# Riverside Car Accident Lawyers | Call Anytime

**Table of Contents***[*Expand*]*

1. Where Car Crashes Happen Around Riverside
2. First Steps After a Riverside Car Crash
3. What We Do in the First 72 Hours
4. How a Riverside Car Accident Lawyer Proves Fault
5. Uninsured Motorist Coverage and Bad Faith Claims
6. How Liens and Subrogation Affect Your Settlement
7. Compensation You May Be Able to Recover
8. Filing Deadlines and the Fulton County Court Process
9. How Van Sant Law Builds Your Claim
10. Speak With a Riverside Car Accident Lawyer

[![David M. Van Sant, Owner and Attorney at Van Sant Law](https://www.vansantlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/david-m-van-sant-headshot-5.jpeg)](https://www.vansantlaw.com/team/david-m-van-sant/)  Reviewed By [David M. Van Sant](https://www.vansantlaw.com/team/david-m-van-sant/) Owner, Attorney Last Reviewed: October 2026

After a crash, you may be juggling doctor visits, a rental car, and an adjuster who keeps calling. Our car accident lawyer in Riverside can handle the claim so you can focus on getting better. We’ll fight to get you the most compensation we can.

Van Sant Law has served Georgia residents since 2008. Our founding attorney once defended insurers and trucking firms, so we know the arguments the other side may raise. When you are ready to talk, Make the Right Call and reach out for a free consultation with our [personal injury lawyer in Riverside](https://www.vansantlaw.com/riverside-ga/personal-injury-lawyer/).

## Where Car Crashes Happen Around Riverside

Riverside is a neighborhood in Sandy Springs, in Fulton County, along the Chattahoochee River near I-285. The northern stretch of I-285 carries heavy car and truck traffic past the area every day. Backups near the exits, fast lane changes, and tailgating can lead to rear-end crashes and pileups.

Riverside Drive winds through hills and wooded neighborhoods close to the river. Tight curves and short sight lines leave little room for error, and some drivers use the road to skip highway traffic. Head-on crashes and cars running off the road are real risks here.

Powers Ferry Road connects Riverside to I-285 and the shopping and office areas nearby. Drivers turning across lanes, pulling out of side streets, and rushing to the highway can cause T-bone crashes. Rush hour makes these turns harder to judge.

For a free legal consultation with a car accident lawyer serving Riverside, call [770-886-9199](tel:+17708869199)

## First Steps After a Riverside Car Crash

See a doctor quickly, even if you feel only sore or shaken. Wellstar North Fulton Hospital in Roswell is a Level II trauma center, and Northside Hospital Atlanta in Sandy Springs has an emergency room. A quick exam can catch hidden injuries and link your care to the crash.

Call 911 from the scene so the Sandy Springs Police Department can respond and write a crash report. You can request a copy later at police headquarters, through the department’s online portal, or through Crashdocs.org. If no officer writes a report after a minor crash, you can use Georgia’s SR-13 personal accident report to record what happened yourself.

Before you talk to any insurance company, write down what you remember and save every photo, bill, and receipt. The other driver’s insurer may call within a day or two asking for a recorded statement. You can politely decline until you have spoken with a lawyer.

Riverside Car Accident Lawyer Near Me [770-886-9199](tel:+17708869199)

## What We Do in the First 72 Hours

Proof from a car crash does not last long. In the first three days after you hire us, we typically aim to cover the following.

### Scene Investigation

We visit the crash site to document road conditions, signals, signs, and debris. We check whether a curve, a blocked view, or a broken light played a part. We also look for nearby cameras that may have caught the crash on video.

### Black Box Preservation

Many cars have a black box that saves speed and braking data from the moments before a crash. That data can be lost once a car is repaired or sent to a salvage yard. We move to secure it while it still exists.

### Witness Interviews

We reach out to drivers, passengers, and bystanders who saw the crash. Early talks capture details while they are still fresh. A neutral witness can carry real weight when an insurer disputes how the crash happened.

### Insurance Hold Letters

We notify each insurance company in writing that we now represent you. Adjusters should then contact us instead of you. The letters also tell the at-fault side to save evidence such as dash camera video, phone records, and vehicle data.

[Click to contact](https://www.vansantlaw.com/contact-us/) our Personal Injury Lawyers in Riverside today

## How a Riverside Car Accident Lawyer Proves Fault

Car accident claims usually turn on who was careless and whether that carelessness caused the crash. A Riverside car accident lawyer gathers proof to answer that question, which may include:

- The police crash report
- Photos of the vehicles and the scene
- Statements from witnesses and passengers
- Black box data and phone records
- Medical records that tie your injuries to the crash

Insurers often argue that you share the blame, even when the other driver ran a light or followed too closely. Under [O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33](https://advance.lexis.com/documentpage/?pdmfid%3D1000516%26crid%3D8882f0ac-ae60-4881-8e80-c440db84f9ea%26config%3D00JAA1MDBlYzczZi1lYjFlLTQxMTgtYWE3OS02YTgyOGM2NWJlMDYKAFBvZENhdGFsb2feed0oM9qoQOMCSJFX5qkd%26pddocfullpath%3D%252Fshared%252Fdocument%252Fstatutes-legislation%252Furn%253AcontentItem%253A65G4-03P3-GXF6-814K-00008-00%26pdcontentcomponentid%3D234186%26pdteaserkey%3Dsr0%26pditab%3Dallpods%26ecomp%3D6s65kkk%26earg%3Dsr0%26prid%3D8da9a58a-478c-4254-8239-49b777a33c09), your award may be reduced by your share of fault, and you may recover nothing if you are 50% or more at fault. Strong evidence helps keep the blame on the driver who caused the crash.

Complete a [Free Case Evaluation form](https://www.vansantlaw.com/contact-us/) now

## Uninsured Motorist Coverage and Bad Faith Claims

Some drivers carry no insurance, and many carry only the legal minimum. Uninsured motorist coverage under [O.C.G.A. § 33-7-11](https://advance.lexis.com/documentpage/?pdmfid%3D1000516%26crid%3D822471cf-1894-403e-bbcf-735e1845bcf9%26config%3D00JAA1MDBlYzczZi1lYjFlLTQxMTgtYWE3OS02YTgyOGM2NWJlMDYKAFBvZENhdGFsb2feed0oM9qoQOMCSJFX5qkd%26pddocfullpath%3D%252Fshared%252Fdocument%252Fstatutes-legislation%252Furn%253AcontentItem%253A65DR-6YT3-CGX8-04BN-00008-00%26pdcontentcomponentid%3D234186%26pdteaserkey%3Dsr0%26pditab%3Dallpods%26ecomp%3D6s65kkk%26earg%3Dsr0%26prid%3D24f487ee-e2c4-4e55-abfa-4e0021895e13) may help pay your losses when the other driver’s policy falls short. Georgia insurers must include this coverage unless you turned it down in writing, so it is worth checking your own policy.

Many people worry about suing the driver who hit them. In practice, car accident claims are usually paid by insurance companies, including your own uninsured motorist carrier. Insurance exists so injured people are not left paying for someone else’s mistake.

When you make a claim with your own insurer, it has a duty to deal with you fairly. Under [O.C.G.A. § 33-4-6](https://advance.lexis.com/documentpage/?pdmfid%3D1000516%26crid%3D246c5dcf-4c54-4737-b7aa-b19ebba582b7%26config%3D00JAA1MDBlYzczZi1lYjFlLTQxMTgtYWE3OS02YTgyOGM2NWJlMDYKAFBvZENhdGFsb2feed0oM9qoQOMCSJFX5qkd%26pddocfullpath%3D%252Fshared%252Fdocument%252Fstatutes-legislation%252Furn%253AcontentItem%253A6348-FXD1-DYB7-W02F-00008-00%26pdcontentcomponentid%3D234186%26pdteaserkey%3Dsr0%26pditab%3Dallpods%26ecomp%3D6s65kkk%26earg%3Dsr0%26prid%3Dfe22363f-5984-41bc-a124-8f87ffcdc164), your insurer may owe a penalty and legal fees if it refuses in bad faith to pay a covered claim within 60 days of a demand. Uninsured motorist claims follow their own bad faith rules, and we can explain which ones apply.

## How Liens and Subrogation Affect Your Settlement

A settlement check does not always go straight to you. Hospitals may place a lien on your claim for unpaid emergency care, and other providers may expect payment from your recovery. These debts are usually paid out of the settlement before you receive your share.

Health insurers, Medicare, and Medicaid may also seek repayment through subrogation. This means they ask to be paid back for the bills they covered once your case resolves. For many private health plans, Georgia law generally limits repayment unless you have been fully compensated for your losses.

We review each claim against your settlement to see whether it is valid and accurate. When the law allows, we push to lower these amounts so more of the money stays with you.

## Compensation You May Be Able to Recover

What your claim is worth depends on your injuries, your treatment, and the insurance available. Depending on the facts, damages may include:

- Hospital bills, therapy, and future care
- Lost pay and a reduced ability to earn
- Pain, stress, and the loss of things you enjoy
- Repair or replacement of your vehicle
- Rental cars and other out-of-pocket costs

Whiplash, concussions, and back injuries can take longer to heal than you first expect. An early offer may not cover follow-up care or time away from work. We look at the full effect of the crash before advising you on any offer.

## Filing Deadlines and the Fulton County Court Process

Under [O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33](https://advance.lexis.com/documentpage/?pdmfid%3D1000516%26crid%3D250f7e4e-248e-4674-bd3a-d33c83b45841%26config%3D00JAA1MDBlYzczZi1lYjFlLTQxMTgtYWE3OS02YTgyOGM2NWJlMDYKAFBvZENhdGFsb2feed0oM9qoQOMCSJFX5qkd%26pddocfullpath%3D%252Fshared%252Fdocument%252Fstatutes-legislation%252Furn%253AcontentItem%253A6348-FS71-DYB7-W3RS-00008-00%26pdcontentcomponentid%3D234186%26pdteaserkey%3Dsr0%26pditab%3Dallpods%26ecomp%3D6s65kkk%26earg%3Dsr0%26prid%3D4c4d469a-5b00-43e4-82cf-4b1fcad959ca), Georgia generally gives you two years from the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. A crash with a government vehicle has an extra step, a written ante litem notice, which is often due much sooner. For state vehicles, notice is generally due within 12 months under [O.C.G.A. § 50-21-26](https://advance.lexis.com/documentpage/?pdmfid%3D1000516%26crid%3D35cf47da-2f17-4154-a566-45a9de12817a%26config%3D00JAA1MDBlYzczZi1lYjFlLTQxMTgtYWE3OS02YTgyOGM2NWJlMDYKAFBvZENhdGFsb2feed0oM9qoQOMCSJFX5qkd%26pddocfullpath%3D%252Fshared%252Fdocument%252Fstatutes-legislation%252Furn%253AcontentItem%253A6348-G0T1-DYB7-W231-00008-00%26pdcontentcomponentid%3D234186%26pdteaserkey%3Dsr0%26pditab%3Dallpods%26ecomp%3D6s65kkk%26earg%3Dsr0%26prid%3Dc8dc3f3d-0008-49d4-9000-45e156c8706f).

Fulton County vehicle claims generally need notice within 12 months, and City of Sandy Springs vehicle claims within six months. Missing one of these deadlines could end your claim, even if the other driver was clearly at fault.

Cases that do not settle may be filed in the State Court of Fulton County. The complaint is filed online, and the court gives it a case number with the year, the letters “EV,” and a number, such as 26EV004321. The defendant generally has 30 days to answer after being served, and then both sides trade evidence before mediation or trial.

## How Van Sant Law Builds Your Claim

Our founding attorney, David M. Van Sant, once represented major employers, insurers, and some of the largest motor carriers in the world as insurance-defense counsel. That past work shapes how we prepare for an insurer’s defense. In one case, we won a $497,000 verdict at trial for a client struck by a drunk driver, though past results do not predict future outcomes.

“The I-285 corridor through Riverside carries heavy traffic every day of the week,” said David M. Van Sant, founding attorney of Van Sant Law. “When someone else’s negligence causes a crash, we move right away to preserve evidence and protect our client’s claim.”

We handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis, are available 24/7, and offer Spanish-language services. You can sign your case electronically, or we can meet you at home or in the hospital. Our attorneys live in the communities we serve, and we have an office in Sandy Springs.

## Speak With a Riverside Car Accident Lawyer

You do not have to sort out medical bills, liens, and insurance arguments on your own. A car accident lawyer in Riverside can review your crash, explain your options, and help you act before deadlines pass.

Contact Van Sant Law today for a free consultation about your car accident claim. We never settle a case unless the client is happy with the result; that is the Van Sant Law client satisfaction guarantee.

Call or text [770-886-9199](tel:+17708869199) or complete a [Free Case Evaluation form](https://www.vansantlaw.com/contact-us/)

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Source: https://www.vansantlaw.com/riverside-ga/car-accident-lawyer/