WHEALE LAW
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Hiram Car Accident Lawyer
Hiram, Georgia is a sprawling town on the outer cusp of Atlanta commuters. It's location also makes it a growing pass-through for big rigs and trucks transporting goods from Alabama and northwest Georgia to Atlanta.
With its meteoric growth, it is not a surprise that car and truck accidents have also increased. And, with these collisions come uncertainties.
Take advantage of a free consultation with Wheale Law Firm to get some of your questions answered. Or, review this page and visit our frequently asked questions to remove some of the uncertainty and fear.
What to do after a Hiram car accident?
There are some basic steps you can take after being involved in a motor vehicle collision in or around Hiram:
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Call 911: Documenting the collision is important, and emergency responders can provide prompt medical care;
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Seek Medical Treatment: Whether in an ER, urgent care, or with your primary care physician, immediate medical care should be a top priority to document your condition and identify all injuries.
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Preserve Evidence: In short, this means take pictures of your injuries; pictures of the property damage; and pictures of the scene, if possible and practical. And, avoid posting anything on social media and do not delete any social media posts.
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Consult with an Attorney: Call a car accident attorney to discuss the facts of your case. If nothing else, the attorney may be able to identify potential issues for you to address, individually.
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Contact Your Insurance Carrier: Insurance policies usually have strict notice requirements, so it's important your insurance carriers are notified timely.
In Georgia, a personal injury victim usually has two years from the date of the injury to file the case in Court. So, it’s important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible
How can Wheale Law Firm help with your Hiram car accident?
Wheale Law Firm focuses exclusively on car accident, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death cases. There are several reasons why we stand apart:
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Small Case Loads
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Proven Results
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Unique and Focused Experience
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Superior Communication and Accessibility
After a collision, you should be focusing on your health. Let us handle the rest. Some things we handle to protect your rights include:
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Investigation: Obtaining police report, speaking with witnesses and investigating officer, identifying and researching all potential defendant(s).
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Obtaining Evidence: Taking witness statements, requesting public records (i.e. E911 records, citation dispositions, etc.), obtaining your certified medical records and bills.
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Medical Treatment: Assisting you with obtaining medical treatment you need, especially if you lack health insurance.
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Insurance: Identify the insurance carriers, obtaining insurance information, keeping track of specific insurance information (claim number, adjuster contact, etc.), and responding to daily telephone calls.
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Legal Issues: Identifying the specific legal issues for your case researching these issues.
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Legal Documents: Drafting demand letters for pre-suit settlement. If that fails, researching, drafting and filing all legal documents involved in litigation.
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Experts: Identifying likely experts (i.e. accident reconstructionists, roadway engineers, etc.), consulting with these experts, and preparing them for trial.
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Liens and Subrogation: Managing your medical and health insurance liens to make sure you only pay what you owe. Nothing more.
Hiram
Resources
TOWING AND WRECKERS:
(770) 222-2483
(770) 439-8821
(770) 875-2000
Harpers Towing
(770) 691-8138
LAW ENFORCEMENT:
Paulding County Sheriff's Department
(770) 443-3010
(770) 943-3087
(770) 387-4056
MEDICAL TREATMENT:
(470) 644-7000
(770) 222-8900
COURTHOUSES:
Paulding County Superior Court
(770) 443-7527
(Traffic Court)
(770) 443-7541
(770) 943-3087 ext. 2003
How much does Wheale Law Firm cost?
There are no upfront costs or retainer. Wheale Law Firm’s car and truck accident attorney works strictly on a contingency fee. The contingency fee is a portion of the final settlement or resolution value.
This means, your attorney only collects a fee after your case has been successfully resolved. Stated another way, if your case does not resolve for one reason or another, you owe nothing. This way, our attorney takes on the risk of your case and is motivated to see it through to maximum compensation.
What compensation may be available for my Hiram car accident?
If you were injured in a car accident, you may be entitled to several types of compensation, depending on your injuries. These include:
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Medical expense (past and future);
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Lost wages (past and future);
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Pain and suffering;
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Disability (temporary or permanent);
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Disfigurement;
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Emotional distress;
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Loss of enjoyment of life.
In addition, your spouse may be entitled compensation for their loss of consortium as a result of your injuries.
High-risk car accident locations in Hiram
Between 2015-2019, Hiram, Georgia drivers experienced over 3,608 motor vehicle collisions. And, during that same period, it's estimated that Paulding County experienced nearly 19,034 motor vehicle collisions of one variety or another. Hiram has a few places that are particularly at higher risk for a motor vehicle collision, including:
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Highway 278 (also known as Jimmy Lee Smith Parkway, Jimmy Campbell Parkway, and Rockmart Highway)
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Intersection of Highway 278 and Charles Hardy Boulevard (or State Routes 120/360, near Wellstar Paulding Hospital)
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Intersection of Highway 278 and State Route 92 (near all of the shopping centers)
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Busy Intersection of State Route 92 and Hiram Sudie Road (State Route 120) (in front of the Petro gas station)
Contact Wheale Law Firm for a free case consultation
For a free case consultation, give Wheale Law a call at 678-580-8936 or send an email. No Commitments.
Unlike most attorneys, Patrick J. Wheale handles personal injury cases exclusively, specializing in helping injured victims.
Wheale Law provides legal services exclusively on a contingent fee basis. In other words, you pay no upfront costs. Wheale Law only collects attorney's fees if your case successfully resolves.
What are the different types of car accidents?
There are several types of car accidents that Wheale Law Firm has experience handling, including:
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Tractor Trailor Collisions
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Drunk Driving Accidents
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Motorcycle Accidents
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Bicycle Accidents
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Pedestrian Collisions
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Uber and Lyft Accidents
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Work Zone Accidents
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Chain Reaction Collisions
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Rear-End Collisions
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Failure to Yield Accidents
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Head-On Collisions
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Hit and Run Accidents
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Rollover Accidents
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Side Impact Collisions
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Teen Driver Car Accidents
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Elderly-Related Accidents
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Uninsured/Underinsured Car Accidents
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Parking Lot Accidents
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Rental Car Accidents
What are typical causes of car and truck wrecks?
Car accidents can be caused by various reasons. A seasoned car accident attorney will know how to investigate each of these potential causes, including:
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Distracted Driving: Distracted driving is usually the result of texting or internet surfing on a mobile device, adjusting the radio or bluetooth, or engaging a passenger rather than watching the road.
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Drunk or Impaired Driving: Impaired driving can also include the use of prescription or narcotic drugs in an amount and a way that impairs the driver's senses.
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Fatigued Drivers: Drivers who are tired are more prone to collisions. This is often seen by overworked truck drivers.
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Aggressive Driving: Aggressive driving due to being in a hurry or as a result of road rage frequently results in unnecessary car accidents.
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Dangerous Road Conditions: Defective engineering in the roadway, such as insufficient rain runoff, or improperly maintained roadways have been known to cause collisions.
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Mechanical Malfunctions / Defective Car Parts: When car parts malfunctions, the results can be disastrous. This can include stuck gas pedals, defective brakes, or inexplicable tire separation.
Who can potentially be held responsible for my injuries?
At its heart, an injured victim's compensation will depend on the insurance availability. The type of collision, the availability of insurance, and the potential defendants will all influence the compensation available. Potential sources of liability and/or compensation include:
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The At-Fault Driver: The at-fault driver's insurance is the most obvious source of compensation.
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Resident Relative: If the at-fault driver's insurance is insufficient to cover your damages, Georgia law allows a resident relative's insurance to also provide coverage in some circumstances.
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At-Fault Driver's Employer: If the at-fault driver was in the course and scope of employment at the time of the collision, his employer may be held responsible uner their insurance policy.
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Governmental Entities: For defective roadways that cause collisions, the governmental entity responsible for building and maintaining the roadway - as well as their private contractors - may be held responsible in limited circumstances.
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Car Mechanics: Poorly maintained and serviced vehicles that cause a collision can provide another source of coverage, such as through the repair shop's insurance.
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Vehicle Manufacturer: In rarer cases, when the collision is caused by a defective motor vehicle component part, the vehicle manufacturer can be held responsible.
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Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Insurance: When there at-fault driver has no insurance or has insufficient insurance, your own vehicle insurance may be able to fill in the gap to cover your medical expenses and damages.
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Workers Compensation: If you were injured by a motor vehicle collision while on the job, you can seek compensation through workers compensation. This won't affect your right to pursue additional compensation from the at-fault driver.
What are common injuries from car accidents?
Over time, it becomes clear that certain types of injuries are more prevalent in motor vehicle collisions. Experience with these types of injuries is important to effective advocacy. Common injuries include:
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Airbag Burns and Bruising
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Whiplash
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Seatbelt Bruising and Contusions
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Closed Head Injuries (i.e. Concussions)
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Back & Spine Injuries (& herniated discs)
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Knee and Dashboard Injuries
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Amputation and Loss of Limb
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Death
What are Georgia's "rules of the road?"
A violation of any of Georgia's safety statutes - also known as the rules of the road - can result in a presumption of negligence by the at-fault driver. This is known as negligence per se.
An experienced car accident attorney will know these statutes and how they apply. Some of the most frequently violated rules of the road include:
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O.C.G.A. 40-6-253 (Drunk or Impaired Driving)
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O.C.G.A. 40-6-49 (Following too Closely)
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O.C.G.A. 40-6-181 (Speeding)
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O.C.G.A. 40-6-241 (Texting While Driving)
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O.C.G.A. 40-6-70 (Failure to Yield at an Intersection)
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O.C.G.A. 40-6-71 (Failure to Yield When Turning Left)
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O.C.G.A. 40-6-72 (Failure to Obey Stop/Yield Sign)
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O.C.G.A. 40-6-73 (Failure to Yield When Entering Roadway)
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O.C.G.A. 40-6-91 (Failing to Yield to a Pedestrian in a Crosswalk)
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O.C.G.A. 40-6-270 (Hit and Run)
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O.C.G.A. 40-6-390 (Reckless Driving)
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O.C.G.A. 40-6-397 (Aggressive Driving)
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Delivering on Our Promises.
Prince Ahmed
Very Professional, Very polite, and took care of everything that was needed to be taken care of. I strongly recommend Patrick. He is the best.
Jeanette
I highly recommend him for all your legal needs. He will aggressively pursue your best interests. He pulled me from the depths of despair. He literally took me from Ruin to Riches! He's definitely the tip of the spear. If you hire Mr. Wheale you will not be disappointed. Mr. Wheale Thank you for winning my case and restoring my peace of mind.