Every year, countless people in Duluth suffer from injuries caused by collisions, and the aftermath can extend for a lifetime. Even a minor crash can leave you with severe injuries and growing medical bills. However, you don’t have to suffer financially because of driver error. A car accident lawyer in Duluth, GA, can help you recover.
At our law firm, we have built a two-decade track record for helping car accident victims. We began as a small local law firm, and over the years, we have continued our mission of getting injured people the money they need. Call our Duluth personal injury attorneys today to schedule your free consultation.
Essential Steps to Take Following a Duluth Auto Accident
Suffering a car accident in Duluth can leave you shaken, injured, and unsure of the next steps. Here are the essential actions to take following a crash to protect your rights and access our top-rated Duluth, GA, auto accident lawyers:
- Seek medical care: Your health comes first. Get evaluated by EMS or go to the ER, even for minor pains. Diagnosing injuries quickly leads to optimal treatment and stronger injury claims.
- Document the scene: If safe, take photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, and road conditions. Documenting liability evidence helps prove your auto accident claim.
- File a police report: Cooperate fully with officers and request a copy of the accident report. Official reports contain objective accident details that carry weight in negotiations.
- Contact witnesses: Record contact info and statements from eyewitnesses while memories are fresh. Our attorneys can use credible witnesses to verify fault.
- Notify your insurer: Per policy terms, alert your auto insurance about the collision and potential claim. But avoid recorded statements before consulting our attorneys.
- Seek legal counsel: Contact our experienced Duluth auto accident lawyers for dedicated personal injury services. We handle the claims process while you focus on recovery.
- Keep records: Maintain all accident-related documents, like medical bills, auto repair invoices, missed work notices, and communication with insurers.
During this stressful time, our Duluth, GA, car collision attorneys are here to guide you through each step following your accident.
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How Can a Duluth Car Accident Attorney Help You?
We speak with many accident victims who think they don’t need a lawyer because their insurance company will handle everything. Unfortunately, we have learned from experience that insurance agents rarely look out for your best interest.
As your personal injury lawyers, we will always represent your interests. For example, we will negotiate with insurance adjusters on your behalf to secure maximum compensation. You can trust us to handle all legal aspects of your case while you focus on recovering.
Common Tactics Insurance Companies Use to Make a Profit
Insurance companies are trying to make a profit. It is in their interest to pay you as little as possible, even if that means you don’t have enough money to pay your medical bills and put food on the table.
Some of the most common tactics insurance companies use include:
- Calling you and sounding concerned: They may ask how you’re feeling, but if you say you are better, they will use this to minimize the amount they pay in your personal injury claim.
- Offering “easy” money right away: If you take this money, you will probably give up your right to get more money later, even if you find out your injuries are much more serious than you originally thought.
- Delaying: The insurance company may take months to do anything, hoping that the delay will make you desperate enough to take anything you can get.
- Blaming you: Insurance companies will avoid paying you by claiming you were totally or partially at fault. Or, they may claim your injuries aren’t as serious as you say they are.
Gwinnett County insurance companies have large teams of trained representatives and lawyers who are highly skilled at these tactics. Fighting an insurance company on complex legal issues can be extremely difficult.
A lawyer’s help can make a big difference, putting you on an even footing with the insurance company. We have seen many instances where victims get a higher offer just because they hired a car accident lawyer in Duluth, GA.
How do You Know You Have a Valid Personal Injury Claim?
Never assume you don’t have a claim. A good rule of thumb is to talk to an experienced attorney as soon as possible after your accident, even if you aren’t sure how the crash happened or are worried that you might be partly at fault.
Legally, most motor vehicle accidents are preventable and would not have happened except by an act of negligence. A Gwinnett County lawyer can evaluate whether another party was potentially negligent, meaning you have a valid personal injury claim.
Types of Accident Claims Our Firm Handles
At our personal injury law firm, we handle a wide range of cases. This helped us develop a flexible approach to legal representation. We will carefully listen to your story and tailor our strategy to meet your goals.
We have made valid claims in many types of accidents, including:
- Head-on crashes
- Rear-end collisions
- T-bone accidents
- Hazardous driving conditions such as fog and rain
- Chain-reaction accidents
- Distracted driving accidents
- Car-pedestrian accidents
- Drunk driving accidents
- Car-motorcycle accidents
- Drug-related accidents
- Rideshare accidents
- Tire defects
- Accidents causing whiplash
- Collisions involving uninsured motorists
The validity of your claim does not depend on whether the other driver had insurance. We may still be able to recover money for you even if the other driver was uninsured or fled the accident scene.
Common Injuries that Qualify for a Settlement Agreement
Suffering injuries in a car accident can leave you feeling helpless and confused. Our experienced auto accident lawyers in Duluth, GA, provide comprehensive personal injury services to help you recover damages from your accident claim.
The moments after an auto collision are chaotic. Once the dust settles, many accident victims are faced with serious injuries that require extensive treatment. According to accident reports, the most common injuries we see in our practice include:
Whiplash
This neck injury causes muscle strain, stiffness, and sharp pain. It can develop into chronic pain. With an auto accident claim, you can seek treatment costs, lost wages from missed work, and damages for pain and suffering.
Back Injuries
Spinal damage, such as herniated discs, is very prevalent in crashes. You may need injections, physical therapy, or surgery. Our attorneys make sure you receive full compensation for all medical expenses and rehabilitation costs.
Broken Bones
Fractures of the ribs, arms, legs, or collarbone are routine emergency room diagnoses after accidents. These extremely painful injuries have high treatment costs. We fight to cover all hospital bills, casts, therapy, and related costs.
Head Trauma
Concussions, cuts, and traumatic brain injuries can have lifelong effects. Our lawyers help you access top specialists and therapies to promote healing. We hold the negligent driver accountable.
If you or a loved one suffered any injury in a vehicle collision, contact our caring legal team for a free consultation. We provide the personal yet fierce representation you deserve on your road to recovery.
What Costs Will a Car Accident Claim Pay for in Duluth?
Expectations for auto accident settlements should align with Georgia law, which allows you to recover nearly any expense or loss resulting from a car crash that wasn’t your fault. Our lawyers will calculate all your accident-related expenses and any future costs you may incur.
Our auto accident attorneys in Duluth, GA, want to make sure that you receive the financial assistance you need to better your life. We commonly recover money for the following:
- Medical expenses
- The cost of prescription medication
- Property damage, including car repair or replacement expenses
- Lost wages to make up for time missed from work
- Loss of your job
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of mobility or sensation
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
You may be entitled to even more if your injuries are severe. You are more likely to experience catastrophic injuries after certain crashes, like a head-on collision or a truck accident. For example, a disability, ongoing pain, or the tragic loss of a loved one may mean a very large financial recovery.
We don’t pretend that money can undo the effects of a life-altering accident. Still, we have seen money help many people regain their financial footing, continue with treatment, and make plans for life after the accident.
Compensation for Fatal Car Accidents in Duluth, GA
Losing a loved one in a fatal car accident is devastating. Our hearts go out to you. Nothing can undo this tragedy, but holding negligent parties accountable may bring some small measure of justice.
In Georgia, families can secure compensation following traffic accident deaths caused by intoxicated or reckless drivers. Though no dollar amount replaces a life, substantial damages in a wrongful death claim help cover funeral costs, lost income, and bereavement damages.
With compassion and dedication, our Duluth, GA, car accident attorneys can build a solid case to maximize compensation after a fatal car crash, guiding you through the complex legal process while you grieve this profound loss. We vow to honor your loved one’s memory by helping hold at-fault parties fully responsible.
Is Court the Best Option for Fair Compensation?
Sometimes, the local courts are your best option, but this is usually only true if the insurance company refuses to negotiate a fair settlement. We will always explain where negotiations stand, and if they are stalled, we will advise you on your chances of success at trial.
Ultimately, going to trial is your decision. If you go to court, our litigation team is prepared to handle everything. Our cases rarely get to court because our strong investigative skills allow us to resolve settlement demands during negotiations with the insurance agency.
We build a strong argument using witness statements, police reports, and expert medical opinions. When we show our case to the insurance companies, and they see that we could win at trial, they will usually offer fair compensation.
How Much does a Duluth Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
We don’t think asking you to pay for legal services is fair when you already have much to contend with. Our legal team understands that dealing with legal matters can be overwhelming, stressful, and financially burdensome. That’s why we strive to provide accessible legal assistance to those in need.
At our law firm, this is how we handle legal fees:
- Your first consultation is completely free
- We do not ask for any money out of pocket while we handle your case
- If we don’t win money for you, you pay nothing, ever
If the Duluth auto accident lawyer assigned to your case gets you a financial recovery, our payment will be a percentage of what you win. Everything else is yours. This makes legal help available to everyone, and we don’t make you take on financial risk.
Is There a Deadline for Filing an Auto Accident Claim in Duluth, GA?
The City of Duluth is required to comply with state and federal laws that regulate how long motor vehicle accident victims have to pursue legal action. The statute of limitations generally states that car accident victims have two years from the date of the crash to file a claim, but some accident victims have much less time.
You cannot recover money for your injuries if you don’t file your claim before the deadline. To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, seek legal advice from an experienced car accident lawyer immediately.
Need a Top-Rated Car Accident Attorney in Duluth, GA?
You may be entitled to significant money for your car accident injuries. John Foy & Associates has over two decades of experience with motor vehicle accident clients. Our lawyers serving Gwinnett County understand the hardships that can result from a car accident, and we are here to maximize your compensation.
We believe that justice should be accessible to all. Our mission is to ensure everyone can access quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.
We understand that navigating the legal system can be complex and costly, and we are committed to breaking down those barriers. Call us and schedule your free case evaluation today.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form