When people get into a car accident, the injuries are usually minor. They file a claim against the other driver’s insurance policy and get their check within a week or two. If things aren’t resolved amicably, they hire an automobile crash lawyer in Atlanta and have them file suit on their behalf. This lawsuit will be filed against both the insurance company and the other driver. In most cases, the lawsuit is settled long before the need to go to trial arises. However, there are times when your only option is to go to trial. This can become complicated when you’re hit by an out of state driver.
Atlanta is one of the major hubs in this country. People drive through the city for all sorts of reasons. This means there’s always the chance that the person who crashes into your car is from out of state. If this is the case, you’re going to need a car accident lawyer in Georgia to help. There’s a chance that you’ll need to file a lawsuit against the other driver. If this happens, it won’t change things for you. However, it can make things more difficult for the other driver. For example, they’re going to have to travel back to Atlanta for any court hearings or depositions. This could be both a good thing and a bad thing. Here, we’ll talk about how your lawyer will handle a case against an out of state driver and how this can work both for and against you when it comes to getting the money you deserve.
Why Does it Matter that the Other Driver is Not from Georgia?
When it comes to any sort of civil lawsuit, it can be complicated when the defendant is not local. Let’s say you live in Atlanta. You are rear-ended by an out of state driver while on your way home from work one evening. Their insurance company denies your claim for some reason. This could be for any of the following:
- Their insurance policy wasn’t valid
- They believe you weren’t really hurt
- They think you were responsible for the crash
- They figure it’ll be cheaper to settle your case rather than pay out the claim
If the claim is denied, your Atlanta car accident lawyer may have to file a lawsuit. When somebody is sued, they’ll have to return to the county where the accident happened. This is true for any hearings, depositions or court filings. If the defendant is from another state, they may not want to travel back and forth to attend these hearings. This is especially true if they live hundreds or thousands of miles from the scene of the accident.
What Does this Mean for Your Case?
If the defendant is unwilling or unable to travel back to Atlanta for legal appointments, they may want to settle the case. They may tell the insurance company that they will not be available to attend any hearings or depositions. This will put extra pressure on the insurance adjustor to settle or pay your claim. If they don’t have a witness or client willing to participate in their own defense, it can make things very difficult. Your Atlanta car accident lawyer will use this to their advantage. They’ll work very hard to negotiate a settlement of your claim. It could make your case get resolved a lot faster than it would otherwise. Or, it can backfire. The insurance company may try to drag things out hoping they can convince their client to participate in their own defense.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney if You’ve Been Hit by an Out of State Driver
If you’re hit by an out of state driver, you may have a hard time navigating your car accident case. This is why you should contact an experienced automobile crash law firm in Atlanta. They can handle the legal side of things while you focus on recovering from your injuries. I’s true that your case can become more complicated with an out of state defendant. However, your attorney will make sure that this doesn’t impact your case in any major way. Call today and schedule your free initial consultation. Sit down with someone who’s handled several cases just like yours. They can answer your questions and let you know what your case may be worth. They can also communicate with the defendant’s lawyer to try to negotiate a settlement. The consultation is free and you won’t have to pay anything until after your case is settled.
