Getting into a car accident may do nothing more than interrupt your day. Maybe it causes you to be late for work. Or maybe you miss the opening kickoff of the big game. Other times, your car accident can be much more serious.
One of the most common injuries in a car accident is whiplash. Whiplash happens when your neck is stretched too far in one direction. It can be painful, but it’s nothing that won’t heal itself. Whiplash usually gets better in a matter of days or weeks.
The problem with whiplash is that there’s no way to treat it. Nor is there a way to prove it. Your doctor can only document that you’re suffering from the symptoms of whiplash. There’s nothing he can do to fix it. He can give you some pain medication and have you wear a neck brace. Beyond that, there’s not much he can do to help.
If your only injury is whiplash, your case may settle rather quickly. However, there are times when an insurance company may refuse to pay your claim. This is when you need an experienced Atlanta auto accident lawyer.
Why Would the Insurance Company Deny Your Claim?
Even if you’re confident that you’re entitled to money, that doesn’t mean the insurance company will pay your claim. They could have many reasons for denying your claim. Some of the more common reasons include:
- The policy wasn’t valid
- The policy had lapsed for non-payment
- The driver wasn’t listed on the policy
- You didn’t file your claim in time
- The insurance company doesn’t believe you were hurt
- They think you caused the accident
- You have a history of filing false claims
If your claim is denied, your Atlanta auto accident lawyer can appeal your claim. He can also reach out to the insurance adjuster to try to negotiate a settlement. If this doesn’t work, you’ll have no choice but to file a lawsuit against the driver and his insurance company.
Your Atlanta Auto Accident Lawyer Will Still Try to Settle Your Case
Just because your claim isn’t paid doesn’t mean you won’t ever get the compensation you deserve. Your Atlanta auto accident lawyer is still going to continue to try to settle your claim. Hopefully, this happens early in the case.
If your lawyer manages to settle your case early, you can expect to receive money within weeks or a couple months. If the insurance adjuster isn’t willing to play ball, then it’ll take longer. You may have to actually file suit in order to get paid.
Most cases do settle long before they go to trial. Trials are time consuming and expensive. They’re not good for anybody. There is always the risk that you will lose. If this happens, you won’t get a dime.
The insurance company doesn’t want a trial either. For them, there’s a chance that they’ll be ordered to pay a lot more than they could settle for. This is especially true if your lawsuit calls for pain and suffering damages.
Since over 95% of all car accident cases settle, there’s a good chance yours will too.
Your Atlanta Auto Accident Lawyer Will Fight to Get You Damages
Even if you only have a whiplash claim, you could still be entitled to significant damages. Most whiplash cases settle for no more than $5,000. Your lawyer would have to prove significant losses in order to settle for more than this.
Some of the damages you may claim include:
- Medical bills – You are entitled to recover any medical bills caused by the accident. This could include your hospital visit and the tests they perform. It also includes doctor visits and physical therapy.
- Lost wages – Chances are, if you’re in a car accident, you’re going to miss time from work. If this is more than a couple of weeks, you should be entitled to recover these wages.
- Property damage – If your car is damaged or destroyed in the accident, you can demand that you be reimbursed for this.
- Pain and Suffering – These are the non-economic types of damages. It includes the pain and anxiety caused by the accident.
Call and schedule your free initial consultation with an Atlanta auto accident lawyer today. The consultation is free and it’ll give you a chance to meet with an experienced car accident lawyer. He can answer any questions you may have. He can also give you an idea of what your case may be worth.