Car accidents can have severe repercussions on the lives of victims. Some people lose their lives while some lose their ability to perform certain activities. Car accident liability claims can recuperate some of the damages, but not lost lives. Across the U.S., car accidents occur daily and are responsible for a significant number of deaths in the country.
According to the Association for Safe International Road Travel, about 4.4 million people are severely injured in car accidents across the United States. In addition, 38,000 people die every year on American soil. So what happens if you get involved in a car accident? Do you foot the medical bills yourself, and how do you meet your needs if you cannot work?
Fortunately, Georgia law ensures that in addition to your insurance, the party at fault pays damages to you. This would usually cover medical costs, lost wages, future earnings, and pain and suffering. However, the key to receiving these damages lies in your ability to prove the defendant’s liability. This article covers different types of car accident liability claims and what to do after a crash.
Types of Car Accident Liability Claims
This section covers some common car accident claims.
Claims Against Another Driver
This is probably the most common type of car accident claim and is made against the driver of the other car involved in the accident. Anyone from a pedestrian to a motorcycle rider can file this claim.
Third-Party Claims
A third-party claim is common in drunk driving accidents. It is also known as a dram shop claim and the victim files the lawsuit against a party that was not directly involved in the accident. For example, if a drunk driver was responsible for an accident, you may be able to sue the bar that sold the alcohol. Additionally, if a driver got drunk at a party, you may be able to sue the homeowner for damages. These claims are not straightforward and require the expertise of an Atlanta car accident lawyer.
Product Car Accident Liability Claims
While an individual’s negligence is often responsible for car accidents, a defective part can also be responsible for an accident. For example, if an accident occurred because of a faulty brake, you may be able to file a claim against the car manufacturer.
Medical Car Accident Liability Claims
Medical liability claims are typically filed during medical malpractice suits. However, they can be filed following a car accident. For example, if a hospital/doctor released a patient before he was ready to leave, they may be liable for any accident that the patient causes.
A more common scenario is where an individual causes an accident while intoxicated from a substance found in their drug. Proving car accident liability is not always a simple process. Therefore, you need to hire a car accident lawyer early in your case.
What Should You Do After a Car Accident?
The moments after a car accident are crucial for everyone involved. Getting the help you need could potentially save your life. In addition, the actions you take could also affect your car accident claim in the future. We’ll discuss some things to do immediately after an accident.
The first thing to do is seek medical attention. Your health should always be a priority, so ensure you get checked for injuries. In addition, document every treatment that you go through. It will serve as valuable evidence in your claim.
In addition to getting medical help, you need to get a competent car accident lawyer. Much of the success of your car accident claim rests on it. As we pointed out earlier, a successful car accident claim rests on your ability to prove the defendant’s liability. A car accident lawyer should be able to identify key evidence and witnesses that could help your case.
Another thing you should do is gather evidence. A hack for this is to get the police report. It will often have the results of their investigation, which you can use. Your lawyer can also help you with this.
Hire the Best Car Accident Lawyers in Atlanta
If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Atlanta, you may be eligible for compensation. Therefore, we encourage you to contact our car accident lawyers to set up a free consultation. Our Atlanta injury lawyers will examine your case to develop a good strategy. They’ll also gather the necessary evidence and identify key witnesses.
Our team has vast experience handling car accident cases for our clients. We understand how badly a car accident can hurt you and your loved ones. As a result, we ensure we handle each case appropriately. This has helped us win millions of dollars in compensation for our clients, and we’ll love to do the same for you. So get in touch with The Weinstein Firm now.
