[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/how-often-car-accident-cases-go-to-court\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/how-often-car-accident-cases-go-to-court\/","headline":"How Often Do Car Accident Cases Go to Court in Georgia?","name":"How Often Do Car Accident Cases Go to Court in Georgia?","description":"You might assume you\u2019ll need to file a lawsuit if you get hurt in a car accident due to someone else\u2019s negligence. But most car accident cases settle rather than go to trial. Only a few car accident cases end up in court, and even fewer go all...","datePublished":"2023-06-28","dateModified":"2025-08-14","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/author\/kenbernard\/#Person","name":"Ken Bernard","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/author\/kenbernard\/","identifier":7,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2c8989e3a6ded75e4fe0fae6e90fc6dfec65eaf7676e8cefa113ad6e8e2d6c66?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/2c8989e3a6ded75e4fe0fae6e90fc6dfec65eaf7676e8cefa113ad6e8e2d6c66?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Sherrod & Bernard, P.C.","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/SB-Logo-1.png","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/03\/SB-Logo-1.png","width":300,"height":109}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/court-hearing.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/court-hearing.jpg","height":667,"width":1000},"url":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/how-often-car-accident-cases-go-to-court\/","video":[{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FCnVGmLc6-0#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FCnVGmLc6-0","name":"How is fault determined in an auto accident? | Sherrod & Bernard","description":"How is it determined who the at-fault driver is so that the case can be properly filed? \n\nThis question is usually answered by reviewing the official law enforcement report. The investigating officer has a duty to review the scene, question the drivers involved, make conclusions about how the wreck occurred and even issue citations for any violations of rules of the road. At Sherrod & Bernard we also conduct our own independent investigation of the wreck to determine the at-fault party. \n\nWe know it's our job to make a recovery for our clients. This job starts with bringing the case against the proper driver and the insurance company.\n\n__________________________________\nSherrod & Bernard, P.C. - Personal Injury Lawyers in Douglasville\n8470 Price Ave \nDouglasville, GA 30134\nPhone: (770) 920 - 8350\nwww.sherrodandbernard.com","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/FCnVGmLc6-0\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/FCnVGmLc6-0\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/FCnVGmLc6-0\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/FCnVGmLc6-0\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/FCnVGmLc6-0\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2019-07-12T11:30:01+00:00","duration":"PT47S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/FCnVGmLc6-0","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCNK4EK-AuNLyADEP1Gsgx7w#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCNK4EK-AuNLyADEP1Gsgx7w","name":"Sherrod and Bernard","description":"When you are in a legal bind, you need an experienced attorney you can count on to provide you with skilled representation and sound legal counsel. Every lawyer under the sun will tell you that he or she is the right person for the job, but you need a firm backed with a successful track record. You need the firm of Sherrod & Bernard, serving the Douglasville area.\n\nAfter attending the University of Georgia together, attorneys John Sherrod and Ken Bernard founded the law firm of Sherrod & Bernard, P.C. in 1992. From the very beginning, the goal of our firm has been to provide each and every client with the quality personal service and skilled representation they deserve. You can count on our work ethic and our commitment to our clients.\n\nYou need a highly skilled attorney to successfully resolve your legal issues. One of our lawyers can help. Schedule a free consultation by calling our Douglasville office at 770-920-8350.","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/uK-5K9pyHHwlk4D1Wclej9JOOudzsipnxVRsoc1u0fyFTl1Ykw0P1mMXhCw6PbtfZAwzpbuF_A=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FCnVGmLc6-0#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FCnVGmLc6-0#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FCnVGmLc6-0&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FCnVGmLc6-0#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":172620}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=FCnVGmLc6-0#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":159}]},{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DeS49hO7t9E#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DeS49hO7t9E","name":"How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Georgia? -  Sherrod & Bernard, P.C.","description":"For more information about Car Accidents, please visit: https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/how-long-to-file-car-accident-claim\/\n__________________________________\nSherrod & Bernard, P.C. - Personal Injury Lawyers in Douglasville\n8470 Price Ave \nDouglasville, GA 30134\nPhone: (770) 920 - 8350\nwww.sherrodandbernard.com","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/DeS49hO7t9E\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/DeS49hO7t9E\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/DeS49hO7t9E\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/DeS49hO7t9E\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/DeS49hO7t9E\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2023-06-08T21:05:33+00:00","duration":"PT2M52S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/DeS49hO7t9E","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCNK4EK-AuNLyADEP1Gsgx7w#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCNK4EK-AuNLyADEP1Gsgx7w","name":"Sherrod and Bernard","description":"When you are in a legal bind, you need an experienced attorney you can count on to provide you with skilled representation and sound legal counsel. 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Schedule a free consultation by calling our Douglasville office at 770-920-8350.","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/uK-5K9pyHHwlk4D1Wclej9JOOudzsipnxVRsoc1u0fyFTl1Ykw0P1mMXhCw6PbtfZAwzpbuF_A=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DeS49hO7t9E#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DeS49hO7t9E#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DeS49hO7t9E&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=DeS49hO7t9E#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":55}]]}],"about":["Auto Accident"],"wordCount":987,"articleBody":"You might assume you\u2019ll need to file a lawsuit if you get hurt in a car accident due to someone else\u2019s negligence. But most car accident cases settle rather than go to trial. Only a few car accident cases end up in court, and even fewer go all the way through to a verdict.\u00a0However, you should always work with a knowledgeable car accident lawyer who can maximize your compensation and prepare your claim in case a trial is necessary.Why Do So Few Cases Actually Go to Trial?Trial litigation can quickly become expensive, even for a seemingly ordinary\u00a0car accident case. Both parties typically hire lawyers and experts in accident reconstruction, medicine, or finance \u2013 and these professionals aren\u2019t free. The potential cost of going to trial motivates most insurers to settle, even if they dispute liability or damages. Car accident victims have an incentive to settle because they usually obtain compensation more quickly through settlements, though going to trial could mean a larger award.Both sides in a car accident case also want to avoid the risk of an unwanted outcome at trial. A court could award the victim more compensation than the liable driver or insurance company offered to pay in a settlement. However, a car accident victim risks receiving less money or nothing at all if the court rules in favor of the defendant. Settling a case means the parties have control over the outcome, even if both must give up something to settle. By going to trial, they turn over control over the case to the court \u2013 which could reach a completely unexpected and legally binding outcome.What Would Be Some Reasons That the Case Would Go to Court?Some possible factors that increase the chances of a car accident case going to court include the following:The drivers and insurance companies dispute fault for the accident \u2013\u00a0If you try to hold the other driver responsible for the crash, they might claim innocence or even blame you. If one or both sides refuse to budge, taking the matter to court might be necessary.The at-fault driver doesn\u2019t have liability insurance \u2013\u00a0If the at-fault driver has no liability insurance, you might choose to sue them to recover compensation from their assets. However, drivers who don\u2019t have insurance often have few financial resources, so you might not get the compensation you deserve even if you succeed at trial.The insurance company refuses to agree to a fair settlement \u2013\u00a0When the insurance company won\u2019t agree to a fair settlement offer or outright denies your insurance claim, you might have to go to court to demand fair compensation for your losses.What Information Should I Keep Records of After a Car Accident in Georgia?Documents that you should gather for your car accident case include:The police accident reportMedical records from the treatment of your car accident injuriesCar repair billsMedical care bills or invoicesReceipts for other expenses you incurred, such as car rentalsYour pay stubs or income statementsCopies of correspondence with the insurance companiesPain diaries or journals documenting your recoveryHow to Prove Negligence in a Car Accident ClaimExamples of evidence you might use to prove negligence or fault in a car accident claim include:Police accident reportsAccident scene photos and videosSurveillance, traffic, or\u00a0dashboard camera\u00a0footageEyewitness testimonyVehicle event data recorder (\u201cblack box\u201d) logsDriver cell phone recordsResults of driver toxicology testsPost-accident vehicle inspection reportsCar maintenance recordsAccident reconstruction expert reportsIs Georgia an At-Fault State?Georgia follows an \u201cat-fault\u201d system for car accident claims. That means crash victims may seek compensation from at-fault parties after any car accident.Drivers in Georgia must carry bodily injury and property damage liability insurance, which pays for other parties\u2019 losses when the policyholder is at fault for a crash.\u00a0Georgia auto liability insurance policies\u00a0must pay for at least:$25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability$25,000 per accident in property damage liability\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat Damages Are Recoverable for a Georgia Car Accident?In a car accident case in Georgia, you might have the right to recover compensation for the following types of personal and financial losses:Costs of medical treatment and rehabilitation,\u00a0including emergency care, hospitalization, surgeries, prescriptions, pain management care, and physical or occupational therapyCosts of long-term care\u00a0if your injuries result in permanent disabilities, including home health care, housekeeping, purchases of mobility equipment, or installation of disability accommodationsLoss of income\u00a0if you take time off work or transfer to a lower-paying role while recovering from your injuriesLoss of future earning capacity and job benefits\u00a0if you suffer a permanent disabilityPain, suffering, and lost quality of life\u00a0due to physical disabilities or permanent disfigurementCosts of car repairs or reimbursement for the value of a totaled vehicle\ufeffDo I Have a Time Limit for Filing a Georgia Car Accident Claim?Georgia\u2019s statute of limitations law\u00a0sets a strict time limit on all car accident lawsuits statewide. In most cases, you have only two years to file a lawsuit after a car accident. However, the deadline could be even sooner for some claims.If you file suit after the statute of limitations expires on your car accident claim, you risk having the court dismiss your case as untimely. That\u2019s why you should always talk to a Georgia car accident lawyer as soon as possible after a crash to ensure you do not lose the opportunity to recover compensation for your losses.Contact a Georgia Car Accident LawyerIf you\u2019ve suffered injuries in a Georgia car crash, get the legal help you need to recover the compensation you deserve. Contact\u00a0Sherrod & Bernard, P.C.,\u00a0today for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more about the claims process from our experienced Georgia car accident lawyers.Visit Our Car Accident Law Offices"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"How Often Do Car Accident Cases Go to Court in Georgia?","item":"https:\/\/www.sherrodandbernard.com\/blog\/how-often-car-accident-cases-go-to-court\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]