You may have been the victim of a car accident in Homerville, Georgia, in which case you’re likely wondering if you’ll be compensated for your injuries. The process can be long and complex, but with a lawyer, it may not be so stressful.
Obviously, the first thing to do is to establish who the defendant was. Was it a teenager? Teens are notorious for being negligent, even reckless, drivers. According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, drivers aged 16 to 17 are, for every mile driven, three times more likely to be in a fatal crash than are adults.
Teens and the 100 deadliest days
The number of fatal teen driving crashes tends to go up each year during what are termed the 100 deadliest days, which covers the time from Memorial Day to Labor Day. During this time from 2008 to 2018, there were more than 8,300 teen driving crash fatalities reported.
How teens tend to be negligent
If your accident occurred in this period, it would be an important element to bring up. Next, you’ll need to show just how the defendant was negligent. AAA, in an annual survey called the Traffic Safety Culture Index, found that 72% of respondents aged 16 to 18 engaged in some form of negligent driving behavior in the previous 30 days.
The following are just some of the more prominent behaviors. Among 47%, it was going 10 mph over the speed limit in a residential zone. For 40%, it was going 15 mph over the limit on the highway. Then there was texting (35%), running red lights (32%), aggressive driving (31%) and drowsy driving (25%).
Personal attention from a lawyer
Chances are that you’re unfamiliar with the negligence laws surrounding a motor vehicle accident. During a consultation, a lawyer may explain these and apply them to your case with personal attention. While you focus on your physical and emotional recovery, your lawyer may negotiate on your behalf for a settlement. Though auto insurance companies want victims to settle for less than they deserve, there’s hope when a lawyer stands by you.
