Wrongful Death in Atlanta, GA

From whichever agency worked the scene. On city streets that's usually the Atlanta Police Department. On I-75, I-85, or the I-285 Perimeter it may be the Georgia State Patrol instead. Georgia officers fill out one standard statewide crash report, and the responding agency releases copies once it's filed, which normally takes a few days. Get the case number before you leave the scene if you're able to.

For most crashes inside the city, the Fulton County State and Superior Courts. In Georgia, state court generally handles ordinary car and truck injury suits, and superior court takes the heavier ones. If your wreck happened on the DeKalb side of Atlanta, or the at-fault driver lives somewhere else, venue can land in another county. An attorney licensed in Georgia can tell you which one applies to you.

It changes who you're up against. Atlanta is a top-five freight and logistics hub in this country, and the Perimeter carries a lot of that traffic, which is why motor carriers keep people ready to look at a wreck within a day of it happening. Your deadline is the same 2 years. What's different is how fast the other side starts working, and that's the reason to talk to someone early.

In Georgia, the deadline is generally 2 years from the date of the accident. 2 years personal injury; 2 years wrongful death; property damage 4 years. Deadlines are strict — the sooner you act, the more options you have.