CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY IN TIFTON, GEORGIA
If you need a car accident attorney after a Tifton, Georgia crash, Williams Elleby Howard & Easter is ready to help. Our experienced car accident attorneys are committed to helping our friends in Tifton receive the fair compensation they deserve for their case.
After the shock of being injured in a car accident subsides, most victims are left with many unanswered questions: What should I do? Can I trust the insurance company will help me? Where should I obtain medical treatment? How will my medical bills get paid? The car accident attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter are ready to help answer these questions and guide you through the process.
Car accidents occur frequently, and personal injury cases are some of the most litigated civil claims. The car accident attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter are experienced in every step of the claims and litigation process. From sending out the initial letters of representation to trying your case in court, our Tifton car accident attorneys will be putting their experience to work for you to maximize your recovery. The Williams Elleby Howard & Easter firm has an excellent track record and many satisfied clients that can attest to our hard work and dedication to our cases.
If you are still undecided about whether to hire a car accident attorney for your Tifton claim, read on to find many answers to the most commonly asked questions after a car accident.
WHAT NOT TO DO AFTER A TIFTON CAR ACCIDENT
First, do not delay seeking medical treatment for your injuries after a Tifton car accident. Delaying treatment can make your injuries worse and can also damage your personal injury claim. Keep track of your medical records and expenses as they help to prove the type and extent of your injuries.
Second, do not speak with the at-fault insurance company or provide them with a recorded statement without first consulting a car accident attorney. Representatives from the at-fault insurance company may seem empathetic and helpful, but the at-fault insurance company does not have your best interests in mind. However, you need to contact your own insurance company to preserve any uninsured or underinsured coverage you may have on your plan.
Third, never sign any documents sent to you from the at-fault insurance company without letting your Tifton car accident attorney review them first. You do not want to accidentally give up your rights on your car accident claim or inadvertently accept a low settlement offer.
Finally, do not agree to accept any payments from the at-fault insurance company without first consulting with a car accident attorney. At-fault insurance companies will often quickly offer you a low settlement amount before you are done treating or before you even know the extent of your injuries. If you accept a payment from them, you may bar yourself from receiving any additional compensation.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IMMEDIATELY AFTER A TIFTON CAR ACCIDENT
- Stay at the scene of the accident and call 911. Car accidents resulting in more than $500.00 worth of property damage or personal injury are required by Georgia law to be reported;
- Photograph the property damage on all the vehicles involved in the Tifton car accident. Photos can serve as powerful pieces of evidence that can help prove liability;
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the at-fault driver. Obtain the contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident occur;
- Refrain from admitting fault in the accident. Whether you bear any fault in the car accident is best left up to a seasoned Tifton car accident attorney;
- Obtain medical care for your injuries immediately following the car accident. Delays in treatment can be used against you by the at-fault insurance company. They will assume you were not injured in the accident or only had very minor injuries that did not necessitate treatment;
- Contact a skilled car accident attorney who will go to work for you immediately.
THE STAGES OF A TIFTON CAR ACCIDENT CLAIM
Tifton car accident claims may go through three stages: pre-suit, litigation, and trial and appeal.
The Pre-Suit Stage
The pre-suit stage marks the beginning of an investigation phase in which your car accident attorney begins gathering all the pertinent information in your case. Information gathered includes insurance policies, police reports, photos, and police dash and body camera footage. Your medical records and bills pertaining to the Tifton car accident will be ordered. Your car accident attorney may interview witnesses or hire an expert depending on the specific circumstances of your case.
During this stage, your attorney may submit a pre-suit settlement demand to the at-fault insurance company under O.C.G.A. § 9-11-67.1. A demand clearly states who the at-fault party is, the injuries you have sustained, the total cost of your medical treatment, and demands a certain amount for compensation for your injuries. It is an attempt to settle your case before a formal lawsuit has to be filed. If the at-fault insurance company makes a fair offer and you accept, then your case will settle. Unfortunately, at-fault insurance companies oftentimes make offers that are far below the value of a case, so with your permission, your car accident attorney will file a formal lawsuit on your behalf.
The Litigation Stage
With the filing of a lawsuit, your case moves into the litigation stage. A critical part of this stage is known as the discovery period, which can last six months. Discovery is the exchange of information regarding the facts of the case between the plaintiff and the defendant. Information exchanged includes written answers to questions and the production of requested documents. During this time, depositions may also occur. At the conclusion of the discovery phase, the judge in the case may order both parties to go through mediation in an attempt to settle the case before it goes to trial. If a fair settlement amount still cannot be reached, then your car accident attorney will prepare the case for trial. If the at-fault driver lives in Tifton, the case will most likely be litigated in Tift County.
The Trial and Appeal Stage
Bringing your Tifton car accident case to trial and the possibility of an appeal is the final stage in the process. This particular stage in a case is often the most intimidating part of the process for injured victims. It is crucial to have an experienced car accident attorney who knows how to try cases in Tifton. The skilled car accident attorney at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter will be prepared for trial. The evidence in your case will be organized, witnesses will be subpoenaed, all pre-trial motions will be filed, and a strategy will be prepared to highlight the strengths in your case.
Your Tifton car accident case will most likely be tried in the State Court of Tift County and can be divided into seven parts: (1) Voir Dire or Jury Selection, (2) Opening Statements, (3) Plaintiff’s Case in Chief, (4) Defendant’s Case in Chief, (5) Closing Arguments, (6) Jury Instructions, and (7) The Verdict. Trying a Tifton car accident case is complicated, and your attorney’s skills and experience will influence the outcome of your case.
At the conclusion of a Tifton car accident trial, some litigants choose to appeal the verdict. An initial appeal would be made to the Court of Appeals of Georgia. When an appeal is made, the appellate court will do one of three things: either affirm the result from the trial court; reverse the result from the trail court and require a new trial; or reverse the result in favor of the litigant that appealed the case. If the Court of Appeals grants a new trial, then the case would be sent back to the trial court for a second trial. Finally, if a litigant believes the Court of Appeals’ decision is incorrect, he or she can appeal to the Supreme Court of Georgia.
CONTACT A CAR ACCIDENT ATTORNEY FOR YOUR TIFTON CASE TODAY
If you were injured in a Tifton car accident, the attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter are ready to help you maximize your recovery. We offer free consultations in-person and via Zoom. Contact us at 833-LEGALGA or (833-534-2542) to schedule your free consultation. We look forward to going to work for you.