Some Georgia motorists did not fare well over the Labor Day weekend. The Georgia State Patrol reports that troopers arrested 309 motorists over the Labor Day weekend for driving under the influence. 

They also reported 17 fatal traffic accidents that resulted in 19 traffic fatalities over the holiday weekend. The number of traffic fatalities is almost double the number of fatalities reported over the Labor Day weekend in 2019.

Troopers issued 10,112 warnings and wrote 8,854 traffic citations over the weekend. The traffic citations included offenses for distracted driving, child restraint violations, speeding, and seat belt violations. 

Labor Day Weekend and Traffic Accidents

Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end of summer. Many individuals and families use the long weekend to take one last trip before summer ends. 

With COVID-19 restrictions easing in various parts of Georgia and the country, traffic may have been heavier than expected this year as many people desire to escape after sheltering in place for many months. 

Whatever the reason might be for people being on the road over the Labor Day holiday, the result was deadly and devastating for many families. Many of the car accidents over the holiday weekend were preventable. The crashes were caused by human error and negligence.

Common causes of traffic accidents over Labor Day include:

If you or a family member was injured in a motor vehicle accident over Labor Day weekend, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Taking steps to protect your right to fair compensation can begin by discussing your crash with a car accident lawyer.

A lawyer reviews your case, explains your legal rights, and advises you of your options for receiving money for an accident claim. You decide how you want to proceed after talking to the lawyer. Your options might include filing a personal injury claim or wrongful death lawsuit.

Filing a Claim for Labor Day Car Accidents

Most people begin by filing an insurance claim with the other driver’s insurance provider. The insurance company assigns a claims adjuster to review the claim. The adjuster may ask you numerous questions and ask you to make a statement.

Be careful! The adjuster may be searching for evidence he can use to deny your injury claim or undervalue your injury claim. Even the most innocent statement could be twisted and used to blame you for the cause of the traffic accident.

Some other tactics the insurance company may use to get out of paying a fair amount for your car accident claim include:

  • Pressuring you to accept a settlement before you complete treatment
  • Telling you that your pre-existing condition lowers the value of your claim
  • Saying that you contributed to the cause of the traffic accident, so your claim is not worth as much under Georgia’s comparative fault laws
  • Telling you that you do not need to talk to a personal injury lawyer
  • Saying that the insurance policy does not cover the accident or the driver
  • Refusing to investigate and process the insurance claim
  • Misrepresenting the terms of the insurance policy
  • Grossly and intentionally undervaluing the claim

Some of the above tactics could be considered bad faith insurance practices. If an insurance company acts in bad faith, you could have a separate lawsuit against the insurance company in addition to your car accident claim.

Remember, if you settle your claim with the insurance company, you cannot go back for more money. Even if you discover additional damages or injuries, you cannot sue the driver because you released all parties from liability when you signed the settlement agreement. 

Therefore, make sure that the amount the insurance company offers is fair and compensates you for past and future damages

What Should I Do if the Insurance Company for the Other Driver Refuses to Pay a Fair Amount for My Claim?

Call a personal injury attorney immediately. The insurance company could be dragging out the claim in hopes that you give in or the time to file a lawsuit passes. 

There are deadlines for filing lawsuits for car accidents in Georgia. If you do not file your lawsuit before the deadline expires, you lose the right to pursue a legal action against the at-fault driver.

Make sure that you keep records of all your losses and follow your doctor’s treatment plan. Do not discuss the accident on social media or with anyone else except for an accident lawyer. 

It is best not to wait too long to seek legal advice. The longer you wait, the harder it might become to prove that you deserve full compensation for all injuries, financial losses, and damages caused by a negligent or careless driver.

Contact the Atlanta Car Accident Lawyers at Hasner Law PC For Help

For more information, please contact the Atlanta car accident law firm of Hasner Law P.C. at our nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We serve in Fulton County, Chatham County, and its surrounding areas:

Hasner Law PC – Atlanta Law Office
2839 Paces Ferry Rd SE #1050
Atlanta, GA 30339
(678) 888-4878

Hasner Law PC – Savannah Law Office
221 W York St
Savannah, GA 31401
(912) 234-2334

Author
Managing Partner at Hasner Law PC
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Stephen Hasner is the founder and managing partner of Hasner Law PC. Since being licensed in Florida in 1997 and in Georgia in 1999, Stephen has worked tirelessly to help Georgia residents navigate the legal process following a serious injury. This includes injuries sustained at work, in motor vehicle accidents, and in cases of personal injury. The team at Hasner Law is dedicated to securing compensation for their clients who have been injured through no fault of their own.