Car accidents can leave you with lasting injuries and expensive medical bills. If you have incurred damages, then you deserve fair compensation.
A lawyer will help you recover the full amount of your damages. The right time to contact one is as soon as possible. That’s because evidence dries up, witnesses forget, and statements can be misinterpreted or misunderstood.
1. You’ve Been Injured
When you’ve been injured in a car accident, it can be a traumatic experience. In addition to requiring medical treatment, you may be dealing with vehicle damage, lost wages and other expenses. Fortunately, a car accident attorney in Carrollton ga can help you recover damages for these losses.
You should always call 911 in any accident involving injury or property damage. This will allow a police officer to make an official report, documenting the accident scene and providing statements from witnesses.
Make sure you have a pen and paper with you to note the driver’s name, license number, insurance information, and their relationship to you. Also, ask for their contact information if they decline to give their statement at the scene.
Take pictures of the accident scene, including any damage to your car, skid marks and area conditions. These pictures can be very useful in proving your case if the other driver attempts to dispute your account of the incident.
2. You’re Not Sure Who’s at Fault
Many accidents are caused by more than one party, so determining who’s at fault can be difficult. Typically, the police officer who responds to the scene will either establish fault based on their on-field assessment or provide notes that can help determine fault later on.
Medical professionals may also be able to provide insight into how the accident occurred, such as their observation of the manner in which injuries are likely to have come about and how they were likely sustained. It’s also important to take pictures of the scene and gather names, phone numbers and accounts from any witnesses that you can at the scene.
Taking these steps can help to prove who was at fault for the crash and allow you to recover damages. Failing to do so can be a recipe for disaster. An attorney can make sense of the facts and advise you on your options. They can also file a claim with the other driver’s insurance company and/or your own insurance provider on your behalf.
3. You’re Having Difficulties with Your Insurance Company
It can be frustrating when an insurance company does not treat you fairly. They may deny your claim, not pay for all of your damages or offer you a low settlement amount that does not fully cover future medical bills and car repairs.
In these situations, it is important to make sure that your communications are documented. Always get the name and phone number of the adjuster you are dealing with and be sure to keep copies of all correspondence in case you need to file an insurance complaint. It also helps to be friendly but firm and direct with your comments.
Beware of insurers who try to talk you out of hiring a lawyer. This is often a tactic to prevent you from getting the compensation that you deserve. They may be trying to trick you into accepting a lower settlement that will not cover all of your expenses.
4. You’re Having Difficulties with the Other Party’s Insurance Company
You’ve filed a claim with your insurance company and now you’re waiting for the other party’s insurance to pay your damages. In some cases, the at-fault driver’s insurance may deny responsibility for your accident or may try to get you to accept a low settlement that won’t cover all of your expenses.
If this happens, you need an attorney. A lawyer will ensure that all of the evidence is collected and preserved. They can help you obtain surveillance video from nearby businesses, which is crucial in these cases.
If you’re talking to the other insurance company, it’s best to not say too much. They’re looking for ways not to pay you and could use anything you say against you. Avoid giving them information about your family, work history or past injuries/accidents. They don’t need to know this and it could hurt your case.