For some reason, many people think it cost a lot of money to hire a car accident lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia. That’s not actually true. Car accident lawyers are just personal injury lawyers who specialize in car accident cases. They work similarly to personal injury lawyers.
Car accident cases are handled on a contingency basis. This means you don’t pay anything until you win or settle your case. Your attorney fronts all the court costs and fees. They expect to be reimbursed when you do settle your case.
Your car accident lawyer in Atlanta will take a percentage of your settlement This percentage is usually about 30-40%. Most lawyers charge about 33%.
So, if your case settles for $300,000, your lawyer will get a third – or, $99,000. For some cases that involve complex matters, or that go to trial, this percentage may go up to 40%. Your arrangement with your car accident lawyer will be outlined in your retainer agreement.
You’ll Have to Sign a Retainer Agreement?
When you first meet with your auto accident lawyer in Atlanta, they’ll help you schedule your initial consultation. This consultation will cost you nothing.
You’ll get to sit down with an experienced car accident lawyer. They’ll review your case and answer any questions you might have.
You want to give your new lawyer as much information as you can. Do this at your initial consultation. This way, they can give you a good idea of how strong your case may be. They can also let you know what it might be worth.
If your Atlanta auto accident attorney believes you have a valid case, they’ll probably offer to represent. If you want to retain them, you’ll sign a retainer agreement. This is a contract for the lawyer’s services.
Bring All Your Documentation to the Consultation
When you meet with your Atlanta car accident lawyer for the first time, bring all pertinent information with you. They’ll need to review this information in order to properly prepare your case.
For your initial consultation, try to bring the following:
- Contact information for the other driver(s) and their insurance information
- Name and numbers for the eyewitnesses.
- Pictures of the accident scene and injuries
- The accident report and police report
- Any paperwork from the hospital or doctors
You want to tell your lawyer as much of the story as you can during this first meeting. If they need additional information, they’ll ask for it. If they don’t need certain things, they’ll tell you that too.
The one thing you don’t want to happen is have your lawyer be blindsided later. This is why it’s important you be honest from the start.
What Kind of Damages Will You Demand?
One of the first things your lawyer will ask you is what kind of injuries you suffered. they need to know how badly you were hurt in order to know what your case is worth. They’ll also ask what kinds of out of pocket expenses you’ve paid.
Depending on the seriousness of your injuries, your car accident lawyer in Georgia will demand the following:
- Medical Bills – You’ll be entitled to reimbursement for any medical bills caused by the accident. This includes past and future medical bills.
- Property Damage – Chances are, you’re going to need to get your car repaired or replaced. The defendant is responsible for these costs.
- Lost Income – If you need surgery and physical therapy, you’ll be out of work for a while. The defendant should be responsible for these lose earnings.
- Pain and Suffering – These damages are meant to compensate you for any physical and mental anguish caused by the crash.
Your Atlanta car accident attorney is going to try to get you as much compensation as possible. In order to do this, you have to be upfront with them. Make sure you respond to their calls and emails. They can only get you the compensation you deserve if you communicate with them.
Contact an Experienced Auto Accident Attorney in Atlanta, Georgia
If you or your loved one have been injured in a car accident, you need to call an Atlanta, Georgia auto accident attorney. You can schedule your free initial consultation today. This lets you sit down with an experienced lawyer at Ted A. Greve & Associates who can answer any questions you may have.
Call today and schedule your initial consultation. It’s absolutely free and you pay nothing until you settle your case.
