TESTIMONIALS
I called Matt after several people recommended him. He was very kind and did a very good job on my son’s case. We are very thankful for the work he did. Most importantly, he was never hard to reach and answered every question we had while going through the process. Matt is the only attorney I will ever call in the future.
- Emily
My husband is a cyclist that did not fair well against an SUV recently. Matt and his team took phenomenal care of us, allowing us not to stress out (too much) about the little things. Matt and his team handled everything with professionalism. We know we made the right call.
- Jane
So glad I hired this firm after my rearend car accident. Matt embodies the skill set and values I was looking for. He treats every case like a mini war, and was a zealous advocate on my behalf. And he did so in the most competent and skillful manner. He listened, was empathetic and understood my legal and nonlegal problems.
- Jared
It was important to me to get the maximum money I could for my broken neck and arm. After getting jerked around for months by State Farm, I interviewed several firms and chose Mr. Wetherington. I’m glad I did. He forced the insurance company to pay twenty times their last offer to me.
- Veronica
It is an honor to share my experience with Mr. Wetherington. He was able to get answers about what happened in my son’s wreck that other attorney’s were not able to do. I am so thankful for the work that he did and he was very thorough in his explanation of why the vehicle had a “defect.”
- Anonymous
My case did not settle. The person that hit me only had minimal policy limits. Fortunately, I had my own insurance, which should have provided more money. My insurance company, Allstate, treated me like garbage. We had to sue them and go all the way to trial, which we won.
- Jane Doe
Matt Wetherington is the attorney who is suing the booting companies. We need to do everything we can as a community to help him succeed. God bless you, Mr. Wetherington!
- Michael
Georgia Road Hazard Accident Lawyers
Anyone who has driven on U.S. roadways for any length of time knows the heart-stopping fear of seeing the car ahead of you swerve to miss a road hazard. Whether it’s a pothole, or random objects that a dropped by other vehicles, it’s a terrifying moment. Unavoidable road road hazards lead to automobile accidents every day. An accident like this could leave you with numerous medical bills, expensive car repairs and other costly expenses. Road hazards and defects are usually due to someone else’s negligence. The good news is that Georgia law allows you to seek compensation from the person responsible for your accident.
The road hazard accident lawyers at The Wetherington Law Firm understand your pain and frustration. Read on to learn more about the process to help you recover money from your road hazard injury.
What Is a Road Hazard?
Road hazards are defects or dangerous conditions in the roadway, signage, lighting or anything in the roadway that could cause an accident. The first step in a road hazard lawsuit is to identify the party responsible for the hazard.
Road hazards generally fall into one of two categories – debris or defects.
Road Debris
Examples of road debris include:
- Wood
- Ladders
- Loose animals
- Tires
- Mattresses
- Sofas
- Trees
- Signage
- Lawnmowers
- Disengaged trailers
- Bags
- Anything in the roadway that would cause an accident
Accidents caused by road debris are more common than one would think. The Automobile Association of America (AAA) reported that 200,000 accidents were caused by road debris, resulting in 39,000 accidents and 500 deaths in a three-year period.
Things lying in the roadway could be due to an overloaded flat-bed semi-truck, an improperly packed pick-up truck, or the city or government entity responsible for keeping the roadway clear. Victims of accidents due to road debris or hazards can sue the people related to the fallen item.
Road Defects
Road defects cause accidents for all types of vehicles, including motorcycles, bicycles and scooters. Road defects have also been known to cause accidents for pedestrians.
Examples of road defects include:
- Inadequate signage
- Lack of guardrails
- Dangerous curves
- Insufficient lighting
- Poor water drainage
- Construction hazards
- Faded lane markings
- Narrow or inadequate shoulders
- Lack of reflective markers
- Failure to maintain traffic flow
Road defects are dangerous for all motorists, but some impact motorcycles, bicycles and scooters more than others. Drivers of cycles and scooters should be especially alert for these types of hazards:
- Potholes
- Uneven pavement
- Excessively cracked pavement
- Road construction barriers
- Loose gravel
- Improper high friction surface treatment
- Poorly maintained roadside foliage
Road hazards make it difficult for motorists to operate safely. Victims whose accidents are due to road hazards have a potential claim for damages in a lawsuit against the responsible party. If a road hazard caused your accident, contact the experienced road hazard accident lawyers at the Wetherington Law Firm to help you analyze your potential claim. There are no costs to you unless we recover money on your behalf.
What Kinds of Road Hazard Injuries Can You Help With?
Most accidents involving road hazards involve higher rates of speed. Drivers, even of bicycles, have a more difficult time avoiding debris and defects in the road when they are travelling fast. Many of the injuries seen in these types of accidents are similar to those seen in motorcycle and car crashes, and include:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Neurologic injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Paralysis
- Amputations
- Neck injuries
- Fractures and dislocations
- Chest and abdominal injuries
- Knee and leg injuries
- Injury to internal organs
In any type of injury, it’s important to make sure you understand all the available options to help you recover financially. Contact the experienced road hazard accident lawyers at the Wetherington Law Firm for a free consultation. We can help.
What Compensation Can I Receive for Road Hazard Injuries?
The related costs from an accident are often costly. There can seem to be no end in sight for the bills arriving in your mailbox each day.
There are many factors and expenses involved in determining damages (the monetary value) for your injury.
Establishing the correct liable party or parties depends on the details of the accident itself. Determining who is responsible for the road debris or defect can be challenging. Discuss the details of the accident with an experienced road hazard accident lawyer to help establish who should be held liable for your accident.
The types of damages you can be awarded include:
- Medical expenses
- Pain management
- Assistive devices
- Physical Therapy
- Lost wages/ Job loss
- Lost earning capacity
- Assisted living
- Home renovation
- Disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disability
- Embarrassment
- Loss of quality of life
- Other injuries
For more information on how damages are determined in personal injury cases, see our Damages article. See our series of articles on personal injury law procedures if you are interested in learning more about this legal process.
Hiring a Road Hazard Accident Lawyer
Personal injury law is complex. The only way to ensure you receive all the compensation you deserve is by hiring a lawyer to protect your rights.
Insurance company representatives are not your friends. Attempting to deal with an insurance company on your own often has disastrous results. Insurance companies hire skilled negotiators as adjusters who are very good at convincing you that they are on your side and are offering you fair compensation for your injury. This goes for both your own insurance company and the insurance company of the other party involved in your accident. Don’t fall for it.
Anything you say to an insurance company representative can be used against you later. Do not talk directly with the representatives of any insurance companies that may contact you.
Determining who is responsible for accidents is a complicated process. There are often intricate paper trails and complex legal principles involved. And, time is of the essence. Evidence can disappear and there are deadlines to meet in order to file a lawsuit.
Although most personal injury cases have a two-year deadline in which to file a claim, road hazard cases can be different. In Georgia, there is a six-month deadline to file a personal injury claim for an accident on a city road. If the accident occurred on a state highway, you have one year to file the claim. The clock starts running from the date of the accident, so it is important to begin your claim process right away. The sooner you meet with a lawyer, the better.
The first step is to meet with an experienced road hazard accident lawyer to discuss the facts of your case. They will help you determine the range of damages you could receive if your lawsuit is successful. Next, they will begin the process by putting their talented legal team to work. This team will:
- Investigate the details of your accident.
- Secure evidence by gathering police reports, ambulance reports, fire department reports, interviews with personnel on the scene, and photographs.
- Scrutinize medical records.
- Speak with medical experts to determine the seriousness of your injury and the extent of future medical costs.
- Hire accident experts to determine the cause of the accident and the responsible party.
- Negotiate with insurance company representatives.
Skilled legal assistance will determine the responsible party and pursue your compensation claim so you can focus on healing and moving forward in your life. We maintain the highest standards of care for our clients and do not confuse our clients with complicated legal jargon. Best of all, our representation does not cost you any out-of-pocket money. We only get paid if you receive compensation for your injury.
How the Wetherington Law Firm Can Help
Moving on with your life after an injury is a challenging adjustment. Don’t be overwhelmed. With proper help and support, you can move on with your life. The Wetherington Law Firm is here to help. We care about your complete recovery – physically and mentally. Our skilled team of road hazard accident lawyers, paralegals, investigators and medical experts provide skilled and caring assistance. We are dedicating to achieving the best possible recoveries for our clients. We are here to help you through this traumatic experience, so you do not have to deal with additional stress and hassle during your recovery. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.