Clarkston's Car Accident Attorneys — We Handle the Fight So You Can Focus on Healing
Georgia's Roads Are Dangerous. The Insurance Process Makes It Worse.
Every day, accidents happen along I-285 near Clarkston, the Memorial Drive corridor, Lawrenceville Highway, and Scott Boulevard. Some are fender-benders. Many are not. When a serious collision upends your life, the insurance company on the other side is already building a case — not to help you, but to pay you as little as possible.
Georgia uses a modified comparative negligence system. That means the at-fault driver's insurer has every incentive to argue that you share some of the blame. Under Georgia law, you can still recover damages as long as you are found to be less than 50% at fault — but even a small shift in fault percentage can significantly reduce what you receive. Insurers know this, and they use it. We know how to push back.
As a car accident lawyer serving Clarkston, Tucker, Decatur, and the broader DeKalb County area, Jakes Law Firm takes over all communication with insurance companies the moment you retain us. The adjusters call us, not you. Your job is to follow your doctor's orders. Our job is everything else.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Georgia
Document Everything at the Scene
If you are physically able, photograph the vehicles, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Collect the other driver's insurance information, license plate, and contact details. Get names and numbers from any witnesses. This evidence is often irreplaceable — once the scene is cleared, it's gone.
Get Medical Attention Immediately
Even if you feel fine, see a doctor the same day. Some of the most serious injuries — soft tissue damage, internal trauma, traumatic brain injury — do not present symptoms right away. A gap between the accident and your first medical visit gives insurers an opening to argue your injuries weren't caused by the crash.
Do Not Speak to the Other Driver's Insurance Company Alone
Insurance adjusters are trained to ask questions that can be used to reduce your claim. You are not required to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer. Before you say anything, call us. If you have already spoken with them, call us anyway — what you said may matter less than you think.
Contact an Attorney Before You Sign Anything
Under Georgia law, signing a release generally closes your claim. Once you sign, recovering additional compensation becomes extremely difficult. If a settlement offer has already arrived, do not accept it without having an attorney review it first. If you have already signed and believe the process was unfair or the full extent of your injuries wasn't known at the time, call us — there may still be options worth exploring.
Your Options Under Georgia's At-Fault Insurance System
Georgia is an at-fault state, which means the driver responsible for the accident is also responsible for the damages. After a collision, injured parties generally have three paths available: file a claim with their own insurer, file a claim directly with the at-fault driver's insurer, or pursue compensation through a personal injury lawsuit. The right path depends on the specifics of your case — the severity of your injuries, the coverage available, and whether the at-fault driver was uninsured or underinsured.
Georgia law requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage, but many carry the minimum — or none at all. If the driver who hit you lacks adequate coverage, your own uninsured/underinsured motorist policy may be your primary source of recovery. Navigating these overlapping coverage layers is one of the most common points where injured people leave money on the table without realizing it.
Georgia's statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. That deadline is firm. Waiting too long to act can mean losing your right to compensation entirely, regardless of how clear-cut the liability is. If you were injured in a car accident anywhere in DeKalb County, Fulton County, or the metro Atlanta area, the time to call is now.
Common Questions About Car Accident Claims in Georgia
What if the other driver doesn't have insurance?
Georgia requires drivers to carry uninsured motorist coverage, but not all do. If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may be able to file a claim under your own UM/UIM policy. We review all available coverage sources — including your own policy — to identify every dollar of compensation available to you.The insurance company says the accident was partly my fault. Can I still recover?
Yes, in most cases. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which allows you to recover damages as long as you are found to be less than 50% at fault. However, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault — so if an insurer assigns you 30% of the blame, your recovery is reduced by 30%. We challenge inflated fault assignments and build the record to support your account of what happened.My claim was denied. Is it too late?
Not necessarily. A denial is not the end of the road. We regularly handle cases where an initial claim was denied by an insurer. The denial letter itself often tells us exactly what argument to counter. Call us and we will review what happened and what your options are.How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Georgia?
Two years from the date of the accident, under Georgia's statute of limitations for personal injury claims. If a government vehicle or employee was involved, the timeline to provide formal notice is much shorter — sometimes as few as six months. Do not wait to find out which deadline applies to your case.How much does it cost to hire a car accident attorney?
Nothing upfront. We handle car accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we recover compensation for you. There are no hourly fees, no retainers, and no out-of-pocket costs to get started. If we don't win, you don't owe us anything.
Injured in a Car Accident? Talk to Us Today — at No Cost to You.
We are the only personal injury firm with a physical office in Clarkston, and we have been serving DeKalb County families for years. Whether your accident happened on I-285, Memorial Drive, or a neighborhood street in Tucker or Decatur, we are close by and ready to help. Call 404-296-1211, use the contact form below, or stop by our office at 989 Montreal Road. The consultation is free. The advice is real.