MACON CAR ACCIDENT LAWYER

A Macon car accident lawyer can help if you are one of the thousands of people injured every day in car accidents while driving to work, dropping off children at school, or stopping by the grocery store. If a driver has caused a wreck through carelessness or negligence, the person they injured deserves justice. Innocent drivers and pedestrians who have been injured because of another driver’s mistakes have a right to compensation for their financial losses and pain and suffering by hiring a Macon car accident attorney.

The car accident lawyers at the David Mann Law Firm can take the burden off of you. Let us handle all aspects of your case, including:

• Investigating the accident scene and gathering evidence, such as photos and videos from surveillance cameras, to prove that another party was liable
• Interviewing witnesses and first responders
• Examining medical and police reports
• Filing all paperwork in a timely manner
• Dealing with insurance companies and negotiating for a fair settlement
• Building your case and taking it to court if necessary.

We offer a free, confidential initial consultation to discuss your accident and explore your legal options. When you need someone to stand up for you, David Mann is your car accident attorney to count on.

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If you have been injured or have lost a loved one in an automobile accident, an experienced, car accident lawyer in Macon, GA, from the Mann Law Firm can help you get the compensation that you deserve for your losses.

At the Mann Law Firm, David Mann is involved in every case. David left larger firms, including work as an in-house counsel for a large insurance company, to join his family law firm and work to bring justice on behalf of injured Macon residents.

At the Mann Law Firm, you will work with a real legal team and car accident lawyers who know you are more than just a case number. Clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases need more than run-of-the-mill legal representation. They need a firm that understands their situation, one that will do whatever is necessary to get them the compensation they deserve. Contact a Macon car accident attorney at the Mann Law Firm today at (478) 742-3381, or use our online form to schedule a free and confidential initial consultation about your case.

Automobiles are an essential part of our lives. Unfortunately, vehicle accidents that injure and kill drivers, passengers, and pedestrians are a daily occurrence in our state. Georgia law recognizes that if a driver is at fault in a car crash that has resulted in injury or death, the injured parties deserve compensation.

After a car accident, you will likely be disoriented, but there are a few basic steps that you should take to ensure the safety of everyone involved. Injuries must be treated as soon as possible, and the authorities must be notified. While every crash is different, keep these steps in mind after a vehicle accident:

1. Call the police or sheriff’s department and request an accident report and an ambulance.
2. If you are hurt at all, go to the emergency room. Get a medical evaluation, even if you feel alright.
3. If possible, take photos of your vehicle and the other person’s vehicle.
4. Notify your insurance company of the accident.
5. Do not sign anything or agree to a settlement with any insurance company before talking to an experienced car accident attorney.

Georgia residents who suffer a personal injury in a car accident are entitled to payment that covers:

• The cost of medical assistance
• Rehabilitation
• Vehicle repair or replacement
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Pain, suffering, and other losses.

After a fatal auto accident, a family may file a wrongful death claim against the at-fault driver to seek compensation for their losses by using a car accident attorney.

In cases of severe personal injury or wrongful death, a Georgia court may order the at-fault driver in a car accident to pay punitive damages in addition to the other expenses they will be required to cover.

GETTING MEDICAL TREATMENT

Just because you can’t see or feel an injury immediately after a car accident, this doesn’t mean you’re not hurt. Even in minor car wrecks, internal bleeding, whiplash, injured organs, and other physical harm can occur. Assuming that you’re fine is dangerous, because untreated injuries can easily get worse without medical attention. And accurate documentation of your injuries is vital to a winning an insurance claim.

A variety of injuries can happen to people in a vehicle accident, from minor to life-threatening. They include:

• Head, brain, and spinal trauma
• Broken bones
• Internal organ damage
• Facial injuries, which could require repeated cosmetic surgeries
• Burns
• Limb amputations.

Some accident victims suffer lifetime paralysis. Those who suffer traumatic brain injury (TBI) are often never the same. And since over 35,000 people die on our roads every year, many wrongful deaths take place. Insurance companies seek to protect their negligent clients. So, if you or a family member is injured in a car wreck, your best chance at fair compensation involves working with a seasoned Macon car accident attorney.

The moment you hire one of our car accident lawyers, a thorough investigation of your accident and injuries begins. We deal firmly and aggressively with the defendant’s insurance company to ensure you are not taken advantage of. When a competent Macon car accident attorney becomes involved in a claim, the settlement value typically increases significantly. And once we are involved, you are fully insulated from all insurance company harassment. We can bring you results and peace of mind. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, don’t hesitate to call a car accident lawyer in Macon, GA, to schedule a free consultation. We earn no fee unless we win your case.

To win your case, our lawyers work to show that another party—the defendant in the case—was negligent due to their actions or inactions and that this negligence caused the accident that led to your injuries.

There are four elements to proving legal negligence, as follows:

• Duty – The defendant owed you a duty of care not to cause harm.
• Breach – The defendant breached this duty by a wrongful act.
• Cause – These actions or failure to act caused the accident that harmed you.
• Damages – You suffered damages as a result.

Even if you did something that contributed to the accident, as long as you are not more than 50 percent at fault, our car accident lawyers can still win the percentage of the settlement that reflects how much the other parties were found to be at fault.

In a successful case, our car accident attorneys can win an award, called “damages,” for your losses that fit into two categories: general and special damages.

Special damages describe economic or monetary damages that have a specific dollar value, such as:

• Medical and rehabilitation bills
• Property damage
• Lost income from work.

General damages are damages that do not have a specific dollar value, such as pain and suffering and mental anguish. According to Georgia Code section 9-10-184, the value of these damages can be argued by your car accident attorney.

At the Mann Law Firm, we will fight for maximum compensation for your losses. However, Georgia has a two-year statute of limitations from the date of the crash in which you can file your case (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33). So call us today at (478) 742-3381 to get started.

Many car accidents involve only one vehicle, and not all of them are the fault of the driver. When you’re behind the wheel, if someone carelessly impedes your driving path—be it another vehicle, a pedestrian, or a cyclist—causing an accident, your Macon car accident attorney can often sue them for damages.

If that isn’t an option, you can file a claim with your own insurance company. They should honor your claim. If they don’t, you need a lawyer to hold them accountable. If you’re a passenger in someone else’s vehicle and the driver’s negligence leads to a single car crash, you have the right to sue him or her for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.

The Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) says in its most recent Crash Analysis, Statistics, & Information (CASI) Notebook that each day:

• About 2,400 people are involved in car accidents in the state
• About 360 people are injured in auto accidents every day
• About 30 people die in car wrecks in Georgia every week.

Car insurance coverage may quickly come to mind after an accident, but all too often after a wreck resulting in major injuries, the victim’s losses exceed minimum coverage requirements. Injured drivers also find out too often that the at-fault driver doesn’t even have car insurance. Of all the car accident types, rear-end collisions are the most common.

When you do deal with an insurance company, it is best to keep in mind that insurance firms profit by paying as little as possible for claims. This holds true for “your” insurance company and the other driver’s insurer. What’s best for you is not what’s best for them.

When you hire a Macon car accident attorney, you’re hiring an advocate who will fight for your best interests. People who are injured or suffer other significant losses in motor vehicle crashes deserve to be compensated for their losses, but aggressive legal help is usually required to realize that goal.

THE CASI NOTEBOOK SAYS FATAL CAR CRASHES IN GEORGIA ARE MOST OFTEN CAUSED BY:

• Loss of control of the vehicle (loss of control usually has its own cause, which increasingly is a form of distracted driving, such as texting while driving)
• Illegal speed (i.e., speeding) or unsafe speed
• Driving left of center
• Failure to yield
• Alcohol or drug impairment (drunk or drugged driving)
• Driver condition (such as fatigued driving).

1. You can quickly get started on your physical and mental recovery

The moments after your Macon car accident are important. It is vital to capture as many of the details of the accident as possible. You will want to get the other driver’s name, phone number, license plate number, and insurance information. Also, you should take photos of the car crash scene and any damage done to the car. Get the contact information from crash witnesses if possible.

These details are important because your Macon car accident attorney will need them to obtain compensation for your claim. Having a strong car accident attorney in your corner from the start will give you the optimal chance to recover as much money as possible for the following:

• Medical costs and doctors’ bills
• Lost earnings from work, including both past and future income
• Repairs for any damage to your car
• Financial recovery if you lost a loved one in the car accident, especially if drunk driving, speeding, or reckless driving was a factor.

It is frequently difficult to know how much compensation you should get for each of these items after a car accident. Some expenses may seem small at the start of the case but can add up tremendously over weeks and months. Your injuries could get worse, you may have many more medical appointments and lost work time than you anticipated, etc.

Your car accident lawyers can also assist you in avoiding any missed deadlines for filing personal injury claims in Georgia.

2. You will have a fierce advocate against the auto insurance companies

After your accident, the insurance companies will go to work right away to investigate the crash. They often will attempt to undermine your financial recovery and reduce the amount of money that they owe as much as possible. Remember that insurance companies are in business to make money; and even though they are tightly regulated by state law in Georgia, they could use information against you to reduce the level of compensation you get for your damages.

A good Macon car accident attorney will never work for the interests of the insurance company and knows how to fight for car accident victims from the start. Contacting car accident attorneys as soon as you can after the accident allows for helpful guidance on each step of the auto insurance claim process. They can help you figure out how to obtain fair compensation from an auto insurance company. Strong legal counsel can be THE difference between getting the compensation you need and deserve and losing out on thousands of dollars. That is why you always should talk to a car accident attorney right after your accident.

3. A good Macon car accident lawyer can effectively prove liability in court

Successful car accident lawsuits often depend on police reports and any witnesses who were at the crash scene. To prove negligence, you need strong evidence, and your Macon car accident attorney can help you compile it. Getting help from car accident attorneys early in the legal process ensures the entire process goes smoothly. Having an attorney who is good in court is important, because out-of-court negotiations with insurance companies sometimes fail to reach a settlement. The case will then need to be resolved in court.

4. Experienced car accident lawyers understand when to settle out of court

They are experienced in negotiating with most major auto insurance companies and know when it is time to settle and when to go to court. These car accident attorneys have years of experience working with insurance companies and should have a strong gut instinct on when to settle and when to take things to trial.

5. Representing yourself in a car accident claim is highly risky

You very likely will get a low-ball offer from the insurance company following your accident. And if you decline it and decide to go to court, you could end up losing and getting nothing. Most car accident victims who have more than a few thousand dollars in injuries and damages are usually best off hiring a car accident attorney.

Ask your family and friends who they recommend. Word of mouth is very important. In fact, many attorneys themselves recommend asking people close to you to find a good car accident attorney. Some also recommend asking a pastor or some other trusted party in your community. These folks know many people and are trusted with personal information and may have heard about good and bad legal experiences people have had.

Understand legal fees up front. Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis and receive about one-third of the settlement or judgment. Make sure you clarify what an attorney means if he or she says you pay no fee if there is no recovery.

Do research on car accident attorneys. Make sure that any car accident attorney you are considering is licensed and is in good standing in your state. All states have their own bar association, and all lawyers are registered there. You can check their bar status and see whether they ever had any disciplinary action against them.

Your gut counts. You should select a Macon car accident attorney who really seems to care about you and your long-term health. There are attorneys more interested in dollar signs than in making critical decisions that benefit their clients. Car accident lawyers also should be honest and realistic at the beginning of the case rather than pretending the case is stronger than it is. Trust your gut feelings when you hire your attorney.

Find out how well the attorney has been trained. A good question to ask is, ”How long have you been practicing car accident injury law?“ Also, ”How many of your cases end up going to court and what are the results?“

Ask whether the attorney you talk to is going to handle the case. It is common for a big-name attorney to be used in company marketing while other attorneys handle cases. If the attorney you are working with cannot seem to take 10 minutes to talk to you, how much attention do you think your case is going to get from him?

Many experts strongly recommend that you not hire an attorney based on major TV and radio advertising. Many attorneys say that the most experienced and reputable attorneys put their major outreach efforts into the legal information they publish online. It is a good idea to read through an attorney’s website to get a better sense of who they are before calling.

Look out for these red flags when looking for a car accident attorney:

• Poor reputation for trying cases
• Poor client reviews online
• Seem to be guessing when you ask how they will handle your case
• Over-promise on a fast, successful result without knowing the case details
• Fail to provide a fee agreement in writing.