A car accident can leave you struggling, both physically and financially. You may be facing a long recovery, severe pain or a disability. You may be unable to go to work and earn a living. And the medical bills just keep coming. But you don’t have to face these challenges by yourself. If you were in an accident in Milton that wasn’t your fault, you can recover money to pay for your injuries. You need to talk to a Milton car accident lawyer.
Our attorneys know how to get you the money you need. We have many years of experience, and we never charge a fee unless we win 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.
Do I need to file a lawsuit to get money for my accident?
No. After many types of accidents, you must file a lawsuit to get money for your injuries. But car accidents are different because it is usually possible to recover money through an insurance claim. This is because all vehicle owners in Georgia are required by law to have insurance to cover injuries and the damage to your car. In most cases, your lawyer can put together evidence and force the insurance company to pay—without filing a lawsuit.
There are exceptions, even though they they’re less common. These include:
- Uninsured drivers. If the at-fault driver does not have insurance, your lawyer may be able to use a lawsuit to recover the money you need anyway.
- Insurers that won’t negotiate. Most insurance companies will offer you more money once your lawyer shows evidence showing why you need it. In some cases, however, they aren’t convinced. This could be because they’re trying to blame you for the injury or they’re claiming it’s not as severe you say. In these cases, it may be to your advantage to file a lawsuit.
How do negligence and fault work in a car accident case?
Georgia uses “fault” to determine who must pay for a car accident. If a driver is at fault, the driver’s insurance must pay all the costs and damages for everyone who was injured or whose car was damaged. Because of this, fault is an important factor in all car accident claims.
Usually, fault is based on the legal concept of “negligence.” Negligence means a driver wasn’t reasonably careful in the way he or she operated their vehicle. Negligent drivers aren’t bad people and usually don’t mean to hurt anyone – but they still are legally liable. Examples of negligent driving behavior include breaking traffic laws, tailgating, texting while driving and drinking and driving.
Will my claim pay for my injuries?
If you were injured in a car accident, then all of your injuries should be covered. This means that you can recover money for these common car accident injuries, among others:
- Broken bones
- Muscle or joint injuries
- Serious injuries requiring hospitalization
- Injuries that leave you with a permanent condition or disability
- Brain injuries
- Whiplash
Some car accident injuries appear right away, but others don’t show up until later. Whiplash, for example, doesn’t typically have symptoms until several hours, days or even weeks after the accident. Because of this, the best way to take care of yourself after an accident is to see a doctor as soon as possible – even if you think you weren’t injured. A doctor can perform a proper diagnosis, and a prompt trip to the doctor also helps you make a strong insurance claim.
How much money can I expect to win from my car accident claim?
It depends on how severe the accident (and the injuries) were. For example, a whiplash injury that’s resolved quickly with treatment may pay only a few thousand dollars, while one that requires ongoing treatment may pay closer to $10,000. Serious, life-changing injuries can result in claims that pay out hundreds of thousands of dollars, or even millions. This is because the money in these cases has to pay not just for medical bills, but also for the permanent change in your quality of life and your ability to work.
What you need to know is that Georgia law does not place a limit on your financial recovery. You can recovery all of your costs, plus money for all damages you suffered. That means you can be awarded money for pain and suffering, emotional trauma, or the loss of a loved one. This is in addition to the money for car repairs, medical bills and lost work time.
How does a lawyer help my Milton car accident claim?
A lawyer can tell you if the insurance offer is fair and can help you build a strong claim to get you ALL the money you are entitled to. We’ve found that insurance companies almost never offer you what your claim should be worth. This is because they are more interested in making a profit than in making sure you have the money you need. If you take the insurance company money now, you will not be able to get anything more, no matter what your injuries end up costing.
A car accident law firm around Atlanta can help you get a complete evaluation from doctors who understand your injuries and know what kind of care you need. A lawyer knows how to gather evidence showing the accident was not your fault. And a lawyer can argue your case to the insurance company, showing them hard evidence of what your injury will cost.
Often, the accident victim will recover far more money with a lawyer than they would have by simply accepting the insurance company’s offer.
Is it worth it to make a car accident claim?
Never talk yourself out of making a claim. Car accidents don’t just happen – someone’s negligence is almost always to blame. But if you don’t make a claim, you may be walking away from a large amount of money that is your legal right. To find out if you have a claim, schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with a car accident lawyer. A lawyer can give you a professional opinion and explain how the process works.
Talk to a Milton Car Accident Lawyer for Free
Our attorneys have built a reputation for helping accident victims get the money they need. We don’t charge you anything unless we win money for you. Let us give you a FREE consultation to discuss your case and show you how we can help. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.