Valdosta Car Accident Lawyer

Valdosta Car Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident in Valdosta? Call our Valdosta accident attorneys at 229-469-8266.

A car accident or injury can never be classified as minor. After one of these events there are many questions to be answered: Where will I get medical treatment? Who is going to pay for my medical expenses? Do I need to alert my insurance carrier if I was not in the wrong? Will I be paid for any days of work that I miss?  These are just a few of the myriad of questions that need to be answered after an accident. The Merritt & Merritt Law Firm has experienced attorneys that specialize in injury and accident law.  We have worked thousands of auto accident cases.  It is rare that someone is in a type of accident that we have not had in the past.

Our objective is to make sure your life is back to normal as soon as practical.

Car Accident Law the Right Way

You’ve been injured. You’re wondering about your legal rights and what you might be entitle too, but the insurance world is confusing and can be very overwhelming. And with endless advertising and 1-800 numbers for lawyers, you’re not sure which car accident law firm will truly help you. Merritt & Merritt Law Firm is that law firm. Call us today at 229-469-8266.

Top-Rated Valdosta Personal Injury Representation

Our first priority is always our clients, our dedication and excellence in the field of car accident law has earned our firm and our attorneys numerous awards, honors, and accolades. We believe these recognitions are useful in assisting potential clients in finding the best Valdosta law firm to represent them. We have over 40 years of experience.

Who Should You Call If You Are Involved In A Georgia Car Accident?

Of course, if you have been seriously injured, you should call 911 so that you can get immediate medical help. Otherwise, the first call you should make is to the police if you have been involved in a car accident. They can secure the accident scene to protect you and other motorists while the situation gets sorted out. In addition, they will prepare an accident report that will document important details concerning your accident.

After you leave the scene of the accident, you should call your doctor to schedule an appointment for a thorough examination. Some injuries may not be immediately apparent, but you want to make sure that you are ok.

You should also call your insurance company to report the accident. Try to limit your comments to basic facts – where and when the accident occurred, the damage to your vehicle, and whether anyone was injured. Avoid making any statements about what you think may have caused the accident or who was at fault. You should not admit liability under any circumstances until you fully understand your options.

If you have suffered a serious injury as a result of the accident, you should also call a car accident attorney. They can review your case and help you understand your options.

Why Choose Merritt & Merritt Law Firm?

Many of our clients come to us through a referrals from other attorneys, judges, police officers and former clients. This shows we’re not only well-regarded by our fellow attorneys but, most importantly, have earned the trust of Georgia families we have been fortunate enough to serve.

We dedicate our time to get to know our clients and understand their needs so we can be their best representative. Our track record proves that our methods and detailed client care is both effective and successful.

Contact us at 229-469-8266, we’ll let you know if you have a case.  We offer a free initial car accident consultation.

Expertise in Valdosta Personal Injury Cases

We handle a wide variety of personal injury including car accident, tractor trailer accident, motorcycle wrecks, and bike crashes. In addition, we are experienced in successfully handling wrongful death, sexual assault, dog bites, and many other personal injury cases. The bottom line is that if you’ve been injured because of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, please contact us.

Important Steps after an accident:

1. Seek out medical attention immediately
2. File a Police Report
3. Be aware of what you say at the scene of the accident
4. Keep accurate records of all costs and expenses related to the injury
5. Be cautious when dealing with insurance companies
6. DO NOT sign any forms or documents without understanding them
7. Avoid trying to settle on your own if you don’t understand what to do
8. Be aware of filing deadlines
9. Do some preliminary research on the legal process
10. Be aware of what type of lawyer you will need to hire

About 80-90 percent of auto accident cases settle outside of court. However, that does not mean an attorney is not needed to walk you through the legal process. We understand the law and have many years of experience to get you what you are entitled to. Hiring one of our Valdosta car accident attorneys can ensure you a higher settlement and relieve the stress of dealing with insurance companies.

Although most cases do settle outside of court, we prepare every single case as if the case will go to trial. This means many hours will be put into your case before it’s presented to the insurance company or a jury. We strive to provide all of our clients with the best legal representation possible.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a accident, call the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm at 229-469-8266. “The People’s Firm”

Georgia Texting While Driving Law:
http://www.gahighwaysafety.org/highway-safety/texting-laws/

Seven Things Your Valdosta Car Accident Attorney Wants You to Know

#1 There is a Deadline to Pursue Your Claim

Georgia law imposes a deadline on car accident victims known as a “statute of limitations” in legal terminology. The statute of limitations for car accidents in Georgia is two years from the date of your accident. As a result, you must settle your claim or file a lawsuit within that two-year period or you will lose all of your rights.

Two years may sound like a long time, but the sooner you take action, the better your chances of getting the compensation you deserve. You need to act quickly to gather the evidence you need – get copies of your accident report, obtain witness statements, and gather copies of your medical bills and records. Over time, records can get lost, witnesses may move, and memories can fade. One of the most important ways that a Valdosta car accident attorney can help is to gather the evidence you need so that you can focus on your recovery.

#2 Your Injuries May Not Be Immediately Apparent

The safety features in modern vehicles do a great job of preventing serious injury in most accidents. However, they cannot change the fact that the passengers are subjected to tremendous forces. While you may not have suffered any broken bones or other obvious injuries, more subtle injuries can take some time to manifest. Common delayed injuries that accident victims can suffer include the following:

• Concussions
• Nerve damage
• Internal organ damage
• Neck and back injuries
• Sprains and strains

Many car accident victims can also experience severe depression, anxiety, and PTSD following their accident. If you begin to experience any symptoms at all in the days following your accident, it is important that you listen to your body and seek immediate medical attention. From there, you may want to consult with a Valdosta car accident attorney to discuss your options.

#3 Some Vehicle Accident Cases Are Complex

While many car accident cases may be straightforward, some are more complex lawsuits. The following situations may make your car accident lawsuit more complex.

• Car accident cases that involve multiple vehicles. This means that multiple parties may be pursuing the same pool of compensation and competing against each other. It also means that there may be differing versions of what happened, leading to important factual disputes. Often car vs. truck accidents fall into this category.
• Car accidents involving companies with litigation departments. In an accident against a company (think big box deliveries or common trucking companies) they have entire departments devoting time and energy to avoiding claims and reducing their liability exposure. As a result, they are not likely to cooperate with you in settling their claim. In addition, they are in consultation with their attorneys at all times, if you are not already dealing with their attorneys directly.
• When it is difficult to determine the at-fault party. As discussed above, when there are multiple parties whose negligence may have caused the accident the car accident claim can become more complex.

If you have been injured in a car accident, the best way to protect your rights is to work with a Valdosta car accident attorney.

#4 You May Be Entitled to Compensation for More Than Your Medical Bills

Many car accident victims assume that they do not need a lawyer because they have health insurance that will cover their medical expenses. If you have suffered a serious injury, however, you need to be aware of what your health insurance will not cover:

• Your lost income
• Your pain and suffering
• Your copays and deductible

These losses can be substantial depending on the severity of your injuries. If you are unable to work for an extended period of time, for example, you may lose thousands of dollars in wages. If you suffer a long-term or permanent disability, your losses could be even more debilitating.

Under the law, you are entitled to be made whole. This means that you may be entitled to compensation for all of your losses, including your non-economic losses. The physical pain and mental anguish you experience as a result of your injuries can be debilitating, leaving you unable to perform basic tasks or simply enjoy your life. A Valdosta car accident lawyer will ensure that you receive all of the compensation you deserve.

#5 You May Not Need to Go to Court

Many people are reluctant to contact an attorney because they are intimidated by the prospect of going to court. The truth is that most vehicle accident cases are settled out of court, sometimes without even filing a lawsuit. That said, the claim process can be difficult. A Valdosta car accident attorney can build the strongest possible case so that you have the best chance of a fair settlement. And the decision to settle and for what amount is always yours – your lawyer’s role is to provide you with the information and guidance you need to make an informed decision.

#6 You Won’t Pay Any Legal Fees Unless You Win

Most, if not all, car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they do not charge their clients any legal fees upfront. Instead, their fees are paid as a percentage of the compensation they recover on your behalf. As a result, you never have to pay legal fees out of your own pocket. When meeting with a Valdosta car accident attorney be sure to discuss how they charge their legal fees.

#7 Car and Truck Accidents are Not the Same

The trucking industry is subject to specific laws and regulations that make truck accident lawsuit claims more complex. There are federal and state laws that govern many different aspects of the trucking industry. These laws and regulations govern things like how many hours drivers can spend behind the wheel, maintenance requirements, and drug and alcohol testing. Violation of these laws and regulations can be powerful evidence in your case, proving that your accident was caused by the driver or trucking company’s negligence. A Valdosta car accident lawyer will know what laws may have been violated if you were in a truck accident and use that evidence to build your case.

If you have further questions or need to discuss a potential claim, contact us at 229-469-8266 or via our free case review form.