Columbus Car Accident Lawyers

Why You Should Hire Car Accident Lawyers in Columbus

The State of Georgia and the City of Columbus have a unique set of traffic rules that play a huge role in your car accident claim. With a team of experienced Columbus car accident lawyers in your corner, you can rest assured that your legal representatives know how to navigate these local laws, allowing them to use them to prove fault against the other party.

Hiring a lawyer also helps with dealing with insurance companies that aren’t on your side. Adjusters use all sorts of tactics to downplay your injuries and shift the blame for the accident to you, all so they can minimize your payout. A dedicated lawyer can liaise with these insurance providers for you to ensure they don’t lowball your compensation and instead negotiate for a higher amount that you deserve.

Our Columbus-based car accident lawyers are also familiar with the ins and outs of the local court system in Muscogee County. We can use our expertise in the legal process to ensure that negligent parties are held accountable for their actions, allowing you to receive the maximum amount you deserve in damages.

Looking for a team of car accident attorneys in the Columbus area to help you navigate local laws and courtroom procedures? Schedule a FREE CONSULTATION with Thompson Law today!

What Our Columbus Car Accident Attorneys Can Do for You

Our lawyers at Thompson Law have a proven track record of leading personal injury cases from road accidents to victory. Over the decades, we’ve won over $1.9 billion in settlements and damages for our clients. When you choose us for your legal representation after a car accident, we can strengthen your case by doing the following:

• Leading a thorough investigation of the car accident with evidence like police reports, witness statements, hospital records, and more
• Establishing who is truly liable for the accident that occurred and your consequent injuries to know who to hold accountable for your struggles
• Estimate the true value of your claim that represents the extent of your injuries, and help you send out demand letters if necessary
• Negotiate with insurance companies and third parties to ensure you get the highest compensation possible to cover your losses
• Filing all necessary paperwork to ensure you don’t miss any pertinent legal deadlines
• Representing you in court if the case doesn’t reach a settlement and instead goes to trial
• Keeping you informed at every step of the legal process so you’re never in the dark

Don’t wait to fight for your rights. Learn and understand your legal options by booking a FREE CASE REVIEW with our team of Columbus car accident lawyers today.

Why Choose Thompson Law?

The aftermath of a car accident can be scary and nerve-wracking, but you don’t have to go through it alone. While you focus on healing your physical injuries, our team of experienced lawyers can represent you and fight for your rights on your behalf. We’ll talk to insurance companies, represent you in court, and most importantly, get you the maximum compensation you deserve for what you’ve gone through

Damages Our Car Accident Attorneys in Columbus Can Help You Secure

The financial impact that car accident victims face is no joke. From medical bills to losses from not being able to go to work, there’s a huge burden that falls on you when you get hurt on the road. These costs add up fast, and it’s difficult to rely on insurance companies to shoulder your losses.

That’s where we come in. Our Columbus car accident lawyers will thoroughly study your case and estimate the value that truthfully reflects the extent of your injuries and emotional suffering. Then, we’ll aggressively negotiate with the other parties to ensure you get this amount and not a cent less.

Here are some of the types of compensatory damages you may be entitled to after getting hurt in a car accident in Columbus, GA.

Special Damages (Economic)

These damages refer to your economic losses, such as out-of-pocket costs you had to pay after the car crash. They include hospital bills and anything associated with medical treatment, like medication expenses, rehabilitation, urgent care, and consultations with doctors.

Special damages also include lost wages if you had to miss work due to your injuries. If you developed a permanent disability following the car crash, you’ll also be eligible for damages for a lowered earning capacity.

General Damages (Non-Economic)

General damages include non-economic losses that might be difficult to put a price tag on. These damages reflect the negative emotional impact on your life after the accident. The negligent party can be obligated to cover your losses for things like pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of quality of life, loss of consortium if you have a partner, and other psychological turmoil as a result of the car crash.

Punitive Damages

If it’s proven in court that the negligent party was acting in extreme negligence or malice, you could be entitled to punitive damages. These are awarded by the court not only to compensate you, but to punish the person at fault for their actions.

What If the At-Fault Driver was Uninsured or Underinsured?

In most cases, car accident victims can make a claim against the negligent party’s insurance provider to cover their losses and injuries. But if the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance, don’t worry. You still have a few options.

If your own insurance policy includes uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage, then you can get compensated for your injuries through that. This type of coverage is designed to protect you if you get into a road accident with another party that doesn’t have any or enough insurance.

If you don’t have uninsured motorist coverage in your policy and feel the financial strain of your injuries, you can also pursue legal action against the at-fault driver. This means suing and bringing them to court in the hopes of getting compensatory damages awarded to you for your injuries and troubles.

What Are Common Causes of Car Accidents in Columbus?

Car accidents can happen for any reason, whether it’s a negligent driver cruising their vehicle recklessly or poor road conditions at the time of the accident. But some culprits are more common than others when it comes to car crashes in Columbus, GA. Here are some of the most common causes of car collisions in the city:

• Distracted driving, especially when drivers use their phones while driving
• Going over the speed limit on certain roads
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Failure to yield and obey traffic lights
• Road rage, which leads to aggressive driving
• Inexperienced drivers who haven’t mastered how to navigate traffic-heavy roads
• Road hazards like potholes, fallen infrastructure, debris on the road, and other obstructions

Dangerous Intersections Prone to Accidents in Columbus

Accidents can happen even in the most obscure streets and corners of any city. But in Columbus, there are intersections that have gained a notorious reputation for being car accident hotspots. These include:

• 1st and 13th Ave
• Rigdon Rd and Colorado Street
• Macon Rd and Interstate 185
• Beaver Run and Gateway Rd
• Manchester Expressway and 2nd Ave
• GA-22 and Macon Rd
• Manchester Expressway and Woodruff Road
• Forrest Rd and Reese Rd
• 13th St and US-27/Veterans Parkway

When you’re traversing any of these roads, make sure to be extra vigilant and follow all traffic rules and regulations to avoid getting hurt in an accident

Recent Car Accident Statistics for Columbus

Car accidents happen anywhere in the country, but key statistics paint a grim reality about its prevalence and risk in Georgia. In 2022, Georgia saw 1,797 fatal car accidents, 507 of which were caused by driving under the influence of alcohol. The year after, 2,261 drivers were involved in fatal crashes, with 183 of them under 21 years of age.

Locally in Columbus, the numbers are a bit more encouraging. In 2022, there was a 12.65% decrease in car crashes in the city, totaling 7,395 crashes investigated by the authorities. That said, the number of injuries to line-of-duty law enforcement officers following road accidents increased by 9.9%.

What to Do After Being Involved in a Car Crash in Columbus?

If you find yourself in a car accident in Columbus, stay as calm and collected as possible. Here are the steps you must follow to ensure your safety and protect your rights should you pursue legal action against another party later on:

1. If possible, move your car to a safer location, like on the shoulder of the road.
2. Call 911 to alert the authorities and first responders about the crash.
3. Check your body for injuries. Then, check for injuries to anyone else involved in the crash. When the paramedics get there, get medical attention right away, even if you don’t see any noticeable injuries.
4. If you feel okay and are cleared by medical staff, document the scene of the accident. Take photos and videos of the road conditions, damage to vehicles involved, your injuries, and more.
5. Exchange information with the other driver, but don’t admit fault when you speak to them.
6. Notify your insurance company about the accident.
7. Consult with an experienced car accident lawyer in Columbus and tell them what happened. Your legal representative can guide you through the next steps following an accident, ensuring you do everything right without unknowingly minimizing your payout.

Local Hospitals Where You Can Seek Treatment in Columbus, GA

Getting the prompt medical care you need is of the utmost importance after you get hurt in a car accident. Columbus has several hospitals that can provide emergency services and treatment for your injuries, from minor lacerations to surgeries following major trauma. Here are some of the hospitals you can visit in Columbus if you need help:

• St. Francis-Emory Healthcare:  Has a full range of inpatient, outpatient, and emergency services and 376 beds for patients. It also has the only open-heart surgery program in the city.
• Piedmont Columbus Regional’s Midtown Campus:  This 583-bed, tertiary care hospital is the largest in West Georgia and provides comprehensive health services that car accident victims can find helpful.
• Piedmont Columbus Regional’s Northside Campus:  Has 100 beds for general acute care. The facility specializes in orthopedic and spine rehabilitation, so it’s a great option for those recovering from major injuries after a car accident. They also have plenty of emergency and surgery services available.

Our Car Accident Lawyers Will Demand the Justice You Seek

Our lawyers understand the physical and emotional toll of having gone through a car accident in the busy streets of Columbus, GA. That’s why we’re committed to making sure you don’t have to deal with financial and legal stress on top of that by taking it on ourselves. We’ll help you establish who was at fault for the accident, demand fair compensation for your pain and suffering, and bring those liable for your injuries to justice.

Our dedicated team of Columbus car accident lawyers is ready to advocate for your rights and ensure you get the compensation you need to move forward and regain control of your life. Book a FREE CONSULTATION and see how we can help with your case.

FAQs About Car Accidents in Columbus

What if I were partly at fault for the car accident in Columbus, GA?

Even if you were partly at fault for the car crash you were involved in, there’s still a chance you can obtain compensation for your injuries and property damage. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which allows parties involved to recover compensatory damages as long as they are less than 50% at fault for the collision.

Should I report the car crash to my insurance company?

Yes, you should report it to your insurance provider as soon as possible. Failing to notify them about the accident could give them grounds to deny you coverage for your injuries and losses later on. So, even if the crash wasn’t your fault, report the incident to them straight away.

Should I speak to the other driver’s insurance company?

We don’t recommend talking to the other driver’s insurance company until you’ve consulted with a car accident lawyer first. Sometimes, the other party’s insurance adjuster will use your statements against you to try and lower your payout. To ensure you get fair compensation that reflects the extent of your injuries and losses, direct these adjusters to your lawyer as your representative instead.