Whether you are seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost work income, or property damage, an Atlanta injury attorney can help. But, you should know what goes into a personal injury claim before hiring one.
Insurance companies have teams of legal representation that are focused on preserving their bottom line and not paying you what you deserve. That’s why it is important to hire legal representation right away.
Statute of Limitations
A personal injury case involves extensive medical care, lost time at work and other expenses that add up quickly. It’s important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible to ensure you are within Georgia’s statute of limitations.
This is a legal deadline that establishes how long you have to file suit, and courts are very unforgiving of those who miss the limit. A lawyer can do a better job for a client when they have plenty of time to investigate, draft and file a lawsuit, as well as to negotiate with defendants and their insurance companies.
There are some rare exceptions to the statute of limitations, including when the cause of action accrued while the plaintiff was a minor and not legally competent to file a lawsuit until they reached adulthood; or in cases where the victim was mentally incompetent at the time the injury occurred. An experienced attorney can help determine if your claim might qualify for an extension of the statute of limitations.
Damages
Your Atlanta personal injury lawyer will work to get you compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, emotional trauma, and pain and suffering. You may also be entitled to additional damages, such as the cost of repairing or replacing damaged property.
Georgia is a modified comparative negligence state, which means that juries and judges will consider how much each party was responsible for your accident when awarding damages. This helps to prevent victims from being held fully responsible for their own injuries.
It’s important to partner with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. This will ensure that crucial evidence is preserved before it is misplaced or destroyed and that there are enough resources to build a strong case. It will also help to protect you from unfair blame and give you the best chance of recovering the maximum amount of money available to you.
Insurance
A Personal Injury Attorney in Atlanta, GA is familiar with the laws of your state and will build a strong case for you. A lawyer who understands your specific circumstances and can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf is essential.
When an accident occurs, it’s always a good idea to call the police and file a report. This will create an official record that can be used as evidence in a legal proceeding. It’s also a good idea to exchange information with the other parties involved in the accident. This can include contact information, insurance company names, and policy numbers.
Regardless of the cause of your accident, an experienced Atlanta injury attorney can help you obtain compensation to cover medical care and expenses, lost income, emotional trauma, and other damages. If someone else’s negligent actions caused your injuries, they should be held accountable. Our attorneys can file an insurance claim or civil suit to pursue compensation.
Attorney Fees
In Georgia, the majority of civil cases reach a settlement rather than going to trial. A personal injury lawyer is typically paid based on a percentage of the total compensation recovered. This fee arrangement is known as a contingency fee.
In a successful personal injury claim, the at-fault party should pay for your medical bills, lost income, and other costs. But the insurance company or the person who caused the accident may try to downplay your damages.
A skilled personal injury attorney can stand up to these efforts and ensure that you receive the money you need to get your life back on track. When you meet with a personal injury attorney for a consultation, be sure to ask questions about their experience and fees. They should be able to answer these questions in a clear and straightforward way. This is an important step in determining whether or not they are the right fit for your case.
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