When there is an accident on the side of a busy highway people might slow down to offer a glance, but they will then proceed on their way without much of a second thought. When something doesn’t affect us personally, we tend to ignore it. So what happens when the person on the side of the road in an accident is us?
Accidents happen every day, and one of the biggest culprits is negligence on the part of the at-fault driver. Accident-related injuries can be severe or even fatal. If you’ve been in a car accident, it’s important to have an accident lawyer on your side to make sure there is whoever caused the accident is held accountable.
After any accident, the first thing you should do is call the police. The other driver might beg you not to call the police, but it’s imperative that they are notified of what happened so that they can file a report on your behalf. They can also contact other emergency services such as an ambulance if needed. The police decide who they think is at fault based on the scene, driver accounts, and any witness statements that are available. In many cases, they will give citations to the at-fault driver. The officer will provide a police report number so that a copy of your report can be obtained by the insurance company or your attorney.
Information in the police report is essential, including these items:
The insurance company uses the police report in part when they make their decision about liability. If you do not have a report, it will be your word against the other driver’s.
The first thing you should do after an accident is to go see a doctor. Even if you are only experiencing minor pain, you should still get checked out. Doctors can run tests and provide evidence of injury, injury care referral, and a timeline for recovery. Doctors are also instrumental in documenting your injuries, which is necessary for you to pursue a personal injury claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company. They can prescribe any medications you need to mitigate pain or other symptoms related to your injuries. Doctors can also serve as expert witnesses and testify at trial about whether or not your injuries were caused by the accident that you were involved in if your case goes to trial.
Next, you need to contact a Sandy Springs accident attorney.
Dealing with insurance companies can be complex and stressful. When you need advice and help with an insurance claim, don’t hesitate to consult with a skilled Sandy Springs injury lawyer. We offer free consultations so that you can ask any questions about your situation. The attorneys at our firm are knowledgeable in all areas of the process and will guide you through it step-by-step so that everything is done correctly.
If you don’t have legal representation, your case may not be as successful. An insurance company might pressure you into accepting a much smaller settlement than what’s justly deserved. Hiring an accident attorney is the best way to protect your rights.
How Much Is My Legal Claim Worth?
Your personal injury claim is primarily based on the degree and seriousness of your injuries, property damage, and disability. Each case in unique based on this variety of factors. We might not be able to tell you exactly what your case is worth, but we can tell you that we will fight to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.
At Kenneth S. Nugent, P.C., we offer free consultations to car accident victims to determine if one of our attorneys will be able to assist you with your claim. If you’ve been in an auto accident involving property damage or personal injuries, contact us today for a free consultation. If we take your case, there are NO FEES unless we win. Without any upfront expenses to worry about, you are free to focus on the recovery of your injuries and getting your life back on track.
Regardless of the type of accident you were involved in, our Sandy Springs car accident attorneys can help. Over many years, they’ve seen just about every kind of car crash case there is and have decades worth of experience to help guide you through your situation.
Some of the most common automobile accidents include the following:
Rear-end Accidents
Rear-end car accidents are almost always the fault of the rear driver. They could be distracted or simply couldn’t stop in time because they were following too closely. When another driver is at fault, you should be entitled to compensation for the damage to your vehicle as well as any injuries that you sustained.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions are usually very serious and often lead to severe injuries or even death. It is very important that you have an experienced attorney by your side when filing a claim for these types of accidents because they can require extended medical care and consideration of financial losses that extend beyond what might by typical of a less severe accident.
Drunk Driving
It’s hard to imagine why anyone would drive under the influence, especially when rideshare companies are available. Unfortunately, the occurrence of DUI related crashes is still high. Let an experienced Sandy Springs accident attorney handle your legal side for things for you.
In a perfect world, your claim would be paid within days of being submitted. However, that almost never happens and when payouts are made without the assistance of an attorney, they tend to be much lower amounts. It’s very important not to sign any release forms until after consulting with a Sandy Springs accident attorney about how that would affect your case. In many instances the insurance company will try to rush you into signing something that is not in your best interest. This is why it is so important to speak with an attorney about your claim before signing anything or making any statements to the insurance company.
The medical bills and lost wages that come with car accidents are the most common damages. It is important to have an attorney help you get your fair compensation. Your attorney will compile all of your expenses, medical documentation, and accident details in the form of a Demand package that is sent to the liable insurance company.
Automobile accident cases typically involve the following types of damages:
Medical Bills
Your attorney will demand that the at-fault insurance company pay all of your medical bills. This includes future costs for extended medical care if applicable. Future medical care is carefully calculated based on what medical experts determine a long-term care plan will consist of.
Lost Wages
Your attorney will demand that you be compensated for the time missed from work related to your injuries and treatment. Your employer will fill out our lost wage form, and might also provide timesheets and payroll records to prove how much time has been missed from work due to the accident.
Property Damage
Your attorney can help you deal with the insurance company in the process of getting your vehicle repaired after an accident. Insurance might not want to cover all the damage or might want you to return your rental car before your vehicle repairs are completed. They will do anything possible to reduce the amount that they have spend related to the accident they are responsible for. Your attorney can step in and make sure that they are following the laws set forth by the state of Georgia to protect your rights.
Pain And Suffering
You deserve to be compensated for your pain and suffering caused by the accident. This includes physical and mental anguish that can stem from an automobile crash. It also includes emotional trauma you might experience not being able to do what you used to enjoy doing before the crash. Your accident attorney in Sandy Springs needs evidence of all these damages.
The types of evidence we use for this include:
If you’ve been in a car accident that involved injuries and property damage, get an attorney as soon as possible. Your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve is much better if you contact an accident attorney for help.
You and your attorney will decide if you want to proceed with a settlement or trial. You may be able to get money from an insurance company by settling the case without going to trial. Trials can be more time consuming and expensive than settling a case, but your attorney will advise you of the best course of action that will most likely lead to the highest amount of compensation for your injuries.
If you’ve just been involved in a car accident in Sandy Springs, contact one of our experienced attorneys immediately. Your initial consultation is free and there are NO FEES unless we win. One Call, That’s All! 1-800-CALL-KEN
