Contact The Pendergrass Law Firm for a free consultation with a car accident lawyer today

The legal team at Pendergrass Law is passionate about helping victims of car accidents. We understand this is a difficult time, and we want to provide you with the support you need.Our team has experience in many auto accident cases, including those hurt by drunk drivers, hit-and-run drivers, and more. We will fight to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Read below to learn a bit about the legal process stemming from a car accident. Contact our Stone Mountain law firm immediately to request a free consultation with a personal injury attorney today.

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The risk of car accidents in Stone Mountain

Stone Mountain seems to be an area that sees its fair share of motor vehicle accidents. Each year, there are multiple pedestrian accidents, head-on collisions, and fatal injuries due to drunk driving, dangerous intersections, distracted driving, and more. Although Stone Mountain may be one of the most beautiful areas to drive in across DeKalb County, motorists must remain diligent if they hope to protect themselves and avoid injuries. Unfortunately, when it comes to dangerous road conditions and intersections, sometimes, the most you can do is drive as safely as possible while remaining cognizant of potentially dangerous drivers.

Why hire Pendergrass Law for your car accident claim?

Choosing the right car accident attorney to take on your Stone Mountain personal injury claim is crucial. It would be best if you had a legal advocate on your side who has extensive experience in negotiating with the insurance company and at trial. 

Some of our most recent notable successes include:

  • A $6 million win in a DUI wrongful death claim
  • A $9 million victory in a personal injury lawsuit
  • A $4 million win in a car accident claim
  • A $1 million success in a car accident claim
  • A $1 million win in a dog bite case

When you are looking for an attorney you can rely on to help you understand the value of your claim and maximize the compensation you win, look no further than Pendergrass Law.

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    What to expect from your car accident claim

    When people initiate a car accident claim with the insurance company, they may not realize an important fact about the situation: the insurance company, nor the insurance adjuster, are interested in paying a car accident victim the money they deserve. An insurance company will try to settle a claim quickly and for as little money as possible. That’s why it is essential to have experienced car accident lawyers on your side — to fight for the compensation you deserve.

    Demand letter

    Once the investigation is complete, your attorney will draft a demand letter outlining your losses and damages and submit it to the insurance company. The difference between the insurance company’s initial settlement offer and the figures your attorney calculated will likely be staggering. The next goal will be to close this gap to help you get fair compensation.

    Investigation

    The insurance adjuster will investigate the accident, and your attorney will do the same. During this investigation, your personal injury lawyer will gather evidence about the cause of the crash, as well as any documentation that will provide evidence about the severity of your injuries and damages.

    Negotiations

    Your lawyer may negotiate with the insurance adjuster or, if necessary, file a personal injury lawsuit against the driver responsible for causing the crash. Many personal injury cases, including car accident claims, are settled before a lawsuit is filed. Even once filed, many lawsuits are settled before trial; however, this is not always the case. Your car accident lawyer will be with you every step of the way and make sure that your rights are protected throughout the entire process. Contact us now to learn more about how we can help you get the compensation you deserve after a Stone Mountain car crash.

    Steps to take after the accident

    After a car accident, you will be trying to fight through the fog of your pain and the heightened alertness that comes with spikes in adrenaline, and it cannot be easy to think clearly. However, it is essential to take specific steps following the accident if you want to protect your health and your legal rights.

    Call 911

    First and foremost, call 911 so emergency services can be dispatched to the accident scene. An officer will take statements, and EMTs will make sure that any injured parties receive medical attention if needed.

    Stay focused

    The negligent driver may try to plead with you not to call 911 and to handle the situation directly, but without an official police report, you may have difficulty proving your case. 
    Cover your bases, healthwise and legally, by ensuring that first responders are at the scene and handling the situation.

    Document the scene

    Take pictures and videos of the scene, and make sure to capture any damage to both vehicles, as well as any injuries you or anyone else may have sustained. Also, make sure to get the contact information of all parties involved in the accident, including passengers and witnesses.

    Get medical attention at the scene of the crash

    You must get evaluated by a medical professional at the crash scene, even if you don’t think your injuries are too severe. If you do not take an ambulance to the emergency room, schedule a follow-up appointment with your primary care physician immediately.

    Get continuing medical care

    If you have been injured, you must continue to get medical care: primarily because it is essential for your overall well-being to get the treatment you need and also because it will help document the severity of your injuries. Secondly, this documentation may be a critical factor in getting the compensation you deserve. If your medical records are lacking, the insurance company may try to use this as proof that your injuries were not that serious or not directly connected with the car accident.

    Contact an experienced car accident attorney

    Never attempt to handle a car accident claim by yourself; insurance companies are businesses, and their primary goal is to make money. An experienced attorney understands the tactics that insurance companies use and can help you receive a settlement offer that accurately reflects your loss. Your car accident lawyer in Stone Mountain will be able to put together a strong case for your damages, which could include medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. By having an attorney on your side, you will also have someone to negotiate with the insurance company if a settlement is not reached and make sure that your rights are protected throughout the entire process.

    If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident in Stone Mountain, contact our team of experienced car accident attorneys today for a free consultation and review of your case.

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    Common Causes Of Car Accidents

    The following are just a few of the many ways car accident victims may end up in an accident in Stone Mountain, GA. Whether you see your situation mentioned in the car crashes discussed below or not, contact our firm as soon as possible to speak with experienced car accident lawyers today.

    Distracted driving

    You may immediately think of texting behind the wheel when you hear distracted driving, which is true. Still, it covers any activity that takes a driver’s attention, such as talking on the phone, using a GPS, eating and drinking, or even daydreaming while driving.
    Any time a driver stops paying attention to their task, there may be disastrous consequences.

    Speeding

    Excessive speed makes it more challenging to control a vehicle and reduces reaction time in an emergency. Many people overestimate their reaction times, their ability to handle a car at high speeds, and their vehicle’s ability to handle certain road conditions.
    Higher speeds also equal higher force during the collision, which can lead to more severe injuries in a Stone Mountain car accident.

    Impaired driving

    Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a significant cause of car accidents in Stone Mountain and throughout Georgia. Even if you are taking medication that can make you tired, avoid getting behind the wheel to ensure that everyone on the road is safe. A driver over the age of 21’s legal limit for alcohol is a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) level of .08%. Still, even lower levels can impair a driver’s ability to react quickly enough to avoid a drunk driving accident.  Other drugs that don’t show up in BAC are still illegal, and even medication that can make someone drowsy can be extremely dangerous — and an apparent cause of a motor vehicle accident.

    Reckless driving

    Engaging in dangerous behavior like cutting off other drivers, making sudden lane changes, and weaving through traffic increases the risk of accidents for everyone on the road.Sharing the road with a reckless driver can be distracting, and being involved in a crash with them can be scary because you don’t know how they will react or if they will behave as aggressively after the crash as they did behind the wheel.

    Defective car parts

    Another common cause of car accidents in Stone Mountain is defective auto parts. These parts can malfunction or become defective at any time.  Sometimes, this occurs when maintenance workers attempt to save money by using low-quality parts. Other times, part manufacturers will cut corners and use defective parts, even after testing shows that they may be dangerous. Fortunately, when defective car parts cause an accident, multiple parties could be held accountable, including:

    • Auto parts designers
    • Auto parts distributors
    • Auto parts manufacturers
    • Auto parts suppliers
    • Maintenance professionals
    • Safety inspectors
    • Motor vehicle dealerships
    • Executives

    Your car accident attorney in Stone Mountain can help you identify the parties responsible for your car accident.

    Hazardous road conditions

    When the road conditions are dangerous, motor vehicle accidents are more common. Government agencies, including the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), and municipalities, including Stone Mountain, must ensure roadways are safe for motorists and passengers at all times. This means they must ensure road construction zones are correctly secured, fill potholes, remove debris caused by dangerous weather conditions, and replace street signs that go missing. When they fail to make these necessary repairs or take proper safety precautions, they can be held accountable for the victim’s injuries. You can rely on your car accident attorney to go up against these government agencies and authorities to get justice for your suffering.

    Poor weather conditions

    Foggy weather reduces visibility, and slick, rainy roads reduce traction; both increase the likelihood of being involved in an accident due to losing control over one’s vehicle. Indeed, we do not have control over the weather, but we do control how we drive when the weather is poor or whether we go out onto the roads.

    Running red lights/stop signs

    Failing to obey stop signs or red lights is extremely dangerous because drivers may not be able to anticipate what another driver will do at an intersection where they have right of way privileges. In some car accident cases, these auto accidents are some of the easiest to establish fault. Still, even in a straightforward crash, the insurance company may resort to all sorts of tactics to pin additional comparative fault onto the victim simply to save as much money as possible.

    Georgia car accident laws impacting your case

    As you prepare to move forward with your car accident case in Stone Mountain, it is essential to understand the car accident laws that could have an impact on not only your ability to pursue your case but the amount of compensation you can win. Most notably, the statute of limitations, fault insurance laws, shared liability, and rules regarding pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists will be considered by your car accident attorney in Stone Mountain.

    The statute of limitations

    In Georgia, all car accident and personal injury claims must be filed before the statute of limitations passes. State law says the statute of limitations expires two years from the date of the accident. However, what happens if you were not diagnosed with an injury related to the car accident until days or weeks after the collision? When will the statute of limitation expire? The answer may not always be clear. Thankfully, your Stone Mountain car accident attorney will have the answers. Unfortunately, if your claim is not filed before the statute of limitations deadline, you can expect the court system to void your case, making it impossible for you to move forward in civil court. You might still be able to file a claim with the insurance company, but insurance claims often must be filed within 30 days of the accident. If you have questions about how much longer you have to file your car accident claim, do not hesitate to contact Pendergrass Law for help.

    How insurance claims are handled

    When you are filing a claim with the insurance company, you will generally do so with the liable party’s insurer. This is because Georgia follows fault insurance laws instead of no-fault insurance laws. In no-fault insurance systems, you must carry no-fault insurance coverage, also called personal injury protection (PIP), when you purchase your auto insurance coverage. Then, when you are involved in an accident, you file a claim with your insurance company, no matter who is responsible for causing the collision. However, in fault states like Georgia, you file a claim with the liable party’s insurer, as drivers typically do not have no-fault insurance coverage.

    Modified comparative negligence

    Do not be surprised if the defendant accuses you of being partially responsible for causing the accident. However, unless your portion of the liability exceeds 50%, you still have the right to compensation for your damages since Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence system. You can expect your settlement to be reduced accordingly. For example, if you were not wearing your seat belt when a distracted driver struck you, the judge might find you 15% liable for your injuries. If the jury awarded you $100,000 for your damages, you would see a 15% reduction and come away with $85,000.

    Laws for pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists

    Pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists must follow the same traffic laws as other motorists. Bicyclists must ride in bike lanes where bike lanes exist, pedestrians must cross in crosswalks, and motorcyclists are prohibited from lane splitting.

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    Car accident lawyer FAQ

    The answers below are provided as general information only and should not be taken as legal advice. While they provide a general overview of factors that may be relevant to your case, it is best to speak directly with a car accident lawyer in Stone Mountain, as every case is unique.

    What information do I need to provide an attorney?

    When you meet with an attorney, it is crucial to provide as much evidence and information regarding the accident as possible. This includes details of the accident itself, such as time and location; photos or videos taken at the scene; contact information for any witnesses who may have seen or heard something; any citations that may have been issued as a result of the accident; and medical records documenting your injuries.

    What compensation can I expect from a car accident claim?

    The type and amount of compensation you can recover in a car accident case will depend on the specifics of your situation. Your attorney will need to take a close look at a breadth of factors before even being able to provide a general estimate. Common damages can include the cost of medical assistance, lost wages, pain and suffering, the cost of having your car repaired and other personal property repaired or replaced, and other losses related to your crash.

    How long will it take to resolve my case?

    This is one of the most common questions we get during an initial consultation. Unfortunately, there is no clear answer until the day your compensation is deposited into your account. The time it takes to resolve a case can depend on the complexity of the case, how long it takes for insurance companies to process claims, and other factors.

    Meet with a car accident lawyer in Stone Mountain today

    Whether you suffered broken bones, back injuries, paralysis, or traumatic brain damage, if another party is responsible for causing your car accident injuries, you have the right to compensation for your suffering. An experienced car accident lawyer in Stone Mountain at Pendergrass Law can help you maximize your compensation and bring the liable party to justice. You will find out more about how much your claim could be worth and what to expect from the insurance and civil claims processes when you contact our team for a free consultation. Get started as soon as today by calling our office or completing our quick contact form.

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    Rollover Accident

    Rollover Accident

    Rollover accidents have to be one of the scariest and most dangerous accidents, mainly because the vehicle ends up on its side or roof.

    Teen Driver Accident

    Teen Driver Accident

    In Stone Mountain, Georgia, and the rest of the country, parents worry about their teenage children, especially when they start to drive.

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