How to Secure Compensation After an Intersection Car Accident in Georgia

Key points:

• Intersection accidents are some of the most severe types of collisions; cars can be traveling at high speeds, multiple vehicles may be approaching from different directions and there can be right-of-way confusion from drivers.
• Solid evidence is critical in an intersection accident, as it helps to prove and recover your damages. Having traffic camera footage, police reports, citations, medical bills, proof of lost wages, and witness statements can make a significant difference in the outcome of your claim.
• Insurers may try to shift blame, even when you are not at fault for the intersection accident. It’s important to keep track of your evidence, and to be cautious of insurance claim delays and lowball offers.

If you’ve been involved in an intersection car accident in Atlanta, Georgia, you know that they are traumatic and stressful events. Intersection car accidents are among the most dangerous types of crashes, often resulting in serious injuries. The risk of severe impact is much higher in an intersection car accident, as intersections often have vehicles moving in different directions and at high speeds.

Understanding the causes of intersection accidents in Atlanta and knowing the right steps to take afterward can help to protect your rights, avoid costly mistakes, and maximize your settlement. In this guide, we’ll review the details of intersection accidents, evidence you should gather, insurance companies and tactics they may use, and how a personal injury attorney can help you through these processes.

Why Are Intersection Accidents More Severe Than Other Car Accidents?

Unlike standard car accidents, intersection accidents tend to be more severe because multiple vehicles approach from different directions at varying speeds, giving drivers little time to react. Some common factors of intersection accidents include:

Cars moving at high speeds: A common cause of intersection accidents is the high-speed nature of the crash. Many times, intersection accidents are caused by drivers attempting to beat a red light, or from making sudden turns that can collide with oncoming traffic. These crashes can result in T-bone accidents, as well as head-on collisions.

Multiple cars approaching from different directions: Unlike a rear-end crash involving two vehicles going in the same direction, intersection accidents can involve multiple cars from different angles. For example, if one driver runs a red light, they might not only collide with the first vehicle in their path but also push that vehicle into another lane, causing additional impacts and potential multi-car pileups.

Right-of-way confusion: Drivers may be unsure of who should proceed first at an intersection. They may misinterpret traffic signals, stop signs, or the intentions of another vehicle, leading to dangerous right-of-way conflicts.

Distracted Driving: Intersections already require increased attention, so if a driver is distracted from texting, eating, or reading directions while driving into an intersection, it could cause a dangerous crash.

These factors make intersection accidents especially hazardous, frequently leading to severe injuries, extensive vehicle damage, and complicated legal battles over fault. Having strong evidence is critical to supporting your claim and securing fair compensation.

How to Prove and Recover Your Damages After an Intersection Accident

To successfully recover damages after an intersection accident, you need strong evidence to prove liability and the full extent of your losses. Evidence is always critical in any car accident case but is even more important in an intersection car accident, as there may be conflicting stories between you and the at-fault driver. Important evidence to collect includes:

• Traffic camera footage and/or dashcam videos
• Witness statements
• Police reports
• Photos of evidence from the scene, like skid marks and vehicle damage
• Reports from accident reconstruction experts
• Medical bills from the accident
• Lost wages if you are unable to work
• Repair estimates for your vehicle

Additionally, if the other driver was distracted or was driving under the influence, you can work with a personal injury attorney to subpoena phone records or toxicology reports from the at-fault driver to help show negligence. Having strong evidence helps to build a solid case to ensure you receive maximum compensation for your lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.

Requesting Intersection Camera Footage From Your Intersection Accident

Traffic cameras have become more common in Atlanta, especially at busy intersections with higher accident rates. Traffic cameras help monitor traffic flow and enforce red-light violations, but they can also be critical evidence in your intersection accident case.

Depending on who owns the traffic camera, you or your personal injury attorney can request the traffic camera footage. After determining who operates the camera, you can submit an Open Records Request through the appropriate party. It’s important to do this quickly, as some agencies may delete the footage after a period of time.

 Requesting the Police Report and Citation of the At-Fault Driver

Two critical types of evidence in your intersection car accident claim include a police report and a citation of the at-fault driver. These official documents help to establish liability by providing an objective account of the accident:

• A police report will include statements from the drivers involved, witnesses to the accident, and from officers on the scene. You can request a copy of the police report online through the Georgia Department of Transportation or by visiting the local law enforcement agency that responded to the scene.
• A citation is an official charge against a driver for violating traffic laws and can bring fines, points on a license, or court appearances. You can request citation records from the traffic court in the county where the accident occurred.

Having either of these documents can help strengthen your case, as they are official accounts of the intersection accident. Without these, insurance companies may downplay your claim or attempt to shift partial blame onto you.

How to Deal With Insurance Companies After Your Intersection Accident 

While it may seem straightforward, working with insurance companies after your intersection car accident can be very complex. Insurance companies work in their best interests, so even though you were not at fault for the accident, they may try to settle quickly with low offers or deny your claim. Some tips on dealing with insurance companies include:

• Do not give a recorded statement: Insurance adjusters can take your statements out of context to best fit their needs and attempt to reduce or deny your claim. Always stick to the basic facts and consult a lawyer before discussing any details.
• Do not accept the first offer: Insurance companies can make unfairly low offers in hopes you’ll take the first offer and settle quickly. It’s important to factor in immediate and potential future costs, especially if you have been injured. A personal injury attorney can help review these offers and fight back if they provide you with an offer that is too low.
• Be cautious of delays and denials: Insurance companies may try to delay claims or argue that injuries sustained aren’t serious enough to warrant compensation. This is why evidence is critical; you should keep track of all medical visits, and expenses to counter these tactics.
• Hire a lawyer if you’re being lowballed: If the insurance company refuses to negotiate a fair settlement, a personal injury attorney can fight for your rights and negotiate a fair settlement. If needed, your attorney can take the case to court.

Common FAQs About Intersection Crashes

How Do Georgia’s Right-of-Way Laws Impact My Case?

Georgia’s right-of-way laws are critical in determining fault in your intersection accident. Drivers must yield when making left turns unless they have a green arrow. At a four-way stop, the first vehicle to arrive has the right-of-way, and if two drivers arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right goes first. If another driver did not properly yield, they could be found at fault for the accident. By proving that the other driver has violated Georgia’s right-of-way laws, you can strengthen your case for compensation. Gathering clear evidence, such as traffic camera footage, witness statements, and police reports, can help to establish liability and support your claim.

What Happens if Multiple Cars Are Involved, and My Car Gets Hit Even Though I Was Not at Fault? Who Pays for the Damages?

Multi-vehicle accidents can be complex as fault could be shared across all the drivers involved. Typically, the driver who caused the initial impact is held responsible for all damages, as they were the ones who caused the chain reaction. But, some insurance companies might shift the blame among all the parties involved, making it harder to determine who should cover your expenses. Your personal injury attorney will be critical here, as they can help negotiate with multiple insurers and make certain you receive the compensation you deserve.

What Should I Do If the At-Fault Driver is Uninsured or Underinsured?

If the at-fault driver in your intersection accident doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your damages, you may still be able to recover compensation through uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, which is an optional but highly recommended part of many Georgia auto insurance policies. UM coverage protects you if the at-fault driver has no insurance, while UIM coverage helps when their policy limits are too low to fully compensate you for your injuries and losses.

Can I Recover Compensation if the Other Driver at My Intersection Accident Fled the Scene?

Hit-and-run intersection accidents can be complicated, but local law enforcement can still use traffic camera footage, eyewitness statements, and accident scene evidence to track down the at-fault driver. If the driver cannot be identified, your UM coverage may help cover your damages.

How a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer Can Help

Intersection car accidents are complex incidents to deal with on your own. A Georgia car accident lawyer, like those at The Millar Law Firm, can be your strongest advocate, helping you to dispute fault, handle insurance companies, and deal with unfair settlement offers. With over 30 years of experience solely practicing personal injury law in Atlanta and over $200 million recovered for our clients, we have a proven track record of getting our clients the compensation they deserve. If you’ve recently been injured in an intersection car accident in Atlanta, contact us for a free consultation today.