A car accident can turn your life upside down. Beyond medical bills, you may be out of work for weeks, months, or even permanently. You may be dealing with pain, surgeries and the prospect of a long recovery. But you don’t have to face your injuries by yourself, and you shouldn’t suffer financially because of them. If you were hurt in a car accident in Duluth that you didn’t cause, you have rights. You need to talk to a Duluth car accident lawyer.
Our attorneys are here to help. We have decades of experience getting accident victims the money they need to put their lives back on track. We never charge you money unless we get money for you. Let us 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.
I was in a car accident. What should I do?
After a car accident, there are three things you should do: get the facts, talk to a lawyer, and see a doctor.
- Get the facts: this means gathering basic info at the scene of the accident. If you don’t have to go straight to the hospital, make sure to exchange information with the other driver. Then get pictures of the scene, or even take a video. Talk to witnesses and get their information as well.
- Talk to a lawyer: a good car accident lawyer will give you a consultation for free. This is your opportunity to ask questions and find out if you have a case. Then you’ll also know if the insurance company’s first offer is fair.
- See a doctor: do this even if you don’t think your injuries are serious. You want a formal diagnosis and documentation of what happened so that the insurance company can’t say you’re lying. And, in many cases, you won’t feel the full effects of an injury till the days or weeks following the accident—always see a doctor.
Does it matter who’s at fault in Duluth?
Yes. Fault is an important part of any Georgia car accident claim. This is because the driver who is at fault is legally responsible for all the injuries and property damage for everyone involved in the accident.
There are many ways a driver can be at fault, but most of them come down to carelessness. If the driver had been more careful or had obeyed the traffic laws, the accident wouldn’t have happened. The legal term for this carelessness is “negligence.” A negligent driver may not have meant to hurt anybody, but their insurance company is still responsible for paying. Examples of negligent driving might include excessive speed, tailgating, using a cell phone while driving, drinking and driving, and many other unsafe activities.
How does the insurance decide whether to cover an injury?
The rule is simple: if an injury was caused by a car accident, it should be covered. That means that you may be able to recover money for many different types of injuries. However, there are some that are especially common after car accidents. This includes whiplash, head injuries and join injuries. But all injuries are covered—no matter what kind they are.
Sometimes, you know you have been injured right away. But you may also feel like you weren’t hurt at all—until several hours or days later, when you feel pain, soreness or dizziness. Because some injuries grow worse over time, we recommend that you see a doctor as soon as possible after your accident. Seeing a doctor can improve your chances of a quick recovery, and it also makes your insurance claim stronger.
How much money can I get from a car accident claim?
You are allowed to recover the FULL cost of your injuries and the damage to your car, but the exact amount will depend on the circumstances. The most common costs we see included in car accident claims are doctor visits, hospital bills, tests and scan, medication, and physical therapy. All of your car repair costs and missed work time is also covered.
These costs are available even for relatively minor injuries. If you were seriously hurt, you may receive a much larger recovery, including damages for severe losses like ongoing pain or a disability. Wrongful death damages may be available to people who lost a close relative in an accident. Of course, money can never give you back your old life or your health, but it can help you stay stable financially as you continue treatment and work toward your best possible health.
Does it really matter if I have a lawyer or not?
A lawyer looks out for your interests, giving you a professional opinion about the insurance company’s offer and the strength of your claim. The insurance company, on the other hand, is looking out for itself and its profits. That first insurance company offer is almost always much less than the true value of your claim. But if you take it, you will be stuck with that amount—you cannot come back and ask for more if you find out your injuries will be much more expensive than you expected.
Car accident lawyers around Atlanta, Georgia deal with these insurance company tactics every day. An experienced lawyer knows what it will take to get the insurance company to pay you a fair amount. A lawyer will build your case for you, sending you to doctors who know what your injuries will cost over the long haul. Just having a lawyer on your team often means you recover thousands of dollars more than that original insurance company offer.
Talk to a Duluth Car Accident Lawyer for Free
Our lawyers know how to help car accident victims. We’ve been doing it for decades, and we don’t charge you anything unless we get you money. Let us give you a free consultation to discuss your case and answer your questions. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
