Car accident
Car Accident Attorneys in Augusta-Richmond County, Georgia
The firms in this guide
1. Chris Hudson Law Group
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, workplace accidents, workers compensation, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Motor vehicle collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, rear-end collisions, intersection crashes, multi-vehicle accidents, workplace injuries, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence gathering, medical record analysis, workers compensation claims
Background: The attorneys at Chris Hudson Law Group are known for being apt and experienced litigators who get results. The firm is based in Augusta, GA and represents clients who have suffered serious injuries. Attorney Chris Hudson is known in Augusta as a go-to attorney for personal injury and workers compensation cases.
Location: Augusta, GA
Contact: https://www.chrishudsonlaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation
2. Burnside Law Firm LLP
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, workplace accidents, wrongful death, premises liability, defective products
Case Types Handled: Motor vehicle collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, tractor-trailer accidents, rear-end collisions, slip and fall accidents, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence collection, medical record analysis
Background: The attorneys at Burnside Law Firm have over 30 years of collective experience handling personal injury claims. The firm was founded by Thomas R. Burnside III, who worked under the direction of senior partner Thomas R. Burnside, a senior litigator with decades of experience. Attorney Robert MacGregor is licensed in Georgia and South Carolina. Attorney Ashton Revollo received his J.D. from Emory University School of Law and gained courtroom experience as an intern with the District Attorney for DeKalb County. The firm has helped clients recover millions of dollars in injury cases throughout Georgia.
Location: Augusta, Georgia
Contact: (800) 569-1937 | https://www.burnsidefirm.com/
Consultation: Free initial consultation
3. Nicholson Revell Personal Injury Attorneys
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, medical malpractice, nursing home abuse, wrongful death, premises liability
Case Types Handled: Motor vehicle collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, rear-end collisions, T-bone accidents, hit-and-run accidents, catastrophic injury cases including brain injuries and spinal cord injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence preservation, expert witness coordination
Background: The firm has more than 100 years of combined legal experience. The attorneys have recovered more than $140 million for previous clients. The firm is known for its willingness to take cases to trial and pursue full compensation. The attorneys understand how insurance companies and their lawyers operate and use that knowledge to protect client interests.
Location: Augusta, Georgia (serving Richmond County and surrounding areas including Evans, Grovetown, Hephzibah, Martinez, Thomson, and Waynesboro)
Contact: (706) 722-8784 | https://nicholsonrevell.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7
4. Hawk Law Group
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, DUI accidents, distracted driving accidents
Case Types Handled: Motor vehicle collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, rear-end collisions, intersection crashes, drunk driving accidents, hit-and-run accidents, catastrophic injury cases including brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and broken bones
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence collection, medical expense documentation, lost wage recovery
Background: The firm focuses exclusively on personal injury law and has helped hundreds of injured individuals and families in Augusta and surrounding areas. The attorneys have experience dealing with insurance company tactics and know how to counter attempts to minimize payouts. The firm handles cases from initial consultation through trial if necessary.
Location: Augusta, Georgia
Contact: https://hawklawgroup.com/
Consultation: Free case evaluation
5. M. Austin Jackson Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, wrongful death, personal injury
Case Types Handled: Motor vehicle collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, rear-end collisions, multi-vehicle accidents, rollover accidents, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, accident reconstruction, evidence gathering, medical record analysis
Background: Attorney M. Austin Jackson was born and raised in Augusta and is honored to support his neighbors during difficult times. The firm has deep ties to Georgia and South Carolina and is familiar with local laws, roads, and court systems. Unlike large firms based in other cities, the firm is deeply invested in the local community. The firm brings in accident reconstructionists, physicians, engineers, forensic accountants, economists, and other experts to build cases when needed. The firm is the official Injury Lawyers of the Augusta GreenJackets.
Location: Augusta, Georgia (also serving Evans, Grovetown, Hephzibah, Thomson, Lincolnton, North Augusta SC, and Aiken SC)
Contact: https://maj.law/
Consultation: Free, no-obligation consultation
Fault Apportionment, Local Government Claims and Scene Duties for Augusta Car Crashes
An Augusta car crash claim can turn on how fault is divided among the drivers and anyone else who contributed, which written notice rule applies to a claim against a county or a city, and what the other driver had to do at the scene. Georgia also sets the uninsured motorist coverage a policy must include unless rejected in writing.
How Fault Is Divided
Under O.C.G.A. 51-12-33(b) and (c), the trier of fact apportions damages among the liable persons by percentage of fault, considering everyone who contributed to the injury whether or not named in the suit, and each share is not a joint liability and is not subject to contribution. Under (d), a nonparty’s fault is considered if the plaintiff settled with that nonparty or a defendant gives notice at least 120 days before trial.
Claims Against a County or a City
Under O.C.G.A. 36-11-1, all claims against counties must be presented within 12 months after they accrue or become payable, with 12 months after removal of a disability for minors and others under a disability. Under 36-33-5(b) and (e), a claim against a municipal corporation must be presented in writing to its governing authority within six months of the event, with the time, place, extent of injury, negligence and specific amount sought. Which rule governs depends on whether the defendant is a county or a municipal corporation.
The Other Driver’s Duties at the Scene
Under O.C.G.A. 40-6-270(a), the driver in a crash causing injury, death or damage to an attended vehicle must stop, give name, address and registration number, show a license on request, render reasonable assistance and, if an injured person is unconscious or cannot communicate, make every reasonable effort to contact emergency medical services and police. Under (b), knowingly failing to do so when the crash causes death or serious injury is a felony punishable by one to five years.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Under O.C.G.A. 33-7-11(a)(1), a motor vehicle liability policy issued in Georgia must include uninsured motorist coverage, at the insured’s option, of at least $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident and $25,000 for property, or equal to the insured’s liability limits, and the insured may choose lower limits; the requirement does not apply where any insured named in the policy rejects the coverage in writing.
Augusta Car Accident Questions
How long do I have to sue the other driver?
Two years after the right of action accrues for injuries to the person under O.C.G.A. 9-3-33, and four years for a loss of consortium claim, except as otherwise provided in that article.
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes, if you were less than 50 percent responsible. Under O.C.G.A. 51-12-33(a) and (g), damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, and a plaintiff 50 percent or more responsible recovers nothing. For example, imagine $66,000 in damages and 45 percent of the responsibility on the injured driver: the recovery would be $36,300.
Is there a cap on punitive damages?
Yes, with exceptions. Under O.C.G.A. 51-12-5.1(g), punitive damages are limited to $250,000, but under (f) no limit applies against an active tortfeasor who acted with specific intent to cause harm or while substantially impaired by alcohol, by drugs other than lawfully prescribed drugs taken as prescribed, or by an intentionally consumed toxic vapor, and under (e) product liability awards have no limit.