If you were injured in a car crash, you might be wondering whether you need a lawyer – what does a car accident lawyer do, anyway? As it turns out, they do a lot to protect your rights and financial security.
An experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer can be an invaluable asset as you demand full compensation for your damages. With a dedicated personal injury attorney working for you, you can devote more of your time, energy, and resources towards healing while we work on building a compelling case against the at-fault parties.
What does a car accident attorney do?
It’s normal to wonder what your car accident attorney will do to support you after a devastating collision. When you are paying money out of your injury settlement to cover your attorney’s fees, you want to know that they are going to put in the effort to recover the compensation you deserve. Here are some of our car accident lawyer’s most important responsibilities.
Collect supporting evidence and establish fault
One of our most important tasks includes collecting valuable evidence to support your case. This way, we can determine who is at fault for your injuries and hold them accountable accordingly. Some of the various types of evidence that could prove most useful in a car accident lawsuit or insurance claim include:
- Chemical blood or breath alcohol test results
- Copies of the defendant’s driving history
- Testimony from witnesses and bystanders to the collision
- Reports from accident reconstructionists
- Police and crash reports
- Copies of the defendant’s criminal record
- Data obtained from your car’s black box
- Photos of your injuries
- Copies of your medical records and prognosis
- Video surveillance footage of the accident
In many cases, car crashes are caused by negligent drivers. If the driver that hit you was under the influence, distracted, driving drowsy, or operating their vehicles aggressively, they may be held accountable. Other times, malfunctioning vehicle parts and hazardous roads contribute to collisions. An investigation can determine how the accident occurred and uncover the evidence needed to establish liability and negligence. This way, you can recover maximum compensation for your losses.
Protect you from shared fault
One of the most common ways liable parties avoid culpability is by blaming the victim for their injuries. Your car accident lawyer is responsible for protecting you from these accusations. Since Georgia operates under modified comparative negligence laws, if you are partially at fault, your injury settlement could suffer. Your percentage of blame will be deducted from your payout.
For example, if you are accused of not wearing your seatbelt at the time of the accident, the judge might find you 5% responsible for your injuries. If you were awarded $2 million, your settlement would be reduced by 5%, leaving you with a final settlement valued at $1.9 million. This means you would miss out on $100,000 worth of damages. Fortunately, your car accident attorney will protect you and ensure negligence and culpability for your damages are accurately established in your case.
Make sure your claim is filed before time runs out
We can also ensure your car accident lawsuit and insurance claims are filed before the deadline.
Georgia statute of limitations laws generally require claims to be filed within two years of the accident date. However, an attorney will also help you understand what other types of deadlines you may have to meet even sooner than that. Otherwise, the court system prohibits you from pursuing justice at trial. We conduct our investigation promptly and move forward with your case as quickly as we can so your settlement is never in jeopardy.
Connect with a car accident attorney in Atlanta
The car accident claims process may be overwhelming if you attempt to go at it alone. Now that you know what your car accident lawyer will do for your case, it is time to schedule your 100% free consultation. Get started on your insurance claim and begin fighting for justice through your car accident lawsuit as soon as today.
Meet with an experienced Atlanta car accident attorney from Rafi Law Firm at your earliest convenience. Schedule your free, no-obligation consultation today by completing our online contact form or calling our office at (404) 800-9933.
