Trusted Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyers | $1.9 Billion+ in Settlements & Verdicts

Awards & Accolades

These honors reflect Thompson Law’s national recognition for excellence, led by founding attorney Ryan L. Thompson, and brought to Georgia by our local Atlanta team.

Exactly what to do after an Atlanta accident (step-by-step)

1. Call 911 and get to safety. For traffic collisions, a police report anchors the claim.
2. Get medical care immediately. ER or urgent care documentation helps prove causation—even when symptoms show up later.
3. Document the scene. Photos of vehicles, hazards, lighting, skid marks, injuries, and any cameras nearby.
4. Collect information. Drivers, witnesses, insurance details, company names (for commercial vehicles), and plate numbers.
5. Request the report. Most Atlanta crash reports are available through BuyCrash/APD records. We can pull it for you.
6. Avoid discussing fault. Stick to facts; casual apologies are often misused against victims.
7. Talk to a lawyer before the adjuster. Adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. We protect your statements and evidence from day one.

Pro tip: Keep a short daily recovery log (pain levels, sleep, missed activities, and work limits). Those notes often move the needle in negotiations.

Atlanta’s Statute of Limitations & Key Georgia Injury Laws

Georgia law sets strict deadlines for filing. In most personal injury cases, you have
two years from the date of injury to file under
O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33.
Property-damage-only claims generally have a four-year deadline under the same statute.
There are narrow exceptions, but missing a deadline can bar recovery—another reason to contact counsel early.

Important exceptions to Georgia’s deadlines

• Claims against a city or county: Ante litem notice required within
  6 months.
• Claims against the State of Georgia: Notice required within
  12 months.
• Wrongful death: Usually two years, but the clock can pause during related criminal prosecutions.
• Minors or legally disabled plaintiffs: The statute may be “tolled” until the disability ends or the child turns 18.

Modified comparative negligence (50% bar)

Georgia uses a modified comparative negligence system
(O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33). Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault—and you cannot recover if you are
50% or more at fault. Insurers often overstate a victim’s share of fault; we counter with reconstruction analysis, video, and expert testimony.

Direct actions against insurers (changed in 2024)

Our Proven Personal Injury Claims Process

Navigating a personal injury claim in Georgia can feel overwhelming. Here’s how Thompson Law helps you from start to finish:

1. Free Case Review – We evaluate your accident, injuries, and insurance coverage. You’ll get clear answers and a roadmap at no cost.
2. Investigation & Evidence Collection – Police reports, witness statements, photos, surveillance footage, and medical records are secured immediately.
3. Medical Treatment & Documentation – We connect you with trusted providers if needed, while building a detailed record of your injuries and prognosis.
4. Demand Package to the Insurer – Once you reach maximum medical improvement, or your future care needs are understood, we prepare a comprehensive demand outlining your damages.
5. Negotiations & Mediation – Many cases resolve here, once insurers see the risk of going to trial. We negotiate from strength, using evidence and case law.
6. Litigation (if necessary) – If insurers refuse to be fair, we file suit in the appropriate Georgia court (Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, etc.), prepare for trial, and advocate before a jury.
7. Settlement or Trial Verdict – You make the final decision with our guidance. Our role is to ensure you receive the maximum compensation possible.

Atlanta Accident Trends & Why They Matter in Your Case

Every year, Atlanta ranks among the most dangerous places in Georgia for motor vehicle accidents. According to data from the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety:

• Fulton County leads the state in overall crash numbers year after year, accounting for thousands of injuries and fatalities.
• The Downtown Connector (I-75/85) consistently ranks as one of the most crash-prone stretches of highway in Georgia due to heavy congestion and high speeds.
• High-risk intersections such as Peachtree Street & 10th Street, Moreland Avenue & I-20, and Northside Drive & Martin Luther King Jr. Drive are frequent sites of serious collisions.
• Pedestrian fatalities in Atlanta are among the highest in the state, particularly in Midtown, Downtown, and along Buford Highway—areas with heavy foot traffic but poor pedestrian infrastructure.
• Distracted driving and speeding remain the leading contributing factors, especially in urban corridors where rideshare vehicles, delivery trucks, and commuters converge.

Why these statistics matter for your claim

Insurance adjusters and defense lawyers know the data. They understand which roads are notorious for wrecks, which intersections draw frequent complaints, and how local juries perceive fault in Atlanta crash cases. That’s why these statistics aren’t just numbers—they can directly influence:

• Liability arguments: Proving that a driver ignored known high-risk conditions, such as failing to slow down near a documented crash-prone intersection.
• Settlement leverage: Showing insurers that your injuries occurred in one of Georgia’s most dangerous traffic corridors can highlight the seriousness of your claim.
• Jury perception: Jurors who drive the Connector or live near Peachtree Street know how chaotic these roads can be, which often strengthens your story.
• Policy debates: When punitive damages are pursued (for reckless driving or DUI cases), high crash statistics in Atlanta reinforce the need for accountability.

How our team uses Atlanta crash data

At Thompson Law, we don’t just cite statistics—we integrate them into case strategy:

• Mapping crash locations using police reports and GDOT data to illustrate patterns of danger.
• Leveraging city planning records to argue that hazardous road design or poor maintenance contributed to the crash.
• Educating juries with visual exhibits showing how often accidents happen at a specific site.
• Countering defense tactics by showing that your accident wasn’t a “fluke” but part of a known, preventable trend.

We've Won $1.9 Billion in Total From All Our Cases

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Amounts below are gross recoveries unless noted; fees/costs may reduce net recovery. Every case is unique and depends on its facts, injuries, and insurance limits.

• Knee, hip & back injuries — $300,000
• Neck and brain injury — $300,000
• Neck injury — $235,000
• Hip injury — $110,000
• Head and knee injuries — $100,000

Want more detail? Ask us for representative case summaries similar to your situation.

What Factors Affect the Value of an Atlanta Personal Injury Case

No two Atlanta personal injury claims are alike. The value of your case depends on many variables that insurance companies, juries, and judges carefully weigh. Some of the most important factors include:

• Medical story – Your diagnoses, imaging results, treatment course, complications, and long-term prognosis. Future care needs and permanent disability greatly increase value.
• Work impact – Missed wages, reduced hours, job changes, or permanent limitations that lower your earning capacity.
• Daily life disruption – Pain levels, PTSD or anxiety, sleep disturbances, and the loss of enjoyment in family life, hobbies, and social activities.
• Liability proof – Police reports, witness statements, surveillance or traffic camera footage, event data recorders, maintenance logs, and expert testimony that establish fault.
• Coverage & assets – The availability of policy limits, uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, MedPay, business insurance policies, or additional assets beyond insurance.
• Venue & presentation – The court where the case is filed (for example, Fulton vs. DeKalb County), jury tendencies in that venue, and how persuasively your story is presented.

At Thompson Law, our role is to document every detail, preserve critical evidence, and present a compelling narrative that maximizes your recovery. By negotiating from a position of strength—and preparing each case as if it will go to trial—we give our clients the best chance at securing full and fair compensation.

Common Types of Personal Injury Cases in Atlanta

Injury cases can look very different depending on the circumstances. At Thompson Law, we regularly handle:

• Car Accidents – Rear-end collisions, T-bone crashes, head-on accidents, and distracted driving cases are some of the most common in Atlanta, especially along I-285, I-20, and the Downtown Connector.
• Truck & 18-Wheeler Accidents – Semi-trucks and delivery vehicles often cause severe damage due to their size and weight. We preserve black-box data, driver logs, and maintenance records to hold trucking companies accountable.
• Motorcycle Accidents – Motorcyclists are at higher risk of catastrophic injuries, often due to visibility issues or negligent drivers failing to yield.
• Pedestrian & Bicycle Accidents – Midtown, Downtown, and Buckhead see high rates of pedestrian crashes. We fight to ensure pedestrians and cyclists have equal protection under Georgia law.
• Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) Accidents – Insurance coverage can vary depending on whether the driver was waiting for a ride, en route, or actively transporting a passenger. We sort out layered policies and liability.
• Slip and Fall / Premises Liability – Falls in grocery stores, restaurants, or apartment complexes often occur because of unsafe conditions like poor lighting, broken stairs, or recurring spill hazards.
• Workplace & Construction Injuries – Beyond workers’ comp, we pursue negligent third parties such as property owners, contractors, or equipment manufacturers when applicable.
• Medical Malpractice – Misdiagnoses, surgical errors, and medication mistakes can have lifelong consequences. These cases require expert review and careful preparation.
• Wrongful Death Claims – When negligence leads to a loved one’s death, we guide families through both wrongful death and estate claims with compassion and focus.

No matter the type of accident, our Atlanta personal injury lawyers investigate thoroughly, preserve key evidence, and fight for the maximum compensation available under Georgia law. For a deeper dive into how Georgia law handles injury claims, see our Complete Guide to Atlanta Personal Injury Claims.

How we build a winning Georgia injury case

At Thompson Law, we don’t wait for the insurance company to dictate the pace. From day one, we preserve evidence and build leverage. Here’s how we construct a strong Georgia personal injury case:

• Immediate preservation: Sending letters to secure dashcam and surveillance video, driver logbooks, telematics, body-cam footage, official incident reports, and even defect parts before they disappear.
• Scene and witness work: Documenting crash sites with photos and measurements, canvassing businesses and homes for available camera footage, pulling 911 audio, and interviewing independent witnesses.
• Medical proof of causation: Coordinating with doctors to connect trauma to symptoms, injuries, and required future care so there’s no gap for insurers to exploit.
• Economic modeling: Collecting bills, Explanation of Benefits (EOBs), and working with experts on wage loss, diminished earning capacity, and long-term life-care plans.
• Demand & negotiation: Delivering a trial-ready demand package—organized, evidence-backed, and supported by a clear damages narrative that tells your story.
• Litigation & trial: If insurers refuse to be fair, we file suit in the proper Georgia court, push discovery aggressively, and prepare the case for trial to maximize settlement leverage.

Every step is designed to give you the strongest position possible, whether in negotiations or in front of a jury.

The typical claim timeline

Every Atlanta personal injury claim follows a series of steps, though the timing depends on your injuries, recovery, and how the insurer responds:

• Free consultation: We begin by reviewing liability, your injuries, available insurance coverage, and any looming deadlines under Georgia personal injury law.
• Treatment & investigation: While you focus on healing, we preserve critical evidence—police reports, photos, witness statements, black-box data—and build the foundation of your case.
• Demand package: Once you reach maximum medical improvement (or doctors establish your future care needs), we prepare a detailed, evidence-backed demand package outlining medical costs, lost income, and damages.
• Negotiations & mediation: Many cases resolve here, when insurers recognize the risks of going to trial.
• Filing suit: If negotiations stall, we strategically file a lawsuit to preserve your rights and increase leverage.
• Discovery & experts: Both sides exchange evidence, take depositions, and rely on expert testimony to clarify medical, technical, and financial issues.
• Trial or settlement: You make the final decision—with our advice—whether to accept a settlement or proceed to trial for full accountability.

By explaining each stage clearly, we give clients realistic expectations and a roadmap of what lies ahead.

Atlanta resources you may need

Recovering from a serious accident in Atlanta often means dealing with multiple agencies, facilities, and legal venues. Here are some of the most common resources involved in Georgia personal injury claims:

• Crash reports: Available through the Atlanta Police Department Central Records Unit or the statewide BuyCrash.com system, usually within 7–10 days of the collision.
• Hospitals: Major trauma care is provided at Grady Memorial Hospital (Level I Trauma Center), along with Emory University Hospital, Piedmont Atlanta Hospital, and other metro-area facilities.
• Courts: Injury cases are commonly filed in Fulton County State Court (Atlanta) or DeKalb County State Court (Decatur), depending on where the crash occurred.
• Transportation context: Many accidents involve Atlanta’s busiest routes, including I-75/85 (Downtown Connector), I-20, I-285, and Midtown/Downtown surface streets like Peachtree Street and Ponce de Leon Avenue.

Our firm can obtain records, coordinate logistics, and guide you through every step so you’re never left guessing about the process.

Meet Your Atlanta Injury Attorney

At Thompson Law, every case is personal. Our Georgia office is led by Phillip Hairston, an experienced trial lawyer who has secured millions for injured clients across Georgia. 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. Whether your accident happened on the Downtown Connector, I-285, or a neighborhood road in Decatur, Phillip combines deep local knowledge with aggressive representation to maximize results for crash victims. Learn more about Phillip Hairston and his results »

Injured in Atlanta or the surrounding neighborhoods?

If you were hurt in Buckhead, Midtown, Downtown Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Decatur, College Park, or East Point, our Atlanta personal injury lawyers are here to help. We know the local highways, intersections, and court systems—from the Downtown Connector and I-285 to Peachtree Street and Ponce de Leon Avenue—and we use that insight to build the strongest possible case for you.

Whether your accident involved a car crash in Midtown, a truck wreck on I-285 near Sandy Springs, a slip and fall in a Buckhead business, or a pedestrian injury on a Decatur street, we’re ready to take on the insurance companies and fight for the compensation you deserve.

Schedule a free consultation with our Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyers today.

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.

Our Atlanta Personal Injury Services

FAQs (Georgia + Atlanta)