Car Accident Attorney Lawrenceville
One of the most traumatic experiences that anyone can ever have to deal with is being injured in a car accident. Car accident victims often suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after being injured and are also forced to deal with expensive medical bills.
Unfortunately, insurance companies often try to use various tactics, such as blaming the victim or lowballing claims, to try and avoid paying out large claims to injury victims. That being the case, one of the best ways to protect your legal rights is to hire a Lawrenceville car accident attorney who will assist you with filing a claim.
Jarrett & Price, LLC is a law firm dedicated to helping personal injury victims pursue compensation for the harm they have suffered. If you have been injured in a car accident, contact Lawrenceville personal injury attorneys today to schedule a free consultation to learn more about our legal services.
If you have been involved in an auto accident, contact our law firm today to schedule a free consultation with Lawrenceville personal injury attorneys who can answer your questions.
Why Do I Need to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer to Help Me File an Insurance Claim?
After being injured in a collision, many accident victims are unsure what they need to do to try and recover compensation. Whether you have suffered minor or severe injuries, you still need time to rest and recover and not have to worry about dealing with an insurance adjuster.
One of the most significant benefits of hiring a car accident lawyer is that they will do the hard work so you can focus on your recovery.
Some of the other advantages of hiring a Lawrenceville car accident lawyer include:
- Assistance with filling out insurance paperwork and promptly turning it in. Often, claims are denied or delayed because claims are not filled out correctly or claimants miss deadlines
- Gathering critical evidence that will substantiate your accident claim, including medical records, the accident report, witness testimony, and video evidence
- Negotiate with the insurance company to secure full and fair compensation for your injuries and other accident-related damages
- Provide legal representation if your case must go to trial to be resolved. A skilled personal injury lawyer will make a compelling case before the court as to why you should receive compensation
Why Should I Allow A Car Accident Lawyer to Deal With the Insurance Company?
An insurance adjuster may have contacted you if you were injured in a car accident. Unlike what is portrayed in advertising, insurance companies are not interested in the well-being of claimants. Instead, they are more concerned with keeping their stockholders happy and protecting their profitability.
The insurance provider may offer you a quick settlement, which can be tempting to accept, especially if you cannot work. A quick settlement often does not adequately address future medical expenses and pain and suffering damages. Unfortunately, insurance companies know that many accident victims often quickly accept settlements, thinking they will not receive a better offer.
Another approach that insurers use is to request that accident victims consent to make a recorded statement providing accident details. You should never consent to make a recorded or written statement without seeking advice from a highly-trained Lawrenceville personal injury lawyer. Insurance providers can use your recorded or written statements against you to reduce or deny your claim.
If the insurance company approaches you, do not sign any legal paperwork or make a statement without your attorney’s presence. The insurance provider is released from further legal action once you sign a “release of all claims” form.
Hiring a car accident lawyer is the best way to ensure that you are treated fairly by the insurance company. When you have a lawyer on your side, the insurer knows that they must act in good faith and are more inclined to offer a fair settlement.
Why Do Most Car Accidents Occur in Lawrenceville?
Just like truck or motorcycle accidents, a car crash can occur for any number of reasons, including speeding or driving under the influence. Some of the most commonly cited factors also cited in accident reports in the Lawrenceville area include:
- Failure to yield the right of way]
- Failure to obey traffic laws
- Driving while fatigued
- Adverse road or weather conditions
- Left turn accidents where drivers underestimate the speed of oncoming vehicles
- Head-on collisions in intersections due to failure to obey traffic laws
Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car accidents. When people hear “distracted driving,” they automatically think of drivers using their cell phones. While cell phone use while driving significantly contributes to accidents, distracted driving can also occur when drivers become preoccupied with their car entertainment system, GPS, or passengers.
Regardless of factors contributing to your Lawrenceville car accident, the legal process of filing a claim can be confusing. To ensure that you complete the claims process accurately, hiring a car accident lawyer to assist you is always best.
Contact our Lawrenceville personal injury lawyer immediately and ask to schedule a free initial consultation to learn more about how we can help.
What Can I Do to Protect Myself if I Have Been Involved in a Car Accident?
One of the most traumatizing experiences that many people can go through is to be involved in a car accident. An accident scene can be confusing, and recalling the steps you must take to protect yourself can be challenging.
Some of the basic steps to follow if you have been involved in a car accident include:
- Do not leave the accident scene, and if possible, move damaged vehicles to the side of the road to avoid impeding traffic
- Check yourself and others for injuries
- Call 911 to report the accident. If there are injuries, be sure to request that emergency responders be dispatched to the scene
- Exchange information with the other driver(s), including driver’s license and insurance information
- Gather critical evidence, including pictures of vehicle damage, weather and lighting conditions, and anything else that you feel could be important to the case
- Obtain the names and contact information of witnesses
- Even if you do not think you are injured, seek medical attention. Some injuries are not immediately present and could pose a serious health risk if not treated
- Do not post about the accident on social media. An insurance adjuster may search for social media posts they can use against you to lower or deny your claim
- As soon as possible, contact an experienced Lawrenceville car accident lawyer who will professionally evaluate your case
What are the Most Common Types of Car Accident Injuries?
Car accident injuries vary from person to person and depend on the facts involved in the accident. Accident reports cited several commonly reported injuries, including:
- Head and neck injuries
- Fractured or broken bones
- Sprains or other soft tissue injuries such as whiplash
- Facial and dental injuries
- Internal injuries
- Cuts, scratches, and abrasions
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
Some car accident victims suffer severe injuries that will leave them permanently disabled. Catastrophic injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Organ loss
- Amputations
- Severe burns
No matter the extent of your injuries, you will most likely be left to deal with unexpected medical expenses and lost wages. If you have been involved in a car crash, seek medical attention immediately. A healthcare professional can run tests such as an MRI and CT scan to ensure that you do not have brain or internal injuries.
Contact Jarrett & Price, LLC, today to schedule a consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer who can review your case.
Can I Recover Medical Expenses in Car Accident Claim?
Many injury victims ask whether any settlement or jury award they may receive will cover future medical expenses. You may receive compensation for future medical expenses if you need ongoing medical treatment. Unfortunately, even with health insurance, you may face high copays or deductibles that are challenging to pay.
One of the most significant benefits of hiring a car accident lawyer is they can professionally evaluate your case and seek compensation for medical costs you have suffered and may incur in the future.
Under state law, car accident victims can pursue compensation for economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages reimburse victims for money they have paid out as a result of injury or being involved in an accident and may include:
- Past and future medical bills
- Lost wages due to your inability to work
- Loss of earning potential if you cannot return to the same type of work you performed before being injured
- Property damage to fix or replace your damaged vehicle
Non Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are unique to each personal injury claim and, if awarded, depend on the circumstances involved. Non-economic damages compensate accident victims for pain and suffering, which may include :
- Emotional trauma for the mental anguish you have endured due to your injuries
- Loss of enjoyment of life if you can no longer participate in the same activities you enjoyed before being injured
- Permanent disfigurement and scarring compensation for long-term injuries
Can I Still Recover Compensation if I Am Partially to Blame for an Accident?
Georgia law allows car accident victims to seek compensation for damages even if they are partially to blame for an accident. It is important to note that the state’s comparative negligence law dictates that accident victims can recover compensation if they are determined to be 50% or less for causing the accident. Under the comparative modified negligence doctrine, individuals may have their compensation reduced by the percentage of fault they have been assigned.
For example, suppose you were involved in a car accident and awarded $100,000 in compensation. However, if you were found to be 10% at fault, you would receive $90,000 for your final settlement.
Insurance companies often use Georgia’s insurance law to try to reduce or lowball claims. One of the best ways to fight back against these tactics is to hire an experienced auto accident lawyer who will fight to protect your rights.
A car accident lawyer can conduct an independent investigation to determine fault issues and call on expert witnesses to build a solid case. Jarrett & Price, LLC has dedicated legal professionals who do not back down from insurers and their attorneys.
One of the best steps to protect yourself is to seek legal help from a Lawrenceville car accident attorney immediately. If we agree to take your case, we will thoroughly evaluate your personal injury claim. If the insurance company is unwilling to negotiate fair compensation, our law firm is prepared to file a personal injury lawsuit to help you get the justice you deserve.
Who Pays Compensation if an Uninsured Driver Hits Me?
If an uninsured driver has hit you, you may still be able to recover compensation. State insurance law requires drivers to have liability coverage; however, uninsured motorist (UM) is optional. Georgia insurance companies must offer this coverage, so most drivers have it unless they specifically reject coverage. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, it can help you pay for medical bills and other accident-related damages.
One challenge of uninsured driver compensation claims is that insurance providers often hesitate to pay if the accident results from a hit-and-run.
Another issue for some accident victims is the negligent driver’s lack of coverage to adequately pay for property damage and medical bills. The minimum required liability coverage is $25,000 for bodily injury per person and $25,000 for property damage per accident. If your damages exceed the other driver’s policy limits, uninsured motorist coverage can make up the difference.
Georgia’s personal injury law can be challenging to navigate without legal assistance. Our attorneys have in-depth experience handling compensation claims and presenting evidence that supports your case.
If you have been involved in a motor vehicle collision, contact our law firm to schedule a free consultation with a knowledgeable auto accident attorney who will review your case.
What Happens if the Insurance Company is Unwilling to Offer a Fair Settlement?
Most car accident claims are settled through negotiations between personal injury lawyers and insurance companies. But what happens if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement? Insurance companies often try to lowball or deny car accident claims to protect their profitability.
Suppose the insurance provider is unwilling to offer fair compensation that covers medical bills and pain and suffering. In that case, your personal injury attorney must file a car accident lawsuit in civil court. Once a car accident lawsuit is filed, the case will be decided by a judge or jury. Accidental victims can often recover more compensation through a lawsuit than negotiations. Accident lawyers have the knowledge and skills to present a comprehensive case to the court to help you pursue the compensation you deserve after injury.
Hiring an experienced car accident attorney can ensure that you are treated fairly by the insurance company. Studies show that most individuals who hire attorneys to help them with car accident claims receive more compensation than those who try to handle their personal injury cases alone.
A Lawrenceville car accident lawyer can act as your legal advocate with the insurance provider and work to obtain a fair settlement that meets your current and future needs.
Can Our Family File a Wrongful Death Claim if Our Loved One Died in a Car Accident?
If your loved one died in a car accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim to seek compensation for damages. In Georgia, a wrongful death claim is a type of personal injury claim and can be filed when the victim dies as a result of another person’s negligence or intentional act.
While no amount of money can bring your family member back, filing a claim is one way to hold the at-fault driver accountable for their actions.
State law allows the victim’s surviving spouse to file a claim. If the victim is unmarried, their children can file the claim to try and recover compensation. If a child dies as a result of a car accident, the parents may file compensation claims.
Just as with personal injury claims, families may be able to seek compensation for economic and non-economic damages through an estate claim, including reasonable funeral and burial expenses and medical expenses incurred due to the accident. Georgia law also allows families to seek compensation for the full value of the victim’s life. Damages may include lost wages, future earnings, and the value of services they provided.
If the at-fault driver committed an act intentionally or is guilty of gross negligence, you may be able to recover punitive damages. It is challenging to obtain in Georgia because it must be proven that the defendant’s actions were especially heinous.
If you are not sure whether your loved one’s death qualifies for a wrongful death claim, contact Jarrett & Price, LLC immediately to schedule a meeting with a Lawrenceville personal injury attorney, who will gladly review your options.
How Long Do I Have to File a Georgia Car Accident Claim?
The Georgia statute of limitations allows car accident victims to file a claim up to two years from the date of the accident and four years to file property damage claims. The law has specific exceptions, such as if the accident victim is a juvenile or the negligent driver leaves the state.
The statute of limitations exists to ensure that all claims are handled promptly and to prevent the court system from being bogged down by lawsuits. The statute of limitations also prevents possible defendants from living indefinitely with the fear of being sued.
If you wait and file a claim after the two-year time limit has expired, your case will probably be thrown out. After two years, insurance providers are not legally obligated to honor claims, and you will lose all legal recourse to seek compensation.
Although two years can seem like a long time to file an insurance claim, unexpected circumstances can arise that could prohibit you from pursuing compensation. Knowing what steps to take immediately following a crash can be challenging. Hiring a car accident attorney is one of the most effective measures to protect yourself and your right to pursue compensation in personal injury cases.
A Lawrenceville car accident lawyer can help you complete and file an insurance claim promptly so you can avoid exceeding the time limits for your auto accident case. If your family member was killed in a car accident, you have two years from the date of your loved one’s death to file a wrongful death claim.
What Makes Your Lawrenceville Car Accident Lawyer the Best Choice for My Legal Needs?
Jarrett & Price, LLC is a law firm with extensive experience helping accident victims seek maximum financial compensation for their injuries. When you come to us for help, we will thoroughly assess your case to determine all damages you may be entitled to recover.
Our attorneys have extensive experience obtaining successful client outcomes and are not intimidated by the insurance company and their legal teams.
One aspect that sets us apart from other law firms is that our clients communicate directly with their attorneys and coordinate with them when managing their car accident cases. Our attorneys and legal team take pride in keeping our clients informed throughout the case and are always available to answer questions.
If you have been injured in a car accident in Lawrenceville, contact Jarrett & Price, LLC today at (855) 909-3021 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation so we may determine your legal options for your personal injury cases.