Car accidents are a shock to even the most prepared drivers in LaGrange. Dealing with the pain, stress, and damage of a car accident can feel like your world is turned upside down – especially if you weren’t to blame for the accident.
Thankfully, the law is on your side. You may be entitled to full compensation for the costs of your accident. Finding a car accident attorney in LaGrange can help you get started.
John Foy & Associates has 20+ years of experience helping victims of car accidents. Our main goal is to get you fully compensated for your losses. You shouldn’t have to bear the financial burden caused by another negligent driver. Let’s discuss your options during a FREE consultation and case evaluation.
Is It Worth Getting a LaGrange Car Accident Lawyer?
If you have any intention of filing a personal injury claim for your car accident, then it’s most likely worth it to get a lawyer to work on your case. The benefits usually outweigh the costs of hiring a LaGrange personal injury lawyer for your claim, especially when they work on a contingency-fee-basis like we do.
We don’t take any fees until you get your compensation–in fact, our payment comes out of a portion of your settlement, so you don’t have to pay a penny out of your own pocket. That way, there’s no risk of paying for a lawyer who isn’t going to get you any results.
People who try to represent themselves in personal injury claims often find that the fight is too hard for them to win. For that reason, we advise against trying to take your claim on alone. It’s usually not worth the savings you keep from avoiding lawyer fees.
If you’re not sure whether or not you should hire a lawyer for your claim, you can always get a free consultation with a LaGrange car accident attorney from our firm. A member of our team can look at your case and tell you what your options are and what steps you can take to get compensation.
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How Much does a LaGrange Car Accident Attorney Cost?
Good news: your LaGrange car accident lawyer will cost you nothing up front. Our contingency fee policy means we only make any money if you get compensation. You don’t need to worry about initiating a car accident claim and then having to pay a lawyer more than your compensation is worth.
The portion of your settlement that a lawyer will take will depend on the details of your case. It’s impossible to say how much your legal representation will cost until a member of our team assesses your case and comes to an agreement with you.
Some factors that could affect your lawyer’s fees include:
- The difficulty of your case
- The amount of time your attorney has to spend on your case
- Any extra legal costs like subpoena fees
- How much compensation you stand to make
When you agree to hire your personal injury lawyer, they will come to an agreement with you as to what portion of your settlement will go towards their fees. When you win your compensation, our team member will take out their agreed-upon fee, then pass the rest on to you so you can move on from your accident.
Four Things to Know After a Car Accident in LaGrange, GA
What you do after your car accident can actually make a big difference in your case. It’s important to protect yourself legally because the insurance company for the at-fault driver will be looking for ways to pay less on your claim – from the very beginning. Here are some crucial things to know about how to handle car accidents and the insurance process in LaGrange:
1. You Can Collect Evidence for Yourself
If you contact a car accident lawyer after your accident (which we highly recommend doing), they’ll begin investigating your case and compiling evidence. But many injury victims don’t know that they can help with this process, especially right after the accident when the evidence is fresh.
Evidence you can collect includes:
- The other driver’s full name, phone number, address, insurance information, driver’s license number, and license plate
- Pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and vehicle damage
- Locations of the involved vehicles
- Names, phone numbers, and addresses of any witnesses to the accident
- Copy of the police report for your accident (you can get this in person or online)
- Any and all notes on what you remember happening before, during, and after the accident
You should also always call 911 to report a car accident to the local LaGrange police. This creates a record of the accident and is important to your personal injury claim.
You can also tell the police what happened and about any injuries you suffer. If you don’t currently feel any pain and they ask whether you are injured, just reply that you “aren’t sure” instead of saying no for sure. Some injuries can manifest later. And if you noticed any suspicious behavior from the other driver, such as suspected drunk driving or distracted driving, let officers know.
2. You Can Seek Recovery for All Damages
When an accident happens in Georgia, the person who caused the accident is liable for covering all costs that result. That includes damages like:
- Medical bills for doctor visits, tests, and treatment of injuries
- Prescription medications
- Repairs for vehicle damage
- Physical therapy or rehabilitation
- Lost wages
Basically, if you didn’t cause your accident, you are entitled to file an insurance claim with the at-fault driver for all costs you face resulting from the accident. You deserve full compensation for your expenses. When you work with a LaGrange car accident lawyer, their goal will be getting you financially into the same place you were before the accident.
3. The Insurance Company Isn’t Your Friend
Insurance companies might try to make drivers feel like they are on their side. Unfortunately, many insurers care about profit most of all. They’re looking for ways to cut costs on every car accident claim that comes their way. That means they’ll try to offer you must less than you actually deserve.
This is why we advise car accident victims to never take the first offer from the other driver’s insurance company. Most times, the first offer will be a lowball settlement that doesn’t begin to cover the actual costs you’ll face from the accident.
It’s also generally a good idea to avoid contact with the other driver’s insurer until you’ve consulted with a car accident lawyer. Your lawyer can look at the details of your case and help you figure out exactly how much your claim is worth. Then, if the insurance company tries to offer you less, your attorney can work to negotiate a settlement that is actually fair.
Also, be very careful to never apologize, admit any fault, or discuss your injuries with the insurance company. They can easily use any information you give them against you – even something as simple as asking how you’re feeling and you saying you’re “okay.”
Talk to a car accident attorney in Lagrange first. They have the training and experience to know how best to communicate with insurance companies after an accident.
4. The More Proof You Can Provide, the Better
The burden of proof for compensation after a car accident falls on you as the victim seeking damages. So, you’ll need to provide proof that:
- The other driver was negligence
- Their negligence led to your accident
- And your injuries and other damages were a result of that accident
This means you’ll need sufficient evidence to support your claim about what happened. All of the information you can compile, as mentioned in point #1, helps with this. You’ll also want to keep track of all medical bills, quotes, and receipts of your damages, as well as any relevant witness statements and expert testimony.
What Is My Car Accident Claim Worth?
This is actually a hard question to answer because every car accident claim is different, and the results can vary widely depending on the severity and other details. You won’t know for sure what your claim is worth until you take all damages and other aspects of your accident into account.
In general, serious injuries will carry more weight. If you have injuries that leave you with a disability or require years of ongoing treatment, those may be worth much more than less-serious injuries. In any case, both sides in a car accident claim will think about how a jury would react to damages – even if the case never actually goes to trial.
To find out more about your settlement, talk to a car accident lawyer in LaGrange today. One meeting with an attorney can give you a better idea of how much your car accident settlement is worth.
Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer in LaGrange, GA for Free
The LaGrange car accident lawyers at John Foy & Associates understand how overwhelming the aftermath of a car accident can be. We’re here to help you seek the financial recovery you actually deserve – and we don’t get paid unless you do. That means it’s risk-free to work with us.
Plus, we’ll start with a FREE consultation to go over your case and your options. To schedule your free consultation today, call us or fill out the form on this page to get started.
706-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form