Car accidents are becoming increasingly common with each passing year. A study estimates that over six million car accidents are reported in the U.S. every year. If you have been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you are entitled to make a compensation claim.
If your car accident lawyer in Atlanta successfully establishes negligence and is able to prove that your injuries are a result of the party at fault’s negligence, you may be eligible for compensation.
What To Do If You Have Been Involved in a Car Accident
How you react after a car accident can make or break your legal case. It is normal to experience a wide range of emotions after an accident. Take a deep breath, calm down, and get hold of yourself. Keep cool and do not lose your composure.
First and foremost, get yourself and your car out of harm’s way. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If someone is critically injured, call 911. Report the incident to the police. Notify your insurance company. Take pictures of the vehicles involved and the accident scene.
Exchange information with the other driver. Document everything. Talk to eyewitnesses and take down their contact details. Cooperate with the responders, and file an accident report. Seek medical help as soon as possible.
How to Begin a Road Accident Compensation Claim
Personal injury claims and lawsuits are complicated. Even in a seemingly straightforward claim, there are a number of factors and circumstances that can complicate the situation.
A car accident attorney in Atlanta will help you navigate the complex legal landscape. Your car accident lawyer in Decatur will help you understand the various factors at play. The professional will help you determine the value of your case. They will investigate your case, and collect and use evidence to make a watertight case.
HURT 911 can help you find the right car accident attorney in Decatur. Once you call us, we will arrange a consultation. During the consultation session, the attorney will ask you some important questions to better understand your case and provide legal advice.
Guidelines For Personal Injury Victims
- Do not wait too long to seek medical attention. The longer you wait to see a personal injury doctor, the easier it will be for your insurance company to reject or downplay your claim
- Hire a personal injury lawyer in Atlanta (the sooner, the better)
- Do not share posts about your injuries or general physical or emotional well-being on social media. To prevent your insurance company and/or the defendant’s legal team from accessing your social media accounts, set them to private
- File your lawsuit within two years from the date of the accident (Georgia’s statute of limitations)
- Always consult your attorney before signing a document
- Do not discuss your injuries with your insurance company. Do not give a recorded statement. Limit any personal information you provide
- Collect and preserve evidence
Types of Evidence in Personal Injury Claims
- Physical/Tangible Evidence: Such as photos of the vehicles involved, and the accident scene and traumatic scars
- Non-tangible Evidence: Such as eyewitness testimony, depositions, medical records, and police reports
How Long Does it Take to Settle a Personal Injury Claim?
One of the most common questions personal injury victims have is, how long will it take to settle their personal injury claim? Unfortunately, there is no definite answer to this question. Reaching a settlement can take weeks or even months. Some factors that impact how long your personal injury claim will take to settle are:
- The extent and nature of your injuries and damages, and the length of treatment
- Time is taken by your attorney and doctor to gather evidence
- Amount of damages
- The complexity of your case
How Much Compensation Will You Receive?
The one thing many personal injury victims want to know before filing their lawsuit is the worth of their case. The value of personal injury claims can vary widely.
You can use a car accident compensation calculator to get a rough estimate of the value of your car claim. An average personal injury claim can settle between $3,000 and $75,000. How much money you will receive for your injury will depend on a number of factors, such as the severity of your injury, whether you were partially at fault, and insurance limits.
A personal injury attorney won’t give you a specific quote. The professional will study the case to understand the factors at play. Based on their findings, they will provide a rough estimate.
Types of Compensation in a Personal Injury Lawsuit
Personal injury victims can claim:
Medical Expenses
Personal injury victims can claim the cost of current and future medical treatment. Some examples of medical expenses are –the cost of hospital visits and stays, surgeries, massage therapy, ER visits, and prescriptions.
Lost Income
If your injuries from the accident forced you to take off from work, you are entitled to compensation for lost wages.
Physical Pain and Suffering
Reimbursement for medical expenses does not take into account the pain and suffering that your injury has caused. When determining the value of your pain and suffering, your attorney will consider various factors, such as the length of recovery, type of injury, and how your injury will impact different aspects of your life.
Emotional Distress
If your injuries resulted in emotional distress, you may be able to make an emotional distress claim. Emotional distress is difficult to quantify, and many states limit the amount of emotional distress damages personal injury victims can recover.
Loss of Consortium
If you are unable to provide the same level of companionship to your spouse due to your injury, you can sue for loss of consortium.
