When Should You Get a Lawyer for a Car Accident?

It is smart to consult with a lawyer immediately after a car accident. An experienced attorney can explain your rights and help you understand complicated legal and insurance issues. This is especially important if you have been injured due to the actions of another driver.

You may be entitled to a financial settlement for your medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and possibly even your pain and suffering. A skilled personal injury lawyer can get you the financial compensation you deserve.

Contact an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer today for a free consultation and find out how the Strong Arm can help.

How Can a Car Accident Lawyer Help?

An insurance company might offer you a settlement after a car accident. It can be tempting to take the cash and put the event behind you, but that usually isn’t a good idea. Insurance companies generally hope to pay out as little as possible.

Every case is different, but some of the things you may expect when you get a car accident lawyer include:

Offer Legal Guidance

Making the right choices after a car accident isn’t easy. By hiring an attorney, you have access to legal advice that can preserve your rights and guide you through the claims process.

A car accident lawyer helps even the playing field. Insurance companies will have a team of professionals. Our lawyers are on your side. Sometimes, this is all it takes to encourage the insurance company to offer a better settlement.

Our car accident lawyers have years of experience in tort law and negligence theory, which means they can advise you on the best course of action for your situation. We can help you understand your insurance policy and how the insurance coverage for the other driver will come into play.

Investigate the Accident

After a wreck, it’s crucial to gather evidence from the accident scene to establish liability and strengthen your claim. Our attorneys have the resources and knowledge to conduct a thorough investigation, including obtaining accident reports, reviewing medical records, analyzing witness statements, and collecting any other relevant evidence.

When you get a car accident lawyer, your chances of obtaining fair compensation are increased.

Establish Fault and Collect Evidence

Gathering evidence such as police reports, witness statements, photographs of the accident scene, and any available surveillance footage is crucial to establishing the at-fault driver in the accident.

A personal injury attorney understands the importance of collecting this evidence promptly and can handle the investigation efficiently. They will gather evidence to demonstrate the negligent driver’s fault, ensuring you have a solid case for claiming compensation.

Assess Economic Damages

Proving the extent of your damages is essential for obtaining fair compensation. Whether it’s medical bills, property damage, lost wages, or other types of damages, a personal injury attorney will ensure that all relevant evidence is collected and documented properly.

We understand the types of damages you may be entitled to, so by accurately assessing and documenting your damages, we can pursue the maximum compensation on your behalf.

Calculate Non-Economic Losses

Car accidents can cause not only physical injuries but also non-economic losses, such as loss of enjoyment or companionship. These losses are harder to quantify in monetary terms but are equally important.

Experienced auto accident lawyers have the keen eye to evaluate and present these non-economic losses properly, ensuring that you receive financial compensation for the intangible impact the accident has had on your life.

Manage the Workload

Car accident cases involve a lot of work. Navigating the legal process can be overwhelming, especially when you are dealing with injuries and emotional distress. An experienced personal injury attorney, supported by a legal team, has the knowledge and experience to handle all aspects of your case.

Adhere to Deadlines

After a car accident, there are time limits within which you must file your claim. A personal injury attorney is well-versed in regulations such as Ga. Code § 9-3-33, which outlines Georgia’s statute of limitations.

We are also familiar with the insurance claim process and can navigate it efficiently on your behalf. We will communicate with the claims adjuster, handle paperwork, and communicate with the insurance company while protecting your rights and best interests.

Negotiate Fair Compensation

Negotiating with insurance companies can be complex and intimidating, especially when you’re dealing with injuries and emotional distress. Our experienced personal injury lawyers are skilled negotiators who will fight for a favorable outcome.

We will work to achieve a fair settlement that covers your medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Represent You in Court

While we’d prefer to reach a fair settlement amount at the negotiating table, that isn’t always possible. If need be, we’ll represent you in a personal injury lawsuit. You can count on the Strong Arm to stand with you when times get tough.

How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?

One advantage of hiring our car accident attorneys is that we work on contingency fee agreements. This means we only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for accident victims. This arrangement eliminates your financial burden of upfront legal fees.

We’re happy to discuss the specifics of our payment structure and how they might pertain to your case. Contact us at any time!

Is It Worth It to Get a Car Accident Lawyer?

In almost every case, hiring a car accident attorney is the smart thing to do. A lawyer can help you make sense of your car accident and decide how to proceed. Some situations where you will find the support of a skilled car accident attorney indispensable include:

Serious Injuries

The more serious your injury, the more money is at stake and the more the insurance company will try to lowball you. A severe injury does not necessarily mean surgery or hospitalization.

Lingering Injuries

Often, you will find your pain is not getting better, and the initial treatment doesn’t seem to be working. Our lawyers will not only help you see the right specialists for your injury, but they will also hold the insurance company accountable for the full long-term costs.

Overwhelming Medical Bills

If you are apprehensive about how you’ll pay for medical care, your auto accident attorneys can help you get treatment now and delay payment until the insurance money comes through.

Inability to Work

Insurance companies always undervalue this, and a lawyer can help you get fair compensation for all of your missed workdays. 

Insurance Company Bullying

Often, the insurance company will say you didn’t report your injury soon enough or made it worse by not seeking treatment. This is their way of saying they won’t pay for all of it. You need representation. 

Insurance Company Delays

Insurance companies do not have your best interests at heart. Their job is to pay the least amount possible. You need someone on your side who is there to represent your interests and persuade them to take you seriously. 

What Should You Look for in a Car Accident Attorney?

When you hire a lawyer about your car accident claim, not just any legal counsel will do. Ideally, you want someone experienced, knowledgeable, and easy to talk to. Here are the signs we recommend you look for, both when choosing who to call and at the consultation itself:

• Most of the cases they take are personal injury cases, especially motor vehicle accidents
• They have at least 10 years of experience (or more) working specifically on this kind of law
• They offer a free consultation, and they will do it in person at their office or a location convenient for you
• They listen to you, remember the details you give them, and pay attention to you when you speak
• They understand the kind of injury you are dealing with
• They seem to take you seriously and care about your pain, not just the money

How Much Is a Car Accident Case Worth?

How much you can expect to recover in damages after a car accident depends on the specifics of your situation. A car accident lawyer can help you understand the legal process and what to expect when you file a claim.

Some of the factors that may go into your compensation amount include:

• Your medical expenses: Any medical care costs you have accrued due to your injury, including but not limited to emergency room visits, doctor’s visits, specialists, physical therapy, and medications.
• Your future medical expenses: This considers the long-term expenses associated with your injury, as well as the cost of equipment and home modification you may require.
• Lost wages: If you’ve missed work, your income has likely suffered. You may be compensated for the earnings you’ve missed as a result of your injury.
• Your future earnings outlook: You may be unable to work for a long time, if at all. Or, you may require retraining to return to the workforce after your car accident.
• Property damage: This includes your damaged vehicle, of course, but it may also include any other items destroyed in the accident. It’s a good idea to take pictures of your car after an accident.
• Pain and suffering: In some cases, you may be entitled to non-economic damages for your pain and suffering. A skilled attorney can advise on whether this will apply to your specific case. 
• Punitive damages: If the other driver was acting maliciously or recklessly, you may receive punitive damages. A court awards these in a personal injury lawsuit with the intent to punish the at-fault driver and deter them from similar actions in the future.

Can a Car Accident Lawyer Get a Bigger Settlement?

Most of the time, the auto insurance companies will try to offer you a lowball settlement that is way below what you need. An experienced lawyer will be ready to negotiate with the insurance adjuster for a settlement that is fair to you.

You generally don’t want to try handling personal injury claims alone, as it takes a professional perspective to prove your damages and outline why you deserve compensation.

When you hire a lawyer after a car accident, it may positively impact your compensation. The reasons a skilled car accident lawyer can usually get your bigger settlement come down to two things.

1. Understanding What Your Claim Is Worth

Personal injury lawyers focusing on car accidents possess extensive knowledge and experience in evaluating the value of claims. They understand the various factors that contribute to the worth of your claim and won’t allow insurers to take advantage of your lack of knowledge.

2. Understanding Insurance Company Tactics

Insurance companies are skilled at minimizing claims and maximizing their profits. Without legal representation, you may be at a disadvantage when negotiating with insurance adjusters who may try to downplay the extent of your injuries or the value of your property damage.

Don’t Fight for Your Car Accident Claim Alone

The time to hire an attorney after a car accident is as soon as possible after your accident. Fighting for a settlement on your own is extremely difficult, especially for those with little to no legal experience. 

To negotiate a higher settlement for your claim, you should hire an experienced lawyer to help you throughout the process. At John Foy & Associates, our attorneys have over 350 years of combined experience helping people get back on their feet after an accident. 

We don’t charge anything upfront, and we only get paid if we win a settlement. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.