After a side-impact collision in Tucker, GA, you may be overwhelmed, shaken, and unsure of your next steps. This type of car accident, also known as a T-bone crash, can cause serious injuries and significant vehicle damage.
Contact our side-impact collision accident lawyers in Tucker for legal guidance and help filing a claim. Our team at Buddoo and Associates is dedicated to helping auto accident victims recover the compensation they deserve.
What to Do After a Side-Impact Collision in Tucker
The moments after a car crash can be chaotic and confusing, but taking the right steps is crucial for your health, safety, and potential legal case.
Call 911 and Check for Injuries
You should call 911 immediately after a traffic accident. Check yourself and others for injuries. If anyone is seriously hurt, try not to move them unless there is immediate danger. When help arrives, be honest with paramedics about how you’re feeling.
Report the Accident to the Police
Georgia law requires drivers to report a car accident involving injury, death, or more than $500 in property damage. The police will create an official report, which will serve as a key piece of evidence if you decide to pursue a claim later. Even if you feel okay or think the damage is minimal, it’s best to let law enforcement assess the scene.
Exchange Information With the Other Driver
If you’re able, exchange information with the other driver. Be sure to get their name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, license plate number, and insurance details. Also, take note of the make, model, and color of their vehicle.
Collect Evidence at the Scene
While still at the scene, gather as much evidence as possible. Take photos and videos of the vehicles, damage, skid marks, road conditions, traffic signs, and your injuries. If there are any witnesses, get their names and contact information. Their statements could help support your car accident claim.
Seek Medical Attention
Seek medical attention right away, even if you don’t think you’re badly injured. Some injuries, like whiplash, may not show symptoms until days after the accident.
Medical records play an important role in connecting your injuries to the crash, and prompt treatment helps support your case. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully, attend all follow-up appointments, and keep copies of all documentation.
Contact a Tucker Traffic Accident Lawyer
Don’t wait to seek legal help after a side-impact collision. Our attorneys at Buddoo and Associates will help you navigate insurance claims, investigate the accident, and fight for fair compensation.
Common Causes of Side-Impact Car Accidents
Side-impact collisions often happen in intersections, parking lots, and multi-lane roads. Tucker, with its mix of residential neighborhoods and busy highways, sees its share of these accidents. Understanding the most common causes can help you stay alert and possibly prevent future crashes.
Running Red Lights or Stop Signs
One of the leading causes is running red lights or stop signs. When a driver ignores a traffic signal and enters an intersection, they may crash into another vehicle that has the right of way. This is particularly dangerous at busy intersections like those along Hugh Howell Road or Brockett Road.
Failure to Yield
Failure to yield is another frequent factor. Drivers who don’t properly yield when merging, turning left, or entering a main road can cause a side-impact crash. These scenarios require split-second decisions, and a lack of caution can have serious consequences.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a growing problem across Georgia. Texting, eating, adjusting the radio, or even daydreaming behind the wheel can cause drivers to miss important cues, like a car entering the intersection. A momentary lapse in attention can lead to devastating results.
Drunk Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs severely impairs judgment, reaction time, and motor skills. Even a small amount of alcohol can affect a driver’s ability to assess a situation accurately, leading to risky maneuvers and side-impact crashes.
Improper Lane Changes
Improper lane changes can also lead to collisions. If a driver suddenly switches lanes without signaling or checking their blind spots, they could hit the side of another vehicle. This often occurs on highways and multi-lane roads like U.S. Route 78.
Speeding
Speeding is a contributing factor in many traffic accidents. The faster a car is going, the less time the driver has to react to other vehicles or changes in traffic patterns. High-speed crashes also increase the severity of injuries and damage.
Proving Fault in a Side-Impact Accident
In Georgia, the person who caused the accident is responsible for paying damages. However, proving who is at fault isn’t always straightforward. Insurance companies may try to shift blame or minimize payouts. That’s why collecting evidence and building a solid case is essential.
The police report after a car accident is vital in determining fault. The officer may note which driver violated traffic laws or acted negligently. These reports often include witness statements, a diagram of the crash scene, and any citations issued.
Eyewitness testimony can provide valuable insight into how the crash occurred. Photos and videos from the scene can show vehicle positions, damage, traffic signs, and road conditions. In some cases, nearby surveillance cameras or dash cams may have captured the crash in real-time.
If liability is unclear, accident reconstruction experts may be brought in. These professionals analyze vehicle damage, skid marks, and physics to determine how the crash happened and who was responsible.
It’s important to know that Georgia follows a modified comparative fault rule. This means you can still recover compensation if you were partially at fault, as long as you are less than 50% responsible. However, your compensation will be reduced. For example, if you are found to be 20% at fault, your compensation would be reduced by 20%.
Legal Representation for Side-Impact Crash Victims
Dealing with a side-impact accident is stressful enough. When you add insurance claims, medical bills, and legal issues, it can become overwhelming. That’s where the experienced team at Buddoo and Associates steps in. Our Tucker car accident lawyers are here to take the burden off your shoulders.
Our legal team will investigate the accident thoroughly. We gather police reports, medical records, witness statements, and any other evidence to build a strong case. If needed, we consult with accident reconstructionists or medical experts to support your claim.
We also handle all communication with insurance companies. Insurance adjusters are trained to protect their company’s bottom line and may try to get you to accept a lowball offer. We handle settlement negotiations with the insurance company, advocating for fair compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
If the insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable settlement, we are fully prepared to take your case to court. Our attorneys have the litigation experience needed to fight for your rights in front of a judge and jury.
Don’t Wait to Contact a Tucker Car Accident Lawyer
Contacting a Tucker car accident lawyer as soon as possible after a side-impact wreck is critical for protecting your legal rights and preserving crucial evidence. The sooner an attorney gets involved, the better they can investigate the crash scene, interview witnesses, and gather surveillance footage.
Another important reason to act quickly is Georgia’s statute of limitations. In most cases, you have two years to file a personal injury claim after a car accident. If you miss this deadline, you could lose your right to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses. There are some exceptions to this time limit.
At Buddoo and Associates, we ensure all necessary paperwork is filed on time and guide you through every step of the legal process.
Get Legal Help After a Side-Impact Collision
A side-impact collision can change your life in an instant. Whether you’re dealing with painful injuries, mounting medical bills, or a damaged vehicle, you don’t have to go through it alone. Reach out to our side-impact collision accident lawyers in Tucker to get the help you deserve.
At Buddoo and Associates, we fight for justice and fair compensation for accident victims in Tucker and the Atlanta area. Contact us today for a free consultation and take the first step toward recovery.
