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If you’re dealing with pain or injuries from a car accident in North Druid, it’s best to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. Even small injuries or minor pain can lead to expensive medical costs. And even if the accident was small, it can leave you with pricey car repairs from the collision. But you should not have to pay for these costs if you did not cause your accident. That’s where a North Druid car accident lawyer can help.
Our car accident lawyers at John Foy & Associates know what it means to build a strong and successful insurance claim after a wreck. For more than two decades, we’ve been helping injury victims win what they need and deserve to recover from their accident. The other driver’s insurance company will probably act quickly and try to reduce how much they pay you. Don’t get taken advantage of. Let John Foy & Associates handle the legal side for you. For a FREE consultation, call us at 404-400-4000, or contact us here today.
How Fault Works in a North Druid Car Accident
Fault is what matters the most in any North Druid personal injury case, which includes car accident cases. In North Druid and the rest of Georgia, the person or party whose negligence (or carelessness) caused an accident is responsible for all resulting costs. In most cases, the driver’s insurance company will actually be covering these costs instead of the at-fault driver.
Every driver has a certain “duty of care” to act in a way that does not harm others on the road. If this duty is not upheld, it is considered negligence. Being negligent does not necessarily mean someone means to cause an accident or harm. It could simply result from making a common mistake on the road. But even if there is no ill intent, the at-fault driver is still responsible for damages.
If another driver was at fault for your car accident, you can file a claim with their auto insurance company for your damages. You usually have two years from the date of the accident to do this, although this deadline can vary depending on the situation. It’s important to act quickly, and an experienced North Druid car accident lawyer can help you get started right away.
Determining Fault After An Accident
Sometimes, fault in a car accident is pretty clear. Maybe the other driver was on their phone or drifted into your line of traffic on the highway, causing the crash. Other times, the fault is harder to determine or more than one person holds a percentage of fault.
In either situation, a car accident lawyer can help you investigate the situation and gather facts to prove your case. They can also communicate with the insurance company to make sure you’re seeking compensation for the full extent of your damages.
Damages You Can Claim After a Car Accident
Damages you can include in your claim are typically any expenses you now face because of the accident. If there are costs you wouldn’t have had without the accident happening, those are considered damages.
Common damages in car accidents include:
- Medical costs, such as hospital bills, doctor visits, and prescription drugs
- Lost wages from missing work because of the accident and treatment
- Costs of repairing or replacing your car
- Ongoing treatment costs like physical therapy or rehabilitation
The above are known as “special damages.” They are fairly easy to calculate because they have set dollar amounts. You should keep track of all bills, receipts, and quotes for special damages.
Another type of damages, known as “general damages,” are also considered in a claim. General damages are related to suffering and long-term life changes because of the accident like:
- mental or emotional anguish
- Disfigurement
- Disabilities
- or a lowered quality of life.
These damages can be worth a lot in a car accident claim. However, they are hard to calculate alone, so we highly recommend seeking the help of a North Druid car accident lawyer.
Punitive damages also sometimes apply. If your injury involves malicious intent, wantonness, or acts of violence, you may be able to pursue punitive damages. Unlike the other types of personal injury damages, the sole purpose of punitive damages is to punish the person who has acted wrongfully. This can apply in certain car accident cases, such as drunk driving accidents.
Any and all damages should be considered after a car accident. A claim is meant to put you back in the same place you were before the accident. It should help “make you whole,” in other words, and provide the financial stability you and your family need during this time. That will be the number one priority of any good car accident lawyer.
How Most North Druid Car Accident Lawyers Get Paid
If you’re worried about talking to a lawyer because of the cost, we understand this concern. Thankfully, most personal injury lawyers work on what’s known as a contingency basis.
Working on contingency means:
- The lawyer does not require payment upfront.
- Instead, their payment is simply taken as a percentage of what you get as a settlement or award.
- And if you don’t win anything, they don’t either.
This is ideal for most car accident victims because it means there’s no additional reason to stress about money. You can start working with your car accident lawyer right away, and their success is your success. You and your lawyer can work as a team with your best interests (and FULL recovery) as the goal.
Speak to a North Druid Car Accident Lawyer for Free
At John Foy & Associates, we don’t think you should ever have to worry about paying out of pocket. Our consultation is always FREE, and you never pay a thing unless we win you money. No need to worry about hourly rates or surprise fees. We’ve been doing this for 20+ years, and we’ve found it’s the best way to put you and your family first. There’s no risk to talk to us or work with us.
We also know it’s important to act quickly so you don’t miss your chance at compensation. We can help you get started today. To schedule your free consultation right away, contact us today. Call 404-400-4000 to grab your free consultation today.
