Car accidents happen all the time and the consequences are almost impossible to predict. In some situations, damages from a car accident can be light and the vehicle’s occupants will suffer no injuries. In such a case, a simple claim can be made with the insurance company of the at-fault driver and the matter concluded.
But if an accident results in injuries or the death of a family member, the situation is very different. Injuries from a car accident can mean considerable financial strain and even life-changing consequences for the victims and their families. In such a case, compensation is available to aid in the recovery process and allow the victim and their family to return to their life as it was before the accident.
But obtaining this rightful compensation will mean properly navigating the complexities of Georgia’s personal injury laws. For those serious about getting compensation, our Senoia car accident lawyers provide experienced legal representation.
If you have suffered damages or injuries in a Senoia car accident, call our personal injury experts at 770-282-1188 and arrange a FREE consultation.
How Much Does a Senoia Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
In the wake of a car accident, it is only natural to feel a considerable mental and even emotional shock as you try to wrap your head around the implications of what has happened. The last thing you will need is to include the high costs of professional legal aid to secure your rightful compensation.
At Wade Law, we fully understand the grim situation of accident victims and offer our valuable legal services on a contingency fee basis. This means that we will charge you no upfront costs for an initial consultation, our professional legal services, a full investigation into the incident, or negotiations with the insurance providers.
As a matter of fact, we will not charge you anything at all unless we win the case and recover your compensation. If we win the case, we will take our payment from the winnings secured from the at-fault party or more typically, their insurance providers. As you can see, you have nothing to lose by pursuing your right to compensation.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
It is impossible to fully prepare yourself for the aftermath of an accident. But by keeping a clear head and acting with foresight, you can do much to preserve the strength of your case.
Here are a few things to keep in mind in the immediate aftermath of a car accident.
Contact the Police
Making a police report is essential in laying the groundwork for a strong case and claim. Be sure to record the names, badge numbers, and the precinct of the officers who arrive on the scene so that you can obtain a copy of their report later. Do NOT leave the scene of the accident before the police make their report.
Check on Other Parties Involved in the Crash
If your injuries permit you to move about, and you see that it is safe to do so. See to the safety of the other people involved in the accident. But, do not leave the scene until the police officers arrive to make their report.
Exchange Information
Ask the other driver involved in the accident for their name, contact information, and the information of their insurance provider. You will also need the license plate of their vehicle.
Record the Scene
Using the camera of your mobile device, collect as much visual evidence of the scene of the accident as you can. Some important subjects to record will be the damage to both vehicles, the positions of the vehicles in relation to each other, road debris and skid marks, injuries sustained as well as traffic signals in the vicinity.
Never Admit Fault
Be very careful what you say and do at the scene of the accident. Remember that a simple comment like “sorry” can be considered an admission of responsibility and weaken the strength of your case.
Seek Medical Attention
It is essential that you have your injuries examined by a medical professional even if they seem minor. Only a qualified doctor will be able to measure and report on the severity of the injuries suffered in the accident.
Call a Car Accident Lawyer!
You will need your strength and mental focus to properly recover from the accident. So, call in a qualified Senoia car accident lawyer who can handle the legal complexities of the case and give you a better chance of obtaining the compensation you need.
Why Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer in Senoia, Georgia?
Even though compensation for your injuries is your right by law, the legal path to recovering compensation can be very complex and the insurance adjusters are not benevolent. Here is how our qualified lawyers from Wade Law can improve your chances of success.
Case Preparation / Filing a Lawsuit
Crafting a strong case means addressing many details and ensuring there are no loopholes that the opposition could use against you. This is no small feat and requires extensive knowledge of personal injury law that only an experienced lawyer will possess.
Settlement Negotiation
Insurance companies will do all they can to protect the interests of their business and this means avoiding payments at all costs. Only a skilled lawyer will be able to bring these unscrupulous insurance adjusters to terms and convince them to reach a favorable resolution.
Trial Preparation & Representation
If no resolution can be reached in negotiations, the matter will be taken to court. It will take a skilled lawyer and a well-prepared case to turn the wheels of justice in your favor.
How Much Can I Expect to Receive in Damages?
Car accidents can be very different from one another and it is impossible to assign a general value to a car accident claim. Nevertheless, it is safe to say that the more grievous the injuries and damages sustained in the accident, the higher the value of the case and the greater the compensations available.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover?
The damages available are meant to restore the victims to their life as it was before the incident that caused the injury. It will be the specifics of the damages and injuries sustained that will decide what types of compensation the victims can expect. In the State of Georgia, there are three categories of damages that an accident victim could receive.
Economic Damages
These damages are designed to compensate for the out-of-pocket expenses caused by the accident. This can include medical expenses for medication, treatments, procedures, and hospitalization. Economic damages can also cover time lost wages and loss of earning capacity. This compensation will cover economic damages in the past, and future.
Non-Economic Damages
Victims of a car accident will also suffer damages that are harder to translate to a financial figure. Non-economic damages will compensate the victims for mental anguish, loss of consortium, pain and suffering, and other consequences of the accident that can’t easily be assigned a financial figure.
Punitive Damages
In some cases, the actions of the defendant can be considered especially reprehensible. Punitive damages are assigned for the purpose of punishing the defendant for specific behavior.
How Is Fault Determined in Georgia Car Accidents?
Under the concept of modified comparative negligence, accident victims in Georgia are only eligible for compensation if they are less than 50% responsible for the incident which resulted in their injuries. This means that if the damages the victim suffered amount to $10,000 but they are also found 10% responsible for the accident, perhaps because they were speeding at the time, then they will only be eligible for $9,000 in compensation.
Is There a Time Limit for Filing My Car Accident Claim in Senoia, Georgia?
Like most states, there is a statute of limitations, or a legal time limit, in which a personal injury claim or lawsuit must be filed. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in the state of Georgia is two years. But there are some exceptions you should be aware of.
- Government Entities — If the claim is being made against a government entity, it must be made within 12 months of the injury or loss.
- Underage Victims — If the victim is a minor, the statute of limitations doesn’t begin to count down until they reach their 18th birthday.
There are other factors that can affect the statute of limitations such as crimes committed in the incident that can further affect the time constraints for making a claim. To be absolutely sure your case is made in time, it is best to consult a legal expert as soon as possible.
What Should I Do if the Insurance Company Denies the Claim?
Insurance providers will deny claims on technicalities and simply because they are protecting their interests. This should not be taken as a reflection of the validity of your case. If your case has been denied by an insurance company, call the car accident experts at Wade Law to get a proper legal evaluation of your case.
Contact Our Experienced Senoia Car Accident Lawyers
If you and your family have been impacted by the consequences of a car accident in Senoia, Georgia, there is compensation available for your recovery. If you are serious about getting the compensation due, you will need a legal expert to guide you through the complexities of the legal world.
Call Wade Law at 770-282-1188 and arrange a FREE consultation with our legal professionals. We will examine your case and provide you with direction on what to do next.
