Car accidents are prevalent in the U.S. – it records the most road crash deaths,…
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you are most likely overwhelmed by worries about medical bills, lost income, and simply trying to heal and recover. Pursuing damages or consulting with an attorney may seem like something you can put off, but we are sharing the reasons it’s important to consult with a car accident attorney in Atlanta as soon as possible if someone else was at fault for your accident.
Georgia Statute of Limitations on Car Accidents
The leading reason you need to move quickly after being injured in a car accident is that Georgia has a strict statute of limitations to file a personal injury claim. The victim has two years from the date of the accident to file and after that time has passed, there is no option to file a lawsuit and attempt to secure damages. This means that even if you have been attempting to settle with the insurance company, that time is working against you.
Why Contact a Lawyer Immediately After a Car Accident
As soon as possible after your car accident, you should schedule a consultation with a personal injury attorney. Even beyond the statute of limitations, there are several reasons to not put off taking action.
Improving the Investigation
After an accident, an attorney will want to investigate what happened, and this means talking to eyewitnesses, consulting with medical experts, and analyzing police reports and other evidence. Over time, evidence gets lost and eyewitnesses become less reliable - they forget what happened or they become harder to track down. The sooner an investigation can be launched after an accident, the more likely it is to get accurate information that can be used in court if the case goes to trial.
Delayed Pain and Injury
Immediately after a car wreck, you may feel okay, aside from a few aches and pains, but what if those aches and pains don’t go away? A damaged disc can worsen over time, causing increased pain, mobility issues, and repeated surgeries to treat the issue while soft tissue damage can lead to ongoing inflammation and stiffness.
Getting an early diagnosis and working with a car accident attorney quickly can ensure they are pursuing the proper damages that your case is worth. Waiting too long means that it can be difficult to prove your pain and injury were caused by the car accident and cause doubt in a case.
Negotiating a Settlement More Quickly
The sooner you have an attorney working with you, they can begin working on negotiating a settlement with the insurance company to get you fair compensation. Often, without an attorney putting the pressure on, insurance companies will offer minimal damages or even attempt to delay the process to run out the statute of limitations. Having an attorney on your side means they will push back and also know when negotiations have stalled and when it’s time to file a claim.
Schedule a Consultation with an Atlanta Car Accident Attorney Today
If you were injured in a car accident through no fault of your own, schedule a free consultation with The Fitzpatrick Firm today. Our experienced law firm has a perfect 10 rating for car accident representation and we are dedicated to securing fair settlements and damages for our clients. Reach out to us today at 678-607-5550 or fill out the form below to get started.