Why Do You Need a Car Wreck Lawyer Atlanta, and When Should You Hire One?

 What Are the Most Common Causes of Car Wrecks?

Driving under the influence, distracted driving, as well as reckless driving, are among the most common causes of auto accidents.

Laws in the State of Georgia prohibit operating a motor vehicle or driving under the influence of any alcohol, drug, or controlled substance. Distracted driving occurs when a driver looks away from the road and does any other activity like checking their phone. Examples of reckless driving include cutting other drivers off, driving at high speed, weaving, etc.

But, these drivers’ errors and traffic violations are not the only causes of car accidents. Bad road conditions, such as lack of visibility or slippery roads, malfunctioning car parts, and other uncontrollable factors, can also be the cause of car accidents.

When a car accident occurs, our Atlanta car accident lawyers will start gathering evidence and important information regarding the crash. That may include eye-witnesses testimony, police records, as well as details about the property damage or injured victim’s medical expenses.

Although we can’t guarantee the outcome of your car accident case, we promise to provide legal representation, answer your questions sincerely, and present your options. Our expertise in motor vehicle accidents in Atlanta is not limited to car accidents. Lawyers at our law firm also have experience in representing injured victims in truck accidents, as well as those injured in motorcycle accidents.

If you want to seek compensation and file a personal injury claim, know that there may be time limits on filing your claim. Contact us today and get the compensation you deserve.

Dealing with Insurance Companies

The State of Georgia is a “fault” state. It means that if you have been injured in a car accident, you can seek compensation from the at-fault driver and their insurance company. But, in order to recover damages for personal injury or property damage, you have to prove that he or she was, in fact, responsible for causing the vehicle accident. In addition, you also have to show that you are less than 50% at-fault for the car wreck.

Georgia has modified the comparative fault rule for assigning liability in car accident cases. So, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will cover your damages, but only if the driver is at least 51% or more at-fault, and only for the percentage of fault that is assigned to that driver. The higher liability in the accident will result in lower compensation.

The at-fault driver’s car insurance company may claim that you are at least partially responsible for the accident as well. However, the jury determines the percentage of fault in a vehicle accident after reviewing the facts at a personal injury trial.

Bear in mind that you should not discuss the details of the accident with anyone except your auto accident attorney and your doctor. Talking to an insurance company or anyone else may harm your car accident case and your pursuit of compensation.

Determining the Amount of Compensation

You are entitled to seek compensation for injuries you have suffered in a car wreck if your liability for the accident isn’t more than 49%.

Accident victims are entitled to:

• Economic damages
• Non-economic damages

Economic damages include quantifiable losses that arise from the injuries you suffered in the accident. Economic damages may include medical bills and future medical expenses, lost wages, property damages, and other tangible losses.

Non-economic damages represent intangible losses that arise from your injuries in an accident. These damages may include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life or intimacy and support.

There are also punitive damages. The plaintiff may be eligible to seek punitive damages in Georgia in cases of severe negligence or liability of an at-fault driver. That is especially the case if these acts resulted in serious injuries, impairment, or death of another person involved in a crash.

As your Atlanta car accident lawyers, we will make sure you and your family are taken care of and that you receive the compensation you deserve. Our attorneys will represent you in dealings with the insurance company and in litigation if that is necessary in your case. Also, if we don’t win your case, you pay us nothing.

Has Your Settlement Check Been Delayed?

After a car crash, you may be entitled to one or more of the different types of damages we mentioned earlier in a lawsuit. However, what if you negotiate a settlement to resolve your claim, and weeks pass without receiving your check?

Of course, your settlement check should to arrive within a realistic timeframe. Otherwise, you should receive a statement explaining the reason for the delay. If your check is delayed without any sound reason, there are certain things you can do to accelerate the process. Before that, let’s take a look at some of the reasons why your check might be delayed.

Why Your Settlement Check May Be Delayed

Although it seems sensible to get your settlement as soon as you reach an agreement, the insurance company cannot make the payment that fast. Usually, these companies take up to three or four weeks before sending the check, particularly if there’s a genuine reason.

We’ve seen cases where settlement agreements were reached, and a case of a misplaced or overlooked file surfaced. However, if a month passes without seeing your check, you have to start asking serious questions.

Like most large companies, insurance companies usually have internal financial transaction procedures. Someone has to review your agreement and ensure the company and the insured are protected before sending the authorization to the relevant department to process and mail your settlement check.

Some of the reasons why your insurance company may delay to issue your check include the following:
Your claims adjuster unexpectedly took some time off for illness, vacation or something similar after settling your claim before they sent your settlement agreement for approval.
You’ve not yet signed the agreement and returned it.
The person responsible for signing off on your settlement agreement is not available.
An unexpected event in the country, such as a natural disaster, has severely affected the insurance company, leading to widespread delays.

Granted, depending on the Atlanta car accident attorney you’re working with, there may be delays on their part. This may be due the following reasons:
The attorney is still negotiating your medical liens to ensure you’re able to recover more money.
The attorney has not received the settlement check yet.
The attorney received a notification of liens against your proceeds, and is still waiting each lien to be confirmed.
The insurance company sent the check, and it arrived while your attorney was engaged in another case.

While delays can happen, The Orlando Firm is committed to ensuring that our clients receive the compensation they need to begin their recovery as quickly as possible. If you work with us, we’ll keep you informed on the status of your settlement so you’re never left hanging.

How to Act on the Delay of Your Settlement

The action you take concerning the delay depends on whether you handled the injury claim by yourself or one of the Atlanta car accident attorneys represented you.

If you were represented by a qualified attorney, you need to contact them to update you on the status of your car accident settlement. In this case, the insurance company is supposed to send the settlement check to them, and they should deposit the funds into an escrow account. When that happens, the necessary deductions will be made, whereupon you receive the balance. Remember that it often takes a while for attorneys to negotiate with the medical lien holders to optimize the settlement offer by reducing or eliminating certain liens against your settlement. However, your attorney cannot be paid before you.

Of course, it is highly recommended to work with a car wreck lawyer in Atlanta to increase your chances of having a smooth settlement while receiving critical legal advice in the process. Nonetheless, if you already settled the claim on your own, there are steps you can take to address any delays.

Call the adjuster if you fail to receive your check within three weeks. They may tell you that your claim is still on course. If they do, ask how much longer it’s likely to take before you get your settlement check. The point here is to pin the adjuster down; note the exact date and time you conversed with them, and exactly what they told you.

After a few days, call them again. This is reasonable, as long as there’s no genuine reason why your check is being delayed. Remember to note the date and time of all your calls and the adjuster’s response.

If you don’t receive the check as promised, you can go up the chain of command and ask for the adjuster’s supervisor. Your aim should be to get a better explanation for the delay and a more precise date when you should expect the check. Of course, if the supervisor fails to keep his word, it’s highly recommended you consult a personal injury attorney or file a complaint with your state insurance board.

As you can see, handling the whole process by yourself can be frustrating. A qualified car wreck lawyer Atlanta can help you avoid all the hassle, and help you save time and money by doing the requisite follow-up of your case professionally.

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