How Accident Lawyers Can Help With Your Roundabout Injury Case

Key Points:

• Don’t let the insurance company dodge responsibility if you have been hit by a negligent driver in a roundabout.
• Many factors can lead to roundabout car accidents, including dangerous driving and speeding.
• Drivers must use turn signals to indicate an exit of the roundabout, stick to the posted speed limit, and yield the right of way to cars already in the roundabout.

Despite the safety improvements Roundabouts provide, dangerous accidents still occur.  And, because Roundabouts are still relatively new, there is still confusion about how these intersections work and who is responsible in the event of an accident.  Don’t let the insurance company dodge responsibility if you have been hit by a negligent driver in a roundabout.  Here are the ways our car accident lawyers can help you:

• Investigation of how the accident happened
• Payment for all past and future medical bills related to the accident
• Damages to your vehicle that occurred in the roundabout accident
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity, depending on the seriousness of your injury
• Compensation for the pain and suffering you have been through
• Punitive damages in extreme cases where the at-fault party acted particularly dangerously

Let us take the burden off of you by managing all communication with the insurance companies and the at-fault party. Call for an immediate free case consultation today for answers to your legal questions and needs.

Who Has the Right of Way in a Roundabout?

Drivers who are entering the roundabout must yield to vehicles that are already in the circular intersection. However, that does not mean that you are automatically at fault if you are hit while entering the roundabout.

There are many other factors that can lead to a roundabout car accident, including dangerous driving and speeding. If you have been injured in this type of accident, you need to speak with a knowledgeable attorney who can investigate exactly who is at fault and determine how to pursue full and fair compensation.

Legal Rules of the Georgia Roundabout

There are actually few “legal rules” for navigating a Roundabout in the State of Georgia.  Drivers are expected to use their turn signals to indicate when he or she is about to exit the roundabout, stick to the posted speed limit, and yield the right of way to cars already in the roundabout.  Also, Georgia Code Section O.C.G. A. 40-6-70 (a) provides some additional guidance:  requiring that when two vehicles approach an intersection at the same time, the driver on the left shall yield to the driver on the right.

Common Types of Roundabout Car Accidents

Roundabouts have been proven to be a safer alternative to traditional traffic light intersections in some instances. However, negligent and distracted drivers can make even the safest roads dangerous to those around them.

Although drivers in roundabouts typically avoid some types of serious accidents such as head-on collisions and T-bone crashes, they are still at risk of suffering injuries in other types of accidents. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, common types of roundabout car accidents include:

• Running off the road: This can happen when one car forces another out of a lane and off the road, or it could happen when a vehicle crashes into the center island of the roundabout.
• Rear-end accidents: These occur when one driver is following another too closely, when a driver fails to yield, or when a driver suddenly brakes to make an exit.
• Sideswipe collisions: In roundabouts with multiple lanes, drivers trying to make last-minute lane changes can sideswipe other vehicles, causing serious injuries.
• Entering the roundabout: Accidents happen both when drivers entering the roundabout fail to yield, and when drivers already in the roundabout are careless. For example, if a driver in the roundabout accidentally has a turn signal on but doesn’t intend to exit, an entering driver may not wait to pull in.
• Exiting the roundabout: Drivers who are going too fast or are distracted, particularly in a multi-lane roundabout, can miss their exit and try to change lanes hastily, causing a crash. Pedestrians walking along the roundabout can also be hurt when exiting drivers aren’t paying attention.

Need Advice on an Atlanta Roundabout Car Accident Injury Claim?

Some of the common questions our clients have when they have been injured in an accident include:

• Do I really need a car accident attorney to negotiate with the insurance company?
• How much in damages am I entitled to recover in an accident case?
• How long does it usually take to resolve or settle an injury case?
• Is my accident case likely to go to court?
• How will I pay my medical bills while I am waiting for compensation?

• What should I tell my employer if I can’t go back to work?
• What if I am partially at fault for my car accident?
• What if the other driver does not have insurance?
• How much does a car accident attorney charge?

Call us today and a friendly attorney will answer all these questions and discuss the specific details of your case – immediately and for free.  In fact, we do not charge an attorneys fee unless and until you receive a settlement or verdict.

Email, use our submission form or call us today, and speak with a caring and experienced lawyer to have your questions answered – free of charge or obligation.