If you have been injured in a car accident, medical bills may be just the beginning of the aftermath. You may have been forced to stop working, or you may be struggling to cope with severe pain or a life-altering injury. But you don’t have to pay for an accident that wasn’t your fault. If you are accident victim in Acworth, you can recover money to pay for your injuries, vehicle damage and other costs of the accident. You need to talk to an Acworth car accident lawyer.
Our attorneys have been getting money for car accident victims for decades—and we don’t charge you unless we win you money. We’d like to give you a FREE consultation. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
What makes a car accident different from other types of injuries?
Car accidents are different than other accidents because they’re usually covered by car insurance policies. Georgia law requires all vehicle owners to carry insurance, and that means that in most cases the drivers involved have at least a minimal amount of coverage to pay for both injuries and vehicle damage.
Car accidents are also different from many other types of accidents because there are many possible types of car accidents. Some are simple two-car collisions, but others are complicated multi-car accidents or equipment malfunctions. Some common types of car accidents include:
- “Tailgating” and rear-end accidents
- Whiplash claims
- Head-on, sideswipe and T-bone accidents
- Drunk drivers or distracted drivers
- Faulty automobile parts
- Severe accidents potentially involving head injuries, permanent injuries or even death
You should know that even though insurance should cover your accident, insurance companies don’t like to pay out claims. To protect your rights, it is important to talk to a good car accident lawyer as soon as possible after your accident.
Who is “at fault” in an Acworth car crash?
Fault is important in all Georgia car accidents because the insurance company for the driver who is “at fault” must pay for everyone’s injuries and vehicle damage.
In most accidents, the driver at fault was “negligent.” Negligence doesn’t mean the driver meant to hurt you or intended to cause an accident. It simply means that the driver caused the accident by being careless. Negligent behavior includes excessive speed, running stop signs and violating other traffic laws. A negligent driver may also have been tailgating, texting, driving drunk or otherwise acting in an unsafe manner.
How do I know if my injuries will be covered?
Potentially, any injury can be covered by a car accident claim, as long as it was caused by the accident. Some of the most common injuries we see include:
- Broken bones, including hands, wrists and noses
- Soft tissue injuries such as strains and sprains
- Whiplash, a painful neck injury
- Head injuries such as concussions and traumatic brain injuries
You may have realized you were injured right away, or it may take awhile for your injuries to develop. Concussions and whiplash, for example, typically don’t show any symptoms until at least several hours after the accident, and sometimes much longer. This is why we recommend that you go to the doctor as soon as possible after an accident, even if you think you weren’t really hurt. A doctor’s diagnosis can be key to a speedy recovery, and it can also help you make a strong insurance claim.
Is there a cap on how much my settlement is worth?
No. In the state of Georgia, you can recover 100 percent of your costs from the driver who caused your accident. The dollar amount you will get will depend on how your accident happened, the type of injury you have and other factors. But most car accident victims are eligible for these types of costs:
- ALL of your current and future medical costs related to the accident
- Car repairs or replacing your car
- Money for any time you missed at work, or your inability to return to work
- The cost of long-term care or physical rehabilitation, if any
Some car accident victims will also qualify for substantial extra money. This happens in cases where you suffered a serious loss like a disability, permanent effects of any kind, or even the tragic loss of a loved one. No amount of money can make up for this—ever. But the money can help relieve the financial strain that often accompanies this kind of loss.
Why do I need a car accident lawyer?
It’s common for an insurance company to swoop in after an accident and offer money. This may sound tempting, but it’s almost always far less than your claim is worth. This is because insurance companies are motivated by profit. They hope you’ll take their first, low, offer and sign away your right to potentially get more money in the future.
Car accident attorneys near Atlanta, Georgia are used to dealing with these insurance company tactics. A good lawyer can evaluate the insurance company offer and build a case showing what your claim is really worth. A lawyer can refer you to doctors who know how to diagnose your injuries and predict what they will cost, long-term. A lawyer can also gather evidence showing who caused your accident. Armed with this information, a good lawyer can drive a hard bargain with the insurance company, potentially getting you far more than that original offer.
How do I know if I have a valid car accident claim?
It’s hard to know on your own whether you have a valid claim, for two reasons. First, accident victims are often too quick to blame themselves or believe that the accident really wasn’t anybody’s fault. Second, accident victims don’t have the legal training to evaluate complex liability issues. Because of this, it’s always a good idea to consult with a car accident lawyer who can look at the circumstances of your accident and tell you whether you have a valid claim.
Talk to an Acworth Car Accident Lawyer for Free
Our lawyers have just one goal: to help accident victims. We won’t charge you a thing unless we win money for you. Let us give you a free consultation and we’ll show you what we can do for you. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.