Riverdale Car Accident Lawyer

If you have pain or injuries caused by a car accident in Riverdale, a lawyer can help you. Even the most seemingly minor injuries can turn into long-term conditions and chronic pain, and the insurance company will do everything possible to avoid paying you the amount you need. Do not allow yourself to be left holding the bill when a Riverdale car accident lawyer can help you. 

For over 20 years, John Foy & Associates have been winning cases for car accident victims, and we have become one of the most respected law firms in the state. Don’t face your injury alone. Call John Foy & Associates at 404-400-4000 for a free consultation today.  

What Can I Do to Protect My Rights After a Car Accident?

To legally protect yourself after a car accident, you will need to document the accident, gather evidence, get your injuries treated as soon as possible, and seek legal help.

Documenting the Scene

After the accident happens, you will need to:

• Call the police to report the accident and tell responding officers what happened
• Take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and vehicle damage to your car
• Avoid admitting any blame or apologizing to the other driver until you have all the facts
• Talk to witnesses and get their names and contact information

Each of these steps can help create a record of the car accident, which is crucial for your insurance claim.

Getting Your Injuries Checked Out

After you’ve left the scene, see a doctor as soon as you can to have your injuries checked out. Some car accident injuries take time to fully show up, so you should see a doctor even if your pain is minor.

The sooner you can get treatment and create a record that you saw someone for your injuries, the better it is for your case.

Also, keep track of all medical bills, doctor notes, and other records of your injuries and medical expenses.

Taking Notes On the Accident

Keep a record of what happened before, during, and after the car accident. Write down how the accident made you feel and how your injuries have impacted your day-to-day life.

Also, record any names and contact information of people you’ve communicated with about your accident.

Getting a Car Inspection

Assess how much your vehicle damage will cost to repair (or replace, if your car was totaled). You might see a few different inspectors for an average estimate of how much your vehicle damage is worth before the other driver’s insurance company steps in.

Documenting Your Damages

Keep track of all costs associated with your car accident. Use a file or folder to save documents and notes in one place. This should include:

• Your claim number
• The insurance adjuster’s name
• All medical bills and records
• Quotes for vehicle damage repairs
• Full names, phone numbers, and addresses for all relevant contacts

Calling a Car Accident Lawyer

Schedule a consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer who can make sure you are doing everything to protect your rights after the accident.

It’s easy to get taken advantage of if you don’t know how to handle the insurance company, so a lawyer can make sure that doesn’t happen. They can also help fight for the fair settlement you deserve.

If the insurance company or other driver fights against your claim, your lawyer will be there every step of the way—even if you need to take the driver to trial.

Basically, be cautious in everything you do or say after a car accident. Avoid admitting blame, apologizing, or downplaying your damages - and get a trusted lawyer on your side who can help you take the right actions for your case. The goal is to protect your legal rights to full compensation for all the damages you face because of the other driver’s negligence that led to your accident.

Getting Your Injuries Checked Out

After you’ve left the scene, see a doctor as soon as you can to have your injuries checked out. Some car accident injuries take time to fully show up, so you should see a doctor even if your pain is minor. The sooner you can get treatment and create a record that you saw someone for your injuries, the better it is for your case.

Also, keep track of all medical bills, doctor notes, and other records of your injuries and medical expenses.

Who’s At Fault in a Riverdale Car Accident?

Georgia is what’s known as an “at-fault state” for car accidents. This simply means that whoever caused the accident has to pay for the costs of everyone involved. Typically their insurance company will pay these costs and no one pays anything out of pocket. As a result, insurance companies have complicated rules to decide exactly who is responsible for an accident. 

Sometimes these rules are simple and obvious. For example:

• In a rear-end collision, the person in the back is usually at fault (but not always)
• An intoxicated driver (DUI) is almost always at fault for the accident
• If one driver was breaking traffic rules, like speeding, that could make them responsible if their specific violation is what caused the accident
• Talking on a cell phone or texting while driving may be considered in assigning fault

But it’s important to understand that these rules are only general guidelines. Talking on a cell phone might not make you responsible if you were stopped at a red light and someone rear-ended you. Similarly, reckless behavior like aggressive lane changing could contribute to fault even when it’s not illegal. 

The key to all car accident cases is negligence. The law asks: was someone driving in a negligent or careless manner? If they had been more careful, could the accident have been avoided? If so, that person will usually be considered “at fault.”

The Four Elements of Negligence

In order to be successful in a car accident claim, you have to be able to show the four elements of negligence:

• Duty of care: A person’s duty of care refers to their obligation to act in such a way as to not put others in harm’s way.
• Breach of duty: A breach of duty means the person who harmed you acted in a way that would put other people in danger, whether directly or indirectly.
• Causation: Causation refers to the person’s actions directly causing you harm.
• Damages: You have a better chance at receiving a damage award if you can prove your injuries were a direct result of the accident, that they have negatively impacted your life, and that you are entitled to financial compensation.

What Costs Are Covered in a Riverdale Car Accident Claim?

In the City of Riverdale, you have a right to recover up to 100% of your costs from a car accident that wasn’t your fault.  That means victims can potentially move on from the accident with no debt and no bills. 

In practice, the most common costs are:

• Medical bills
• Prescription drugs
• Rehabilitation such as physical therapy or occupational therapy
• Lost work time/lost wages related to the accident
• Car repair costs

Other damages are also considered. For example, if you suffered extreme physical pain or a disability caused by the accident, or if you cannot return to work, the court could give you a large financial award on top of the costs listed above. The purpose of this money is not to undo what happened – that is impossible. It’s to help you and your family remain financially stable after your accident and help you move forward with your life. 

How do You Know If You Have a Strong Car Accident Claim?

It’s hard to say unless you speak to a legal professional. The answer will depend on the details of your case – two seemingly identical car accidents could have very different answers.

When a lawyer has worked on hundreds of car accident cases, they develop a sense of which ones have the strongest claims and how much of a financial recovery you are likely to win. This is why we offer free consultations so that it’s as easy as possible for you to get a professional opinion.

We have helped victims recover money in many kinds of cases:

• Head-on accidents
• Rear-end accidents
• Accidents with distracted drivers
• Truck accidents
• Collisions involving DUI
• Accidents caused by poor visibility (rain, fog, etc.)
• Faulty tires
• Neck injuries and whiplash
• Hit and run accidents
• Uninsured drivers

Do You Have to Go to Trial for Your Car Accident Case?

It’s not common.  If the insurance company refuses to bargain, sometimes the only remedy is to go all the way to the local courts. If this happens we will advise you on whether it’s worth it to proceed, based on our assessment of how strong your case is. If you do go to court, we will handle every step of the process for you. 

But most car accident claims do not go to trial. They’re usually resolved by payment or settlement long before the court date comes. This is our preferred solution in almost every case. John Foy & Associates has been nicknamed “the Strong Arm Law Firm” because of how hard we negotiate.

We will take the insurance company an airtight case with evidence to back up every detail. We will then push them to give you the full amount you need.  In many cases, this is all it takes to get you a much larger offer. 

How Much does It Cost to Hire a Riverdale Car Accident Lawyer?

We don’t believe that you should pay anything out of pocket at all. 

At John Foy & Associates, our goal is to help accident victims—all accident victims. That’s why we don’t charge hourly rates, nor do we accept payment if we cannot win your case.  Our payment terms are simple:

• All consultations are free
• You pay nothing out of pocket
• You pay us nothing, ever, unless we win you money

We prefer this approach because it is zero-risk for our clients. 

How do You Know If You Need an Attorney for Your Case?

No matter how major or minor your car accident was, an attorney can help you gather strong evidence to support your case. A lawyer can also help you calculate exactly how much you should claim in damages and make sure no damage is left unclaimed.

Insurance companies take you more seriously when you have a lawyer by your side, and a lawyer also knows which experts to hire to testify on your behalf, should trial become necessary.

Talk to a Riverdale Car Accident Lawyer for Free

The months after a car accident can be painful, frustrating, and emotional. Don’t face them alone. Let John Foy & Associates give you a free consultation to discuss your case and help you get the money you need.

Call us at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.