A lawyer in Decatur can tell you if your case has merit. Car accidents leave victims utterly traumatized. Injuries are often agonizing and costly to treat, and other economic and non-economic damages are on top of this. For this reason, most people file an insurance claim, a personal injury lawsuit, or both after being involved in a car accident.
However, not all type of car crashes authorizes a personal injury claim or a lawsuit. So, how can you determine whether you have a car accident case or not? And how can you figure out when is the right time to file a claim? Fret not, you can talk one-on-one with our professional auto accident lawyers in Decatur, at The Super Lawyer Legal Group, and get answers to all your concerns.
We offer complete legal representation and uncompromising support for our clients!
For now, let’s shift our focus to how you can see if you have a case.
When To Contact A Personal Injury Lawyer In Decatur After A Car Accident?
If you think you have a personal injury claim, it’s crucial to consult a car accident attorney as soon as possible. Employing a lawyer from the very beginning of a case will help you file a compensation claim easily. Professional personal injury lawyers are aware of what to say and do to protect you every step of the way. They can preserve evidence and document your injuries and other losses from the start.
Even if you are not sure whether you have a case or not, an attorney can review your case and conclude whether or not you have grounds to file a personal injury claim. At The Super Lawyer, our injury attorneys offer consultations for this reason. So, even if you don’t have to file a claim, you won’t lose anything either by speaking to an expert about your case.
When Should You File An Injury Claim In Decatur?
Before speaking to an attorney, there are some ways to determine if you have a valid claim or not. Firstly, if you were severely injured or a loved one was killed during the crash, it’s best to speak to an attorney about filing a claim. Any time an accident caused a serious injury or death, the claim is likely to become quite complicated.
Additionally, in case the injuries suffered during the accident are preventing you from working properly, you should talk to a lawyer about filing a claim. An attorney can help conclude how much income you are losing due to your injury. A lawyer can also evaluate how the injuries can affect you in the future. An attorney can consider everything and include the loss of earning capacity in your claim.
Lastly, if your injuries are affecting the quality of your daily life, you should consult an attorney about filing a claim. If your accident has taken something from you and has lowered your quality of life, an attorney can help you file a claim.
What Happens If A Car Accident Case Goes To Court In Decatur, Georgia?
During any personal injury case that goes to court, both sides will get a chance to present their evidence. At this point where a car accident lawyer is particularly beneficial. They can help prepare your claim for trial by collecting the required evidence and presenting your case.
Presentation of Evidence
You will have to provide some evidence to prove that the other driver was negligent and caused your injuries in the accident. Different types of evidence your lawyer may have to present during a car accident trial include:
- Witness interviews
- Medical records
- Other evidence demonstrating your injuries
- Accident reports
Jury Deliberation
Depending on the state, the case may be heard and tried by either a judge or a jury. In the State of Georgia, car accidents or any other personal injury cases go to trial by a jury.
When both sides have presented evidence during the car accident trial, the jury will choose: Who was at fault for the accident and the amount of money you should be presented from the insurance company for your damages
What Causes A Car Accident Case To Go To Court?
In most cases, a car accident case does not have to go to court. Once you hire a car accident lawyer, they will start working by investigating and gathering evidence to validate the negligence of the other party and your damages. If the insurance company of the other driver and your lawyer have a fair settlement, the case can be resolved and there is no further need for a trial. However, there are some situations where it becomes mandatory to take your case to the court.
The following situations could lead to a car accident lawsuit:
- The other driver’s insurance company does not offer you a reasonable settlement
- Despite your lawyer’s cooperation with the insurance company, they won’t budge on paying more money for the damages you suffered
How Are Car Accident Lawsuits Settled?
The most common factor capable of determining how lawsuits are settled is liability. It signifies the person who was the at-fault for causing the accident. All drivers have a responsibility to follow federal laws and drive in a way to confirm the safety of other drivers on the road. Not all accidents are cut-and-dry. often, there is mutual liability between both parties involved in the accident.
In shared-liability cases, reimbursement may depend on the state laws in which the accident occurs. In some cases, as long as the other driver is more than 50 percent at fault, they will be considered liable, while other states may entail a percentage of fault.
When determining the amount of compensation, several factors are considered. They include:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation charges
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Loss of future income
- Pain and suffering
- Funeral and burial costs
- Punitive costs
Is It Worth Filling A Lawsuit With a Lawyer in Decatur After A Car Accident?
As mentioned before, filing a claim after a car accident is not always necessary. If the fault is established it is rarely worth it to sue in such a case. Therefore, before filing a suit, you should file an auto insurance claim.
If the other driver was at fault for the accident, their insurance company will offer a compensation proposal after you file your claim. If there were no physical injuries, the compensation will only cover the expenses for your property damage. However, in any case, if you suppose the insurance company’s offer is too low, you are freely allowed to reject the offer and take matters to the court. A personal injury lawyer in Decatur can help you figure out how to get the most money for a car accident.
If you were injured in a car accident, there is a better chance that the insurance company will not pay as much as you deserve, especially for severe physical injuries. Professional lawyers are aware of how to calculate pain and suffering, so they can help make your best case.
Any lawyer in Decatur knows that the success of a case depends upon your ability to prove that the other driver was at fault, as well as the severity of your injuries. Information typically used in court to conclude fault include:
- Police reports
- Unbiased witness testimony
- Photographs
- Video evidence
To prove the extent of your injuries, make sure to keep receipts for all your medical expenses, repair bills, and other documented evidence.
Contact Our Auto Accident Lawyer In Decatur Today For Help
If you or a loved one were involved in a car accident, it’s best to consult a competent personal injury lawyer in Decatur as soon as possible. Our legal group can help you claim appropriate compensation from an insurance company and will even file a suit in court if needed.
At The Super Lawyer Legal Group, our team of competent and qualified auto accident lawyers in Decatur has been representing car accident victims for many years, and we know how to win cases. In most cases, it’s possible to reach a fair settlement with the other driver’s insurance company without going to court. However, if a trial becomes the best option, we are ready to take it on for you.
Reach out to us now for a free consultation session before initiating legal action!
