Car Accidents

Georgia Injury Lawyers

Car Accidents - Pedestrian Accidents

Most of us seldom think about the risk of an accident when we get in the car to go to work, do an errand, or pick up one of the kids. However, there are more than 40,000 deaths and 200,000 serious injuries each year because of traffic accidents. Many of these accidents are caused by negligence or misconduct of other drivers or a defect in the motor vehicle or truck. When you are seriously injured in a car crash, you need to protect your rights. After seeking medical treatment, contact an attorney with the experience and knowledge in car accident cases to advise you.

At Goldstein & Hayes, PC, our lawyers have more than 35 years of experience helping people in Georgia and throughout the southeastern United States obtain damages in injury claims. We have a record of obtaining awards of one million or more for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Many of these cases have been auto accident claims related to:

• Truck accidents
• Car accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Accidents involving intoxicated drivers
• SUV accidents and rollovers
• Pedestrian accidents

Investigators and accident specialists help us develop a solid car accident claim 

Our law firm has the experience and knowledge to undertake injury cases from start to finish, no matter how complex or difficult. We use the skills of investigators who photograph the scene, interview witnesses, review police reports, and provide evidence of liability. It is important that these investigators and accident reconstruction specialists arrive at the scene as soon as possible, while memories are fresh and evidence intact. We strive to obtain the best result possible on your behalf using all the resources at our disposal.

What to Do if You Are in a Motor Vehicle Accident

• If you get into an accident, call the police and make sure any injured parties are attended to. Try to protect the accident scene.
• Make notes. Write down the names and addresses of the drivers and passengers involved in the accident. Also, get the make and model of each vehicle involved, plus the other driver's license number and insurance information. Get the names, addresses and phone numbers of any witnesses around the accident scene.
• Call your insurance agent as soon as you can - even if you are far from home and it was somebody's else's fault. Request a copy of your policy and declaration page if you do not have copies already.
• Keep records of the expenses you incur as a result of the accident and copies of all paperwork.
• Speak to an attorney as soon as possible to ascertain your legal rights.
• See a doctor to make sure that you get well and to ensure that your complaints are documented.
• If possible, take photos showing the damage to your car.

How Much Liability and UM Automobile Insurance Do You Have? 

Do you own a car? Does your spouse or child drive it? Guess who is responsible if they injure another person while operating your vehicle. You are.

Please check the face sheet of your insurance policy. If you own a home, you should carry Liability insurance in an amount that will protect your biggest asset. Speak to your insurance broker about how much is enough. Call us if you would like a second opinion.

Just as important as liability insurance is the amount of Uninsured/Underinsured coverage that you carry. Take a look at that face sheet of your policy again. You will see a box with the initials UM. That coverage is for you in case you are injured by another driver who doesn't have any liability insurance or carries too little liability insurance.

We recently represented a family whose child was severely injured in a car wreck. The 14-year-old suffered life-threatening injuries and significant brain damage. The family incurred over $500,000 in medical expenses. Unfortunately, the other driver only had $25,000 of liability insurance (the minimum under Georgia law) and no assets to pursue. Too many irresponsible people are driving around with no insurance or the minimum amount. The lesson of this story: if you own a car, you should carry UM/UIM coverage in the same amount as your liability coverage. That way, if you are tragically injured by someone with an insufficient amount of insurance, you can make a claim to your own insurance company to compensate you for your injuries, pain, and suffering. 

Believe it or not, it is one of the cheapest insurance products sold. You owe it to yourself to carry as much UM/UIM coverage as you can afford. Ask your insurance broker how much it would cost you to have at least $250,000 of liability and UM/UIM coverage. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about your insurace coverage. In the meantime, drive defensively.

Our Atlanta car accident attorneys invite you to a no-cost, no obligation consultation to see if our firm can help.

We take most auto accident cases on a contingency fee basis - you pay no attorneys' fees unless we recover compensation and damages on your behalf. If you have been injured in an automobile accident, contact an experienced auto accident lawyer. Call Goldstein & Hayes, PC, where we offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case.