Atlanta Limo Accident Lawyer

Have you ever heard of the famous ‘limo stop’ driving technique? It’s a method of stopping that’s as smooth and safe as possible, while also providing the most convenience to the passenger. In short, you’ll ease off the break right before you become stationary for maximum comfort.

This technique and others have been developed by limousine drivers who spend most of their days behind the wheel. Despite being super skilled, though, limousine drivers can still get involved in accidents.

If you’re a passenger and get injured in a limo crash, then it’s usually best to get in touch with an Atlanta car accident lawyer about your options. In most cases, you can file a claim for compensation that covers your losses.

Common Causes of Limousine Accidents

Like all car accidents, the top causes of limousine accidents are human error and negligence. Rarely does an accident happen without one of these two factors playing a role. Below, we’ll go over the top causes of limousine accidents in Atlanta.

Driver Error and Distraction

The top cause of limousine accidents is driver error in the form of distractions. Distracted driving happens anytime a motorist takes their focus off the road, even for a brief moment. When a driver loses focus, it might not seem like that big of a deal, but a lot can happen in those few seconds. A road hazard could appear seemingly out of nowhere, the car in front of you could stop or swerve, or you could start to veer out of your lane.

The leading causes of distractions are texting and driving, talking on the phone, eating or drinking, attempting to change the radio station, using a GPS, passengers, emotional distress, and smoking.

If you believe that another driver’s distracted driving caused your accident, then it’s best to get in touch with a limo accident lawyer who can help you file a claim. Distracted driving isn’t necessarily illegal, but there may be laws in Georgia that you can leverage to prove fault.

Poor Limousine Maintenance

Limousine maintenance could also play a role in your crash. If the driver or limousine company has failed to properly keep up with routine maintenance, then they could be held liable for your injuries. When you hire a limousine service, they owe you a legal duty of care, and they’re expected to keep their limos regularly maintained and in safe operating condition.

Adverse Weather Conditions

Poor weather contributes to many limousine accidents, too. Rain makes roadways especially slick, while fog, snow, and rain can all contribute to poor visibility. Ice, especially hidden black ice, can quickly lead to a crash, even when the driver is extremely experienced and vigilant.

Reckless Driving and Speeding

Another common cause of limousine accidents in Atlanta is reckless driving. Reckless driving describes behaviors behind the wheel that are taken without fair consideration for the safety of everyone on the road. For instance, a driver might decide to speed, knowing they can handle going fast around a curve, but they may not consider how their speeding could impact another driver who’s simply trying to traverse the roadway, too. A driver coming out to take a turn onto the road could get struck by the speeder despite attempting to be as safe as possible. Reckless driving often comes in the form of speeding, failing to yield to other traffic, running red lights and stop signs, tailgating, driving aggressively, or swerving around other traffic.

Impaired Driving

When you drive while under the influence of alcohol or another substance, you run the risk of getting into a crash. Impairment impacts your ability to make good judgments. It makes your reaction times slower, and it could even cause you not to be able to see a hazard in the road. Impaired driving continues to contribute to thousands of accidents across the county every year.

Injured as a Passenger in a Limousine Accident? The Next Steps You Should Take

If you were recently injured in a limousine accident, then it’s important to take specific steps to protect not only your physical health but your legal rights, too. Below, we’ll go over step-by-step what to do if you were injured and think you may be entitled to compensation.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention

First, you should always seek out immediate medical attention. Don’t delay getting treatment because that puts your health at risk. What’s more, it could also threaten your rights if you seek out a claim later. If you don’t think you need immediate care at the scene, then it’s still advised that you seek out a full physical check up as soon as possible.

Report the Accident

Report the accident to the police immediately at the scene of the accident. This process not only proves what happened by the creation of a police report, but it also launches an initial investigation into what could’ve caused the incident.

Document Everything

As you get medical care, miss time off of work, and endure other losses, document everything with evidence. Ask for copies of any bills you receive, ask your employer for a statement about the work you’ve missed and your average income, and get documentation for other losses you experience, too.

Understand Your Rights

Next, you’ll want to get informed regarding your rights. After a limo accident in Atlanta that causes financial losses, you have the right to file a claim for compensation that covers your accident-related expenses. To leverage these rights, you’ll need to compile evidence that proves your losses and file a claim.

Contact a Personal Injury Attorney

One of the best ways to handle your accident is to get in touch with a limo accident lawyer in a timely manner. The right attorney will help you better understand whether you have the basis for a claim. They’ll provide you with an overview of what to expect and assist you in making an informed decision on how to handle your situation.

How to Prove Negligence in Commercial Car Accidents

Your limousine driver is a commercial business, and commercial accidents are often more complicated than traditional ones. That said, you’ll likely want to hire a limo accident lawyer to help you prove negligence was a factor in the crash. Your lawyer will prove negligence by collecting evidence, obtaining the police report, and possibly conducting an independent investigation into what happened. Here is what your lawyer will need to prove:

Establishing the Duty of Care

First, you’ll need to establish that a duty of care existed. In other words, you’ll need to prove that you hired the limousine service and that you were a customer.

Breach of Duty

Next, you’ll need to prove that the driver or limousine company breached their duty of care towards you by driving recklessly, getting distracted while behind the wheel, failing to perform limo maintenance, or committing another action that put you at risk.

Causation

Next, you’ll need to prove that the breach of duty caused the accident.

Damages

Finally, you’ll need to prove the extent of your damages. You can prove your losses by producing evidence like medical bills, wage statements, and other documentation.

Collecting Evidence

Collecting evidence to prove your claims will be time consuming, but your lawyer will help guide you on exactly what you need to successfully prove your claims.

Understanding Insurance Coverage in Limousine Accidents

Depending on the situation, different insurance companies and policies could come into play. The best way to handle these various insurance adjusters, policy limits, and more is to hire the right personal injury lawyers in Atlanta to help.

What Kind of Compensation Can You Get?

An Atlanta car accident lawyer can help you recover a compensation award that’s equivalent to the value of the losses you endured as a result of the crash. This compensation should cover medical bills, lost wages, and emotional distress.

Role of a Personal Injury Lawyer in a Limo Accident Injury Case

The right personal injury lawyers in Atlanta will act as your best legal advocate throughout your case. Your attorney will first make sure you’re informed and equipped to make an informed decision on how to handle your claim. If you do decide to pursue compensation, then your lawyer will help you value your losses, collect evidence, and compile your claim. They’ll negotiate with the other party and even represent you in court if your case makes it to trial.

Are You Looking for a Limo Accident Lawyer in Atlanta?

Have you recently experienced an accident that led to injuries after riding in a limousine in Atlanta? If you’ve already received the medical care you need, then your next step should be to contact an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer.

Since you weren’t at fault for the accident, you can almost always seek coverage for your losses. The complicated part will be determining who caused the accident, who might be liable, and how to prove your losses with evidence. The good news is that your lawyer can handle all the legal aspects of your case while you handle your physical recovery.