Do I Need a Lawyer After a Car Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you’re probably wondering if you need a personal injury lawyer. If your injuries are minor, you may be able to handle the case yourself. If your car accident injuries are more serious, you will likely need help from an experienced personal injury attorney in Savannah.
The Georgia Department of Transportation reports that more than 1,500 people died on Georgia roads in 2017. Seventy percent of those fatalities were caused by unsafe driving behaviors, including distractions, impairment or driving too fast for conditions. In Georgia, the law allows you to bring claims up to two years after a personal injury, so if you’ve been injured in a car accident, you should quickly decide if you want to hire a Savannah car accident attorney.
Georgia is also an at-fault state. That means that if there is an accident, the driver who caused it, along with his or her insurance company, is responsible for damages to include vehicle damages and medical expenses.
In Georgia, it is possible for more than one driver to be responsible for a percentage of the accident. For example, if one driver fails to use his turn signal when making a turn and another driver slams into him but was speeding, both drivers would have a percentage of blame. If one driver is determined to be more than 50 percent at fault for the accident, they are unable to seek any compensation. This is where an experienced attorney can help prove negligence and liability.
Reasons You Need an Attorney
Statute of Limitations
Because you only have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, if you don’t file in that amount of time, you give up your right to sue, forever.
Establishing Negligence Can be Difficult
An investigation may be necessary to establish negligence after a car accident. A personal injury lawyer will know where and how to look for evidence that supports your case. Evidence can be lost in days and sometimes even in a few hours. An experienced attorney will ensure evidence is preserved.
Dealing with the Insurance Company Can be Tough
Your insurance company may not always be on your side. Insurance companies are in the business of making money and will want to pay out as little as possible. The compensation you deserve may not be the compensation the insurance company is willing to pay you. An experienced car accident attorney can help get you the money you deserve. Our attorneys are also experienced in investigating to uncover additional sources of insurance.
Fully Proving the Harm You Suffered
Oftentimes car accident injuries may seem minor at first, but when they haven’t resolved, or even worsened, weeks and months after the initial injury, the condition may be more serious than first assumed. A lawyer will recognize and prove the harms you have suffered. These can include lost wages, future medical costs, future economic harm you will incur after the accident, pain and suffering and many others that you may not be aware of.
An experienced attorney can also help in other ways such as ensuring you’re getting the best medical treatment, that your medical bills will get paid and dealing with the insurance company on your behalf so you don’t have to.
What Types of Accidents Should I Hire an Attorney For
Of course, if you have sustained serious injuries, you will want to contact a personal injury attorney. Some other types of accidents that you may want to hire an attorney for include:
- An accident involving a semi-truck
- An accident involving a motorcycle
- An accident involving a pedestrian or a bicyclist
- An accident caused by a drunk driver or a driver under the influence of drugs
- An accident caused by a defective vehicle part
- An accident that occurred in a construction zone
You have a life to live and you have responsibilities. A serious car accident can prevent you from taking care of those responsibilities. Maybe you can’t work, attend school or take care of yourself anymore. A car accident attorney will fight for you and make sure you get the settlement you deserve.
Do I Have A Case?
Car wrecks and collisions result in injuries ranging from minor bumps, bruises and strains to severe injuries to fatalities and can affect victims and their families for a lifetime. Our attorneys specialize in vehicle wrecks and are fluent in a victim’s needs—whether they be medical, financial, or physical. Our firm won’t just agree on the initial settlement offered by an insurance company. We will look at all aspects of your case and fight until you recover the highest amount possible.
If you are injured in a car accident, contact Bowen Painter Trial Lawyers for a free case review. We represent personal injury victims in Georgia, South Carolina and Florida. Contact us online or call us directly at (912) 335-1909.
Disclaimer: Information provided on this site is not formal legal advice. It is general legal information. Filing a personal injury lawsuit requires a thorough knowledge of the laws and legal system.