Articles Posted in Car Accident Claims

do-i-have-to-use-the-auto-insurance-companies-body-shop-300x200When you get into an accident, it’s only natural to want more than just a quick fix. You want to be paid for any pain and suffering caused by the accident, your lost wages, any physical injuries you may have suffered, and so on. The good news is that if the other driver was at fault in the accident and their insurance company is not offering enough compensation, you can file a personal injury lawsuit against them instead. However, that doesn’t mean they’ll take care of everything for you.

While insurance companies may want to resolve these cases quickly and fairly, real life is not always like the movies. If you are faced with a situation where your personal injury case could go to trial, you should seek experienced legal counsel. An experienced attorney can advise you of your rights and guide you through the process so that you receive full compensation from the insurance company.

Georgia Car Insurance Laws

images-4When you are injured in a car accident, it can be challenging to navigate the legal system. Additionally, the financial ramifications of a serious accident can be devastating. And the worst part is you may have no idea where to start seeking compensation for all the costs associated with your injury. A personal injury attorney can help you regain financial footing after an accident.

However, choosing an Atlanta car accident lawyer is more complicated than reviewing their credentials and rates. To help you get started, here are some tips on how to choose the right attorney for your case:

Ask About Their Experience

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When people are involved in motor vehicle accidents and suffer injuries, they are right to immediately wonder how much financial compensation they can recover from a negligent party. If the person suffering injuries was not wearing their seatbelt at the time of a collision, then they are also right to wonder how that might impact their ability to recover compensation.

The truth is that any person involved in a motor vehicle accident will have the right to file a claim for their injuries, but most claims are going to be third-party claims with insurance companies that will be investigated and scrutinized. When an insurance company concludes that a person was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of an accident, they may try to minimize their settlement offer or even deny the claim completely. For this reason, you should always speak with an Atlanta car accident lawyer after a crash.

How Car Accident Claims Get Handled

https://www.georgiainjurylawyersblog.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/397/2022/10/taking_picture_of_a_car_accident-m.2e16d0ba.fill-800x450-1-300x169.jpgInsurance companies are for-profit businesses. Do not underestimate the lengths to which an insurance company will go to save money. You may have your claims delayed or denied by insurance claims adjusters. If you are having difficulty communicating with an insurance company, you may need to speak to an experienced personal injury lawyer. 

Automobile accident claims can become complex in a short amount of time. Do not attempt to take on every aspect of a personal injury claim by yourself. You will have to acquire medical records, medical bills, and pay stubs. You need these documents to prove your economic damages, such as medical costs and lost wages. 

The personal injury lawyers at Slappey & Sadd, LLC in Atlanta, Georgia, have years of experience representing clients in personal injury actions. Contact Slappey & Sadd, LLC today at 888-474-9616 to learn more about the legal services we offer. 

need-lawyer-car-accident-300x157If a negligent motorist leaves you injured in a car accident, you have a lot on your mind. You have your injuries and medical care to concern yourself with – in addition to the lost income you may be experiencing as a result of those injuries. It is a lot, and the last thing you may want to take on is the additional effort of finding and hiring a car accident attorney. The good news is that a car accident lawyer can take the burden of dealing with the insurance company off your shoulders – while capably negotiating for a favorable claim resolution. The sooner you reach out for professional legal counsel, the sooner you can focus on your recovery – with the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have a skilled Atlanta car accident lawyer on your side. 

The First Order of Business 

If you have been injured by another driver’s negligence, the first order of business is obviously obtaining the medical attention that you require. The fact is that you can be seriously injured without recognizing you’ve been harmed. The shock and adrenaline rush that accompany violent car accidents can mask the initial pain and early symptoms you experience, and some injuries – such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and spinal cord injuries – can be asymptomatic in the beginning. After seeking medical care, the most important step you can take is reaching out to a seasoned car accident lawyer. 

airbag-deployment-300x200Sometimes, consumer products that are specifically designed to protect us, malfunction or are defective and – as a result – end up harming us instead. Airbags save lives and have significantly increased survival rates in traffic accidents that would otherwise prove deadly. When airbags malfunction or are otherwise defective, however, they can be the direct cause of serious car accident injuries. If you or someone you care about has been harmed by a dangerously defective airbag, an experienced Atlanta product liability attorney can help. 

A Note about Airbags

Airbags are like powerful air-filled pillows that help absorb the impact of car accidents when they deploy, and the process is not without some risk. In other words, even when airbags perform exactly as they are supposed to, you can be injured in the process. This is generally a matter of balancing the overall risk, and the protections afforded to you by a deployed airbag typically outweigh the risk factor. 

close-up-of-two-cars-damaged-in-road-traffic-Y5DTMJR-e1620907538720-300x169Being injured by another motorist’s negligence puts you in a very vulnerable position. You are facing medical bills, may be experiencing lost wages, and are enduring physical and emotional pain and suffering. It’s a lot, and achieving your most complete recovery will likely be based on your ability to obtain a fair settlement. The best way to help ensure your recovery and protect your claim is with an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer in your corner. 

Your Car Accident Claim

Your car accident claim will address the losses you experience as a result of the other driver’s negligence (what the law calls your damages). Your covered losses can include all the following:

The aftermath of a car accidentThe police report can help your car accident claim. If the police have found that the other driver broke a traffic law, it will appear on the police report. The insurance company will use this when they are determining fault for the accident. While many cases feature two different competing versions of what happened in an accident, the police report could serve as an authoritative statement on the accident, and our Atlanta car accident lawyers will find it helpful. Simply stated, you need a police report from every car accident. 

What Is on the Police Report after an Atlanta Car Accident?

Police officers are presumed to be unbiased, and their accounts are given a lot of weight. The facts that they record are considered to be neutral. They may note things such as:

A man crossing his fingers behind his backMost car accidents are resolved through insurance settlements. That means that if you have recently been hurt in a wreck that was not your fault, there is a good chance that your case will end by negotiating a settlement with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. As a victim, it’s important to remember that the insurance company is not on your side and will gladly settle your case for far less than it is worth.

Here are some of the tricks that insurance companies use to justify lower settlement offers. To protect your rights, call one of our Atlanta car accident lawyers today.

Unreasonably Broad Medical Record Requests

A hand holding an small image of a carCar accident victims are usually anxious to get their medical bills paid, fix or replace their vehicle, and move on with their lives. Many insurance adjusters will take advantage of this and make a quick and unfair settlement offer. If the goal of the victim is to get their claim settled merely, it is a win-win for both parties. However, most victims not only want their claim settled quickly, but they also want fair compensation for all of their damages, including pain and suffering.

The insurance company usually doesn’t want the latter, which is why many individuals seeking compensation for their motor vehicle enlist a well-versed Georgia personal injury lawyer to help them. What else doesn’t the insurance company want their claimants to know?

Insurance Adjustors Want to Pay as Little as Possible

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