Not all car wrecks require the assistance of a lawyer. As an example, if you got into a minor rear end collision on your way to the office, and you only incurred a few hundred dollars of property damage, then a car accident lawyer is generally not necessary.
However, in the event that you suffer a physical or mental injury, particularly a serious injury, it is highly recommended that you contact a lawyer. A quality lawyer will explore all avenues to ensure you get just and adequate compensation. The following is a list of four specific circumstances where hiring a quality lawyer is strongly recommended.
Fault is Disputed
Just because you are injured due to a wreck does not mean the other party’s insurance carrier will compensate you. In Georgia, the negligent party is liable for the car or truck collision. In some cases, a dispute will arise over which party is to blame. Sometimes these disputes arise in good faith; however, in other cases, the dispute is caused by another driver lying to the responding officer or to their insurance company. Hiring an experienced automobile accident lawyer will ensure that a thorough investigation is conducted to show who in fact legally caused the wreck. If there is a dispute over fault, you need to seek legal protection; otherwise, you may not get the compensation you deserve.
You Gave Non-Economic Damages
If you have sustained any form of non-economic damage from your car accident, such as pain and suffering or disfigurement, you need to speak to a lawyer immediately. These damages can be substantial, and you deserve fair compensation. The very nature of non-economic damages make them difficult to quantify. Unfortunately, insurance companies often try to take advantage of this inherent ambiguity and will offer victims lowball settlements.
The Insurance Company is Not Offering You a Full Settlement
Under Georgia law, car or truck accident victims are entitled to be made ‘whole’. This means that you should be compensated for the full extent of the damages you sustained. You are entitled to receive compensation that makes up for your medical costs, rehabilitation expenses, property damage, lost wages and pain and suffering. Insurance companies are in the business to save money so they try to pay as little as possible; they generally do not offer victims fair settlements. If the insurance company has offered you a settlement that seems low, or if your claim has been denied, you need to speak to a lawyer today.
It Has Been More Than One Year Since Your Wreck
Finally, it is important to remember that you must act quickly. In Georgia, there is a strict two-year statute of limitations for car accident injury claims. If you do not take legal action within two years, then you risk losing out on your legal rights entirely. You do not want to mess around with the statute of limitations. If more than one year has passed since your injury and you are still dealing with the insurance company, it is time to call a lawyer.
Were You Injured in a Georgia Auto Accident?
It is always better to be safe rather than sorry. You need to ensure that your legal rights are fully protected. Unfortunately, the big insurance companies will not look out for your interests. An experienced Georgia car accident lawyer can help.
Apolinsky & Associates, LLC is a premier law firm that has handled car wreck and trucking accident cases for almost 30 years. Our lawyers handle cases throughout Georgia and Alabama. If you need help, please feel free to contact us today for a free consultation. You can text 404-512-9191, email Steve@aa-legal.com or call our office at 404-377-9191. Please do hesitate to contact us today to schedule a free initial review of your case.
Legal disclaimer: This article contains information intended to educate individuals about the legal intricacies surrounding auto accident injury cases. The situations referenced in this article are purely to make examples of potential automobile accident cases, and by no means indicate definitive lawsuits that will result in compensation. Further, contacting Apolinsky & Associates, LLC does not establish attorney client relations.
