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Your Georgia Car Accident Attorneys

Georgia Car Accident Lawyers

We Don’t Back Down.

A split second of someone else’s distraction can total your car, your health, and your finances. When the other driver’s insurer is built to pay you as little as possible, Morrison & Hughes stands up for injured Georgia drivers and passengers — across Atlanta and statewide. We fight to make you whole.

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Injury cases: no fee unless we win
Trial-tested advocates
6 office locations
0+
GA Crashes in 2023
Reported statewide (GDOT / GOHS)
0
GA Traffic Deaths
2023 — up 3.2% YoY (GOHS / GDOT)
0K+
Injured in GA Crashes
2023, incl. ~22K serious (GDOT)
0%
U.S. Deaths from Speeding
2023 — 11,775 deaths (NHTSA)
Representing Injured Drivers Across Georgia

When Another Driver’s Negligence Upends Your Life, We Make Them Pay.

A car crash is over in seconds, but the consequences can last for years — totaled vehicles, mounting medical bills, missed paychecks, and lasting pain. The at-fault driver’s insurance company has one goal: to close your claim for as little as possible. They start working against you within hours of the wreck.

Morrison & Hughes Law Firm represents car and auto accident victims throughout Georgia — from Atlanta and the metro counties to Marietta, Decatur, Fayetteville, and LaGrange. We investigate the crash, secure the evidence before it disappears, document every dollar of loss, and build every case as though it will be tried before a jury. That is how we maximize what you recover.

Tell Us What Happened
Aftermath of a two-car collision on a Georgia road
The Reality on Georgia Roads

Georgia Car Accident Statistics

The numbers below come from the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS), the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT), and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They show why having an experienced advocate matters.

GA Traffic Fatalities by Year

Total roadway deaths in Georgia, 2019–2023
Source: Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety / GDOT crash data; NHTSA FARS. 2023: ~1,797 deaths.

Top Contributing Factors (U.S.)

Share of fatal crashes by leading factor
Source: NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts 2023 — speeding 29% of deaths; distraction 8% of fatal crashes; impaired driving ~31%.

Injuries vs. Fatalities in Georgia

2023 outcomes for Georgia crash victims
Source: GDOT / GOHS 2023 — ~153,000 people injured (incl. ~22,000 serious) and ~1,797 killed.

U.S. Speeding-Related Deaths

Annual speeding-related fatalities, nationwide
Source: NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts — 2022: 12,157 deaths; 2023: 11,775 deaths (29% of all traffic fatalities).
Why Crashes Happen

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Georgia

Most Georgia car crashes are caused by another driver’s negligence — the same preventable mistakes show up at intersections, on I-285 and I-75, and on rural two-lane highways across the state.

Distracted Driving

Texting, navigation, and infotainment screens take eyes off the road. Under Georgia’s Hands-Free Act (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241), holding a phone while driving is illegal — and NHTSA tied 3,275 U.S. deaths to distraction in 2023.

Speeding & Aggressive Driving

Speeding was a factor in 29% of all U.S. traffic deaths in 2023 (NHTSA). The faster the impact, the more severe the injuries — and the harder the crash is to survive.

Following Too Closely (Rear-End)

Rear-end collisions are among Georgia’s most common crashes. Tailgating violates O.C.G.A. § 40-6-49, and a driver who hits you from behind is almost always at fault.

Impaired Driving

Alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers account for roughly a third of U.S. traffic deaths. Georgia DUI crashes frequently support claims for punitive damages on top of compensatory damages.

Failure to Yield & Running Lights

Left-turn, intersection, and red-light crashes happen when drivers don’t yield the right of way. These T-bone and angle collisions cause some of the most serious injuries on Georgia roads.

Unsafe Lane Changes & Merges

Drivers drift across lanes after a quick mirror check and sideswipe vehicles in their blind spots — a frequent cause of multi-vehicle crashes on Atlanta’s crowded interstates.

What Crash Victims Are Up Against

Common Car Accident Injuries

Even a “minor” collision delivers enough force to cause lasting harm. Many serious injuries don’t fully appear for hours or days — which is why prompt medical care and legal advice are critical.

Whiplash & Neck Injuries

Rapid back-and-forth motion strains the neck’s muscles and ligaments. Whiplash is real, painful, and often the first sign of more serious cervical-spine damage.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)

Concussions and more severe brain injuries occur even without striking the head, from the violent motion of a crash. Symptoms can be delayed and life-altering.

Spinal Cord Injuries & Back Damage

Herniated discs, fractures, and spinal cord trauma can cause chronic pain, limited mobility, and in severe cases paralysis requiring lifetime care.

Broken Bones & Fractures

Wrists, ribs, legs, hips, and collarbones break under crash forces. Many require surgery, hardware, and months of rehabilitation.

Internal Injuries

Blunt-force trauma from seatbelts, the steering wheel, or the dash can injure the spleen, liver, lungs, or kidneys and cause dangerous internal bleeding.

Lacerations, Burns & PTSD

Broken glass and deploying airbags cause cuts and burns, while the trauma of a serious crash often leaves lasting anxiety, PTSD, and emotional distress.

Free Case Evaluation

Do You Have a Car Accident Case?

Answer a few quick questions. We’ll tell you whether you have a potential case, and a Morrison & Hughes attorney will call you. Free, confidential, no obligation.

Step 1 of 6

Were you injured in the crash?

Even soft-tissue, whiplash, or delayed-onset injuries count.

Tell us why you are seeking legal advice

A few words about your situation helps us point you to the right attorney. There’s no obligation.

Was the crash someone else’s fault?

Another driver, a road condition, or a defective part — anyone other than you.

When did the accident happen?

Georgia’s statute of limitations is generally two years (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). We act fast to preserve your case.

Did you receive medical treatment?

ER visit, urgent care, doctor visit, ongoing therapy — anything counts.

Are you currently represented by another attorney for this crash?

If yes, please contact your attorney first.

One last step — send this to our team

Your answers are already written into the message below. Add your contact details, tell us anything else in your own words, and press Send Message. Nothing is sent until you do.

Know the Statutes

Georgia Car Accident Laws That Affect Your Case

Georgia’s traffic and tort statutes shape what you can recover and how long you have to act. Missing a deadline or misunderstanding a rule can end your case before it starts.

O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33

Two-Year Statute of Limitations

You generally have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit in Georgia. Government-vehicle crashes carry much shorter ante litem notice deadlines.

O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33

Modified Comparative Negligence

You can recover damages if you are less than 50% at fault, with your award reduced by your share of fault. At 50% or more, recovery is barred entirely. We aggressively defend against fault-shifting tactics.

Georgia Tort System

Georgia Is an At-Fault State

Georgia follows the traditional at-fault (tort) rule — not no-fault. The driver who caused the crash and their insurer are responsible for your damages, and you can pursue them directly for full compensation.

O.C.G.A. § 33-7-11

Minimum Coverage & UM/UIM

Georgia drivers must carry at least $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability and $25,000 in property damage. Serious-injury claims routinely exceed those limits — uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is critical.

O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241

Hands-Free Georgia Act

Drivers may not hold or support a phone or device while operating a vehicle. A driver’s hands-free violation at the time of the crash is powerful evidence of negligence — and can support punitive damages.

O.C.G.A. § 40-6-49

Following Too Closely

Georgia law requires drivers to keep a reasonable and safe distance. A driver who tailgates and rear-ends you violates this statute — strong evidence of liability in one of Georgia’s most common crash types.

Your First 72 Hours

What to Do After a Car Accident in Georgia

What you do in the first hours and days after a crash directly affects what you can recover. Insurance investigators are already working — yours should be, too. Don’t let the insurance company get a head start. Let us help you protect your case from the very beginning.

1. Get Medical Care Immediately

Even if you “feel okay.” Adrenaline masks brain, neck, and internal injuries. The medical record is the foundation of your case.

2. Call 911 & Report It

Insist on an official Georgia Uniform Motor Vehicle Crash Report. Get the report number before you leave the scene.

3. Document Everything

Photos of all vehicles, the scene, skid marks, signs, road conditions, and your injuries. Get names, plates, and numbers of drivers and witnesses.

4. Don’t Talk to the Other Insurer

Adjusters call within hours. Anything you say is recorded and used to reduce your claim. Decline politely and refer them to your attorney.

5. Don’t Accept the First Offer

Early settlement offers are designed to close your file before your injuries are fully known. Once you sign a release, the case is over.

6. Call Morrison & Hughes

The earlier we are involved, the more evidence we can preserve, the more witnesses we can locate, and the stronger your claim becomes.

Common Questions

Car Accident FAQs — Georgia

How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Georgia?
Under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, and two years from the date of death for a wrongful death claim. Claims against government vehicles or entities require a written ante litem notice — six months for cities, twelve months for the state — long before any lawsuit is filed.
Is Georgia an at-fault or a no-fault state for car accidents?
Georgia is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who caused the crash — and their insurance company — is financially responsible for the resulting damages. Unlike no-fault states, you are not limited to your own insurance and can pursue the at-fault driver directly for the full value of your injuries and losses.
What if I was partly at fault for the accident?
You may still recover. Georgia follows modified comparative negligence under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33: you can recover as long as you are less than 50% at fault, with your award reduced by your percentage of fault. At 50% or more, recovery is barred — which is exactly why insurers try to shift blame onto you. We fight those tactics.
What if the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough insurance?
Georgia’s minimum bodily-injury limits are only $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident — nowhere near enough for a serious injury. Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage under O.C.G.A. § 33-7-11 can fill the gap. We also investigate every other source of recovery, including employer liability and dram-shop claims.
Should I accept the insurance company’s quick settlement offer?
Almost never. Early offers are designed to close your file before you know the full extent of your injuries — concussions, spinal injuries, and orthopedic damage often reveal themselves over weeks or months. Once you sign a release, the case is over. Have a car accident attorney review any offer before you sign anything.
Is it free?
We work on a contingency fee — you pay no attorney’s fees unless we recover compensation for you. The initial consultation is free and confidential. There is no risk in calling.
How long does a car accident case take in Georgia?
It depends on injury severity, your treatment timeline, liability disputes, and available insurance coverage. Straightforward cases with clear liability may resolve in months. Serious-injury cases that go to trial can take a year or more — but they almost always recover substantially more than rushed settlements.
From the Morrison & Hughes Blog

Car Accident Resources

Real guidance for Georgia drivers, written by attorneys who fight for them. Read the blogs below before you talk to an insurance adjuster.

Related Reading

Visit the Morrison & Hughes Blog

Service Areas: Find Your Local Car Accident Attorney

We handle car accident cases statewide. Six office locations across Georgia.

Marietta Alpharetta & Roswell Decatur Hiram Fayetteville LaGrange All Service Areas

Related Practice Areas

Practice Area

Truck Accidents

Crashes with tractor-trailers and commercial vehicles involve federal regulations, multiple defendants, and catastrophic injuries. We know how to investigate them.

Learn more →
Practice Area

Motorcycle Accidents

Riders absorb the full force of a careless driver’s mistake. Our motorcycle accident practice fights the bias riders face from insurers and juries alike.

Learn more →
Practice Area

Wrongful Death

When a fatal crash takes a loved one, surviving family members have rights under Georgia’s Wrongful Death Act. We help families pursue the full value of the life.

Learn more →

Hurt in a Georgia Car Crash? Call Now.

Free, confidential consultation — 24/7. We’ll listen, tell you what your case is worth, and walk you through what comes next. No fees unless we recover for you.

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(404-529-8326)

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