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770-626-7895Motor vehicle collisions can upend a person’s life in seconds. For our client, one driver’s careless decision led to significant injuries, extensive medical treatment, and an uncertain future. At The Larrison Law Firm, our Athens car accident lawyers‘ mission was simple: ensure they didn’t face that journey alone and fight for every dollar they deserved.
This case is a powerful example of how thorough preparation, strategic litigation, and aggressive pursuit of coverage can transform the outcome of a serious personal injury claim, especially in Georgia left‑turn collision cases.
The Collision: A Preventable Left‑Turn Crash in Gwinnett County
The incident occurred in September 2022 at the intersection of Scenic Highway and Pharr Road in Gwinnett County, Georgia. Our client was traveling southbound on Scenic Highway proceeding through the intersection when another driver attempted an unsafe left turn directly into her lane of travel. Our client was already halfway through the intersection when the defendant turned in front of them, causing a violent impact.
Law enforcement issued the defendant a citation, reinforcing what the facts clearly showed; this was a preventable crash caused by the defendant’s negligence. Left‑turn collisions are among the most common accident types we see as Georgia car accident attorneys, and they often lead to significant injuries.
Significant Injuries & Extensive Medical Treatment
The client sustained injuries to the neck, shoulder, and lumbar spine (low back), and her diagnoses included lumbar radiculopathy, lumbar spondylosis, and sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
The primary issue for our client was the low back pain. Her treatment was extensive and included physical therapy, sacroiliac joint injections, and bilateral L4/5 transforaminal epidural steroid injections (with 100% improvement in her radicular leg pain and 50% improvement in her low back pain). Nevertheless, the low back pain persisted requiring her to undergo a low back surgery (a disc fusion surgery).
What made this case unique is that our client had undergone a low back surgery prior to this collision, and when this collision had occurred, she had just left her final physical therapy appointment for that prior back surgery having been released from care. Thus, the big legal issue presented to us was her recent pre-existing condition on her low back and proving medical causation for this second low back surgery.
Our Legal Strategy: How We Built the Strongest Case Possible
- Establishing Clear Liability in a Left‑Turn Accident
We leveraged the citation, crash dynamics, intersection layout, and testimony to show the other driver made an unsafe left turn, our client had the right‑of‑way, and the collision was unavoidable from their position.
- Securing a Strategic Discovery Extension
The case was filed in the State Court of Gwinnett County, with trial set for early 2026.
Because our client had upcoming surgeries, we successfully obtained a discovery extension. This extension of the discovery period allowed us to collect the medical bills and records from our client’s surgery providing us the opportunity to present a full picture of her treatment to the opposing attorney.
- Coordinating Across Multiple Medical Providers (Key to Proving Causation)
Serious injury cases often involve orthopedic specialists, hospital systems, imaging centers, physical therapy, surgeons, and pain management providers.
Our litigation team consolidated, organized, and analyzed thousands of pages of medical records.
We also directly coordinated with our client’s surgical team and obtained a medical causation questionnaire from the surgeon’s office, formally confirming that the collision directly caused the injuries requiring surgical intervention.
- Pursuing All Available Insurance Coverage (Liability + UM/UIM)
This case involved multiple layers of insurance, including:
– Liability coverage of $30,000 / $85,000
– UM/UIM coverage of $300,000 / $500,000
By aggressively pursuing both liability and UM/UIM avenues, we positioned the claim for full value.
- Conducting Key Depositions
Depositions were critical in locking down testimony.
During our deposition of the defendant, we secured a crucial admission: had the defendant simply waited three seconds before initiating the left turn, the collision would have been completely avoided.
Additional Legal Challenges We Overcame
We overcame several litigation challenges:
– Complex medical records
– Future damages & surgeries
– Insurance layering & stacking
– Tight discovery schedules
– A history of a preexisting low back condition for our client; she had undergone a prior back surgery allowing the opposing side to attempt to argue that our client’s preexisting condition was the reason for the surgery and not the collision
Case Timeline (At a Glance)
– September 2022 – Collision occurs
– 2023–2025 – Ongoing treatment at multiple facilities
– February 2025 – Plaintiff deposition
– April 2025 – Defendant deposition
– August 2025 – Surgeries scheduled
– September 2025 – Discovery extended
– Early 2026 – Trial set
**Shortly after receiving the notification for trial in Dec. 2025, the UM/UIM carrier agreed to tender its full available limits of $300,000.00.
What Could Have Happened Without Strong Representation
Without a strategic approach, future surgeries may have been undervalued, medical bills may have gone unpaid, UM/UIM coverage may never have been accessed, and the insurance carrier could have minimized the injuries.
Why This Case Demonstrates The Larrison Law Firm’s Expertise
This case is a clear example of how our firm relentlessly advocates for injured clients by conducting thorough investigations, establishing clear liability, coordinating complex medical evidence, managing litigation deadlines strategically, pursuing all applicable insurance coverage, and fighting for full compensation.
| CASE SUMMARY: This case involves a left‑turn collision in Gwinnett County resulting in major injuries, surgeries, extended discovery, layered insurance coverage, and key deposition admissions. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who is usually at fault in a left-turn accident in Georgia?
In Georgia, the left-turning driver is typically at fault because they must yield to oncoming traffic.
What evidence helps prove a driver made an unsafe left turn?
Citations, witness statements, crash-angle analysis, surveillance video when available, and timing evidence all support proving an unsafe turn.
Does a traffic citation help establish negligence?
Yes. A citation for failing to yield is strong evidence of driver negligence and is commonly relied on in Georgia personal injury cases.
If the other driver claims I was speeding, can I still win?
Often yes. Even if the oncoming driver was allegedly speeding, the left-turning driver still must ensure the turn can be made safely.
Will intersection timing matter?
Yes. Evidence showing the crash was unavoidable — for example, that just a few seconds’ delay would have prevented it — strengthens liability.
How do back or neck injuries affect case value?
These injuries often require ongoing treatment, pain management, and sometimes surgery, which significantly increases the value of a claim.
Will having surgery or scheduled surgery increase my settlement value?
Often times, Yes. Surgeries — whether already performed or scheduled — substantially increase documented damages and typically increase case value so long as your injury that requires surgery can be related back to the collision in question.
Can I recover damages for future medical needs if my surgeries aren’t done yet?
Yes. Future treatment can be recoverable if supported by medical records and a physician’s opinion.
What if I had a preexisting back condition?
You can still recover damages if the collision aggravated or worsened the preexisting condition, which is common in spinal injury cases. These cases often require discussions and/or depositions of the doctor treating the back in order to prove causation.
What medical proof links injuries to the crash?
Medical records, imaging studies, detailed provider notes, doctor/surgeon testimony, and surgeon-completed causation statements are the strongest forms of proof.
What’s the difference between liability and UM/UIM coverage?
Liability coverage pays for injuries caused by the at-fault driver; UM/UIM coverage protects you when the at-fault driver’s insurance limits are insufficient or the at-fault driver has no insurance coverage.
When can I access UM/UIM coverage?
After the at-fault driver’s policy limits are exhausted or confirmed insufficient to cover your losses.
Can insurance policies be stacked for greater recovery?
Yes. In many Georgia cases, multiple UM/UIM policies can be stacked to increase available coverage.
What documents help prove policy limits?
Insurance declarations pages, written confirmations from adjusters, and coverage letters from the carrier.
How long do Georgia car accident cases take to resolve?
Serious injury cases commonly take 12–24+ months, depending on treatment duration, depositions, discovery, and trial scheduling.
What is discovery, and why extend it?
Discovery is the formal evidence-gathering phase that occurs after filing a lawsuit. Georgia law grants an automatic six (6) month period of discovery after the filing of a lawsuit. Extensions allow your attorney to include all medical records — especially from future surgeries. Extensions also allow time for depositions (if applicable) to be taken of additional witnesses including doctors.
What happens in a deposition?
A deposition is sworn testimony. Admissions from the defendant (such as acknowledging they could have avoided the crash) can greatly strengthen the case. Moreover, a doctor confirming that your injuries are as a direct result of the collision you were in can significantly impact your recovery.
Do I have to go to trial?
Most cases settle before trial, but trial is available when the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation. Ultimately, you as the client are the ultimate decision-maker of whether your case goes to trial or not.
What damages can I recover?
Your areas of recovery include, but is not limited to, medical bills, future care, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, and permanent impairment.
How are future medical costs calculated?
Using surgeon recommendations, medical billing records, projected treatment plans, and expert medical cost evaluations. Often times, attorneys will hire Life Care Planners or Economists to further breakdown the costs of future medical care.
How do attorney’s fees work in personal injury cases?
Most firms use contingency fees — you pay nothing upfront, and the firm is only paid if your case is won or settled.
What should I bring to a free consultation?
Your police report, medical records, imaging, insurance information, photos, and any communication from insurance companies.
What should I do after a left-turn accident in Gwinnett County?
Get medical care, document the scene, collect witness information, photograph the vehicles, and contact an attorney experienced with Gwinnett County collisions.
How do Georgia laws treat left-turn crashes?
Georgia law imposes a strict duty on left-turning drivers to yield. Violations often create clear liability.
Can I pursue a claim if the police report is wrong?
Yes. Depositions, crash reconstruction, medical evidence, and additional witness statements can overcome inaccuracies in a police report.
Injured in a Motor Vehicle Collision? We’re Here to Fight for You.
If you or someone you love has been injured due to another driver’s negligence, you deserve a legal team that will stand with you — medically, emotionally, and financially.
Contact our experienced attorneys at The Larrison Law Firm today for a free consultation.
