A car accident can have long term effects on your life—it can leave you with a permanent disability or with an impossible financial burden. You don’t need to face these hardships alone, and those costs may not be yours to cover. If you were involved in a car accident that wasn’t your fault in Johns Creek, GA, don’t face the aftermath alone. You need to speak to a Johns Creek car accident lawyer.
Our attorneys are here to help. With decades of experience, we have dedicated ourselves to assisting car accident victims. We know how to recover the most money from your claim, and we never charge unless we win you money. Let us give you a FREE consultation. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
What are my rights after a car accident?
In a perfect world there would be no car accidents. But since there are, the law focuses on setting things right. That isn’t always possible—there’s no way to undo a serious injury, for example, or the loss of life. But if the accident wasn’t your fault, you do have a right to recover money for any losses or damages you suffered.
This money can be paid from one of several sources:
- The insurance of the at-fault driver
- Under some circumstances, your own insurance policy
- If the driver was uninsured, they may have to pay you back out of pocket, even if it takes time
How is fault determined?
Georgia is a “fault” state, which means the driver who caused an accident is “at fault” and is liable for the events. This includes the cost of the accident itself, which must be paid by the driver, usually through their insurance. But deciding who caused the accident can be a complicated, sometimes leaving the wrong person at fault. An attorney can look into the events of the accident to make sure the right person pays for the accident.
A driver can be at fault for a variety of reasons. They may have broken some kind of law, like speeding or running a light. They may have been driving drunk or texting behind the wheel. Or they may have simply not been paying attention, or did something risky on the road. If that lapse in judgement caused the accident, it means they were “negligent” and it means they were at fault.
Never claim responsibility or apologize for an accident that wasn’t your fault. If you’re in doubt, one of our car accident attorneys around Atlanta, Georgia can help you determine who is at fault.
What costs are covered by a car accident claim in Johns Creek?
Georgia does not place a cap or limit on how much money you can recover for your accident. That means that ALL of your costs should be covered, as long as they were directly caused by the accident. The most common costs we see in car accident claims are medical costs, missed work time, and vehicle repairs.
But those are the tangible costs of an accident. In the case of extreme trauma or hardship, such as a permanent injury, you can be awarded substantially more. The extra money is designed to offset the intangible cost—the impact that the accident has had on your life.
What should I do if the insurance company offers me money?
If your insurance company approaches you with an offer, be very careful. Insurance companies are run for profit, so they want to pay you as little as possible. If you’ve been offered money, it could possibly be only a fraction of what you could recover with a valid claim.
Insurance companies may use any of these tactics to underpay you:
- Asking how you’re doing and using your answer against you
- Requesting that you record a statement and then asking misleading questions on tape
- Delaying your claim for months until you are desperate
- Offering quick money when you don’t have a full diagnosis yet
Insurance companies do these things for a simple reason: they make more money if they pay you less. This is why it’s so important to have a lawyer representing you. Your lawyer acts as your mediator and fights to get you the money you deserve.
How much time do I have to file my accident claim?
Georgia state law gives you a fixed amount of time set by the state statute of limitations. You have to file before this deadline to recover any money.
Here are the rules:
- For many accidents, you have up to two years
- Depending on what happened, the deadline may be much shorter—just a few months
Don’t risk letting the deadline go by. Contact a lawyer right away and get the money you’re entitled to.
Will I have to sue someone?
Most car accident claims do not involve a lawsuit. However, an insurance company may occasionally put up a fight and refuse to bargain. If that happens, we may recommend taking your case to court depending on the details of what happened. But this is uncommon. Most claims can be resolved by your attorney, allowing you to get back on your feet without the worry of a trip to the courthouse.
What does it cost to hire a car accident lawyer in Johns Creek?
We believe seeking legal assistance shouldn’t cost a fortune. That’s why we charge NOTHING for your consultation and NOTHING ever unless we win you money. If you recover money from your claim, we are paid only as a percentage—the majority is yours.
Talk to a Johns Creek Car Accident Lawyer for Free
A car accident can take a lifetime to overcome, but don’t face the aftermath on your own. Don’t pay for an accident that wasn’t your fault. Our experienced team can give you peace of mind after an accident and help you make the most of your claim. Let us give you a FREE consultation. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.