If you find yourself in a car crash, it's important to know exactly what to…
A car accident is one of the most traumatizing experiences you can go through. Not only are you facing injuries that can lead to long-term disability, but you don’t know if you should pursue damages. Can you trust the insurance company to offer a fair settlement? If you are asking when you need to hire a car crash attorney in Atlanta to assist you with your case, we’re breaking down the circumstances that require an attorney and why it’s important not to delay.
Hire A Car Crash Lawyer When You’ve Been Injured
The best practice is to hire a car crash lawyer if you’ve been in an accident where a physical injury occurred. Even in the event, an insurance company attempts to settle with you, they are looking out for their best interests (ie: profits), not yours. They will evaluate your claim and do everything possible to minimize their financial losses, including offering you a minimal amount, putting off communications, and even discouraging medical care. Thus, they are unlikely to offer you fair compensation to cover the full extent of your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Even if your injuries don’t seem serious immediately after the crash, you still should consult with a lawyer. Often, injuries caused by collisions, such as whiplash, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries get worse over time, require ongoing medical care, or can lead to a loss of work. Having an attorney who understands the long-term costs of a car accident injury and can properly value your case is essential to determining a fair settlement.
Hire a Car Accident Lawyer As Soon As Possible
In addition to considering the circumstances that should prompt you to hire an attorney to represent you in your personal injury case, it’s also important to move quickly. Georgia has a strict statute of limitations of only two years from the date of injury to file a claim, and if you miss that time, you lose the option to bring a case to court. Working with an attorney as soon as possible not only guarantees your case will be sooner if it goes to court, it also makes the investigation easier and more accurate as there is less time for evidence to be lost and witnesses to forget information.
What Should You Do in a Minor Car Accident?
If you’re in a fender bender or a minor car accident, you probably don’t feel you need an attorney, and this may be the case. However, we would recommend you document everything related to your collision while you have an accurate memory of the events. You should also check in with a doctor as soon as you can because while you may not feel pain or think you are injured, often, the adrenaline of the accident masks the pain of an injury. An assessment from your doctor can let you know if there are any concerns.
Also, following a minor car accident, you should still file a claim with your insurance company to report the accident.
Schedule a Free Consultation with a Car Crash Attorney in Atlanta
If you were in a serious automobile accident and an injury occurred, we can help you navigate the legal system and fight to get you the damages you deserve. Schedule a free consultation with The Fitzpatrick Firm today by calling 678-607-5550 or fill out the form below to get started.