Buford Personal Injury Lawyer
A City in Two Counties, and Why That Matters After an Injury
Buford straddles two counties. Most of the city lies in Gwinnett County, and part of it extends into Hall County. That split matters after an injury, because the county line can determine which police agency writes the report, which government is responsible for a road, and which courts may hear the case.
A Buford personal injury lawyer at Hoffspiegel Law can help if you were hurt in a vehicle crash, a fall, a dog attack, or another incident caused by someone else’s carelessness. Our office is at 2900 Chamblee Tucker Road in Atlanta; we do not have an office in Buford. We handle claims in both Gwinnett and Hall counties.
I-85, I-985, and Lake Lanier Traffic Around Buford
Buford sits where two interstates meet the northern suburbs. The city is exit 115 on I-85 and exit 4 on I-985, and State Route 20 runs through Buford on a northwest-southeast line. Farther up I-85, exit 118 at State Route 324 serves the Mall of Georgia, and exit 120 is Hamilton Mill Road. The I-985 split from I-85 is in Suwanee at exit 113, which signs travelers toward Buford Dam and Lake Lanier Islands.
The Mall of Georgia, the largest mall in the state, uses a Buford mailing address even though it sits outside the city limits. Shopping traffic, interstate merges, and commuters heading to and from Gainesville all funnel onto the same interchanges and arterial roads.
The southern part of Lake Sidney Lanier and Lake Lanier Islands are also in Buford, and the lake is the city’s main water supply. Buford Dam Park, next to the lake, has swimming and other recreation areas, so docks, beaches, and rental properties are part of the local injury picture along with the roads.
Reports, Records, and Medical Care After a Buford Injury
- Seek medical care. Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville is a Level I trauma center, and Northside Hospital Gwinnett in Lawrenceville is a Level II trauma center, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.
- Find out which agency responded. The City of Buford relies on the Gwinnett County Police Department’s North Precinct and the Hall County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement in their respective areas.
- For a Gwinnett County Police report, use BuyCrash or visit a precinct; the North Precinct is at 2735 Mall of Georgia Boulevard in Buford.
- For a Hall County Sheriff’s Office report, the Records Unit is at 2859 Browns Bridge Road in Gainesville. Reports take three to five business days and are released to parties named in the report, their attorneys, and insurers.
- Photograph the scene and your injuries, and get witness information.
- Keep all medical records, bills, and proof of missed work.
Gwinnett or Hall: Where a Buford Case Is Filed
Because Buford is in two counties, there are two sets of local courts to consider. In Gwinnett County, the Superior Court and State Court are housed at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center, 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville. In Hall County, the Superior Court is at the Hall County Courthouse, 225 Green Street SE, Gainesville, and the county also has a State Court. Venue rules decide where a case can be filed, and the right court is not always in the county where the injury happened.
When the City, a County, or the State Is Responsible
If a city employee, city vehicle, or city-maintained hazard caused your injury, written ante litem notice must reach the City of Buford within six months (O.C.G.A. § 36-33-5). Claims against Gwinnett or Hall County require notice within 12 months (O.C.G.A. § 36-11-1), as do claims against the State of Georgia (O.C.G.A. § 50-21-26). With a city, two counties, and state routes all in play, identifying the right government entity early is important.
Buford Injury Claims We Pursue
Car Accidents From SR 20 to I-85
From rear-end crashes on SR 20 to high-speed wrecks on I-85, car accidents are behind many injury claims in the Buford area. We obtain the crash report, track down witnesses, and document your medical care and lost income. Learn more on our Gwinnett County car accident page and our car accident practice page.
Interstate Truck Crashes
I-85 and I-985 carry heavy freight traffic through Buford, and retail centers receive frequent deliveries. Trucking cases involve federal regulations on driver qualifications (49 C.F.R. Part 391), hours of service (Part 395), and inspection and maintenance (Part 396). Georgia law can allow the trucking company’s insurer to be named directly (O.C.G.A. § 40-1-112 and § 40-2-140). See our Gwinnett County truck accident page and our truck accident practice page.
Motorcycles on the Interstates and SR 20
Riders share the interstates and SR 20 with heavy car and truck traffic. When a driver turns in front of a motorcycle or drifts into its lane, the rider usually takes the worst of it. Read about our motorcycle accident practice.
Shoppers, Walkers, and Cyclists
Shoppers crossing parking lots and wide retail roads, and cyclists riding toward the lake, are exposed to drivers who are hurried or distracted. We pursue pedestrian and bicycle accident claims on behalf of injured people and their families.
Falls at Stores, Hotels, and Lake Venues
Large retail stores, restaurants, hotels, and recreation venues around Buford must take reasonable steps to keep visitors safe. Falls on wet floors, poorly maintained docks or walkways, and injuries from inadequate security can all lead to claims. Learn about slip and fall and premises liability cases.
Dog Bites in Buford
Dog attacks happen in yards, on neighborhood streets, and at apartment communities. A bite can require stitches, surgery, or ongoing care for scarring. See our dog bite page.
Fatal Crashes and Wrongful Death
When a fatal crash or other preventable incident takes a loved one, Georgia law gives certain family members the right to seek compensation. We work with families through every stage of that process. Read more about wrongful death claims.
How Long a Buford Injury Victim Has to Sue
Georgia’s general statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of injury (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). Exceptions can apply. The government notice deadlines described above run separately and are shorter.
Georgia uses a modified comparative negligence rule (O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33). Your compensation is reduced by any percentage of fault assigned to you, and you are barred from recovering if you are 50% or more at fault. Insurers often raise fault arguments, so evidence gathered soon after the crash matters.
Our Approach to Buford Cases
- Every case is prepared for trial from day one.
- You communicate directly with your attorney.
- We work on a contingency fee: no attorney’s fee unless we recover.
- Your first consultation is free.
- Our attorneys are recognized by Super Lawyers.
Frequently Asked Questions
The City of Buford relies on the Gwinnett County Police Department’s North Precinct and the Hall County Sheriff’s Office in their respective areas. Gwinnett reports are available through BuyCrash or at a precinct, and Hall County reports come from the Sheriff’s Records Unit at 2859 Browns Bridge Road in Gainesville.
It depends on venue rules. Gwinnett’s Superior and State Courts are at the Gwinnett Justice and Administration Center in Lawrenceville, and Hall County’s Superior Court is at the Hall County Courthouse, 225 Green Street SE, Gainesville. The right court is not always in the county where the injury happened.
Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville is a Level I trauma center, and Northside Hospital Gwinnett in Lawrenceville is a Level II trauma center, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.
Written ante litem notice must reach the City of Buford within six months (O.C.G.A. § 36-33-5). Claims against Gwinnett or Hall County, or the State of Georgia, require notice within 12 months.
What Our Clients Say
Call for a Free Consultation
If you were hurt in Buford, call Hoffspiegel Law at (404) 760-8600 or contact us online. We also represent clients in nearby Suwanee, Gainesville, Lawrenceville, and across our service area.
Send a Message
To The Hoffspiegel Law Team