Unfortunately, frequent car accidents are inevitable in a busy metropolitan area like Atlanta. When a wreck significantly impacts your life due to injuries or a death, it’s time to partner with an experienced car accident lawyer in Atlanta, GA.
At Van Sant Law, we’ve recovered hundreds of millions for injured victims. Our Atlanta personal injury lawyers are here to offer you a free consultation and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.
Why Choose Van Sant Law After an Atlanta Car Accident?
After an Atlanta car accident, you deserve more than help filing paperwork. Van Sant Law, led by David M. Van Sant, provides dedicated legal support while you focus on your recovery, working to protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve. Here’s why clients choose us:
- Serving Georgia residents since 2008: Van Sant Law has spent nearly two decades helping injured people and families across Georgia.
- Decades of combined experience: Our personal injury attorneys bring extensive experience to personal injury cases.
- Insider knowledge of insurance companies: We understand the tactics insurers may use to reduce or deny claims and know how to push back.
- Here for you 24/7: Accidents do not happen on a schedule, so our car accident lawyers in Atlanta remain available around the clock when you need us.
- Free consultation: You can discuss your accident, injuries, medical bills, and legal options with our team without paying for an initial consultation.
As a nationally recognized trial attorney named to the Georgia Super Lawyers list and a certified life member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Mr. Van Sant has deep experience and a track record of success.
Meet Our Team of Atlanta Car Accident Lawyers
Our Atlanta car accident lawyers help people pursue compensation after crashes caused by negligent drivers, dangerous roads, or defective vehicles. We handle a wide range of car accident claims throughout Atlanta. You can turn to us for help from an:
- Atlanta drunk driving accident lawyer: We help injured victims pursue compensation after crashes involving impaired drivers.
- Atlanta hit and run accident lawyer: We investigate hit-and-run crashes and help identify available sources of compensation.
- Atlanta fatal car accident lawyer: We represent families seeking justice and wrongful death compensation after fatal collisions.
- Atlanta distracted driving accident lawyer: We build claims involving drivers distracted by phones, passengers, or other activities.
- Atlanta texting while driving accident lawyer: We pursue claims when texting or phone use contributes to a serious crash.
- Atlanta rear–end accident lawyer: We help injured drivers and passengers seek compensation after rear-end collisions.
- Atlanta head–on collision lawyer: We represent victims suffering serious injuries after head-on crashes.
- Atlanta intersection accident lawyer: We investigate crashes caused by drivers who run red lights, ignore stop signs, or fail to yield.
- Atlanta highway accident lawyer: We handle claims involving collisions on Atlanta-area highways and major roadways.
- Atlanta T–bone accident lawyer: We help victims pursue compensation after side-impact crashes at intersections and other locations.
- Atlanta aggressive driving accident lawyer: We represent people injured by speeding, tailgating, road rage, and other dangerous driving behaviors.
- Atlanta multi–car accident lawyer: We investigate multiple-vehicle crashes to determine who may be responsible for resulting injuries and losses.
- Atlanta rollover car accident lawyer: We pursue claims for victims injured when a vehicle overturns during a crash.
- Atlanta uninsured driver accident lawyer: We help injured victims explore compensation through uninsured motorist coverage and other available options.
- Atlanta single–car accident lawyer: We investigate single-vehicle crashes that may involve another driver’s actions, road conditions, or vehicle defects.
- Atlanta defective car parts lawyer: We handle claims involving defective brakes, tires, airbags, seat belts, and other vehicle components.
- Atlanta backover car accident lawyer: We represent victims struck by vehicles reversing from driveways, parking lots, and other areas.
- Atlanta eye injury from a car accident lawyer: We help victims seek compensation for vision problems and other eye injuries caused by crashes.
- Atlanta road defects lawyer: We investigate crashes linked to potholes, poor road design, missing signs, and other hazardous conditions.
- Atlanta non–injury car accident lawyer: We help drivers understand their options after crashes that cause vehicle damage without immediate physical injuries.
- Atlanta diminished value claims lawyer: We help vehicle owners pursue compensation when a repaired car loses market value because of its accident history.
Where Do Crashes Often Happen in Atlanta?
Atlanta’s dense traffic and growing population make it one of Georgia’s most accident-prone cities. Some of Atlanta’s most dangerous intersections and highways include:
- Interstate 285 (The Perimeter): Known for congestion and high-speed collisions
- Interstate 75/85 Downtown Connector: Frequent fender benders and major crashes
- Peachtree Street & Piedmont Avenue: Busy urban intersections with heavy pedestrian traffic
- Buford Highway: One of the state’s most dangerous roads for pedestrians and vehicles alike
If you’ve been injured at any of these places or somewhere else in the city, don’t wait to get a free consultation at Van Sant Law. Our car accident attorneys in Atlanta are ready to get to work for you.
A Brief Look at Georgia’s Car Accident Laws
Georgia follows an “at-fault” insurance system, meaning the driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for damages. To recover compensation, you must prove that the other driver’s negligence directly caused your injuries and losses.
Under the statute of limitations, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. Missing this deadline could prevent you from recovering any compensation.
Georgia also uses a modified comparative negligence rule, which allows you to recover damages even if you were partially at fault, as long as you are less than 50% responsible for the crash. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Should I Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurance If It Asks for My Statement?
Sometimes, accident victims think they are obligated to provide statements to the other party’s insurance adjuster.
However, there is no such requirement. In fact, giving a statement to the other party’s insurance company could jeopardize your ability to obtain full and fair compensation for your losses.
The full extent of your injuries may not yet be apparent. What’s more, you could accidentally implicate yourself in your statement. As a best practice, let your personal injury attorney handle all communications and negotiations on your behalf.
If the Accident Wasn’t My Fault, Why Hire a Lawyer Instead of Handling It Myself?
While you don’t technically need an attorney to handle your personal injury claim, it could be a mistake to take a do-it-yourself approach. Personal injury attorneys are experienced at accurately valuing losses and often uncover direct and indirect losses victims hadn’t considered.
In addition, attorneys are adept at negotiating with large insurance companies and their legal teams. If the other party’s insurer is not willing to settle the claim for fair compensation, your lawyer will be prepared to litigate the matter in court to help you obtain the best possible outcome.
How Much Do Injury Lawyers Typically Charge for Car Accident Cases?
Most personal injury law firms operate on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay anything out–of–pocket for your legal representation.
Your car accident lawyer in Atlanta is only paid if he or she is successful in securing a settlement or jury award on your behalf. In that case, your attorney will receive a pre-agreed percentage of your settlement.
When Do I Need to Contact the Insurance Company to Make a Claim for Injuries?
You should always let your insurance company know about accidents right away. It is also a good idea to contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. Georgia law says that if you want to file a lawsuit for compensation against another driver, you have up to two years from the date of the accident.
However, as time passes, it may become more difficult to gather documentation and evidence to support your claim. If the accident involved a government vehicle, there are additional time limits and requirements you’ll need to meet to recover compensation.
Your Atlanta personal injury lawyer can help ensure you meet all required timelines to file your claim or lawsuit.
What if My Health Insurance Doesn’t Cover All My Medical Costs?
Medical expenses after a car accident can be significant. Unfortunately, your health insurance policy may not provide adequate coverage to meet your needs, and the medical bills can add up quickly.
If the other driver or another party was negligent, reckless, or careless and their actions led to the accident, you are entitled to pursue compensation for your medical expenses.
However, you will need to prove liability to receive the funds. Your Atlanta car accident attorney will work to help ensure your claim includes all your medical expenses and fight to help you obtain the compensation you deserve.
What Types of Compensation Can I Seek After a Car Accident?
Under Georgia law, victims of motor vehicle accidents caused by someone else’s negligence are entitled to compensation.
Generally, your personal injury claim can include actual and anticipated medical expenses, lost income, damage to your vehicle or other personal property, pain and suffering, mental anguish, disfigurement, loss of companionship, and more.
Talk to an experienced Atlanta car accident attorney about the specific facts and circumstances of your accident.
How Do You Calculate Damages for Pain and Suffering?
In addition to medical expenses and lost income, your personal injury claim may include damages designed to compensate you for pain and suffering.
Pain and suffering damages are not easy to calculate. In some cases, your known economic damages are multiplied on a scale of 1-5 to determine non-economic damages. A multiplier of 1 is generally used for accidents with relatively minor injuries, and 5 is reserved for catastrophic damage.
In other situations, insurers may assign a per diem amount for every day of the victim’s medical care.
What if the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
If the responsible driver did not have insurance coverage or was underinsured, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses from your own auto insurance company.
Your personal injury attorney can help you understand coverages and options for pursuing a claim to pay for your medical expenses, vehicle damages, lost income, and other losses.
What Should I Do if the Accident Was a Hit-and-Run?
You may still be able to recover compensation for your losses after a hit-and-run accident. As with any accident, it’s important to seek prompt medical attention, report the accident to the authorities, and document as much as possible about the incident.
An experienced personal injury attorney who has handled claims for other hit-and-run accident victims can evaluate the relative strength of your claim and help you understand your options for pursuing compensation.
Are There Things I Should Keep in My Car in Case an Accident Occurs?
It may be helpful to keep the following items with you or in your vehicle so you have them in the event of an accident:
- Your valid driver’s license to prove your eligibility to drive
- Car insurance card to show you have coverage
- Motor vehicle registration to demonstrate ownership
- Flares, cones, or other emergency tools that could make your vehicle more visible in the event of a crash
- Paper and pen to document the scene and record contact information from the other driver and witnesses to the accident
What Should I Do if I Have Been in a Car Accident in Atlanta, GA?
You may be hurt, confused, and scared after a car crash. In stressful situations, it’s easy for panic to take over, making it difficult to think clearly.
The following are reminders of what to do after a car accident in Georgia:
- Stop your vehicle and safely pull over to the side of the road.
- Call law enforcement immediately and report the accident.
- Scan yourself for visible injuries, and, if possible, assist anyone injured, but only if you can do so safely.
- Turn on your car’s hazard safety lights.
- Collect the other involved drivers’ names, addresses, license plate numbers, and insurance information; provide yours, as well.
- If law enforcement is not called to the scene, complete a Motor Vehicle Accident Self-Report.
- Call a car accident lawyer in Atlanta.
What Evidence Should I Gather at the Accident Scene?
If you have your cell phone, use the camera to take pictures of everything you can at the accident scene, including all angles of your vehicle and the other vehicles involved in the crash.
You should also take photos of any skid marks and broken vehicle pieces. If possible, you should get any witnesses’ names, numbers, and addresses. Your lawyer may contact them to get their recollections and observations.
Let the responding officers know that you wish to have the tire(s) and vehicle preserved by an investigator. They will help you appropriately deal with the insurance company. The goal is not to let the insurance company remove the evidence before it is recorded correctly.
Evidence Can Help Prove Liability
Collecting and preserving evidence from a car wreck will help you and your legal team evaluate and pursue any legal claims that may arise. Hiring an accident reconstructionist or other experts to recreate and analyze the crash might also be necessary to help determine liability. The more evidence you have, the better.
My Teenager Just Got Their Driver’s License: What Advice Can I Share About How to Avoid Car Crashes?
At Van Sant Law, our car accident lawyers in Atlanta provide advice to drivers about how to stay safe on the roads. This advice is particularly beneficial to young, inexperienced drivers.
The following are tips to reiterate to the new drivers in your house:
- Ensure the vehicle is adequately maintained. Chances are that you will have to help your new driver with this ongoing task. Like all vehicles, the one your child drives should be maintained properly and regularly.
- Be aware of and follow the rules of the road. This advice is self-explanatory, but it is always a good idea to remind your new driver to pay attention when driving.
- Avoid aggressive drivers and tailgating. Remind your new driver that they will encounter aggressive drivers on the road. Getting caught up in a road rage incident is not worth it. Moreover, advise your child that tailgating is dangerous and can lead to serious car accidents.
- Avoid distractions. This advice may be the most important to impart to your new driver. Drill it into their head that distracted driving, especially texting while driving, is a surefire way to get into an accident that can result in instant tragedy.
Why Should I Hire an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer, and How Much Does It Cost to Speak With a Law Firm?
Hiring an Atlanta car accident attorney has many benefits. At Van Sant Law, we can assist you with every step of the process following a car crash.
You have nothing to lose by meeting with our legal team to discuss your case. Initial consultations are free. Contact our firm today to schedule a complimentary evaluation to discuss how we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Do I Really Need to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
Hiring an attorney after a car accident may feel uncomfortable. However, the results could be well worth it for several reasons. Your car accident lawyer can fiercely advocate for you, helping you fight for the compensation you deserve.
While the insurance company may propose a settlement, it is in their best interest to offer you less than what your claim is worth. That means you could be short-changing yourself. A car accident lawyer will understand what your claim is worth and can fight for your right to pursue fair compensation.
Accident victims who retain personal injury attorneys typically obtain more compensation than those who choose to work directly with the responsible parties or their insurance companies, even after factoring in attorneys’ fees.
No Win, No Fee With Van Sant Law
Van Sant Law works on a contingency fee basis, and we are only paid if we obtain a settlement or verdict in your favor. Thus, you are not responsible for out-of-pocket costs.
Whether your accident involved a Ford, Toyota, Chevrolet, or any other vehicle, our dedicated legal team can advocate for you.
Get a Free Consultation With an Atlanta Car Accident Attorney
An Atlanta car accident can leave you dealing with injuries, medical bills, vehicle damage, and questions about what to do next. Our car accident lawyers in Atlanta can help you understand your legal options, deal with the insurance company, and pursue compensation for your losses.
If you were injured in a crash, contact Van Sant Law today to schedule a free consultation and discuss your case with our team. Visit our FAQ page to learn more.
