If you or someone close to you has recently been in a terrible motor vehicle accident (MVA) in Georgia, moving on can be incredibly difficult. You may have sustained life-altering injuries, need the legal representation of a car accident lawyer because you can no longer work and are seeking recovery, are emotionally or mentally scarred, or suffering from crushing financial burdens like hospital bills. No matter what issue you're currently facing, there are community resources and professionals to help you meet the monumental challenges of recovery.
If Your Recent Accident Took Away Your Ability to Work
If this is the case, there are a number of resources to help you receive the monetary support you are entitled to.
- Social Security disability benefits - For people who can’t work because of a medical condition that’s expected to last one year or result in death.
- Supplemental Security Income - For adults and children with low income and limited resources
- Wage Loss and Car Accidents - if you get into a car accident and it’s not your fault, here’s a set of guidelines on how to apply for money from your car insurance company.
- Personal Injury Law firms - A great personal injury law firm database in Georgia that can help you find a lawyer who will help you understand what is a catastrophic accident and if you have a potential case.
Need help with requesting an official copy of the incident police report?
Anyone involved in a car accident in the state of Georgia can retrieve a copy of the police report by picking up a copy from the police department that filed the report, ordering a copy online, or allowing a personal injury lawyer to obtain a copy. A police report is considered to be credible documentation that describes the specifics of an accident and can be used for those wanting to file personal injury lawsuits.
If you or someone you love was injured in a Georgia car accident and still don’t have a copy of the report, allow us to assist you with retrieving one. Our local car accident lawyer will provide a free copy of your police report. Contact us today to learn more.
Emotional Support
Sometimes, even after the body heals from an accident, there remains a deep wound. If you're seeking help coping with the mental trauma after a catastrophic car accident, check out the link below.
- Trauma Intervention Programs, Inc - A national nonprofit organization that’s been around since 1985. It has 14 affiliates serving 250 cities across the nation with specially trained volunteers ready to respond and support to victims in the first few hours after a traumatic accident.
- Therapists - No matter the issues you face, if you're looking to talk to someone, this site allows you to search by geographic area, by specialty, by insurance coverage, and by name to find the ideal therapist for you.
- Psychologists - Search the national register to find the help you need in a wide range of health issues and subject matters.
- Transportation Disaster Assistance (TDA) - The TDA provides information and assistance for the family members and friends of accident victims and survivors in the immediate aftermath of an accident and the months and years following.
- Spinal Cord Support Group – Don’t let the name fool you. This site has a comprehensive list of support groups for those suffering from a catastrophic injury in Georgia ranging from spinal cord injuries to head trauma.
Financial Hardship Assistance
With the weight of legal fees, medical fees or both bearing down on you and your family, it may be in your interest to seek out additional help.
The Georgia Victim Compensation Fund does just that - help pays for violent crime-related expenses. It offers a portal where victims can apply and for information on how to register visit here!
Car Insurance Information
In Georgia, you are required to have liability insurance to help pay for injuries or damages you might cause to someone else as a result of a car accident.
Your Georgia car insurance policy must have the following minimum coverage amounts:
- Bodily injury liability:
- $25,000 per person.
- $50,000 for multiple people in an accident.
- Property damage liability:
- $25,000 for one incident.
The Georgia Department of Insurance is a tremendous resource to help you get insured. Contact them today for more information.
Motor vehicle accidents are a devastating part of life. Every year thousands of people are affected by MVAs. Be sure you don’t deal with it alone. And if you’re interested in a free accident report of your incident, click here to request one!
Accident Due to Drunk Driving
Drunk driving incidents are devastating in the amount of damage they can cause you or your family. According to the Georgia DMV, It is illegal for drivers of all ages to operate motor vehicles if they have blood alcohol concentration (BAC) percentages of:
- 0.08% or higher, if they're 21 years old or older operating regular passenger vehicles.
- 0.04% or higher, if they're operating commercial vehicles.
- 0.02% or higher, if they're younger than 21 years old.
Unlike with alcohol, there is no BAC for driving under the influence of drugs (DUID). If an officer suspects drugs involved, a blood test is typically given, and a drug recognition expert is brought in to observe the individual. Currently, Georgia ranks 40th among states that have the worst DUI problems. Below are links to help you find the support you need.
MADD - Standing for mothers against drunk driving, this nonprofit seeks to end drunk driving, help fight drugged driving, support the victims of these violent crimes and prevent underage drinking. They have a 24-hour victim helpline at 877.MADD.HELP.
Accident in Georgia by the Numbers
Below you’ll find a plethora of information related to traffic accidents in Georgia. Keep in mind; a state’s population has a major impact on the number of motor vehicle deaths. Georgia has (as of 2016) a registered population of 10,310,371. Here's the 30,000-foot view of accidents in Georgia as reported by the IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the HLDI (Highway Loss Data Institute). The numbers here are the most recent available from 2016. Current numbers will be different, but you'll get an idea of Georgia’s general traffic situation and what to expect if you plan on visiting or if you’re generally interested in statistics.
Vehicle Miles Traveled
- Georgia drivers have a total of 120,569 miles (millions) traveled.
Fatal Crash Totals
- 1,422 fatal crashes resulting in 1,554 total deaths.
- 15.1 deaths per 100,000 population.
- 1.29 deaths per one hundred million miles traveled.
Types of Motor Vehicle Crash Deaths
- Car occupant deaths = 587 (38%)
- Pickup and SUV occupants deaths = 445 (29%)
- Large Truck occupant deaths = 32 (2%)
- Motorcyclist occupant deaths = 163 (10%)
- Pedestrian deaths = 232 (15%)
- Bicyclist deaths = 29 (2%)
Crash Types
- Single vehicle = 844 (54%)
- Multiple vehicle = 710 (46%)
Alcohol Involvement
- Total drivers killed = 814
- Drivers killed with known BAC results = 501 (62%)
- Estimated drivers killed with BACs ≥ 0.08 = data unknown
Restraint Use
- Total fatally injured passenger vehicle occupants = 1,051
- Unrestrained fatally injured occupants = 477 (45%)
- Restrained fatally injured occupants = 482 (46%)
- Unknown restraint status of fatally injured occupants = 92 (9%)
Rural vs. Urban
- Urban = 951 (61%)
- Rural = 603 (39%)
- Unknown = 0 (0%)
Revoked/Suspended and Unlicensed Drivers in Georgia
According to the GADMV, The State of Georgia considers dangerous, negligent or incompetent drivers to be a menace to the safety of the general public. Driving is a privilege - if you abuse it you may lose it!
Your driver's license will be revoked in Georgia if you are convicted of one of the following:
- A driver is declared a habitual violator for any third conviction of a mandatory suspended offense within 5 years. Revocation is for 5 years.
- Refusal to submit to a re-examination of driving skills or knowledge of driving rules after receiving a notice giving reasonable grounds for such a request.
- If there is sufficient evidence of incompetence or unfitness to drive, due to being incapacitated by reason of disease, mental or physical disability, or by alcohol or drug addiction.
Fatalities and Drivers With Invalid Licenses
According to CrashStats, fatalities in crashes involving invalidly licensed drivers accounted for 10% of total fatalities in Georgia.
