Alpharetta Car Accident Lawyer

Alpharetta, GA is living, moving, and shaking. With its busy highways and bustling boulevards, there’s no shortage of cars and vehicles cruising around town. Unfortunately — despite all of the advances in modern traffic safety — automobile accidents can and do still occur. Even experienced drivers make mistakes or sometimes suffer senseless injuries because of another driver’s negligence.

We know that navigating the challenges of an auto accident can be daunting, but it’s exactly times like these when you need a tenacious advocate on your side. At Henningsen Injury Attorneys P.C., our team of experienced Alpharetta car accident lawyers will help get you back in the driver’s seat of life. With more than four decades of combined experience on our side, we know exactly how these insurance companies work, as well as how to overcome their legal tactics head-on. Whatever the case, we’ll make sure you get the full, fair compensation you deserve.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, don’t wait; contact our Alpharetta personal injury law firm today. We would be proud to serve as your counsel through this difficult time.

A Fact Sheet on Alpharetta Car Accidents

Georgia reported 1,664 car crash fatalities in 2020, placing it fourth in the country for fatal car accidents (only falling behind larger states like Texas, California, and Florida). In the same year, across the U.S., motor vehicle collisions totaled 331,796, killing 38,824 people and severely injuring 4.8 million.

And despite improvements in car safety, the numbers continue to climb. The following year, in 2021, The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 42,915 deaths due to motor vehicle crashes, up 10% over 2020 numbers. This is the highest number of fatalities since 2005, as well as the largest annual percentage increase ever recorded.

When the unexpected happens, your best bet is to call upon an experienced lawyer in Alpharetta, GA who can help you secure rightful compensation for any car accident injuries endured. At Henningsen Injury Attorneys, P.C., we fight for every dime of what’s rightfully yours — we don’t flinch or back down from insurance companies that are out to take advantage of you. We’ll investigate the incident, gather facts, consult with relevant experts, and do whatever it takes to build a strong case against the at-fault driver.

What Are The Major Causes Behind Car Accidents?

There are three main causes of car crashes: DUI, distracted driving, and speeding; these incidents are responsible for about 95% of visits to emergency rooms or trauma centers, according to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. Other factors, such as driver fatigue, bad weather conditions, aggressive driving/road rage, and vehicle defects are also contributing factors.

DUI​

Driving under the influence, either intoxicated or under the influence of drugs, is a serious crime and poses a serious danger to everyone on the road. Drunk driving kills over 17,000 people a year, accounting for one-third of driver fatalities in the U.S. Additionally, drug use is associated with a 25% increased risk of car accidents.

Distracted Driving​

Distracted driving is another major contributor to traffic accidents. Despite what most people believe, our brains aren’t wired to focus on more than one thing at a time. Whether texting and driving, changing radio stations, fiddling with the navigation, or eating — anything that takes your mind off the road is dangerous. Just looking away from the road for four seconds at 60mph is the equivalent of driving blindfolded for basically the length of an entire football field!

Speeding​

While speeding is technically a reckless driving behavior, it warrants a special mention in light of its prevalence in car crashes — excessive speeding accounts for one out of every three fatal accidents, killing more than 10,000 people each year. It’s a simple premise: the faster you go, the less time you have to react, and the greater your chances of getting into a crash.

Driver Fatigue​

Drowsy driving is an often-overlooked risk on the road — but it can be every bit as dangerous as distracted and impaired driving. Lack of sleep, long work hours, or a combination of factors such as medication or illness can lead to slower reaction times and risky decisions. If you find yourself feeling exhausted or yawning behind the wheel, it’s time for a break.

Weather Conditions​

Adverse weather is another major cause of traffic accidents. Rain, fog, snow, and even strong winds can all affect visibility and traction. Case in point, even a light drizzle can reduce braking by 30%.

Aggressive/Reckless Driving​

Recklessly Aggressive Behavior behind the wheel includes tailgating, weaving in and out of traffic, making unsafe lane changes, and running red lights. Such reckless conduct not only endangers yourself and other drivers but can also land you with a hefty fine or even jail time.

Vehicle Defects​

Issues like faulty brakes, worn-out suspensions, bald tires, and defective airbags can lead to serious harm for both you and other drivers on the road. This is why regular maintenance is so important — timely checkups can help find and fix hazardous defects before it’s too late.

How Are Damages Calculated?​

Your Alpharetta car accident lawyer can assist you in pursuing two types of damages: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages are hard financial costs with an exact dollar amount. These are relatively easy to calculate and can be backed up by invoices, bills, or other types of evidence. Economic damages include:

• Medical expenses;
• Rehabilitation costs;
• Lost wages and earning capacity;
• Property damage.

Keep in mind that you can still suffer damage unquantifiable in dollars. These losses are considered Non-Economic and are equally deserving of compensation. However, they are subjective and can vary greatly based on the overall impact of the specific case. They may cover:

• Pain And Suffering/emotional distress;
• Reduced quality of life;
• Scarring or disfigurement;
• Loss of consortium.

When calculating a settlement amount, an Alpharetta car accident lawyer will always use the individual’s physical injury and associated medical bills as a starting point. Other economic damages, such as lost wages, are also taken into consideration. Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering and disfigurement, then form a multiplier that can be as high as 5 depending on the severity of the injury.

What Is The Average Car Accident Settlement In Georgia?​

According to the Insurance Information Institute, auto insurers paid out an average of $20,235 for bodily injury claims in 2020. However, this figure is likely bolstered by high-dollar settlements for catastrophic car accidents (usually ones involving spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, death, or other factors that adversely affect quality of life). The general consensus among experts is that most car accident settlements fall between $10,000 and $20,000. This may seem low, but keep in mind that most car accidents are rarely catastrophic or fatal — most involve relatively minor property damage and no serious injuries.

Your Alpharetta auto accident lawyer will assign a dollar value to your settlement based on a variety of factors, such as the seriousness of the injury, damages the accident caused, any existing liability insurance policies held by involved parties, damages previously awarded to accident victims, and even fault assigned by the court (Georgia is a comparative negligence state, which means damages can be assigned and reduced proportionately for each party found partially liable).

To get a clearer picture of your car accident settlement, contact an Alpharetta personal injury lawyer from Henningsen Injury Attorneys P.C. While an internet search offers some quick answers, it’s no replacement for the expert, detailed, and relevant advice of a personal injury attorney who can properly assess your situation and advise you accordingly. Moreover, we offer services in many practice areas; whether you need representation in a truck accident, motorcycle accident, pedestrian accident, slip, and fall accident, hit and run accident, dog bite, medical malpractice, premises liability, or wrongful death claim — our experienced attorneys are here to help!

Can I Settle A Car Accident Without A Lawyer In Alpharetta?

It’s certainly possible. You don’t need to hire an attorney to file a claim after a car accident in Alpharetta, GA. However, the fact remains that insurance companies are not your friends (even if you pay your premiums on time). These corporations are in the business of maximizing their profits, which, unfortunately, means minimizing what they pay out to claimants. A settlement offer from an insurance company is simply the opening bid in a long series of negotiations, throughout which unrepresented individuals may find themselves facing issues such as:

• A denied claim;
• Undervalued offers;
• Delay tactics;
• Disputes regarding liability;
• Incorrectly filed paperwork.

You don’t have time for insurance disputes or lengthy negotiations. An experienced Alpharetta Car Accident Lawyer understands the strategies insurance companies use to reduce liability, and how to overcome them. Your attorney will help you accurately determine the true value of your car accident claim, thoroughly gather evidence, and ensure that effective negotiations are conducted with little to no disruption in your life.

A dedicated personal injury attorney from Henningsen Injury Attorneys, P.C. can help ease your journey forward. With decades of experience in auto accident litigation and injury law settlements, we know how to take on insurance companies who aren’t playing fair.