Injury Lawyer in Athens, GA
If you’ve sustained an injury from an accident in Athens, GA, then you likely feel a mix of emotions, such as anger, fear, sadness, and confusion. Where do you start? How do you get medical treatment? Are your injuries permanent? Who is responsible? Can you hold the person responsible for your accident accountable for your expenses? With the help of an Athens auto injury lawyer, you will find the answer to these questions.
Valentine Injury Law, the best accident injury lawyer in Athens, offers a personalized approach to personal injury cases. We hold the at-fault parties legally accountable for your accident, providing invaluable support to victims of someone else’s negligence. Our personalized representation ensures that each case is handled strategically for you. Contact us to schedule a meeting and to discover how we can assist you today.
Why Hire an Athens-Based Attorney
Selecting the right injury attorney is crucial for the success of your case. Choosing someone with experience representing clients in your area is even more important. Among all the attorneys in Athens, GA, attorney Brad Valentine is the right choice for you. He is well-versed in Georgia’s personal injury laws, has experience working on cases in Athens-Clarke County courts, and understands and knows the local judges. What does that mean for you? It means reliable legal advice that you can count on and maximum results.
Brad believes in passionately advocating for the injured, which is why he immediately investigates accidents on Baxter Street, Milledge Avenue, and other high-traffic student areas. Whether you’ve been involved in a motor vehicle collision, a tractor trailer collision, a rideshare accident, or any other incident, Brad will be there to guide you through it and to advocate relentlessly for you.
Common Athens Injury Cases
Athens is home to the University of Georgia’s (UGA) North Campus, where thousands of students live and learn. Athens is a vibrant city with plenty to do, stunning scenery to enjoy, and historic charm. Athens was even named one of the best college towns in the country! However, having so many students in one city can lead to drawbacks, such as an increase in injury cases. Common occurrences involving UGA students include bicycle, pedestrian, DUI, and rideshare accidents. An Athens personal injury lawyer from Valentine Injury Law is ready to assist with your case in any of the practice areas mentioned above.
Bicycle accidents
Many people ride bicycles to get around daily, which is especially common in a college town like Athens. Bikes offer a convenient and enjoyable way to travel between locations without the stress of traffic congestion. However, even something as leisurely as a bike ride carries risks. In Athens, cyclists must ride on the road instead of the sidewalk, increasing the chances of being involved in an accident with a motor vehicle. Areas near UGA’s campus and the North Oconee River Greenway are particularly susceptible to bicycle accidents.
Common causes of bicycle accidents in Athens include:
If you’ve been involved in a cycling accident, then don’t call the first law firm that you hear on TV or see on a billboard. Do your research and instead hire the best injury lawyer in Athens – Valentine Injury Law.
Pedestrian accidents
Being in a college town also means that many pedestrians are present at any given time. People stroll between classes along Lumpkin Street, meet friends at coffee shops, and head to their favorite study spots on College Station Road. They never expect to be involved in an accident, especially when not in a vehicle. However, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 7,314 pedestrians were killed and over 68,000 were injured in 2023 alone. A pedestrian has no protection against a moving vehicle, and accidents often result in more serious injuries. Pedestrian accidents, leading to the need for an injury attorney in Athens, Ga, can be caused by:
DUI crashes
No other town has a nightlife quite like Athens. Its thriving music scene attracts the interest of more than just locals and college students. People travel from all over to hang out where their favorite bands, like Widespread Panic, The B-52s, R.E.M., and Pylon got their start. Its musical roots support live music in dozens of bars, including Bourbon Street and Allgood Lounge, and clubs almost every day of the week. However, with so many places to indulge, there comes the risk of others driving while intoxicated or under the influence.
Drinking beyond the legal limit and getting behind the wheel is one of the most dangerous decisions a person can make, often leading to life-altering events. DUI crashes frequently result in severe injuries for victims, lengthy recovery processes, costly medical care, and substantial bills. In the aftermath of a DUI crash, victims require legal representation they can trust. DUI cases must be treated differently from a typical car crash. They need a rising-star attorney in Athens, GA – our firm’s namesake, Brad Valentine.
Rideshare accidents
Taking a rideshare is safer for navigating town during a night out, especially when planning to drink alcohol. Rideshare companies, such as Uber and Lyft, have significantly grown in popularity over the last few years, particularly among the student population in Athens. Students frequently use rideshare companies to travel from housing areas like The Mark and The Standard to downtown Athens. However, the increased usage of Uber and Lyft has led to a rise in rideshare accidents. If you’ve been injured in a rideshare accident, figuring out who can be held responsible for your crash can be complicated. Working with a personal injury lawyer in Athens, GA, such as the experts at Valentine Injury Law, will give you the best chance of receiving maximum compensation for any injuries sustained in a rideshare accident.
Georgia Laws Relevant to Athens
After an accident, knowing what steps to take to protect your rights as a victim can be confusing. The easiest way to ensure your rights are protected and your claim is safeguarded is to work with a trusted lawyer from Athens, GA. A lawyer from Valentine Injury Law in Athens will explain the intricacies of personal injury law, including statutes of limitations, modified comparative fault, and Georgia procedures and deadlines if a lawsuit is needed.
Statute of Limitations
A “statute of limitations” refers to a law that prohibits pursuing claims after a specific amount of time following an injury. Typically, for claims of personal injury from one’s negligence, the statute of limitations will begin to run from the date of the injury.
The Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA § 9-3-33) states that the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is two years. Temporary suspensions to this timeline, known as “tolling,” may apply in limited circumstances. For example, if an injured party was under 18 years old at the time of the accident, then some claims could be tolled. Another common example is tolling while a criminal investigation is pending. These exceptions, however, can be complicated and are fact-intensive. For these reasons, it is critical that you immediately contact an expert lawyer from Valentine Injury Law for a free consultation to evaluate your potential claims.
Shared fault
Shared fault, or comparative negligence, determines how much responsibility each party involved in an accident bears. Compensation may be decreased by the percentage of fault assigned to that party. There are two types of comparative negligence: modified and pure.
Georgia has a modified comparative negligence system, which means that an accident victim can still seek compensation if the victim is less than 50% responsible. However, the compensation received will be reduced by the percentage of fault. For example, if the victim is 25% at fault, they he or she will only receive 75% of the compensation that is awarded.
DUIs
One of the most dangerous actions for both themselves and others is driving under the influence (DUI). Each year, approximately 1 million arrests are made in the U.S. for DUIs. In the Peach State alone, there were over 19,000 convictions in 2024. Despite knowing the damage they could cause and Georgia’s strict impaired driving laws, thousands of people still choose to use substances and get behind the wheel.
If you’re involved in an accident with a DUI driver, then you may be entitled to enhanced compensation due to the potential award of “punitive damages.” Punitive damages are additional monies awarded because of aggravating circumstances, and they are designed to penalize, punish, or deter a defendant from such bad behavior. If you have been involved in an accident with a DUI driver, then you should immediately call an Athens auto injury lawyer. The experts at Valentine Injury Law know how to navigate car wrecks involving DUI drivers to ensure you receive maximum compensation.
Areas of Expertise.
At Valentine Injury Law, we’re dedicated to advocating for the injured, regardless of the type of accident they experienced. We rank among the best accident lawyers in Athens, securing over $42 million for our clients in just the past four years alone! Attorney Brad Valentine leads our team and has been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star, a distinction achieved by only 2.5% of practicing attorneys in Georgia. We may be able to assist with your case if it falls into one of the following categories:
Wrongful death
We’re determined to get justice for those no longer here to fight.
Catastrophic injury
Get the compensation you need for life-altering injuries.
Motor vehicle collision
No matter the vehicle involved, we’ll get what you deserve.
Commercial vehicle collision
We’re determined to get justice for those no longer here to fight.
Tractor Trailer collision
We’ve won millions of dollars for injured pedestrians and cyclists.
DUI
We build compelling cases against vehicle owners who drive under the influence.
Hit-and-run accidents
No matter the vehicle involved, we’ll get what you deserve.
Rideshare accidents
We have experience navigating the complex liability issues in Uber and Lyft accidents.
Pedestrian accidents
We’ve won millions of dollars for injured pedestrians.
Slip-and-fall
We build compelling cases against negligent property owners via meticulous investigation.
Dog bite accidents
We hold animal owners and insurance companies accountable.
Other Areas of Expertise
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Serving Athens and Surrounding Areas
Among all the law firms in Athens, Ga, why should you choose ours? No team is as dedicated as ours to providing the community with sophisticated, comprehensive legal services. We take our clients’ personal injury cases to heart, whether in Oconee County or the surrounding areas. Check our service areas to see if we can assist you.
For a free evaluation of your personal injury claim, call (706) 425-4444. We’re located at 1741 Hog Mountain Road, Building 200, Suite 9 Watkinsville, GA 30677. For more information about our team, give us a call today!
“I became a client of Brad’s through a referral. From the beginning, he was very professional and made sure I understood his qualifications as an attorney. Throughout the process, the professionalism was a constant and over time, the working relationship evolved to where I was treated like family. Brad was consistently transparent and always had my best interest at hand. I definitely recommend his services!”
Metoi Booker
