CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY SERVING ATLANTA
If you are on the hunt for the right car accident lawyer after an Atlanta car crash, the attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter are here to help. Our firm cares deeply for Atlanta’s accident victims and is dedicated to helping them recover the damages they deserve.
If you are like most accident victims, you probably have many questions that need to be answered. What do I do first? Can I trust the insurance company? What happens after the accident? How do I handle medical bills after a car accident? These are important questions to ask, and the injury attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter are ready to answer those questions.
Vehicle collisions are one of the most common causes of litigation in and around Atlanta. Our team is ready to help guide you through every step of the claims process to get you the most money possible. Our long record of success speaks for itself.
If you were involved in an Atlanta car accident, here are a few tips that might help:
WHAT NOT TO DO AFTER AN ATLANTA CAR ACCIDENT
The first thing you should never do after an Atlanta car crash is to ignore your injuries. Your health should be your primary concern, and seeking treatment for your injuries is a must. What’s more, failing to obtain treatment for your injuries could jeopardize your personal injury claim should you choose to pursue one. To resolve your case, you will need to provide documentation of your injuries. The at-fault driver’s insurance company will not offer fair compensation unless you have medical records to document your injuries.
Second, you should never give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company. Any communication with the at-fault driver’s insurance company should be dealt with by your car accident attorney. The risks are significant when you speak to the other insurance company, because they are not on your side. The insurer will be listening intently and will attempt twist your words against you. When it comes to your own insurance company, you are obligated to speak with them under the terms of your policy. If you do not notify to your carrier, you might lose out on any coverage from them. Either way, consult with an attorney before you ever speak with an insurance company about your accident.
Third, do not sign any documents provided to you by the at-fault insurance company. They are known for attempting to settle claims for far less than their value. Never sign off on anything you receive related to your accident without showing it to your attorney first.
Lastly, never accept money from the at-fault insurance company following an Atlanta car accident without first running it by your attorney. In many cases, the at-fault insurance company will send a small check intended as a settlement offer. Typically, this check will cover only a fraction of your claims. If you accept the check, the insurance company can argue that you settled the claim and do not have grounds to pursue additional damages.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER AFTER AN ATLANTA GEORGIA CAR ACCIDENT
- Do not leave the scene.
- Call 911: Georgia law requires that you report car collisions involving personal injury.
- Take photos of the damage. Photographic evidence of the scene of a wreck can be powerful evidence at trial. What’s more, once the vehicles are moved the opportunity to collect that evidence is lost forever.
- Exchange info with the at-fault driver. Always ask for the driver’s name and insurance information. This info is often reported incorrectly in police reports.
- Record the names and contact information of any witnesses.
- Call your insurance company immediately to ensure you do not lose out on coverage from your own policy. Any delay could have a serious impact on your uninsured motorist coverage.
- Never admit fault, even when you are concerned you caused an accident.
- Seek medical care if needed. Waiting too long to obtain care can make your injuries worse and harm your legal claim.
- Record keeping is helpful, especially when injuries are severe. Keep every record related the crash and your injuries.
- Hire an Atlanta car accident attorney: Litigating a car accident claim is challenging, and you should never take it on by yourself. For help with your claim, contact an attorney at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter right away by calling 833-LEGALGA.
THE THREE STAGES OF AN ATLANTA, GA CAR WRECK CLAIM
There are three distinct phases of an Atlanta car accident claim: (1) The Pre-Suit Stage (2) The Litigation Stage, and (3) The Trial & Appeal Stage.
The pre-suit state begins when your attorney reviews the facts surrounding your accident. This investigation involves reviewing your medical records and determining the cause of the collision. Your legal counsel will also interview witnesses and review public information like police reports to build your case.
During the pre-suit phase, our Atlanta area car accident attorneys will send out the demand letter pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 9-11-67.1 in an effort to elicit a settlement offer from the at-fault insurance company. In some cases, we can resolve these claims without ever filing a lawsuit. If your case settles without a lawsuit, our team will try to resolve the claim quickly, while taking into account any remaining medical bills or health insurance liens.
If efforts to settle your case pre-suit are unsuccessful, our team will file suit on your behalf. Most Atlanta car wreck cases are filed in the State Court of Fulton County. After the complaint is filed, the defendant will have time to file their own response. Next comes the discovery process. During discovery, the two sides will exchange documentation and evidence they will use at trial. Once discovery is over, many judges require the parties to mediate their claims. If a claim still has not settled by this point, it is time to prepare for trial.
The third stage of an Atlanta car accident case is the trial. For most people, facing trial in front of a jury of your peers can be terrifying. However, our team will carefully prepare you for your testimony so that you have practiced answering questions and remember all of the important details.
In some cases, the losing party will appeal the jury verdict in an Atlanta accident case. When that happens, these cases go to the Georgia Court of Appeals. If a party is unhappy with the decision of the Court of Appeals, they can request a review by the Georgia Supreme Court.
CONTACT THE WILLIAMS ELLEBY HOWARD & EASTER CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEYS FOR YOUR ATLANTA CAR ACCIDENT TODAY
If you have sustained an injury in an Atlanta car accident, our team is ready to help. Contact us at 833-LEGALGA or (833-534-2542) to schedule your free consultation. You can also utilize our 24/7 online chat located in the lower right hand corner of your screen.
