Clarke County Personal Injury Attorney
Brad Valentine is committed to putting money back in the pockets of personal injury and accident victims across Clarke County and throughout north Georgia. Whether you’re in Athens or Gainesville, Hoschton, Loganville, Covington, or anywhere in between, Brad offers experienced legal support across a wide range of practice areas in your geographical area.
Need a motorcycle accident lawyer Clarke County residents rely on? Or a dog bite lawyer Clarke County knows for delivering results? Brad Valentine has you covered. His practice areas include car accidents, truck and commercial vehicle collisions, slip-and-fall accidents, accidents involving catastrophic injuries, and more. No matter the personal injury case, Brad Valentine is ready to fight to help you secure the maximum compensation you deserve.
Why Hire a Clarke County-Based Personal Injury Attorney
An accident can turn your life upside down in a matter of moments. Suddenly, you’re juggling calls from insurance adjusters, coordinating medical care, missing time from work, and possibly facing direct communication with the at-fault party’s legal team—all while trying to focus on your recovery. It’s an overwhelming and often traumatic experience.
But knowing your rights and having strong legal support by your side can bring much-needed clarity, confidence, and peace of mind during this difficult time.
When you’re dealing with the aftermath of an accident, having a local attorney can make a significant difference. Working with an Athens-Clarke County attorney gives you an advantage for two strong reasons:
For all types of vehicular accidents, we can help. Whether you’re looking for an Athens-Clarke County Uber accident lawyer or an Athens-Clarke County motorcycle accident lawyer, Valentine Injury Law is here to fight for your justice.
Choosing Brad Valentine means you’re not just getting legal representation–you’re getting a trusted local advocate who knows Clarke County inside and out.
Familiarity With Local Courts And Judges
Navigating the Athens-Clarke County court system effectively requires more than just legal knowledge. Unlike large, out-of-town law firms, a local attorney understands the nuances of the local courts and knows how each judge tends to handle personal injury cases.
Brad Valentine’s familiarity with these procedures and personalities allows for more strategic, efficient case management, which is an invaluable advantage that can make a real difference in the outcome of your case.
Proximity Means Faster Results
Brad Valentine’s local presence allows for a quicker response to your accident. Accidents on busy Clarke County roads like Atlanta Highway (US-78), Lexington Road, Prince Avenue, and Milledge Avenue demand quick legal on-the-ground support.
Brad can respond promptly to your needs, gather evidence faster, and meet with you quickly. When your life is disrupted by an accident, trust a local advocate who knows how to fight in your own backyard.
Georgia Laws Specific to Clarke County
Navigating a personal injury case in Clarke County requires more than a general understanding of Georgia law—it demands deep, localized knowledge. Brad Valentine brings both legal expertise and Clarke County insight to every case, ensuring clients receive strategic and informed representation.
Georgia’s statute of limitations (OCGA § 9-3-33)
In Georgia, the law imposes a two-year statute of limitations (OCGA § 9-3-33) for personal injury claims. This means that if you’re injured in an accident, whether it’s a car crash on Broad Street or a slip-and-fall near downtown Athens, you generally have two years from the date of the incident to file a lawsuit.
Missing this deadline could mean losing your right to compensation entirely. Brad ensures all filings meet the necessary legal timelines, so your case stays on track.
Shared fault rules in Clarke County
In Clarke County and throughout Georgia, there is a modified comparative negligence model with a 50 percent bar. Under this system, if you’re found to be less than 50% at fault, you can still recover damages, though your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
This becomes especially relevant in areas like downtown Athens or near The University of Georgia (UGA), where dense traffic, pedestrian activity, and frequent student foot traffic increase the chance of disputes over fault.
For example, if you’re hit by a driver near campus but were jaywalking at the time, you might be assigned partial responsibility by an insurance adjuster. If you’re deemed 20% at fault, your compensation would be reduced by that percentage in your overall compensation.
Brad Valentine’s understanding of how Clarke County courts interpret these shared fault scenarios allows him to build strong, evidence-backed arguments that protect your right to compensation.
Most Common Clarke County Personal Injury Cases
Clarke County, home to Athens and the University of Georgia, is a vibrant, high-traffic college area where personal injury accidents are unfortunately common. From busy downtown streets to student-filled neighborhoods, Brad Valentine regularly handles a wide range of serious injury cases across the county.
Looking for an Athens-Clarke County attorney with deep local experience? At Valentine Injury Law, we’re proud to be the premises liability attorney Clarke County trusts, always here when you need legal guidance, no matter how complex the case.
Pedestrian and bicycle accidents in Clarke County
Clarke County, particularly the Athens area near the UGA campus and downtown bars, sees a high volume of pedestrian and bicycle traffic every day. With thousands of students and visitors walking or cycling through these areas, accidents are all too common, especially where nightlife and heavy vehicle traffic intersect.
Streets like Lumpkin Street and Milledge Avenue are major arteries for both cars and bicycles but often lack adequate bike-friendly infrastructure. Cyclists are frequently forced to navigate narrow lanes alongside vehicles, significantly raising the risk of collisions and serious injuries.
Nationwide data reflects this growing danger, with pedestrian fatalities in urban areas rose by 69% and cyclist fatalities increasing by 48% between 2009 and 2018. These trends are felt locally in Clarke County, where dense urban conditions and high foot and bike traffic make safety a persistent concern. Call Valentine Injury Law for a bicycle accident attorney Clarke County trusts.
DUI crashes on US-78 and Lexington Road
Atlanta Highway (US-78) and Lexington Road are two of Clarke County’s busiest and most vital roadways. These corridors serve as major connectors across Athens, linking residential neighborhoods, shopping areas, and the University of Georgia. However, their high traffic volume also makes them hotspots for serious motor vehicle accidents, especially those involving DUIs.
DUI-related crashes are alarmingly common on these roads, particularly during high-traffic periods such as weekends, holidays, and UGA game days. With increased celebrations and holidays comes a higher likelihood of intoxicated drivers getting behind the wheel, creating a dangerous environment for everyone from drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike.
According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, 353 out of 1,491 traffic fatalities in Georgia involved a driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher in 2019, and DUI fatalities accounted for 24% of all traffic deaths in the state that year.
Rideshare accidents involving Uber and Lyft
As a major college town, UGA and Clarke County see a lot of rideshare traffic. With thousands of residents, students, and visitors relying on services like Uber and Lyft to get around, accidents involving these vehicles have become increasingly common.
What makes rideshare accidents particularly complicated is the legal gray area they often fall into. Determining who is liable can be challenging, and insurance coverage may also vary depending on whether the driver was logged into the application and actively transporting someone at the time of the crash.
As an experienced Athens-Clarke County Uber accident lawyer, Brad Valentine understands how to navigate these complexities. At Valentine Injury Law, we know how to deal with the unique insurance policies and liability rules that apply to rideshare companies.
If you’ve been injured in any of these situations mentioned above, having a Clarke County personal injury attorney who understands the local dynamics and legal landscape is essential. Brad Valentine is here to help you navigate the process and fight for the compensation you deserve.
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 Clarke County, 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 all of Clarke County and Surrounding Areas
At Valentine Injury Law, we’re more than just a law firm—we’re part of the Clarke County community. We drive the same roads, we eat at the same restaurants, and we are deeply committed to getting maximum compensation and justice for our community.
From downtown Athens to Clarke County communities across Northern Georgia and beyond, we’re here to stand by your side. If you’ve been injured, don’t wait. Call us at (706) 425-4444 for a free consultation and let Valentine Injury Law help you get the justice you deserve.
“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
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Valentine Injury Law Office
1741 Hog Mountain Road
Building 200, Suite 9
Watkinsville, GA 30677
