Should I Get a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

• September 5, 2023
• Attorney David Mann
• Car Accidents

Experiencing a car accident can be overwhelming, leaving you with numerous questions and worries. The aftermath can be daunting, from unexpected medical expenses to vehicle damage and lost wages. If the accident was not your fault, you might be concerned about seeking compensation for your losses and wondering when to hire an attorney after a car accident.

Having a car accident lawyer by your side is essential to protect your legal rights and pursue a fair settlement that adequately covers your damages. When dealing with accidents, insurance companies often present accident victims with inadequate settlement offers, significantly lower than necessary for a full recovery. These companies prioritize their shareholders and aim to minimize their liabilities, showing little concern for your best interests. As a result, they might pressure you into hastily accepting a settlement that falls short of covering your injuries and damages.

From the moment your accident occurs, a countdown begins, leading to the first financial impact of your injuries. For many individuals, the initial blow comes as a missed paycheck. Subsequently, medical bills start piling up, and they seldom arrive singly. Before you know it, you’re facing a daunting financial predicament with no clear solution.

Hence, it becomes paramount to take action promptly by contacting one of our experienced car accident attorneys immediately after your accident. Doing so can improve your chances of getting your deserved compensation.

The “rule of thumb” on when you should hire an attorney after a car accident is;

• If the accident results in serious personal injury or wrongful death.
• When you have questions about your legal rights and No-Fault insurance benefits following the collision.
• If you possess uninsured motorist and/or underinsured motorist coverage and have been involved in a crash.
• If you were a victim of a hit-and-run collision.
• When there is uncertainty regarding fault or the cause of the crash.
• When essential medical tests and referrals to specialists are denied or unreasonably delayed by your insurance company.
• The complexities of navigating the relationship between your auto and health insurance policies can be challenging, especially in these circumstances.

These are a few reasons to hire an attorney after a car accident. Hiring an attorney is worth it as it saves you from countless lawsuit mistakes.

Engaging the services of a car accident lawyer can be instrumental in securing the optimal outcome for your claim. These legal experts employ various strategies to achieve this goal. Below are reasons you should get a lawyer after a car accident in Georgia.

Comprehensive Investigation

Car accident attorneys bring a wealth of experience in conducting thorough investigations. Leveraging accident recreation teams, forensic specialists, and experts, they diligently unearth all responsible parties, even those not initially listed in the police report. This includes potential entities like the car manufacturer, the city responsible for road maintenance, or the bar that served an intoxicated driver. With their meticulous approach, lawyers leave no stone unturned in identifying all liable parties, ensuring your case is built on a solid foundation of evidence.

Leveraging Comprehensive Legal Expertise

Navigating your situation’s intricate web of laws can be daunting and time-consuming. An experienced car accident lawyer possesses the expertise to identify the relevant laws and factors pertinent to your case, providing you with a clear understanding of their implications and how local courts interpret them.

This saves you valuable time that should be dedicated to your recovery. Should the need for legal action arise, preparing for a lawsuit involves dealing with extensive paperwork and complex rules that can consume much of your time. You’ll have to grapple with what to file, how to format documents, cite legal precedents, determine admissible evidence, and more. It’s a rigorous process, and you’ll face time constraints. In such situations, the invaluable guidance of a knowledgeable lawyer with profound expertise in the law can make all the difference in navigating a complicated lawsuit.

Accurately Assessing Your Damages

While you may be aware that the accident is taking a toll on your time, finances, and emotional well-being, do you truly know the extent of your total damages? Unfortunately, many injury victims underestimate the full scope of their losses following a car accident.

Uncertainty about your damages could lead to missing out on the rightful compensation you are legally entitled to, and you might find yourself burdened with the costs of an accident you did not cause. To avoid such potential pitfalls, it’s crucial to seek the assistance of a lawyer promptly. A car accident lawyer possesses the expertise to help you comprehensively account for damages, which may include:

• Medical costs, both present and future.
• Vehicle damage expenses.
• Lost wages resulting from missed work time.
• Reduced earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work and earn as you did before.
• Pain and suffering damages caused by emotional trauma and other adverse effects on your quality of life.
• Punitive damages in cases where the other driver acted maliciously or recklessly, such as driving under the influence.

An experienced lawyer will carefully analyze the intricacies of your case and accurately calculate the total damages to be included in your insurance claim, ensuring you pursue the rightful compensation you deserve.

Skillful Negotiation with Insurance Companies and Court Representation

Car insurance companies often try to deny or undervalue your claim. Attorneys are well-versed in identifying the crucial information that can bolster your chances of a successful claim. If your claim faces denial, a lawyer is ready to take up your case, appeal on your behalf, and persistently fight for your rights until the end. Insurance companies might offer you a quick monetary settlement to avoid the complications of your claim and minimize their payout, effectively sidestepping any potential personal injury lawsuits.

Maximized Compensation

Enlisting the services of a lawyer leads to significantly higher compensation compared to those who forego legal representation. Skilled attorneys possess the expertise to construct a compelling case that effectively demonstrates the full extent of financial recovery required. They fearlessly engage with formidable insurance companies, ensuring that every aspect of your present and future medical expenses is meticulously accounted for and fought for. With a lawyer, you can be confident that your rightful compensation will be pursued vigorously and comprehensively.

The clock is ticking, and you must act promptly when filing your claim. Waiting too long puts you at risk of exceeding the statute of limitations. In Georgia, the Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §9-3-33 gives car accident victims a two-year window to submit their claim.

Although the statute of limitations typically offers a reasonable amount of time, it is essential not to delay and let valuable evidence slip away. Seize the opportunity to take immediate action and leverage the fresh evidence available to support your case. Waiting too long significantly weakens your ability to confront the insurance company and hampers your chances of a successful outcome.

If you’ve sustained injuries in a car crash, the support of our Georgia car accident lawyers can make a significant difference. At Mann Law, our team possesses the expertise and knowledge necessary to ensure that insurance companies and responsible parties are held accountable, sparing you from bearing the burden of someone else’s mistake.

Take action today and schedule your free consultation at (478) 742-3381 to discover how we can help you with your case.