Have you or a loved one been involved in a car accident? If you have, call our Georgia Injury and Accident Attorneys at 404-975-1775 now!
Here are steps you need to take after being in an accident:
1. Visit the nearest emergency room (same day of accident)
2. Call the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm
3. Report your accident to your insurance company
4. Follow up with your primary physician
5. Receive more treatment from physical therapy or chiropractic care
6. Do not speak with “at fault” person’s insurance company
Our accident attorneys are ready to assist you from start to finish. We can help you find a doctor to treat your injuries or help you get a rental while your car is getting repaired.
Note that this is a simplified accident guide designed to equip you with a broad framework for how to respond after a crash. Every situation will be different, regardless of whether or not the accident results in a legally actionable personal injury to one or more parties. Some automobile accident situations will call for additional actions on your part (if you are physically and mentally able to accomplish them in the aftermath of your crash).
If you’re able, for example, it can be important to document the accident scene using your mobile phone’s camera. Get pictures of the wreckage, damage to any property, injuries sustained, and relevant road hazards, as well as wide shots of the scene that put it all in a geographical context for investigators. Your cellphone camera is also a great tool for quickly capturing the license and insurance information of any other involved parties. These photos can be important evidence later on to demonstrate the fault of the other driver and the damages you should be awarded.
Speaking of other parties, be as courteous and helpful as you’re able when dealing with anyone else at the scene after an accident, especially if someone else needs assistance getting emergency medical care, but do not discuss guilt or fault, even informally. Get yourself checked out medically as soon as possible, and leave the legal process to the high-powered car crash team at Merritt & Merritt.
Our accident attorneys are ready to assist you from start to finish. We can help you find a doctor to treat your injuries or help you get a rental while your car is getting repaired.
Our Georgia Car Accident Attorneys already know the potential pitfalls to avoid and strengths to take advantage of in car and truck accident claim, and we’re ready to put our Georgia auto accident attorney’s expertise to work for you. The insurance companies want to settle your claim for as little as possible, and will almost always approach you quickly after the accident to sign documents. Never sign any document from an insurance company without the assistance of an attorney. Let the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm get you fair compensation you deserve and the help you need to get your life back on track.
Insurance companies will not compensate you fairly unless they are forced too. Big insurance use a variety of techniques to delay or minimize the payment of settlements and may even try to avoid paying altogether. Representation by an experienced accident attorney is usually the only way an accident victim can get what he or she deserves.
A catastrophic injury is considered to be a physical injury that is extremely serious, has a significant impact on the victim of the injury, and requires considerable medical care. While catastrophic injuries are not always fatal or permanent, they may take many years to heal.
Examples of catastrophic injuries that can occur from car accidents are:
At best, a catastrophic auto accident can leave the victim with a lifetime of pain, suffering, and physical and mental turmoil. Impacts of a catastrophic injury on the victim’s life include:
Obviously, this is not a comprehensive list of negative impacts of a catastrophic automobile accident.
Sustaining a catastrophic injury from a vehicle accident often changes the victim’s life forever and affects their loved ones. In the worst-case scenario, a catastrophic car accident can kill the victim or others involved in the crash. Whatever the facts and situation, understanding the common types of catastrophic car accidents and consequent injuries is critical to seeking the best care, compensation, and settlement after the incident.
The aftermath of a car crash can be overwhelming emotionally, to say nothing of whatever physical pain you may be dealing with. As you focus on your healing, it can be difficult to find sufficient mental bandwidth to even think about taking legal action, much less plan out a legal strategy and take the actual steps necessary to set a personal injury claim in motion. This stress doesn’t need to be compounded by worrying about legal fees and attorney costs.
The reality is that the cost of legal representation in a car crash or other personal injury case can vary quite a bit from situation to situation. Here are some of the main factors that will determine the total cost of hiring a law firm that specializes in car accidents:
Let’s break down that last factor, the fee structure, a bit more. Here’s how different legal fee structures work so you can be better equipped to speak with a lawyer about your case and know what will be required financially on your end.
While quality legal services can represent a significant investment, it’s one that pays for itself in the end. We estimate that our clients have received approximately 300% more compensation in the form of judgments and settlements versus citizens who attempt to handle personal injury cases on their own. This can represent a difference of tens of thousands of dollars in many cases and potentially even more.
If you have further questions about our billing policies or need to discuss a potential claim, contact us at 404-975-1775 or via our free case review form.
Just like the amount you can expect to pay for legal representation, the amount of your eventual payout for a personal injury claim related to a car crash will vary widely from case to case. Every car accident is unique, and so is every injury. Several factors determine the potential for compensation in each individual case.
In the state of Georgia, some of the factors that will influence the amount of a settlement or judgment pursuant to a personal injury case involving a car accident include:
All of these different factors can make it extremely challenging to pinpoint an “average payout” that has any practical meaning. Your most useful resource for estimating a potential compensation range based on the exact circumstances of your unique case will be a discussion with the skilled attorneys at Merritt & Merritt. Our no-pressure consultation process is a great first step toward figuring out what sort of personal injury payday may realistically be in your future.
Yes, you can! Georgia is not a “no-fault” state when it comes to car accidents. This means that the party or parties deemed to be responsible for the accident can be held liable for any associated damages, such as medical expenses, destroyed property, and even intangible factors like emotional distress.
If you have been injured in a car accident in the state of Georgia and want to seek compensation for your injuries, you have rights and options. Those rights include:
Not all of these will necessarily apply to every case. Consult with the skilled and successful car accident personal injury law team at Merritt & Merritt for help developing an appropriate legal strategy to pursue post-accident injury compensation from one or more sources.
If you should find yourself on the receiving end of a lawsuit following a traumatic car accident, it can be a very daunting and frustrating experience, especially if you don’t believe you were at fault. If this happens, keep your cool and follow these steps:
For more Savannah Car Accident Statistics, view link:
A personal injury claim must be filed within two years of the injury. A workers’ compensation claim must be filed within one year after the injury or death of the employee.
Gainesville Police Department
701 Queen City Parkway, SW
Gainesville, Georgia 30501
770-534-5252
Hall County Sheriff Department
610 Main St. SW
Gainesville, Georgia 30501
770-531-6885
Northeast Georgia Health System-Hospital
743 Spring St. NE
Gainesville, Georgia 30501
770-219-9000
If you have further questions or need to discuss a potential claim, contact us at 404-975-1775 or via our free case review form.