At-Fault (Tort) System
The driver who causes a car accident in Atlanta is legally responsible for your losses.
We start with their insurer, then pursue every other applicable policy.
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Recognized by Super Lawyers® | Serving Atlanta Clients Statewide
A crash can upend your life in seconds. At Thompson Law, our
Atlanta car accident lawyers have recovered $1.9B+ for injured Georgians.
We know the corridors that cause the most harm—I-75/85 (Downtown Connector), I-285, and
urban routes like Peachtree and Ponce—and we build cases insurers can’t ignore.
Georgia deadlines move quickly. Get answers now.
Recognized by Super Lawyers®, National Trial Lawyers, and
AV-Preeminent peer ratings. Our national results are led by founding attorney
Ryan L. Thompson and brought to Georgia by our Atlanta trial team.
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After a car accident, you deserve more than a claims number — you deserve a team that fights for your health, your future, and your peace of mind. Whether it’s negotiating with insurers or presenting your story to a jury, our Atlanta car accident lawyers fight for the result you deserve — so you can move forward with confidence.
At Thompson Law, we blend local insight with relentless advocacy so you can focus on healing while we handle everything else.
Why Atlanta Trusts Us
What We Do for You
Whether your accident happened on the Downtown Connector, I-285, or a neighborhood road in Decatur,
Phillip brings a unique background—having defended corporations early in his career—so he knows
exactly how insurers build their cases, and how to beat them.
Phillip combines deep local knowledge with aggressive representation to maximize results for crash victims.
Learn more about Phillip Hairston and his results »
Real reviews from injured Georgians we’ve helped. Want more?
Kathy Poole
★★★★★“Thompson Law office staff was extremely helpful and attentive. Brian and Shawn were kind and informative and helped me through the entire closing process. They got the job done!”
— Google Review (21h ago)
Daniel Valdez
★★★★★“Thompson Law did a great job when it came to handling my case. Brian, my case manager, was there every time I had questions and always kept me updated. I’ll definitely use them again.”
— Google Review (19 days ago)
Cartisha Sylvester
★★★★★“Working with Thompson Law was great. I was always updated about my case throughout the entire process. Thank you Ms. Uneeda and Mr. Brian. I appreciate all the help.”
— Google Review (1 month ago)
See all Google reviews.
More than $1.9 billion recovered for clients firm-wide. Below are representative motor-vehicle outcomes. Every case is different; results depend on your facts, injuries, venue, and available insurance.
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. You owe no attorney’s fees unless we recover for you. Court costs and case expenses may be the client’s responsibility.
We offer car wreck victims committed and relentless legal representation to ensure you receive full and fair compensation for your claim. Our Atlanta car accident lawyers will construct a robust case with compelling evidence to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
The actions you take in the first 24–72 hours can make or break your case. Follow this checklist, then call our Call 911 and get to safety. For traffic collisions, a police report anchors the claim and documents fault, injuries, and insurance. Get medical care immediately. ER or urgent-care records help prove causation—even when symptoms appear hours or days later. Document the scene. Photos of vehicle positions, damage, skid marks, hazards, signals/lighting, injuries, and nearby cameras. Collect information. Drivers and witnesses, insurance, company names (for commercial vehicles), VINs and plate numbers. Request the police report. APD and Georgia State Patrol reports can be pulled through APD records/BuyCrash—we can obtain them for you. Avoid discussing fault. Stick to facts; casual apologies can be used against you later.
Atlanta car accident lawyers for guidance.
Important exceptions |
Modified comparative negligenceGeorgia uses a modified comparative negligence system Insurers often overstate fault. We counter with reconstruction, video, and expert analysis. |
Depending on the policy and defendant (e.g., motor carriers), you may be able to bring claims directly
against an insurer. We evaluate carrier status, policy forms, and recent case law to pursue every available path to recovery.
Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), Known as Atlanta’s most congested stretch of highway, the Downtown Connector is a hotspot for rear-end and multi-vehicle collisions. I-285 has been ranked among the deadliest highways in the U.S. Atlanta’s urban intersections are notorious for red-light running and unsafe turns. Buckhead, Midtown, Sandy Springs, and Decatur are among the highest-risk areas for car accidents in the metro. By connecting your case to these well-documented crash patterns, our Atlanta accident attorneys strengthen your claim with local knowledge
Fulton County consistently reports the highest number of crashes and injuries in the entire state—Atlanta is the epicenter of this activity.
Understanding where and why accidents happen helps our Atlanta car accident lawyers build stronger cases and anticipate insurer defenses.
The Downtown Connector (I-75/I-85)
Stop-and-go traffic, sudden lane changes, and heavy commuter volume during rush hours make this corridor one of the most dangerous in Georgia.
Accidents here often involve multiple insurers and complex liability disputes.
I-285 (“The Perimeter”)
High speeds, heavy tractor-trailer traffic, and frequent weaving contribute to catastrophic crashes — including rollovers and jackknife accidents.
Victims of I-285 wrecks often suffer severe injuries requiring long-term care.
Peachtree Street & Ponce de Leon Avenue
Peachtree Street and Ponce de Leon Avenue, in particular, see frequent side-impact (T-bone) collisions.
These crashes are especially dangerous for pedestrians, cyclists, and rideshare passengers traveling through Midtown and Downtown Atlanta.
High-Risk Neighborhoods
Dense traffic, nightlife, and distracted driving all increase the likelihood of crashes.
DUI and pedestrian accidents are common in entertainment districts, while suburban corridors often see high-speed collisions on feeder roads leading to I-285 and GA-400.
that resonates with judges, juries, and insurance companies. This geographic insight can be the difference between a quick lowball settlement and
maximum compensation.
Every crash is unique, but patterns repeat on Atlanta’s busiest corridors. Knowing how wrecks happen helps our Sudden slowdowns on the Downtown Connector (I-75/85) and I-285 trigger chain-reaction crashes. Red-light runs and unsafe left turns at Peachtree & 14th and Moreland @ I-20 lead to severe T-bone injuries. Nightlife corridors in Buckhead, Midtown, and Downtown see high DUI crash rates. Texting and in-dash screens cause rear-end and sideswipe impacts on GA-400, I-20, and surface streets. Uber, Lyft, Amazon, and DoorDash claims may unlock platform coverage (often up to $1M) depending on driver status. When drivers flee, your UM/UIM coverage can step in. We move fast to secure traffic-cam video, plate reads, and witness leads before they disappear. Whatever the scenario, our team preserves black-box data, camera footage, and witness evidence early — and pursues every coverage layer to
Atlanta car accident lawyers
secure the right evidence fast and build cases insurers can’t ignore.
Rear-End Collisions on Congested Highways
Even “low impact” hits can cause whiplash, spine injuries, and concussions—especially at commuter speeds.
Intersection & Left-Turn Crashes
We use signal timing, cam footage, and witness statements to prove fault.
Drunk & Impaired Driving
In these cases, we pursue compensatory damages and, when available, punitive damages to hold drivers accountable.
Distracted Driving Crashes
Phone records and telematics help us establish distraction.
Rideshare & Delivery Driver Accidents
We stack all available policies to maximize recovery.
Hit-and-Run Accidents
protect your claim. See how our Atlanta car accident lawyers can help »
“My Medical Bills Were Sky High, And EVERYTHING Was Taken Care Of”
– Nancy
The essentials you need after a crash in Atlanta — deadlines, fault rules, insurance, and the steps to start your claim. Government-involved crashes: Separate ante litem notices apply (city/county/state). Missing these can bar your claim even if liability is clear. 911, medical care, photos/video, witness info, police report number. We send spoliation letters for cam and black-box data. Records, bills, wage loss, coverage mapping (at-fault, UM/UIM, rideshare, employer, umbrella). Evidence-backed demand; we push for policy-limits and counter “minor impact” or pre-existing arguments. Trial-ready from day one; strategic offers can shift fees if the defense won’t deal reasonably. The driver who causes a car accident in Atlanta is legally responsible for your losses.
Save or share with family, providers, or your adjuster.
See the FAQ below or ask us to file notices on your behalf.
1) Preserve & Treat
2) Build the File
3) Demand & Negotiate
4) Sue if Needed
At-Fault (Tort) System
We start with their insurer, then pursue every other applicable policy.
After a wreck, insurers protect profits—not people. Know the playbook so you don’t leave money on the table. Requested when you’re vulnerable; answers get twisted later. Our move: we handle the adjuster and control the record. Checks before the full diagnosis or future care is known. Our move: evidence-backed demand with future-care analysis. Stall until bills force a bad settlement. Our move: file suit, set deadlines, and use strategic offers to add fee pressure. Claim your injuries weren’t caused by the crash. Our move: treating-physician opinions, before/after proof, and medical causation. “Small damage = small injury.” Our move: photos, EDR/black-box data, biomechanics, and specialist reports to prove harm. At Thompson Law, we build every case trial-ready from day one—locking down evidence, mapping every policy (at-fault, UM/UIM, rideshare, umbrella), and pushing for full value on medical bills, wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and diminished value.
Recorded Statements
Quick, Lowball Offers
Delay & Deny
“Pre-Existing” Blame
“Minor Impact” Defense
Some Atlanta crashes involve special laws, multiple insurers, or overlapping policies. We untangle liability, preserve critical evidence, and unlock every available dollar. Crashes with police cars, MARTA buses, or city trucks trigger strict ante litem notices—miss them and your claim is usually barred. We draft, file, and serve notices immediately so your rights are preserved. Pileups on I-285 and the Downtown Connector often involve multiple negligent parties. Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) and delivery (Amazon/DoorDash) claims may access platform coverage—often up to $1M. When at-fault limits are low or the driver flees, UM/UIM can fill the gap. Georgia’s add-on UM stacks on top of at-fault limits; reduced-by UM offsets them. We model dollar-by-dollar damages, time settlement offers strategically, and file suit when carriers won’t negotiate fairly. Timeline: Investigate & treat → Demand package → Negotiate → File suit if needed → Settlement/Mediation/Trial. Evidence checklist: report number (APD/GSP), photos/video, driver/witness info, insurance, provider list, receipts (tow, rental, meds), employer note. Fees: No fee unless we win. Regular updates by phone, text, or email. Help arranging care even without health insurance.
Government Vehicle & MARTA Claims
Multi-Vehicle, Rideshare & Commercial Crashes
UM/UIM & Coverage Stacking
Evidence & Case Building
Damages & Recovery Strategy
Your Timeline, Checklist & Fees
From day one, we treat every case as trial-ready. Here’s our proven step-by-step process to maximize your recovery. We secure police reports, CAD/911 audio, dashcam & traffic-cam footage, and EDR “black box” data before it’s lost. We connect your diagnoses to the crash, work with treating doctors, and document future care and functional limits. Our team reconstructs the crash, applies Georgia’s comparative-fault rules, and anticipates insurer defenses to stay ahead. We identify every policy that may apply — at-fault driver, employer, rideshare, UM/UIM, umbrella — and stack coverage where possible. We create a dollar-by-dollar accounting of medical costs, wage loss, future care, pain & suffering, property damage, and diminished value. We time demands for maximum leverage and are prepared to file suit if the insurer won’t be fair — keeping pressure on until we win.
1. Immediate Evidence Preservation
2. Medical Causation & Future Care
3. Liability Analysis & Defense Planning
4. Coverage Mapping
5. Damages Model
6. Negotiation & Litigation
If you were hurt in Buckhead, Midtown, Downtown Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Decatur, College Park, or East Point, our Atlanta car accident lawyers are ready to help. We know the local roads and intersections where car crashes frequently occur—from the Downtown Connector and I-285 to Peachtree Street and Ponce de Leon Avenue—and we use that knowledge to build the strongest case possible.
Whether your wreck happened in a busy Midtown intersection, a Buckhead parking lot, on I-285 near Sandy Springs, or a neighborhood street in Decatur, we’ll hold the at-fault driver and their insurer accountable. Our team understands Georgia’s traffic laws, comparative negligence rules, and insurance tactics—and we’ll fight to protect your rights from day one.
Schedule your free consultation today with an Atlanta car accident lawyer who knows your neighborhood.
Call Us: (678) 981-9022
Atlanta office: 1201 Peachtree St NE, Unit 2200, Atlanta, GA 30361
Free case review: We’ll listen, answer your questions, and map the next steps—TODAY.
A car accident lawyer can investigate liability (police reports, traffic cams, black box data), gather medical proof, calculate damages (medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, diminished value), and identify all insurance coverage (liability, UM/UIM, rideshare, umbrella). They negotiate aggressively—and take your case to court if needed.
In Atlanta, the at-fault driver’s insurer usually pays for repairs or a total loss. You may also use your own collision coverage (with a deductible). Georgia law also allows claims for diminished value—the drop in market worth even after quality repairs—when supported by evidence.
Settlement timelines vary. A simple case may resolve in a few months, while serious injuries or liability disputes can take a year or more. Cases requiring lawsuits often take 12–24 months. Factors include medical treatment length, insurer cooperation, and whether litigation is required.
Yes. Georgia follows modified comparative negligence. If you’re less than 50% at fault, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. Example: if you’re 30% at fault, a $100,000 award becomes $70,000. If you’re 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover.
No. Insurance adjusters often use statements against you to dispute fault or minimize injuries. Give only basic facts at the scene, then decline recorded statements until you’ve consulted a lawyer. Your attorney can communicate with insurers to protect your claim.
You may turn to your Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. Georgia offers “add-on” UM (which stacks on top of the at-fault driver’s limits) and “reduced-by” UM (which offsets those limits). A lawyer can help identify and maximize all available coverage, including household or employer policies.
Thompson Law charges NO FEE unless we obtain a settlement for your case. We’ve put over $1.9 billion in cash settlements in our clients’ pockets. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your accident, get your questions answered, and understand your legal options.
State law limits the time you have to file a claim after an injury accident, so call today.