At Van Sant Law, our Cartersville car accident lawyers have represented injured Georgians since 2008 and bring more than 50 years of combined experience to auto injury claims. We can handle your claim directly with the insurer and help you pursue compensation for the losses tied to the crash.
Contact our office to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Cartersville.
Types of Cases Our Cartersville Car Accident Lawyers Handle
We handle Cartersville car accident claims involving the following types of accidents:
- Rear-end collisions
- Intersection crashes
- Distracted driving
- Drunk or drug-impaired driving
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Failure to yield
- Unsafe lane changes
- Multi-vehicle crashes
- Hit-and-run collisions
- Uninsured and underinsured drivers
- Pedestrian and bicycle injuries
- Fatal crashes
Georgia Rules That May Affect Your Claim
Georgia law can affect both the value of your claim and your ability to recover compensation. You do not need to know every rule before speaking with us, but you should know that insurance companies often use these rules to challenge claims.
Fault Can Reduce or Bar Recovery
Georgia follows a comparative fault rule. If you are found partly responsible for the crash, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. If you are found 50 percent or more responsible, you cannot recover damages.
That is why we take fault arguments seriously. Even when another driver clearly caused the crash, the insurer may claim you were speeding, distracted, following too closely, or could have avoided the collision.
Injury Lawsuits Usually Have a Two-Year Deadline
Georgia generally gives injured people two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Some claims may involve shorter notice rules, especially if a government vehicle, public employee, or dangerous public roadway condition is involved.
Some Crashes Must Be Reported
Georgia requires drivers to report crashes involving injury, death, or apparent property damage of $500 or more. A police response can also help create an official record, identify witnesses, and document road or vehicle conditions.
What You Should Do in the First Few Days After a Crash
The first few days after a collision can shape the outcome of your claim. Taking careful steps can protect both your health and the evidence.
After a crash, you should try to:
- Get medical care and follow the treatment plan.
- Report the crash to law enforcement when required.
- Request a copy of the crash report when available.
- Take photos of your vehicle, injuries, and the scene.
- Save all insurance letters, texts, and emails.
- Keep receipts for prescriptions, towing, rentals, and transportation.
- Write down missed work dates.
- Avoid giving a recorded statement without legal advice.
- Avoid posting details about the crash or your injuries online.
You do not have to handle the insurance claim alone. Once we represent you, we can communicate with the insurer, request records, and help prevent avoidable mistakes.
How Insurers Try to Lower Car Accident Claims
Insurance companies often know the claim process better than injured people do. That gives them an advantage unless the claim is documented and presented properly.
Insurers may argue that:
- You caused or contributed to the crash.
- Your injuries existed before the collision.
- The crash was too minor to cause serious harm.
- You waited too long to seek treatment.
- Your medical care was excessive.
- You could have returned to work sooner.
- Your pain is not supported by objective findings.
Our Cartersville car accident attorneys push back against those arguments with strong evidence. That may include medical records, wage documents, photos, video, witness statements, repair records, and a clear explanation of how the collision changed your life.
Compensation Available After a Car Accident
A car accident claim should account for the damage done to your finances, health, work, and daily life.
Depending on your individual case, you could recover compensation for the following:
- Emergency care and hospital bills
- Doctor visits, surgery, imaging, and medication
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Rental car and transportation expenses
- Out-of-pocket costs tied to the crash
In fatal crash cases, Georgia law may allow surviving family members to pursue a wrongful death claim. A separate estate claim may also be available for certain losses connected to the final injury and death.
When a Car Accident Involves a Commercial Vehicle
A crash involving a company vehicle, delivery driver, rideshare driver, tractor-trailer, or other commercial vehicle requires added investigation. The driver may not be the only source of liability or insurance coverage.
Van Sant Law brings meaningful experience to these claims. David M. Van Sant previously represented drivers, motor carriers, trucking companies, and insurers in accident claims. He has worked with insurance companies that insured trucking companies and has represented major motor carriers.
That background helps us evaluate:
- Whether the driver was working at the time.
- Whether the employer may be responsible.
- Whether company policies or schedules contributed to the crash.
- Whether vehicle maintenance played a role.
- Whether commercial insurance coverage applies.
- Whether multiple parties share responsibility.
Our goal is to identify every possible liable party and every available path to compensation.
How Van Sant Law Helps Cartersville Injury Victims
Van Sant Law represents injured people throughout Georgia. We handle the legal and insurance work so you can focus on treatment and recovery.
Our work may include:
- Investigating the collision.
- Gathering police reports, photos, video, and witness statements.
- Reviewing all available insurance coverage.
- Communicating with insurers.
- Calculating medical bills, wage loss, and future damages.
- Identifying every liable party.
- Negotiating for fair compensation.
- Filing a lawsuit when the insurer refuses to pay fairly.
We are fully equipped to sign your case electronically, so you do not need to come to our office to get started. If you prefer an in-home visit, we are happy to discuss that option.
We can also connect you with resources that may help with medical or financial pressure while your claim is pending.
Schedule a FREE Consultation With a Car Accident Attorney in Cartersville
If you were injured in a crash in Cartersville, Van Sant Law can review what happened and explain the legal steps that may help your claim.
Call today to schedule a free consultation with one of our car accident lawyers in Cartersville. Let us help you Make the Right Call.
