Georgia Car Accident Lawyer
Car accidents can be very frightening—and they happen every day in Georgia. Even minor crashes can cause serious injuries and damage. And many victims find themselves facing questions about the long-term effect their car accident will have on their life. You don’t have to face these questions alone, and you do not have to take the insurance company’s first offer. A Georgia car accident lawyer can help you when you need it most.
Our attorneys help victims through Georgia. We have spend over 20 years helping car accident victims get justice—and recover the money they need to rebuild their lives. Let us show you the difference that having an experienced lawyer on your case can make. Call us at (888) 553-0419 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
5 Things to Do After You Leave the Scene of a Car Accident
Most people know to get the other driver’s contact and insurance information after a car accident. But, you may not realize what to do after that. Below are a few tips that you should use as your “to-do checklist” after a car accident.
1. Get medical help.
Even if you aren’t sure if you need it, it’s a good idea to talk to a medical professional after an accident. A doctor will be able to give you a once-over to be sure that any minor aches and pains that you are feeling are not something more serious. A doctor will also be able to prepare you for other problems that you might have in the future. In some situations, the soreness and pain from a car accident will not set in until hours, days, or even weeks later. Your doctor will be able to walk you through what to expect.
2. Call your insurance company.
Georgia is a fault state. That means that the driver who was at fault for the incident will have to pay for your injuries and property damage. Every driver on the road in Georgia is also supposed to carry at least liability coverage for their vehicle—but that doesn’t mean that everyone does. If you have to use your own insurance coverage to deal with property damage or medical expenses, you must meet particular notice requirements for your own policy. You can avoid any potential timing issues with these types of claims if you make a quick call to your insurance company after the accident to let them know what is going on.
3. Get a copy of the accident report.
You most likely called the police at the scene so they can make an accident report right away. In some cases, you can get a copy of this report when the officer writes it out at the scene of the accident. But most of the time, you will need to contact the officer or the police department to get a copy of this report. Be sure that you gather this information so you can use it later in your legal case or provide it to your own insurance company. (Your lawyer can also help you do this.)
4. Decline to speak with the other’s driver’s insurance company any more than necessary.
In most car accidents where the other driver is at fault, their insurance company will contact you shortly after the crash. They will want to talk about what happened and get a feel for how serious your injuries may be. Saying the wrong thing to the insurance company at this point could completely undermine your case. You can talk to the insurance company to confirm that the accident did in fact happen and give very basic information, such as when and where, but it’s a good idea to decline to talk to them any more until you call a lawyer—You don’t want to hurt your case before you even get started.
Note: once you have a lawyer representing you, your attorney can handle nearly 100% of interactions with the insurance company for you, and you can simply refer the insurer to them.
5. Call an experienced car accident lawyer.
Insurance companies deal with car accidents every day—for many claims adjusters, that is literally their only job. You, on the other hand, may have only been in a couple of car accidents your entire life. Perhaps this is even your first one. Don’t let the insurance company take advantage of you because you don’t know how the process works. Instead, get an attorney. Getting a lawyer will help you ensure that the insurance company treats you fairly and takes your injuries seriously.
What kind of damages can I recover in a car accident claim in Georgia?
The type and amount of money that you can get from a Georgia car accident claim will vary a lot based on the severity of your car accident. Injuries that are likely to cause long-term damage will result in higher settlements because your recovery should be proportionate to the losses you experienced.
Common damages in a car accident will usually include things like:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages or future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Future medical costs or treatment
- Prescription or medical equipment costs
- Costs associated with in-home care
- Mental pain and suffering (anxiety, depression, and other psychological injuries)
Virtually any cost or loss related to the car accident should be included in your request for damages. Every case is different, which means that even if someone else went through a similar experience, there could be facts that alter their settlement amount compared to yours.
The short answer is: you should be able to recover 100% of your out-of-pocket costs, plus money for any pain and suffering or other personal losses. This could add up to $5,000 or $500,000, depending on the car accident.
Talk to a Georgia Slip and Fall Lawyer for Free
Getting an attorney involved early will increase your chances of getting the best outcome possible—and maximizing your financial recovery. Let us show you how we can help with your case. We will give you a FREE consultation, and we charge nothing if we can’t recover money for you. Call us at (888) 553-0419 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
