If you get into a car accident in Atlanta, Georgia, the first thing you’ll probably want to do is go after the other driver. You’re going about your business and someone hits you out of nowhere. Not only does it ruin your day but it can have a profound impact on your life. You may even have to file a car accident lawsuit.
Before you rush to go after the other driver, however, you need to do a few things. The first thing you need to do is file an insurance claim. For all you know, their insurance company may be willing to pay your claim. If this is the case, you’ll have your money in a week or two.
Now, if your claim is denied, that’s an entirely different story. If this happens, you should contact an experienced car accident lawyer in Atlanta. They can try to appeal your claim. Or, they can contact the insurance adjuster and try to negotiate a settlement of your claim. If this doesn’t work, then you can think about filing a car accident lawsuit.
If you do need to sue, your Atlanta car accident lawyer will fight to get you as much money as possible. They understand that you have a right to damages.
Regardless of Whether You Sue, There are a Few Things You Need to Do Following Your Georgia Car Accident
If you want any chance of recovering for your injuries, there are few things you need to after your car accident. First, you need to call the cops immediately after your car accident. They’ll come to the scene and complete a thorough investigation. They’ll also check to see if either of the drivers are under the influence.
The next thing you need to do is go to the hospital. If you don’t get treatment for your injuries, you won’t be able to prove you were hurt. You also will have no way to prove your injuries. If you don’t go to the hospital right away, the defendant will argue that something other than the accident caused your injuries. They’ll also claim that you didn’t do what you should have to mitigate your damages.
The last thing you need to do after your car crash is to contact an experienced car accident lawyer. They’ll make sure your claim is handled properly from the start. They’ll also deal with the legal side of things while you focus on getting better.
If the Insurance Company Denies Your Claim, You’ll Have to Sue
Most of the time, the insurance company will pay your claim. It’s actually rare that they would issue an outright denial of your claim. They may deny your claim because it’s large. They figure they’ll have a better chance of settling for less if they hold out. There are other reasons why they may deny your claim. Some of these include:
- They believe you were at fault for the crash
- They don’t think you were actually injured
- You have a history of filing false insurance claims
- The policy had lapsed for non-payment
- The policy was never valid
If the policy was never valid, there’s nothing your Atlanta car accident lawyer can do to help you. No insurance company is going to pay out on an invalid policy. But for any of the other reasons, your lawyer can file an appeal. They’ll also try to negotiate a settlement of your claim.
If none of these things work, your lawyer will have no choice but to recommend you sue. You want to give it a fair shot with the insurance company. There’s no reason to waste time and money on a car accident lawsuit if it’s not absolutely necessary. Sadly, sometimes the only way to get the insurance adjuster to take you seriously is to take legal action.
If this is the case, your lawyer will file the lawsuit and wait for the insurance company to respond. However, just because you filed suit doesn’t mean your case won’t settle. Over 90% of all cases do actually suffer long before trial. Your car accident attorney in Atlanta will continue to negotiate a settlement up until the day of trial.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Atlanta
If you or a loved one have been the victim of a traffic incident, you should know there is always something you can do. First, you may be up for compensation. A car accident attorney in Atlanta, Georgia with relevant experience in the field can help you determine what your case might be worth.
Call today and schedule your initial consultation with one of our team lawyers. A free consultation is always available. You gain peace of mind and an assurance that your case is taken care by a seasoned professional.
