Understanding Atlanta Car Accident Laws: What Every Driver Should Know
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So you were minding your business and found yourself in a car crash; that is a nightmare situation that has effects that go beyond the immediate situation. Now, it’s important to know you can be compensated for your woes, but you need to know how. Getting an Atlanta car accident lawyer is a good place to start now. Let's go over the other things you should know.
Information About the Accident: How an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer Can Help
Collecting evidence after a car crash is where you want to start, and you certainly don’t want to wait long. If it is a fender bender where no one is hurt, start collecting evidence like photos and getting the contact information of people who were there to witness the car crash. This information will help in a potential case and will definitely help when you are making an insurance claim.
Understanding Fault in Car Accidents with an Atlanta Lawyer
One of the key issues determined after an accident is fault. Georgia runs on modified comparative fault in that a person can recover damages when they are partially at fault, so long as they are less than 50 percent responsible.
Insurance carriers make great determinants for fault. It is not something you need nor should face alone, and an Atlanta car accident lawyer can offer peace of mind in knowing a determination such as that is fair and correct.
What To Do Immediately After an Accident
Call up 911 or hightail it to an Emergency room. You could be thinking, “I feel fine,” but that might be your body going into shock while your stomach is leaking blood. Sounds terrifying, but that is par for the course with particularly bad car accidents. Also, check if anyone else is injured, that is, if you are able to walk. If you are conscious and can still talk after calling 911, then talk to the witnesses and get their information. These witnesses who saw what happened can help you in your case. Also, whip out your phone, take pictures, and check for people recording the incident or cameras in the area. Then, after you get checked out and are given the A-okay by the doctor, it's time to go to a lawyer.
How to Handle Car Accident Claims in Atlanta
Get to filing that claim within 2 years. As a matter of fact, if you are well enough to do it, you can get to it within days. Witness memories may fade and become unreliable, and the case may get stale. Also, insurance companies may offer a settlement rather quickly; while this seems benevolent, it is not. The amount is usually way below what you deserve. So, getting a hot-shot attorney who knows how insurance companies work is your best bet to squeeze the juice out of insurance companies.
How to Deal With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies try to keep their payouts as low as possible. Most of the time, if there is an accident before you understand the full extent of your injuries, they'll try right on to settle with you. That is where it is really important to have a lawyer by your side.
When to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Atlanta
Not every car accident needs a lawyer. In fact, in a minor accident where nobody has been injured, you can handle things for yourself. On the other hand, where the level of damages may be high, injuries have occurred, or even the argument on whose fault it is is one important point of hiring an attorney.
Most personal injury attorneys will not charge you to discuss your case. Even if you think that your case is small and does not require an attorney, a consultation can help to clarify your case.
Avoid Common Pitfalls with an Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer
The car accident legal landscape is a minefield; with one misstep, you could lose a foot. So let’s help you avoid that, shall we? So, there are things you must do and not do immediately after getting into a car crash. You should immediately hightail your way to a lawyer, then go deal with insurance after receiving much-needed advice. Insurance companies never want to pay out. So you need the street savviness that comes with being a lawyer to deal with them. Also, never wait too long to file acclaim; two years is all you have.
Final Thoughts on Car Accident Law in Atlanta
There are no upsides to finding yourself in a car accident. The best case scenario for you is you have a couple of scrapes and now have to get your car to a shop, and the worst case is you are really hurt and will be stuck with accident scars both literally and figuratively for the rest of your life. Yes, this is an awful situation no matter how you look at it; however, there are ways to make the situation a tad bit better, and that is hiring a lawyer and getting yourself acquainted with what to do after a crash. Having these handy-dandy tips and tricks will allow you to at least get something out of a bad situation.