To get the best settlement possible after your car accident, it needs to be clear who is at fault and what exactly happened. Other drivers and insurance companies might try to say that a crash is your fault even if it isn’t. That’s where accident reconstruction comes in.
Our experienced Athens accident reconstruction lawyers know how to gather evidence and prove which parties caused the crash. We want you to recover as much compensation as possible, so we’ll use our experience in accident reconstruction to minimize your fault.
How Can an Accident Reconstruction Lawyer in Athens Help?
When you file a claim with your insurance company, they are going to want you to pay as much of your damages out of pocket as possible. With the help of an accident lawyer in Georgia, you can have a chance to recover more in your settlement. Accident reconstruction is essential in proving what driver was responsible, and an attorney can help.
We Will Gather Evidence from the Scene of the Crash
Our experienced lawyers know what to look for when we go to collect evidence. We can take pictures and work with an investigator to recreate the accident. One of our attorneys will also interview you and other witnesses to get a solid account of what happened.
We’ll do our homework and look into the driving records of any driver involved, as well as the police report. Then we’ll look at your medical record and consult with medical experts.
We Will Negotiate with Your Insurance Company
After we’ve investigated your accident, we’ll calculate your medical expenses to see what you’re owed. We’ll calculate your damages and come up with a fair insurance claim. Insurance companies have predatory practices like denying your initial claim and using your words against you, which is why you should have an accident attorney who knows how to handle your claim.
We Will Represent You If Your Claim Goes to Court
Most insurance claims are settled outside of court between accident victims and insurance companies. However, it’s possible that negotiations fail and your case goes to trial. In that event, a personal injury lawyer will represent you.
Get the strong arm
What to Do After a Car Crash
After you’ve been in an accident, the first thing to do is make sure you’re alright. After you leave the scene of the crash, go to the doctor, even if you don’t feel like you’ve been hurt. There could be underlying injuries that you haven’t noticed.
When you know you’re alright, file a police report and gather as much evidence yourself as you can. Take pictures of the scene and write down what happened leading up to the crash. Anything you can remember will help reconstruct the accident later.
After that, get in contact with an accident reconstruction lawyer in Athens as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to get detailed evidence. Our firm can help you understand how to proceed with your insurance claim.
When Should I Report My Accident?
In Georgia, you have to report an auto accident if the damages are more than $500, according to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) § 40-6-273. That’s the first step.
Next, you’ll need to file an injury claim. OCGA § 9-3-33 states that the statute of limitations to file your injury claim is within two years of your accident. That might seem like a long time, but the sooner you contact a lawyer and begin the process, the better.
When you hire a John Foy lawyer, we will get to work immediately. Some evidence is harder to find after time has elapsed, so it’s important to take action as soon as possible. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our personal injury attorneys.
Your Compensation Depends on How Much You’re at Fault
According to OCGA § 51-12-33, known as the “contributory negligence” code, a judge can determine what percentage of the fault belongs to a driver. If you have any percentage of fault, you could receive less for your damages. That means you need to prove that your accident wasn’t your fault.
The contributory negligence code states that if a driver is less than 50% at fault for an accident, meaning it is mostly the fault of another party, they can have their compensation reduced by the percentage that they are at fault. If you would have received $10,000 but you’re 20% at fault, you would instead receive $8,000.
Insurance companies know about this law and they’ll use it to reduce your settlement. Having evidence that proves you didn’t cause a crash can stop them from taking advantage of you. That’s why it’s important to have a skilled personal injury lawyer by your side.
Get a Free Consultation from a Law Firm with Experience
John Foy attorneys have extensive experience with personal injury claims. After over 20 years of helping drivers get compensation for their medical bills, we know what to do. See a few examples of how we’ve helped Georgians:
- $7.7 million settlement for a fatality in a motorcycle accident
- $6.6 million settlement for several devastating injuries from a collision with a tractor-trailer
- $4.9 million settlement for a driver with spinal injuries suffered in a truck accident
- $2 million settlement for a motor vehicle accident that caused several fatalities
We’re able to get accident reconstruction experts on your side to prove that you’re not the at-fault party. Contact us to get your free consultation today, available 24/7.
706-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
