It is possible that you will get a traffic ticket after a car accident if you are deemed to hold any fault. With that said, having a car accident does not mean you will automatically receive a citation for your actions. Many car accidents happen during situations where nobody was clearly liable.
If you do receive a ticket, it will usually be issued at the scene of the accident, or it will be mailed to your address later. These tickets might involve a fine, community service hours, or, in some cases, probation.
Ultimately, there are numerous traffic laws that may play a role in your case. If you retain an Atlanta car accident lawyer, they can be there to help you make sense of your legal options before you move forward with any important decisions.
How Fault Can Influence Your Amount of Compensation?
In many cases, car accidents that occur during the commission of a crime are likely to disqualify you from compensation. For example, if your car accident occurs while you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the court is not likely to rule in your favor— although it is not impossible.
Ultimately, the main thing that prevents car accident victims from recovering compensation is the level of liability you displayed for your accident.
Georgia’s Contributory Negligence Laws
Georgia’s “contributory negligence” law is described under OCGA §51-12-33. It states that any percentage of liability will result in a proportionate reduction of your final settlement.
If the court rules that you were liable for more than 50% of your accident, you are seen as a main source of negligence—thereby barring you from financial compensation. However, even if you are under 50% liable, your case can still be negatively affected.
For example, if you hold 30% of the blame for your accident, you will receive 70% of your total award.
Common Acts of Negligence That Cause Car Accidents
In 2018 alone, the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety reported nearly 7,000 serious car accidents in the State of Georgia. While there are countless negligent causes of car accidents, history has shown that the vast majority of these accidents are caused by driver error.
Some of the other common causes of car accidents include:
- Defective products
- Mechanical error
- Distracted driving (e.g., texting, daydreaming, eating, etc.)
- Tailgating
- Aggressive driving
- Failure to check mirrors
- Running red lights
- Drifting into different lanes
- Falling asleep at the wheel
Ultimately, your case may depend on whether you can prove negligence in your accident. If you retain an attorney from our firm, they can be there to gather evidence from a multitude of sources, allowing you to rest easy while they focus on building your case.
For a free legal consultation, call 404-214-2001
Damages You Can Collect After a Car Accident
After looking at which laws apply to your case, how the accident happened, and how it affected you financially and non-financially, your lawyer can assess which damages you can claim, some of which might be:
- Lost wages
- Future lost earning potential
- Medical expenses
- Property damages
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Lost quality of life
- Disability
If your loved one lost their life in a car accident, you can pursue damages for their funeral and burial costs, medical bills, and pain and suffering. Because the aftermath of the accident affected your life, too, you can sue for loss of financial support, consortium, and companionship.
Our Georgia Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You Seek Justice
We pride ourselves on serving accident victims across the State of Georgia. Together, we can develop a specialized plan to address your unique needs. In doing so, we hope you can get back on your feet and put this entire ordeal behind you.
To better assist you during your fight for compensation, we offer numerous legal services, including:
- Working for a contingency fee
- Legal representation in civil court
- Education about important traffic laws
- Assistance with insurance claims
- Calculating the total value of your economic and non-economic losses
- Evidence gathering services
- Proving liability
- Settlement negotiations
- Communication services
Additionally, we can be there to help remind you about important deadlines. One of the most important to consider is described under OCGA §9-3-33. This law explains that most car accident cases are subject to a two-year statute of limitations—starting on the day of your accident. In certain cases, you may have to take legal action even sooner.
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Reach Out to Kaine Law Today
Here at Kaine Law, we have fought alongside countless car accident victims who found themselves in just about every situation imaginable. If you have concerns about getting a ticket after a car accident, our legal team can be there to help you understand the relationship between traffic laws and personal injury law.
For more information about protecting your right to compensation at Kaine Law, contact a team member today and get started with your free consultation.
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
