While certain laws help control the flow of traffic at intersections in Georgia, a negligent or reckless driver can render safety measures ineffective and turn an intersection into a hazard. When they do, an intersection accident lawyer from Gautreaux Law can help victims in Central and Middle Georgia get justice through compensation.
If you or someone you care about has been injured in an intersection accident, Gautreaux Law is ready to listen and help you take the next steps. We can vigorously pursue any damages you are owed. For a free consultation with an experienced intersection accident lawyer, call Gautreaux Law today.
Who pays in a Georgia intersection accident?
In Georgia, the vast majority of intersection accident claims for compensation are settled by way of auto insurance. Since Georgia’s auto insurance system is not based on “no-fault” rules, the person making the accident claim must be able to prove liability.
Liability for intersection actions exists when a driver or related person or entity behaves negligently or recklessly and causes an accident. This can include:
- Car and truck drivers
- Motorcycle riders
- Bicycle riders
- Pedestrians
- Product makers
- Street maintenance workers
- Utility and construction workers
- Government agencies
As you can see, an intersection accident can potentially have many causes. When motor vehicles are involved, the negligence or recklessness usually manifests as one of the following acts:
- Speeding
- Failure to yield to oncoming traffic
- Failure to signal
- Failure to stop at a light or sign
- Not following the rules of right-of-way
Bicyclists and pedestrians may also be negligent themselves and cause a wreck. For example, a pedestrian who steps out into a crosswalk traffic out of turn can cause serious chaos in the intersection.
Regardless of who is liable, Gautreaux Law will find out through exhaustive investigation and diligent evidence analysis.
Potential Compensation Available to Accident Victims
Compensation for economic and non-economic losses is available in cases involving intersection accidents. Economic losses typically include:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Property damage
Funeral and burial expenses also count as economic losses. Non-economic losses, on the other hand, deal with intangible impacts, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
You may also be entitled to punitive damages when gross negligence or reckless disregard of others is involved. For example, if a car driver intentionally rams a pedestrian out of rage, the pedestrian can seek punitive damages on top of the compensation they deserve.
How much time do I have to seek compensation for an intersection accident?
In Georgia, there are time limits, such as Statutes of Limitation, governing how long you have to file a lawsuit. Generally (and there are lots of exceptions and qualifications) you have a total of two years from the date of the intersection accident to file a lawsuit. If the victim of the intersection accident is a minor, this deadline — the statute of limitations — can be extended. There are other situations that can affect this time period as well, so it is wise to consult with an attorney about your specific situation.
In claims against a government agency, you generally must provide the government with notice of intent to pursue compensation (called an ante litem notice) and the time period varies, but can be as short as six months after the wreck, depending on the government agency involved.
How much is my intersection accident claim worth?
How much your claim is worth depends on the circumstances of your accident and other factors, such as the seriousness of your injuries. Generally, you are likely to get more compensation for serious injuries than for minor ones.
Much also hinges on your salary or income. If you have a high-paying job, you will likely receive substantially more lost-wage compensation than a minimum-wage worker with the same amount of time out of work.
Whether you have an attorney also plays a role in your compensation payout. It is a widely accepted assertion that claimants without attorneys receive less compensation from insurance companies, even after paying attorney’s fees.
What are some common injuries caused by intersection accidents?
Intersection accidents cause all manner of injuries, from minor scrapes to fatalities. Depending on the victim and where they are located, the accident could lead to a couple of days out of work to years of disability.
For example, pedestrian victims of intersection accidents tend to fare far worse than drivers and their passengers. The same amount of force required to cause just a minor scrape on a fender is, in some cases, enough to cause a catastrophic injury for a pedestrian.
Some of the more serious injuries that our attorneys see in intersection accident cases include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Bone breaks and fractures
- Lacerations and abrasions
- Burns
- Amputations
- Organ damage and other internal injuries
Intersection accidents can also cause their fair share of psychological injuries and trauma, leading to debilitating conditions like depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
At Gautreaux Law, we can diligently pursue compensation for every single loss you have suffered.
Contact a Georgia Intersection Accident Lawyer Today
Your future is important, and you deserve compensation to handle the losses caused by others. The compassionate and seasoned team at Gautreaux Law can fight for justice on your behalf while you focus on recovering.
We serve clients throughout Central and Middle Georgia. Call for a free consultation with a skilled intersection accident lawyer today.