Alpharetta Car Accident Lawyer

Car accident victims know that the shock, pain, and often steep costs resulting from a crash are hard burdens to bear. If the accident wasn’t your fault, you shouldn’t have to shoulder them at all. And you shouldn’t have to accept a lowball settlement offer from an insurance company.

Victims of auto collisions can speak with a car accident lawyer in Alpharetta, Georgia, to get the financial recovery they need. Help yourself move past the incident that injured you physically and emotionally by holding the negligent driver responsible and collecting compensation.

Three Things You Should Know After a Car Accident

Your actions after a car accident can make a big difference in your case outcome. If you get into an accident in Alpharetta, there are three vital points to remember.

1. The More Information You Can Collect, the Better

If you can, after the car accident, gather as much information as possible. When you work with a personal injury lawyer, they’ll get to work doing their own research about the accident and everything involved. But you are the only person who can gather evidence directly after the accident happened.  Here are some details to collect:

• Pictures of the accident scene, your injuries (and any injuries of those in the vehicle with you, if you had passengers), damage to your vehicle, and anything else that you notice about the accident.
• The other driver’s information. Assuming it wasn’t a hit-and-run, always exchange information with the other driver after the accident happens. Get their first and last name, their insurance information, driver’s license number, license plate, phone number, and address. You’ll need this for filing a claim with their insurance and for contacting them if needed later on.
• Notes on what you remember directly before, during, and after the accident. If the other driver was acting weird, such as if you suspect drunk driving or other impairments, driving distracted, or had road rage, these are details your lawyer will need to know. 
• Witnesses’ names. If anyone saw the accident occur, ask them what they saw, if they’ll give a statement to the police and write everything down. Get their name and contact information so your lawyer can contact them later, as well. 

You’ll also want to call the police as soon as possible after the accident. They’ll come to the scene and will create a police report on the accident and its details—which is vital for your case.

2.  The Insurance Company Doesn’t Have Your Back

We’d like to think insurance companies are here for us after an accident—but sadly, that’s rarely the case. Insurance companies are for-profit businesses, meaning they’ll do what they can to cut their own costs and pay out less than you actually deserve for your suffering. 

You should not take the first offer or answer any of their calls until your attorney can fight for a financial recovery that’s actually fair. Never admit fault or give them any information they could use against you. If insurance contacts you, you can simply tell them to talk to your attorney and give them his or her number.

3. You Have the Right to Recover ALL Your Costs

If the car accident was not your fault, you have a right to financial recovery of all your damages related to the accident. This includes costs pertaining to:

• Treatment for your injuries
• Doctor’s visits
• Tests regarding your injuries
• Physical therapy
• Damage to your vehicle, including repair costs or replacement
• Death of a loved one (if it’s a wrongful death case)

Don’t let anyone try to skirt around the truth: you deserve to recover money for what wasn’t your fault. An auto wreck shouldn’t impact the financial and emotional side of your life more than it has to, and you can recover compensation with a car accident attorney in Alpharetta.

Documenting the Scene

After the accident happens, you will need to:

• Call the police to report the accident and tell responding officers what happened
• Take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and vehicle damage to your car
• Avoid admitting any blame or apologizing to the other driver until you have all the facts
• Talk to witnesses and get their names and contact information

Each of these steps can help create a record of the car accident, which is crucial for your insurance claim.

Getting Your Injuries Checked Out

After you’ve left the scene, see a doctor as soon as you can to have your injuries checked out. Some car accident injuries take time to fully show up, so you should see a doctor even if your pain is minor. The sooner you can get treatment and create a record that you saw someone for your injuries, the better it is for your case.

Also, keep track of all medical bills, doctor notes, and other records of your injuries and medical expenses.

Taking Notes On the Accident

Keep a record of what happened before, during, and after the car accident. Write down how the accident made you feel and how your injuries have impacted your day-to-day life. Also, record any names and contact information of people you’ve communicated with about your accident.

Getting a Car Inspection

Assess how much your vehicle damage will cost to repair (or replace, if your car was totaled). You might see a few different inspectors for an average estimate of how much your vehicle damage is worth before the other driver’s insurance company steps in.

Documenting Your Damages

Keep track of all costs associated with your car accident. Use a file or folder to save documents and notes in one place. This should include:

• Your claim number
• The insurance adjuster’s name
• All medical bills and records
• Quotes for vehicle damage repairs
• Full names, phone numbers, and addresses for all relevant contacts

Calling a Car Accident Lawyer

Schedule a consultation with an experienced car accident lawyer who can make sure you are doing everything to protect your rights after the accident. It’s easy to get taken advantage of if you don’t know how to handle the insurance company, so a lawyer can make sure that doesn’t happen. They can also help fight for the fair settlement you deserve.

If the insurance company or other driver fights against your claim, your lawyer will be there every step of the way—even if you need to take the driver to trial.

Basically, be cautious in everything you do or say after a car accident. Avoid admitting blame, apologizing, or downplaying your damages—and get a trusted lawyer on your side who can help you take the right actions for your case. The goal is to protect your legal rights to full compensation for all the damages you face because of the other driver’s negligence that led to your accident.

Getting Your Injuries Checked Out

After you’ve left the scene, see a doctor as soon as you can to have your injuries checked out. Some car accident injuries take time to fully show up, so you should see a doctor even if your pain is minor. The sooner you can get treatment and create a record that you saw someone for your injuries, the better it is for your case.

Also, keep track of all medical bills, doctor notes, and other records of your injuries and medical expenses.

An Alpharetta Car Accident Lawyer Can Make a Difference

Having an Alpharetta car accident lawyer on your side can make all the difference in your case. They will do the research necessary to prove you weren’t at fault, and they know how to guide you through each step of the process. Working with a legal professional is your best bet for recovering everything you deserve from the accident.

In addition, the resources and talented investigators that come with an experienced law firm could mean more monetary compensation and a quick, non-strenuous legal process. 

Proving the Four Elements of Liability in a Car Accident Case

Proving fault for your accident is essential to holding the other person liable for the damages and/or injuries you have suffered. In order for you and your attorney to be able to prove negligence, you need to be able to prove these four elements:

• The other driver had a duty to ensure your safety.
• The other driver neglected this duty to protect your safety.
• This breach of that duty caused your accident.
• Finally, the amount of compensation you’re asking for is justifiable.

These four elements are often easier to prove with an experienced car accident attorney by your side.

Seeing a Doctor Is Crucial to Your Car Accident Claim

Don’t neglect your medical care after a car accident. Some injuries can take weeks to present, especially whiplash. If you don’t see a doctor following your accident, the other side can claim you aren’t actually injured or that you aren’t as injured as you say you are because you never saw a doctor. Even if you have minor injuries, it’s important to get a medical opinion. 

Furthermore, medical documentation is crucial evidence that your car accident attorney in Alpharetta can use in your case. Keep all documents relating to prescriptions and doctor visits for use in your claim.

Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents in Alpharetta, GA 

According to the statute of limitations as outlined in GA Code § 9-3-33, a car accident personal injury case must be filed within two years from the date of the crash. Depending on the specifics of the claim, different time limitations may apply.

If you fail to file a claim by this time, you may lose the right to file a lawsuit regarding the accident. An Alpharetta personal injury lawyer can handle your car accident case promptly.

Alpharetta Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You Collect Damages

With a car accident lawyer in Alpharetta on your side, you can collect fair compensation for noneconomic damages such as your pain and suffering as well as economic losses like your: 

Medical Expenses

Medical costs, for medication, surgeries, and therapy, following car accident injuries can be expensive. It’s recommended you seek medical attention after any accident, regardless of the severity of your injuries.

Lost Wages

You might want to seek leave from work to recover if a car accident causes you serious injuries. The law protects your right to paid leave and your attorney can make sure your company follows through with these legal guidelines. 

Disability Benefits

If a doctor determines that you are permanently disabled due to the accident, you could recover disability or reduced earning ability compensation. 

Wrongful Death Damages

If you lost a loved one due to a car accident, family members may be eligible to recover compensation in a wrongful death case. These damages may include loss of consortium, medical bills, and burial expenses. 

Shared Fault Laws for Georgia Car Accidents

If you are partially at fault for the crash, you may still be entitled to recover damages. The modified contributory negligence statute Georgia follows does not bar recovery if you are found to be less than 50% liable for the accident. Your compensation, however, will be diminished by whatever percent of the accident can be attributed to you.

This controversial standard may place an undue burden on you, especially if you were only slightly responsible for damages. Your lawyer will work hard to ensure that the degree of fault assigned to you is fair and reasonable. 

Talk to an Alpharetta Car Accident Lawyer for Free

At John Foy & Associates, we know how painful the process after a car accident can be. We want to help you recover as quickly and easily as possible. Working with us is no-risk—meaning we charge you nothing unless we get you money. 

With over two decades of experience, our car accident lawyers in Alpharetta, GA, understand auto wreck cases—and we know how to win. There’s a reason John Foy is known on TV as the “Strong Arm;” our lawyers don’t back down to insurance companies, and we stand with victims. To speak with one of our lawyers right away, call for a free consultation or fill out the form online.