Inclement Weather Car Accident Lawyers in Augusta

Were you the victim of an inclement weather car accident? Are you interested in pursuing financial compensation? Call Chris Hudson Law Group at (706) 863-6600 to find out how we can help you recover the money you’re owed for your losses.

Rain, snow, ice, and wind all affect motorists on the road and can make it difficult for them to control their vehicles. When you pair poor weather with a careless driver, the result could be a severe crash and life-threatening injuries.

Rain and hail create slick roads, and while Georgia doesn’t see snow or ice as much as states up north, when it does, residents don’t know how to handle it. Bad weather leads to hazardous conditions on the roadways, and if someone is driving too fast or isn’t paying attention, it could cause an accident.

The inclement weather car accident lawyers at Chris Hudson Law Group have the skills and resources to fight for the full compensation you deserve following a serious car accident. Call us at (706) 863-6600 to schedule your free consultation to learn about your rights and legal options.

Establishing Liability in Inclement Weather Car Accident Cases

It can be difficult to pursue compensation for a weather-related crash. However, if a driver drove carelessly or negligently, they will likely be financially responsible for your injuries.

When the weather is too hazardous to operate a car safely, people should stay home and avoid driving. If someone does decide to get behind the wheel, they assume responsibility for themselves, their passengers, and other people on the road.

Drivers are supposed to take necessary precautions when driving in inclement weather. If it’s raining or snowing, it’s even more imperative to follow the rules of the road and remain vigilant. That means driving within the speed limit, using turn signals, and following traffic laws.

Road conditions during bad weather are usually taken into consideration after an accident occurs; however, the driver who lost control of their vehicle is typically the one liable for damages. To determine liability after a crash involving inclement weather, you need to establish negligence.

Negligence refers to an individual who doesn’t use reasonable care to prevent injury to others. You can prove negligence on the part of the other party in the following situations:

  • Driving during unsafe weather
  • Driving too fast for the hazardous conditions
  • Turning quickly on icy or slippery pavement
  • Failing to leave an adequate distance between vehicles
  • Failing to use headlights
  • Weaving in and out of traffic
  • Tailgating
  • Failing to follow traffic signs

What A Car Accident Attorney From Chris Hudson Law Group Can Do For You

After an inclement weather auto accident, hiring an attorney you can trust is important. Chris Hudson Law Group will be on your side throughout your entire case. The insurance company will look for any reason to deny your claim, and the other driver will try to blame you for the crash.

When you retain our services, we’ll be able to take care of all the following steps:

1. Investigate the accident

Once you hire one of our Augusta car accident attorneys, we will perform research and gather evidence to prove the other motorist’s behavior caused the collision. This may include:

  • Sending an investigator to the scene of the crash
  • Taking photos of the accident site and damage to the vehicles involved
  • Interviewing witnesses and getting their statements
  • Reviewing police reports
  • Locating video surveillance
  • Researching the at-fault driver’s driving records
  • Requesting copies of your medical records
  • Obtaining insurance policies to determine available coverage

We’ll be able to use the breadth of information and documentation we secure to establish that the other party involved in the crash was negligent.

2. Calculate your damages

Damages are any losses resulting from an accident. They include both economic and non-economic damages.

  • Economic damages: These include medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle repairs, and other costs related to the accident.
  • Non-economic damages: These include physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent disability, and loss of quality of life.

Damages take into account your past and future expenses and losses. If your injuries will require consistent treatment long after your claim gets resolved, you can receive compensation for your future projected medical costs.

3. File your insurance claim

We can file an insurance claim on your behalf and submit the necessary evidence to the adjuster. We understand what information insurance companies look for to prove liability and determine the amount of money they should pay to the victim.

We can ensure the accuracy of all the information we provide to the adjuster and demand the maximum compensation you deserve. If the insurance company denies the claim, we can thoroughly review their reasoning and appeal the decision, so you get the money owed to you.

4. Negotiate a settlement

We’re familiar with the tactics insurance carriers use to try to deter injured individuals from seeking the compensation they rightfully deserve. Those who don’t know how the process works might not know there’s room for negotiation. They might feel tempted to accept the first offer they receive for fear they won’t get another opportunity at a settlement. We don’t allow insurance adjusters to push us around. We use aggressive negotiation methods to get you the maximum compensation available.

5. Take your case to court

Most inclement weather accident cases end with a settlement. However, there are situations where filing a lawsuit is necessary. Our Augusta car accident attorneys have the experience and knowledge to take your case to court and represent you at trial.

What You Should Do After A Car Accident Caused By Inclement Weather

To protect your rights and your claim, it’s important to try to follow the steps below if you get injured in a crash caused by inclement weather:

  1. Georgia law requires everyone involved in an accident to stop at the scene and exchange information. You also have to report it to the police if injuries, a fatality, or property damage over $500 occurred.
  2. If you’re able to get out of your car and move around, take pictures of the accident scene, vehicle damage, skid marks, debris in the road, etc. before leaving.
  3. Speak to witnesses and get their names and phone numbers.
  4. Seek initial treatment at the hospital and follow up with any doctors they refer you to. Continue treatment until all your physicians release you from care.
  5. Request a copy of the traffic crash report. It’s especially useful if the officer issued a citation to the other motorist for their poor driving in the adverse weather.
  6. Hire an attorney to help you file an insurance claim with the at-fault party’s liability insurance and your own insurance, if necessary.

Fault In Inclement Weather Car Accidents

Georgia follows a fault system regarding car crashes. When you can establish fault, the person who caused the accident is typically financially responsible for compensation of damages. If both drivers contributed to the car wreck, the modified comparative fault rule goes into effect.

Under the modified comparative fault rule, a driver’s damages get reduced by the percentage of fault they share for the accident. So, if you share 20% blame and your damages total $10,000, you could only pursue a maximum of $8,000 in damages.

Determining The Value Of A Case

When you hire an attorney, they will review all the details to determine how much you deserve for your injuries and the suffering that went along with it. They will submit a demand letter to the insurance adjuster and request a settlement for the amount they believe is fair.

When an adjuster or jury looks at the evidence available to decide the financial award an injured party deserves, they take into account various factors, including:

  • The severity of the injury
  • Amount of days spent away from work
  • If a permanent disability resulted from the accident
  • Duration of medically necessary treatment
  • The time it took to recover or reach MMI (maximum medical improvement)
  • Total expenses incurred because of the crash and injury
  • Sufficient evidence available proving the other driver’s actions during inclement weather caused the accident

Why Chris Hudson Law Group Is The Right Choice For You

There are a number of reasons why Chris Hudson Law Group is the best choice for your inclement weather car accident case:

  • We work on contingency. There’s no fee unless we win your case.
  • We received the highest AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, a peer review organization.
  • We have decades of experience seeking justice for victims of auto accidents.
  • Our clients are our top priority.
  • We’re available 24/7 to speak with you.
  • We handle all legal aspects of each case so our clients can focus on recovery.
  • We know Georgia law and the procedures we need to follow to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.
  • Our legal team treats every client with compassion, respect, and professionalism.

Contact A Car Accident Lawyer From Chris Hudson Law Group

If you want to pursue compensation for the injuries you sustained in an inclement weather car accident, contact Chris Hudson Law Group to schedule a free consultation. You can meet with us for an initial appointment at no risk to discuss your case. We will provide the advice you need to decide how you should move forward.

We know an auto accident can upend anyone’s life. It causes physical, emotional, and financial strain. If you’re out of work and can’t pay your medical bills, you worry about the debt you’re falling into and if you’ll ever get out of it. The car accident attorneys at Chris Hudson Law Group in Augusta, GA will fight to make sure the insurance company pays you a full and fair settlement.

Call us today at (706) 863-6600, and we’ll help you get back on your feet.

Last Updated : November 14, 2022