collide while traveling in opposite directions. Head-on collisions are often severe and can result from wrong-way driving, overtaking in dangerous situations, or driver impairment.
- Sideswipe accidents: These occur when the sides of two vehicles come into contact while traveling parallel to each other. Sideswipe accidents often occur when changing lanes without checking blind spots or when drivers are distracted.
- Rollover accidents: These accidents happen when a vehicle flips over onto its side or roof. They are more common with SUVs and vehicles with a high center of gravity, especially during sharp turns or in cases of extreme maneuvering.
- Multi-vehicle pileups: Also known as chain-reaction collisions, these accidents involve multiple vehicles and often occur in adverse weather conditions like fog, heavy rain, or snow, where one initial collision sets off a chain reaction.
- Hit and run accidents: These occur when a driver involved in an accident flees the scene without stopping to exchange information or provide aid to injured parties.
In addition, negligent car drivers can cause pedestrian accidents or bicycle accidents if they collide with someone in a crosswalk or riding their bike on the road. Also, drunk drivers cause many accidents each year that injure or kill hundreds of people across Georgia.
It's essential to exercise caution and follow traffic rules to minimize the risk of accidents and ensure road safety for everyone. If another driver caused a car accident that injured you, contact an experienced car accident lawyer today to discuss your claim.
What Are Some Common Car Accident Injuries?
Car accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, varying from minor to severe. Some common car accident injuries include:
- Whiplash and other neck injuries: Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when the head is suddenly jerked forward and then backward, causing strain to the neck muscles and ligaments. It is a common injury in rear-end collisions.
- Broken bones: Fractures can occur in various parts of the body, such as arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis, due to the impact of the collision.
- Head injuries: Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) can result from the head hitting the steering wheel, dashboard, or windows during a car accident. Concussions and other brain injuries can have varying degrees of severity.
- Back injuries: Herniated discs, sprains, and strains in the back can happen due to the force exerted on the spine during a collision. Spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis and other chronic conditions that require lifelong medical care.
- Soft tissue injuries: Damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments can lead to strains and sprains, causing pain and reduced mobility.
- Chest injuries: The impact of a car accident can result in chest contusions and, in severe cases, broken ribs.
- Knee injuries: The knees can hit the dashboard or the seat in front during a collision, leading to contusions, fractures, or ligament tears.
- Internal injuries: The force of a collision can cause damage to internal organs, such as the liver, spleen, or kidneys, even if there are no visible external injuries.
- Psychological trauma: Car accidents can cause emotional distress, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other psychological injuries.
Car accidents can also cause burn injuries and deep cuts and lacerations that can cause extensive scarring and disfigurement. The severity of car accident injuries depends on various factors, including the speed of the vehicles involved, the use of seatbelts, the position of the occupants, and the overall safety features of the vehicles.
You should always seek medical attention as soon as possible after an accident, even if your injuries seem minor. Some injuries may not manifest symptoms right away and can worsen if left untreated. Also, to file a claim, you must have documentation that you sustained injuries and received treatment for them.
After getting medical care, you should contact a Roswell car accident lawyer if another driver injured you or a close family member. A lawyer can help you get maximum compensation for your injuries and losses so you can focus on your recovery.
You Could Recover Several Forms of Compensation After a Crash
You could be facing many consequences of your injuries after a crash. Whether you are dealing with financial or even emotional hardships, our attorneys will seek all forms of compensation available to you.
In general, you could be able to recover the following types of losses, also known as damages:
Financial Damages
The financial effects of the accident can overwhelm you.
You may, however, recover:
- Medical expenses: You may be trying to get your current and past medical bills covered through an insurance claim or lawsuit. However, you should know that you could get compensation for your future expected medical care needs, too. This includes emergency room care, visits to a doctor, medications, physical therapy, surgeries, diagnostic testing, specialist visits, and more.
- Income and professional losses: After an injury, you may need to miss days, weeks, or more from your job. These missed paychecks are recoverable, along with other professional losses. You can recover missed tips, bonuses, or promotion opportunities. If you had to take a different job or cannot earn what you did before the injury, you can recover compensation for this loss.
- Out-of-pocket expenses: Paying out of pocket to repair your car or for medical devices can quickly add up.
Demonstrating the Value of Your Financial Damages
To get fair compensation for your financial damages, we will collect evidence such as:
- Medical bills, lab test bills, and other medical records
- Paychecks and records of your former earnings before the injury
- Statements from your doctor, coworkers, or employer
- Receipts for out-of-pocket costs
The more evidence we can present, the stronger your case for recovery.
Non-Financial Damages
You could feel the non-financial hardships of your car accident injury every day.
These damages are more emotional or psychological, and they include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Reduced ability to enjoy life
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Loss of limb
Demonstrating the Value of Your Non-Financial Damages
Proving the potential value of your intangible losses can be more challenging, as there is no receipt for your pain and suffering. However, our attorneys have experience assessing these losses.
One of the most useful tools that we can employ here is expert witness testimony. For instance, we may consult with a psychologist—including your provider—to demonstrate that you were diagnosed with PTSD and need ongoing treatment for your accident-related trauma.
In general, the greater the impact the injury had on your quality of life, the more compensation we may be able to seek in non-financial damages.
Wrongful Death Damages
If you lost a loved one to a car accident, we offer our deepest condolences. We are truly sorry for your loss, and we are prepared to help your family fight for justice during this painful time.
Our compassionate team will explain all your legal options for holding the liable party accountable through a wrongful death claim. Then, we can tell you which family members may qualify to receive compensation. Money cannot replace your loved one, but it can help you address the financial strain caused by your loved one's passing. You could recover the costs of a funeral and burial, your family member's medical expenses, and the emotional pain of your loss.
How a Car Accident Case Works—And How We Can Help
One of the biggest concerns on an accident victim’s mind is,
“How does this claims process work?” Our attorneys have years of experience navigating this process. Here’s what you should know about how our lawyers can help after a car accident.
We will:
1. Investigate Your Case
Typically, the first thing we’ll want to do is understand what happened, uncovering evidence for case facts such as:
- Who caused the crash: We can determine how the other driver's negligence led to the accident—such as speeding, distracted driving, or other negligence.
- Who is liable for the crash: Liability refers to the person who needs to pay for your damages. In some situations, we may discover that someone other than the driver is responsible for paying you, such as the employer of a negligent truck driver.
- The extent of your losses: As described above, we can look to anything from your medical records to statements from an employer to understand your damages.
- The details of the insurance policies: We can investigate the details of the policies involved to determine the best legal strategy to move forward.
Building strong evidence for a car crash is crucial for the success of your case. We’ll take the time necessary to investigate and get documentation of your crash and injuries.
2. Present Your Case Before an Insurance Company
Next, with our evidence in hand, we can make your case before an insurance company.
This typically involves:
- Presenting a demand for compensation with your damages clearly detailed and the desired dollar amount
- Speaking for your side of the story and protecting your right to seek compensation
- Negotiating with the other party’s representatives to seek the highest amount available
- Dealing with all third parties in the case for you, such as insurance adjusters and other lawyers. You never have to pick up a phone call or respond to requests from the insurance company.
Throughout the entire process, we’ll keep you updated as we receive offers. It is always your choice to accept an offer and settle the negotiations.
3. Take Your Case to Trial if Necessary
In some situations, we skip the settlement negotiations process and proceed directly to filing a lawsuit. In other cases, we may file a lawsuit after the other party’s insurance company fails to agree to a fair offer.
Filing a lawsuit does not necessarily mean we will end up in the courtroom. Often, we will continue with negotiations before a trial date, and we may be able to get the desired settlement amount before the trial begins.
However, we prepare to argue your case before a jury if necessary. If we do go to trial, our attorneys will handle the courtroom process for you, making statements for your case, cross-examining witnesses, and handling court paperwork. We can also ensure that you feel prepared for any statements you may need to make at trial.
Proving Negligence in a Roswell Car Accident Case?
A car crash victim could seek damages from any negligent party who contributed to their accident or injuries. The burden is on the injured person (plaintiff) to prove the other party (defendant) was negligent. In car accident cases, the defendant is usually the at-fault driver but could be others depending on the nature of the crash.
To prove negligence, the plaintiff's attorney must establish that:
- The defendant had an obligation or duty to the plaintiff.
- The defendant breached that duty by driving carelessly, recklessly, or violating traffic laws.
- The breach caused the incident that led to the plaintiff's injuries.
- The plaintiff suffered documentable harm as a result of the incident.
All motor vehicle drivers owe a duty of care to others on the road, which means they must drive safely and follow all traffic laws so as not to endanger others. If another driver failed to obey the law or did not exercise reasonable caution, an attorney could gather evidence of this to prove the breach of duty as the reason the accident happened.
Multiple Negligent Parties in a Roswell Car Wreck
Under Georgia law, a driver who was at fault in a car accident is responsible for compensating other parties who suffered losses because of the accident. If multiple parties share the blame, the law holds each negligent party responsible for damages in an amount proportional to their share of the fault. A negligent plaintiff could collect damages from other at-fault parties as long as the plaintiff is less than 50 percent responsible for the accident.
Who Are Potential Defendants in an Auto Collision Claim?
Importantly, drivers are not the only ones whose negligence causes car wrecks. Injured people could seek damages from anyone whose carelessness might have contributed to the crash. A car accident attorney from our team could investigate the circumstances of a crash in Roswell to identify all potentially responsible parties.
If a vehicle part failed, for instance, the plaintiff could seek damages from the product's manufacturer for selling a defective product or from the vehicle manufacturer for designing and producing a substandard vehicle. If road conditions contributed to an accident, a plaintiff and their local attorney might be able to hold the local government liable for their damages.
Could I Hold a Bar or Restaurant Accountable for Car Crashes?
The Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) § 51-1-40 makes bars or restaurants liable for a car crash victim's damages under certain circumstances. If a bar or restaurant gives alcoholic beverages to an underage person knowing that they will soon drive, the establishment could need to pay damages to anyone they injure. Similarly, a bar or restaurant could be liable to someone injured by a drunk driver if the establishment serves alcohol to a noticeably intoxicated person, knowing that they will soon be driving.
Other Frequently Asked Questions in Car Accident Cases
We want you to have all the answers you need as you begin your car accident case. Here are some responses to the most commonly asked questions:
What Should I Do After a Roswell Car Crash?
The steps you take after an accident are not only crucial for your well-being but the potential success of your case.
First, be sure to call the local police to the accident scene so they can generate a police report. Then, let your insurance company know about the crash—briefly, without admitting fault.
Be sure to get medical treatment immediately if you have any injuries. If you end up with medical bills related to the accident, you'll need to show that your injuries were a direct result of the accident to get compensation. Waiting too long to seek care can compromise your claim.
Do I Need to Accept the Insurance Company’s First Offer?
No. In fact, we recommend that you get in touch with our team and learn your options before accepting any settlement offers.
Often, the insurance company's first offer is a low one. It may not account for your future medical care costs or income losses. When we investigate your case, we can tell you what a more appropriate and fair settlement amount looks like. Then, we'll do the legwork of negotiating for you.
Also, if the insurance company asks you to make a recorded statement, decline to do so. Such statements could be used against you when you seek compensation.
How Much Time Do I Have to Bring a Case?
Georgia law gives you limited time to bring a case for compensation after a crash. According to O.C.G.A. 9-3-33, you generally have just two years to take legal action.
If you contact us promptly after the accident, we can tell you exactly how much time you have to bring a case. We can then keep your case on track to meet any important deadlines.
Acting sooner rather than later is a good idea for your case for other reasons. We can take more time to build your case and gather time-sensitive evidence, such as eyewitness statements, if you begin soon.
Could I Recover Compensation if I Was Partially At Fault?
The good news is that even people who were partially at fault for a crash can get compensation in Georgia. If you have concerns about sharing some degree of responsibility for causing the accident, don’t let this hold you back from pursuing a case.
Our attorneys can explain everything you need to know about how sharing fault could affect your potential settlement. Then, we’ll work hard to show the other party was primarily liable for the crash.
Call a Roswell Car Accident Attorney’s Team Today
If a car wreck injured you, you could seek extensive damages in a civil claim to cover your lost wages, medical expenses, and losses you expect to incur in the future. An attorney could also help you pursue compensation for the pain, suffering, and permanent changes to your lifestyle resulting from your injuries.
However, remember that Georgia law gives injured people only two years to bring a lawsuit seeking damages, so act quickly. Contact a Roswell auto accident attorney at our law office today at (404) 609-1724 to discuss your case and get the legal help you need. We're standing by to take your call at no cost to you, and our law firm has received consistent recognition as among the leading personal injury practices in the greater Metro Atlanta area.