After a car accident, the first course of action to take is to seek immediate medical attention. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may have to spend a lot of money on medical bills. These medical expenses are sure to pile up as you work through your recovery and adjust to everyday life.
Nevertheless, the good news is that our able and experienced car accident lawyers in Stone Mountain will hold your hand through this process to ensure that you are fairly compensated.
Types of Damages You Can Sue for After a Stone Mountain Fatal Car Accident
Damages refer to the money awarded as compensation after a fatal car accident. Usually, two types of damages are awarded: general and special damages.
General Damages
General damages involve any physical injuries to you. Simply put, anything that lowers your quality of life is classified under the umbrella of general damages. Examples include:
- Pain and suffering
- PTSD
- Loss of Consortium
- Trauma
Special Damages
Special damages involve the destruction of physical property and hospital bills. The defendant is supposed to compensate you for all the money spent at the hospital. The following are examples of physical damages:
- Repairs to damaged property
- Repairs to the vehicle
- Compensation for items that cannot be replaced
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Will My Case Go to Trial?
While a trial date is always set, most car accident cases never go to trial. Instead, most parties settle long before the trial process starts. Very few cases warrant going to court. The court will only be involved when a complex legal issue arises that prevents you and the defendant from reaching an agreement.
The Statute of Limitations on Fatal Car Accident Cases in Georgia
A statute of limitations represents the maximum number of years you can wait to sue someone after a fatal car accident. The statute of limitations in the state of Georgia is two years. This means that you will not be eligible to sue for damages or wrongful death more than two years after the accident.
Also, note that if the car crash was not entirely the other driver’s fault, you would still be eligible for compensation due to comparative negligence.
Comparative Negligence in Stone Mountain
Comparative negligence is classified under Tort Law. It comes to play when both parties involved in a car accident have some part to play in it. This means that both you and the defendant will be partially held liable for the car crash.
In the case of comparative negligence in Georgia, the percentage of fault for each party is determined by a jury.
What Will Be My Average Settlement?
The amount of compensation will be determined by the number of damages and how strong a case you have. That said, you should expect to be compensated anywhere from $40,000 – $80,000. To get the most out of your settlement, you will need to build a very strong case.
How Long Will I Have to Wait to Receive My Settlement?
In Georgia, insurance companies are given a maximum of 40 days to settle a claim. Once you have approved their decision, you can expect to receive your check within six weeks to four months. However, a fatal car accident attorney in Stone Mountain can help you navigate the legal process and receive your compensation sooner.
How Can a Stone Mountain Fatal Car Accident Lawyer Help My Case?
Working with a John Foy accident attorney will ensure your case runs as smoothly as possible. Our attorneys have the required expertise and experience to handle critical matters, such as ensuring you get the maximum compensation for your case.
By working with our car accident attorney, you can focus on your healing while we focus on laws and statutes. John Foy’s lawyers have an excellent track record of working with personal injury cases, so you can rest assured that we will make a good case for you.
How Much Will I Pay for a Car Accident Attorney?
Stone Mountain fatal car accident attorneys work on a contingency. This means that you will not need to make any upfront payments or pay by the hour. If you win your case, the lawyer will take a portion of your settlement as payment. However, if you lose your case, you will not owe the lawyer anything!
What Should I Do in the Event of a Car Accident?
If you are involved in a fatal car accident in Stone Mountain, here is what you should do:
- Call 911 to get immediate medical help.
- Do not tamper with the crime scene until the police arrive to fill out the police report.
- You should get the names and the contact details of everyone involved in the accident, in addition to any witnesses present. Having photos of the crime scene will help boost your case.
- Stick to the facts of the case. As a rule of thumb, never say anything that can be construed as admitting guilt. It is not your place to determine fault.
- Reach out to your insurance company. Remember to only talk about the facts of the case, and say nothing related to admitting fault.
- Reach out to our legal team right away. Retaining a car accident attorney from our law firm as soon as possible increases your chances of your case being resolved successfully.
Contact a Fatal Car Accident Lawyer in Stone Mountain Today
As seen above, there are many essential questions that victims of personal injury claims may have. We hope that this guide has answered most of them. Remember, having a good lawyer by your side can make all the difference when attempting to get compensation for a negligent action.
If you have recently been involved in a car accident and believe that the other party is at fault, the John Foy Firm has trusted car accident lawyers in Stone Mountain who are ready to help you. Contact us today, to get the compensation you deserve.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form