Injuries from a crash can result in costly medical bills and a lengthy recovery. It isn’t fair for you to be left with the financial burden if the accident wasn’t your fault. If you or a loved one was hurt because of a negligent driver, a Bremen car accident lawyer at the Law Office of John B. Jackson can help you recover compensation for your injuries and losses. Our firm has a proven track record of success. We’ve won millions of dollars on behalf of our clients.
To get answers and learn what you should do next, schedule a free consultation with our personal injury lawyers! Call 770.988.6155 to learn how we can help.
Car Accident Statistics
On average, 1,198 car crashes occur in Georgia every day, and at least 1 out of 6 people are severely injured as a result of these accidents. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury deaths in Georgia.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
A car accident lawyer in Bremen typically charges a contingency fee based on a percentage. This fee is only charged if your lawyer is able to successfully negotiate the claim. So if your car accident lawyer is not able to recover the claim, you won’t owe them anything. On the other hand, if you do get compensation, the legal service fees will be deducted from the amount you receive.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
There are a few important steps that you should take after you have encountered a car accident:
Contact the Police
The first thing that you need to do is contact the police, even if it is a minor incident. It is important to ensure that the accident is reported to avoid legal repercussions later on.
Check On Everyone Involved
Do not flee after an accident. Make sure that you check on other parties involved to see if they require any immediate medical attention. Try not to move any of the vehicles involved unless they are causing any harm to someone.
Record the Scene
If you are not severely injured, try to take as many pictures or videos of the scene, including the vehicles involved and the surrounding environment. If possible, capture any other factors that might have caused the accident.
Never Admit Fault
Avoid talking to the other party until the police get there and do not admit fault. You should only discuss the details of what happened while talking to the police and wait for your attorney to handle the case and discuss anything with the opposite party and their lawyers.
Seek Medical Attention
Whether your injuries are minor or major, you should immediately seek medical help. This will also help you build a strong case for claim settlement. Make sure that you keep the records of your medical report along with the prescription in a file.
Call a Car Accident Lawyer
Get in touch with your car accident lawyer as soon as you can so that they can put together the important bits and pieces of your case and present it in front of a judge (if necessary).
What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident?
Your average car settlement amount will fall between $14,000 and $28,000. The compensation is generally higher for severe or permanent injuries or fatalities. It’s important to remember that every case is different.
When Should I Get a Lawyer for My Auto Accident?
If you are ever injured in a car accident, you should consider getting in touch with your lawyer at the earliest. This will ensure that you get the best possible advice regarding claim settlement and processes. The statute of limitations in Georgia state that a victim has two years to file a car accident claim. This time starts from the date of the crash.
Why Do I Need a Lawyer?
Our skilled Bremen car accident lawyers can help you with the following:
Case Preparation / Filing a Lawsuit
One of the major benefits of hiring a car accident lawyer is that they will prepare the case for you and file a lawsuit if necessary. A lawyer will be able to provide excellent advice regarding your legal options, and this step often pushes the insurance company to offer a fair settlement amount.
Settlement Negotiation
Insurance companies have skilled negotiators who fight for their best interests. You may not be able to get fair compensation without the presence of an expert car accident lawyer who will negotiate on your behalf. Our attorneys are experienced in negotiating claims to help our clients receive the compensation they deserve.
Trial Preparation and Representation
Your lawyer will take care of the trial preparation process while you can focus on your recovery. We provide our clients with experienced and aggressive counsel.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover?
In Bremen, there are three types of damages in a personal injury case:
- Economic damages
- Non-economic damages
- Punitive damages
Economic Damages
Economic damages are given to recover any financial losses that you had to incur. Economic damages may include:
- Income loss
- Medical expense
- Damage to property
- Cost of disability expense
Non-Economic Damages
It is difficult to determine the monetary value of non-economic damages because they are intangible in nature. Certain factors, such as age, occupation, annual income, and the extent of the injury, can impact the amount. Non-economic damages may include:
- Mental stress
- Pain of injuries
- Loss of job or reputation
- Disability or disfigurement
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are distributed if the defendant is found guilty of misconduct or malicious activity. They are not meant as compensation for the plaintiff but rather as a punishment for the defendant for negligence and recklessness.
How is Fault Determined?
In order to recover compensation, your attorney must prove the other party was negligent. It’s important to note that under Georgia’s comparative negligence standard you can still recover compensation if you are partially at fault, as long as you are less than 50% at fault. However, your recovery will be reduced.
For example, if a speeding driver hits your car while you suddenly switched lanes and it’s determined you are 10% responsible, the speeding driver would only pay 90% of the damages.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
There is a limit to the amount of time a person has to file for a claim. Ideally, you are supposed to file a claim within 30 days of the accident, but the maximum time allowed in Georgia for filing a claim is two years from the date of the accident.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me File My Insurance Claim?
The first thing you need to do is register the incident with the police. Next, your lawyer will ask you to fill out the claim forms that will be submitted to the insurance company. The insurance company will appoint an investigator to look into the damages and determine the amount for compensation. Your lawyer will negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and will try to get you the best possible outcome.
What Can I Do If Insurance Denies My Claim?
The insurer might deny the claim on the grounds that you could have avoided the accident or that the accident was caused because of you. In this case, your lawyer will appeal to the insurance company by providing supporting documents and evidence to determine the scope of the injuries, damage, and the negligence of the other party.
What If the Other Driver Does Not Have Insurance?
If the other party does not have car insurance, you can still file your claim and file a lawsuit against the other party.
How Can I Obtain An Accident Report?
Your lawyer will help you get in touch with the police department to get a copy of your accident report after submitting a request. This can be done through mail, email, or through the police department website.
Contact our Bremen Car Accident Lawyers Today
Medical bills may be only the beginning of the struggles you face after you’ve been injured in a car crash. You may have been forced to stop working, or you may be struggling to cope with an injury or pain.
Our experienced team at the Law Office of John B. Jackson is committed to getting car accident victims the money they deserve. We won’t bill you a thing unless we win money for you. Let us provide you with a free case evaluation and we’ll show you what we can do for you. Get in touch with us at (770)988-6155 to schedule your free consultation.
