Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer

After a car accident in Atlanta, you may feel like the world is against you. The other driver might not admit fault. Your insurance company may deny your claim or make an inadequate settlement offer. Medical bills are stacking up, and your employer is asking when you can return to work. In the aftermath of a bad Atlanta car accident, you need someone representing your best interests while you heal – not those of an insurance company or major corporation. You need an Atlanta car accident attorney like the ones found at Kaufman Law, P.C. We are ready to help with insurance settlements and liability claims.

Atlanta presents a significantly dangerous metropolitan area for drivers. Major highways, multiple lanes of traffic, and aggressive drivers increase the risk for car accidents. In a city that sees so many crashes, there are Atlanta car accident attorneys with significant experience handling these types of cases. Kaufman Law, P.C. is one such firm, with more than 40 years of representing Atlanta car accident victims in insurance settlement negotiations and civil lawsuits. After a crash in Atlanta, come to our team for legal counsel.

Drunk Driving Accidents

Drinking alcohol and driving is a leading cause of deadly car accidents around the country. Every day, an average of 28 people die in alcohol-related crashes. Although drunk driving accident rates have fallen by about 33% in the last 30 years, it remains a significant issue, taking about 13,000 lives every year. When someone drinks alcohol and drives, he or she does not have the coherency or reaction time to successfully prevent collisions. Alcohol affects thinking, reasoning, and muscle coordination. This combination can be deadly when operating a motor vehicle.
In Georgia, 366 alcohol-impaired drivers died in car accidents in 2015. These drivers all had blood alcohol concentration (BAC) levels at or above the legal limit of 0.08%. For commercial drivers, this limit is 0.04%. Drivers under the age of 21 can face penalties for any amount of alcohol. In Georgia, a driver can be guilty of driving under the influence (DUI) even if he or she is below the legal limit. If the alcohol is enough to impair driving ability, police can issue a DUI charge. After involvement in a DUI crash, retain an Atlanta car accident attorney to pursue a civil claim against the offender and potentially third parties.

Distracted Driving Accidents

Driver distraction can come in three forms: visual, manual, and cognitive. A visual distraction, or anything that takes the driver’s eyes away from the road, can make it impossible to react to roadway hazards in time to prevent a collision. Reading a map, for example, can lead to a rear-end collision if the car in front of you stops at a red light without you noticing. Manual distractions remove the driver’s hands from the wheel, delaying reaction time and contributing to drivers losing control of vehicles. Cognitive distractions occur when the driver’s mind is elsewhere, instead of on the driving task. This can lead to poor judgment and slower reactions to hazards.
Distracted driving research from the National Safety Council shows that 20% of drivers aged 18 to 20 don’t believe that texting affects their driving. Almost 30% of drivers aged 21 to 34 reported the same. These drivers are under dangerous misconceptions and may cause accidents in the future. Texting and driving fulfill all three forms of driver distraction, making it an extremely dangerous habit. The brain cannot read or write a text message and focus 100% on driving at the same time. The only way to avoid a distracted driving crash is to keep your eyes, hands, and mind on driving.

What You Should Do After a Car Accident

After an Atlanta car accident, stay calm and don’t admit fault. Call the police if the crash resulted in injuries, deaths, or property damage that exceeds $500. Gather information such as the other driver’s name and the insurance company. Take photos of property damage, injuries, and the scene of the crash, if possible. Go to the hospital as soon as possible to treat any injuries you may have sustained. Keep your medical bills and records in an organized file with the rest of your car accident information. Report the accident to your car insurance company. Then, call an attorney.
An Atlanta car accident attorney can make the insurance claims process more rewarding. The team at Kaufman Law, P.C. has gone up against major insurers to maximize coverage offers and settlement amounts. We can also file a claim with the civil courts if necessary. Our trial attorneys excel in and out of the courtroom in pursuit of fair compensation. When in doubt after a car crash, give us a call.

“Kaufman Law was such a great help after my family was in a bad car accident. Erica Tuff was more help than we could have hoped for. She patiently responded to all of my questions and concerns. She answered all emails and phone calls incredibly quickly. I know she did all she could to help us feel good about our decisions and our settlement.” – Debby