Many states require motor vehicles to be inspected regularly. These states aim to ensure that vehicles are safe for the road and that they meet all gas emission standards. When drivers search for car inspection laws in Kennesaw, GA, they’re often surprised to find that they have to pass emissions testing to be able to register a car or renew their registration.
If you have been in a crash and are wondering whether a failed emissions test will play a role in your claim, an experienced car accident lawyer can help. At Starks Byron, P.C., we will fight for the compensation you deserve after your collision.
We have 30 years of combined experience and have recovered millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts. Call our law office at (404) 795 5115 to schedule a free consultation.
How Starks Byron Can Help After A Car Accident In Kennesaw, GA
At Starks Byron, our Kennesaw car accident attorneys understand how Georgia’s car inspection laws can affect liability in an auto accident.
Our Kennesaw personal injury lawyers will do the following for you:
- Evaluation of the claim during a free consultation
- Investigation of the car accident
- Collection of evidence
- Establishment of liability
- Calculation of damages
- Communication and negotiation with insurers
- Litigation, if a settlement isn’t possible
Being in a car accident can mean dealing with injuries that result in medical bills. You may need to miss days of work as you recover. If the collision occurred because another party ignored inspection laws or drove an unsafe vehicle, a personal injury claim can help you recover some of these losses.
Our team handles a variety of personal injury cases, from traffic accidents to medical malpractice. With fierce dedication and decades of experience to our name, we offer the assistance you can rely on. Members of our legal team belong to the American Association for Justice and the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association.
Contact our law office in Kennesaw, Georgia, to schedule a free consultation.
Georgia Car Inspection Laws
Unlike many other states, Georgia doesn’t have universal inspection laws for registering or renewing a vehicle registration. There is an exception, however: 13 counties in the Atlanta metro area require emissions testing.
Because Cobb County is included in those 13 counties, car owners who live in Kennesaw must pass a fuel emissions test. This law is applicable to vehicles that are gas-powered and that are between 3 and 24 years old. You can renew your vehicle’s registration only after it passes the inspection.
To get this assessment, you can go to any auto body shop or any business that provides oil changes or similar services. Call before you go to ensure the location has the equipment to perform the emissions test.
If your vehicle fails the emissions test, you must get the problem fixed. You will need to request a 30-day extension for your tag, which is not always granted. That’s why most people get the emissions inspection done a few weeks before the registration expiration date.
What Happens If You’re In An Accident?
If your vehicle failed the emissions test and you’re in an accident, you may be wondering if your personal injury claim will be affected. The answer is, probably not. A failed emissions test won’t negate your insurance policy or your right to file a claim against the negligent party. It could, however, give insurance companies grounds to dispute the claim.
How Could Shared Fault Affect My Claim In Georgia?
Insurers may state that your vehicle was not functioning at its best and that, therefore, you may have been responsible for the crash. Although Georgia has modified comparative negligence laws that allow you to still recover losses as long as you were not more than 50% responsible for the accident, your award could still be reduced if you’re found to be partly to blame.
If you were in an accident while driving a vehicle that failed an emissions test, hire an attorney with experience in representing these types of cases. They can help you prove that the failed test does not necessarily point to the possibility that your vehicle caused the crash.
Contact Our Kennesaw Car Accident Lawyers For A Free Consultation
After an accident, one of the most important steps you can take is to hire a car accident lawyer in Georgia who can fight to get you the compensation you need to cover your losses. At Starks Byron, our Kennesaw car accident attorneys can provide the ongoing legal support you deserve as you navigate the claims process. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
