Statesboro Car Accident Lawyer

Car accidents can easily lead to serious, life-changing injuries in Statesboro. A car accident is incredibly stressful and frustrating in any situation, but it’s even worse if you know you weren’t to blame. Thankfully, in Georgia, you are entitled to make a claim for all damages from an accident you didn’t cause. But this can be a difficult process alone. That’s why finding a good car accident lawyer in Statesboro can be the best thing you do after your accident.

At John Foy & Associates, we’ve become one of the most respected and experienced law firms in the state because we know how to handle car accident cases. For the last 25 years, we’ve been helping accident victims get the financial recovery they desperately need to cover their costs and move on with life. We’re ready to help. Call us 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form on this page to get a FREE consultation today.

What Can I Do to Protect My Rights After a Car Accident?

To legally protect yourself after a car accident, you will need to document the accident, gather evidence, get your injuries treated as soon as possible, and seek legal help.

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.

Why do I Need a Statesboro Car Accident Lawyer?

There are a few main reasons people hesitate to contact a lawyer after a car accident. Ironically, those concerns are usually the exact reasons someone needs a lawyer. Let’s look at the most common ones.

No Initial Cost

For one, they’re usually worried about the cost. When you’ve just been injured and your vehicle is damaged, money is probably a high source of stress. Plus, you’re missing work because of the accident—which prevents you from bringing in money as you normally would.

The good news is that most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, which means their payment comes from a portion of your settlement. That means they don’t require payment until after your case is settled—and they only get paid if they win you money. This is how we operate at John Foy & Associates.

Standing Up to the Insurance Companies

In addition, many accident victims assume the insurance company will pay them enough to cover their costs. Although we wish it worked this way, the truth is that insurance companies are for-profit businesses—and most care most about their bottom line. They will be looking for ways to pay you less than you deserve after your accident, and they’re often sneaky about it.

A Statesboro car accident lawyer can help protect your rights and work with the insurance company on your behalf. The insurer may try to use tactics like:

• Denying your claim
• Saying you don’t have enough evidence
• Trying to lowball you on your settlement
• Calling you and using anything you say against you later
• Taking a long time to process your claim

When this happens, a good attorney will be there to step in and negotiate for you.

Plus, if you work with a reputable car accident lawyer in the Statesboro area, the insurer may know they have a reputation for not backing down. (This is how our founder, John Foy, was nicknamed the “Strong Arm.”) If you have a well-known legal team on your side, the insurance company may be more likely to give you a good deal sooner in the process.

Legal Education and Experience

Personal injury law is not simple. And the more serious your car accident, the more complicated your case. A car accident lawyer will know the laws regarding accidents in Georgia, and they will use their in-depth knowledge and experience when working on your case. That means your outcome is likely to be much better than if you’d tried to handle the claim yourself.

Is There a Deadline for Filing My Claim?

Yes, and it’s important to keep this deadline in mind. In Statesboro and the rest of Georgia, the statute of limitations in most civil cases is two years.

The courts typically want car accident victims to come forward with their claim as soon as possible after their accident happens. Plus, it’s harder for involved parties to remember the details of a case or present evidence as time goes on. So, the deadline for filing is two years for most personal injury cases. If you are making a claim against a government, that deadline is usually six months.

Either way, the longer you wait after your accident, the harder it will be to get the recovery you deserve. It’s best to start taking action as soon as you can. It takes time to gather evidence and build a strong claim. Two years can fly by in a personal injury case, so don’t delay.

Consult with an attorney so you can know exactly how much time you have based on the details of your case. Otherwise, you risk completely losing out on your ability to seek compensation.

How Much does It Cost to Hire a Statesboro Car Accident Lawyer?

The short answer is nothing—unless your attorney wins a recovery for you. As mentioned above, most personal injury lawyers don’t get paid unless they win your money. And their payment comes from a percentage of what you win. Most accident lawyers will have a fee between 33.3% and 40%. The exact number will depend on the complexity of the case and the quality of the lawyer—a better lawyer with a proven track record will most likely have a higher fee.

Car accident cases can vary widely, so there’s no way to give a specific dollar amount for how much a Statesboro car accident lawyer will receive from working with you. It all depends on the severity of your damages and other details of your accident. However, if the lawyer works on a contingency fee, you can rest easy knowing there’s no risk upfront.

You should also always schedule a consultation to get to know your attorney and get clarification on how their fees work. They can walk you through the details and give their opinion on how much your case is worth.

Talk to a Car Accident Lawyer in Statesboro, GA for Free

At John Foy & Associates, our car accident lawyers can help you with every aspect of your case. We’ve been helping personal injury victims win what they deserve for more than 25 years, and we’re not stopping any time soon. For a FREE consultation to get started, call us today at 404-400-4000 or fill out the form on this page.