- Car Accidents
A car accident lawyer comes to the rescue when you are involved in a not-at-fault cat accident. Have you been seriously injured in a car accident? Or is your car badly damaged in the car accident? Was the accident caused due to the negligence of the other party?
You have all the right to fight for compensation in such circumstances. However, most victims do not consider taking the help of a car accident lawyer due to budget constricts. In reality, a car accident lawyer does not cost much. Instead, lawyers help you get additional and rightful compensation with their experience.
Sometimes, the lack of knowledge refrains victims from taking the help of a Fayetteville auto accident lawyer. To enlighten you, here are a few things to know about car accident lawsuits and the cost of hiring a car accident lawyer.
What to Do After a Car Accident in Fayetteville, Georgia?
First things first, here are the steps to follow when you are involved in a car accident:
Call 911
If it is a serious car accident involving injuries, the first instinct should be to call 911. Ask someone to do so if you are not able to.
Call the Police
Even if there are no serious injuries, you still need to call the police. You can call the police directly instead of dialing 911 in this situation. If it’s a hit-and-run case, calling a police officer is utterly essential.
Do not let anyone tamper with the investigation scene to ensure police don’t miss anything important. Also, refrain from discussing fault before talking to a lawyer.
Gather Evidence
In the meanwhile, you can start collecting evidence at your level. Try to note essential things like the name and address of the other driver, the vehicle number, name and address of the witnesses. Start by taking pictures of the car damage or additional necessary information.
Seek Medical Care
If you are injured, it is essential to seek medical advice and a checkup. The medical injury needs to be documented. It can be of major help when fighting the case. Even if there are no visible injuries, getting a medical checkup for legal advantages is advisable.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
Next, it’s finally time to contact a car accident lawyer. If you don’t know any, search for a car accident lawyer in Fayetteville to reach us. Refrain from talking to the insurance company before hiring a lawyer.
What Happens After Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer in Fayetteville?
After you hire a car accident lawyer, the next steps vary from case to case. Various factors decide the next step. Such factors include:
Involvement of Insurance Company
Does your car have auto insurance? Does the other party have its car insured? What type of car insurance do you have? Is it uninsured coverage or underinsured? If the at-fault party does have an insurance company, you need to file a personal injury claim with your insurance company.
You should not talk to the at-fault party’s insurance company on your own. Ask a good personal injury lawyer to approach the insurance company for claims. Insurance companies usually have a legal team specializing in settling such claims at the minimum compensation possible.
Multi-Vehicle Accident
Was it a multi-vehicle accident? If more than two vehicles are involved in a car accident, you need to figure out the at-fault driver before filing a personal injury claim. Hiring a car accident lawyer can help you figure it out smoothly.
Who Was the At-Fault Driver?
Was the at-fault driver driving his/her own car or on the job? If the driver was an employee of a transportation company, the case would be different. You need to sue the transportation company for a claim instead of the employee in such a case.
Having a good car accident attorney by your side can help you figure these situations out better.
What Damages Are Recovered When Filing a Claim?
Two types of damages can be recovered after filing a car accident lawsuit. These are non-monetary and monetary damages. Damages refer to the amount of money recovered from the at-fault party for the damages caused due to the car accident.
Non-monetary damages are the damages that aren’t caused to the physical property. These are related to the damage caused to the mental being of the victim. This would include the compensation for pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and loss of consortium.
Assessing the estimate of such damages is difficult but possible. Your car accident attorney can work with you to get the estimate of such damages. The value of fear of driving the car again or the loss of quality of life can be determined with the help of an experienced attorney.
The second type of damage is monetary or special damages. As the name suggests, these damages are in monetary terms and are much easier to determine. Such damages include:
- The medical bills resulting from injuries
- Vehicle repair bills
- Compensation for loss of job/earning capability
- Other costs for damaged/destroyed property
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost in Georgia?
The cost of hiring a lawyer varies from case to case. The more the stakes, the higher the cost. However, lawyers in Fayetteville work on a contingency basis. According to this, the lawyer doesn’t charge hourly payments. They only charge money if they win the case.
Also, the amount charged depends on the amount of compensation they could win. The lawyers pre-decide a certain percentage of the recovered settlement amount as their fee. This means the more they can recover, the better it will be. This helps both the parties to receive the maximum settlement possible from the defendant.
How Much Amount Is Expected in a Car Accident Settlement?
The settlement amount will definitely vary from case to case. The more severe the car accident, the more settlement amount will be. The stronger the case, the higher will be the chances of recovering the full settlement. This depends on evidence, witnesses, statement reports, police reports, photos, and other crucial elements.
The rest depends on the Fayetteville personal injury lawyer as to how much they can recover by making the best use of their experience. Settlements take time, especially when it involves an insurance company. You need to be patient with the process.
If you are wondering about the cost of hiring a top car accident lawyer, contact us today to get all the details.
