Do I need a lawyer to file a car accident insurance claim?

Not all Georgia car accident claims require a lawyer’s help. But if you’re dealing with severe injuries, the other driver’s insurance won’t accept your claim, or you’re facing legal action, it’s vital to talk to an attorney immediately. An experienced lawyer can help you with these issues and more.

A seemingly straightforward case can quickly become complicated. A Georgia car accident attorney can handle the details of your claim for you. The legal team at R. Alan Cleveland, LLC has extensive experience helping people like you recover fair compensation.

What Should Make Me Consider Contacting a Personal Injury Lawyer After a Car Accident?

Knowing whether you need a lawyer for a car accident claim can be difficult.

If you’re trying to decide, these factors may indicate you need professional legal guidance:

• Your injuries are serious – Severe injuries cost more to treat and may leave you unable to work for a long time. In these situations, it’s crucial to work with an attorney so they can help you pursue maximum compensation for your losses.
• The other driver’s insurance company does not want to pay – Lawyers have in-depth knowledge and practical experience they can use to help you deal with a stubborn insurer.
• The other driver’s settlement is too low – If the other driver’s insurer makes a lowball settlement offer, an attorney can work to negotiate a better deal.
• The case may go to court – Civil trials involve complex procedures, rules, and deadlines. Trying to handle a trial yourself is a recipe for missed deadlines and errors.
• The collision resulted in a death – Car accident claims involving wrongful deaths have additional legal hurdles that a knowledgeable attorney can handle for you.
• A pedestrian was injured – Whether you sustained injuries as a pedestrian or you were driving in a collision involving a pedestrian, a lawyer can protect your rights and help with any questions related to liability.
• One of the drivers involved does not have insurance – A lawyer can help you find other avenues for recovering compensation if the other driver doesn’t have insurance, such as filing an uninsured motorist claim or taking the driver to court.
• You were partly at fault for the crash – Cases where the injured party was partially at fault involve additional legal complications. An attorney will work to minimize your degree of fault to maximize your potential compensation.
• The claim involves long-term injuries or disability – If you sustained long-term injuries in the crash, a lawyer can seek compensation for how those injuries may affect your life in years to come.
• You are not sure about how the law works for your accident – When you have questions about the law, it’s essential to get an answer from an experienced attorney so you don’t accidentally get yourself into legal trouble.

What Are Some Mistakes That Someone Representing Themselves Might Make?

One critical reason to hire a lawyer for a car accident claim is that they can help you avoid potential mistakes with your case, such as:

• Giving a recorded statement to the insurance company – A car insurance company might twist your words and use them against you to reduce your compensation or entirely deny your claim.
• Asking for too little in the demand letter – Failing to account for all the ways a car wreck has impacted your life can lower your potential compensation in a personal injury claim.
• Settling your case without knowing just how bad your injuries are – Once you accept an insurance settlement, that’s the end of your case. Your settlement should take into account the total amount of your losses. A lawyer can find medical experts who will testify about the long-term effects of your injuries.
• Assuming the insurance company will act fairly – Insurance companies want to protect their bottom line above all else. They are not your friend. In many cases, you’ll need a lawyer’s help to get a fair settlement from an insurer.
• Letting the statute of limitations lapse before filing your claim – You must file a car accident lawsuit within certain deadlines to protect your right to compensation. This deadline is usually two years in Georgia for car accident cases. An attorney can take care of filing your lawsuit on time for you.
• Not including all your losses in your claim – People often underestimate the full extent of their losses from a car accident. A lawyer can fully assess your losses to maximize your potential compensation, including lost wages and future medical expenses.

What Will a Car Accident Lawyer Do for Me?

A lawyer will handle all the legal details of your case for you, including:

• Investigating the collision and gathering evidence to support your claim
• Thoroughly assessing your injuries and other losses to maximize your potential compensation
• Submitting a comprehensive claim to the other driver’s insurance company
• Negotiating a fair insurance settlement on your behalf
• Representing you at trial and handling all the related legal procedures, if necessary

How Much Will a Car Accident Attorney Cost?

Car accident attorneys usually work on a contingency basis, which means you don’t have to pay any fees unless you get compensation. Instead, your attorney will take a percentage of the money they recover for you as their fee. This fee structure means you can afford quality legal representation without any upfront cost. Contact our Athens car accident lawyer today.

When Should I Contact a Lawyer After a Car Accident?

It’s best to contact an attorney as soon as possible after a car crash. These cases can take a while to build, and you don’t want to risk losing your right to compensation by waiting too long to act. Under Georgia’s statute of limitations, you only have two years to file a car accident lawsuit. Crucial evidence may also disappear or deteriorate within days or weeks of a collision. Talking to a lawyer immediately after an accident means they can collect this evidence for you while it’s still available.

Contact a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer

Attorney R. Alan Cleveland and his team have recovered over $150 million in compensation for injured people in Georgia. We’re ready to aggressively pursue the money you deserve. Call us today or complete our contact form for a free consultation.

R. Alan Cleveland

An Athens resident Alan Cleveland grew up in Rockdale County. As a founding partner of the personal injury law firm of R. Alan Cleveland, LLC he proudly serves his community and provides skilled representation to injury victims and their families all around Georgia. Alan earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Georgia and went on to graduate, summa cum laude, from Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School. He is also a graduate of Gerry Spence’s renowned Trial Lawyers College (TLC) in Wyoming. In his free time, Alan frequently speaks at continuing legal education seminars. He also volunteered as a youth baseball coach and assists with Georgia’s high school moot court competition held annually. Alan serves as a Trustee of Historic Athens and is a member of the Development Authority of the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County.

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