- Car Accidents
One of the first questions our clients involved in an Atlanta car accident ask is – How long will it take for me to get paid? They don’t realize that these things take time. It usually takes a month or two just to get your suit filed. First, you need to meet with your Atlanta car accident lawyer. Second, your attorney needs to gather evidence to prove your case. At that point, they may decide that legal action is necessary. By the time the lawsuit is filed, a couple of months may have passed. This is why no Atlanta car accident attorney is going to give you an exact timeframe for how long it may take to settle your case.
The Defendant May File Motions Along the Way
In any civil case, there are bound to be motions filed by either side. The defendant may file a motion to dismiss. Or they may wait until after you’ve exchanged discovery. If that’s the case, they may file a motion for summary judgment. These motions have to be dealt with before the case can move forward. Each motion takes a minimum of 4-6 weeks to go before the judge. Even if the hearing isn’t postponed, it could waste up to two months of your time. If more than one motion is filed, it will take even longer.
Your Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer Will Try to Settle Your Case
From the very beginning, your Atlanta car accident lawyer will try to settle your case. They’ll reach out to the insurance adjuster and find out why they didn’t pay your claim in the first place. They may learn that your claim was denied because of missing paperwork. If that’s the case, it shouldn’t be hard to get it paid. If, however, the issues are more complicated, it’ll take a lot more than a phone call to negotiate a fair settlement.
The Judge Will Order You to Go Through Mediation
There’s a good chance your judge will order you and the defendant to attend mediation. The courts in Georgia try to settle as many cases as possible. For every trial that ends up on the judge’s docket, the court loses at least half a day. They could use this time to resolve motions, meet with other attorneys and resolve outstanding matters.
At mediation, there is a third party who reviews your case and tells both sides what they think should happen. They may feel that there is little doubt that the defendant was at fault. If this is the case, they may push the defendant to accept your settlement. If they feel you were partially at fault, they may tell you to lower your offer. It all depends on the facts of your case.
Even if Your Case Goes to Trial, It’ll Probably Still Settle
Some people are afraid that, if they go to trial, their case will never settle. The truth is that more than 90% of all personal injury cases settle long before they see the inside of a courtroom. Nobody wants to go to trial. They can be expensive and time-consuming. They also waste a lot of the court’s resources. Rather than have this happen, both sides will work hard to settle the case for a reasonable amount. However, there are times where, no matter what your Atlanta car accident lawyer does, they can’t convince the defendant to settle out of court. If that’s the case, you’ll need to proceed with a trial.
Call and Talk to One of Our Atlanta Car Accident Lawyers
If you or your loved one have been hurt in a car accident, you may be entitled to damages. It all depends on how serious your injuries are. It also depends on the type of accident you were in. Some people who are involved in a rear-end accident don’t suffer any injuries at all. Other people can be in a minor accident but end up with a broken neck or back.
Your Atlanta car accident lawyer won’t know for sure until they get a chance to meet with you. They can review your medical records and look at the police report. They’ll ask you any questions they need so you can fill in the blanks. Once they have a complete understanding of what happened, they’ll give you an idea of what your case is worth. They’ll also give you an estimate of how long it may take to settle your case. Their goal is to get you as much money as possible, as quickly as possible.
Call today and schedule your free, initial consultation. It costs you nothing and you don’t pay until your case is settled or resolved.
