After any sort of car accident, you may find yourself dealing with a host of different problems. Ongoing medical treatment, costly bills, chronic pain, and an inability to get back to work — auto accidents can cause these things as well as other issues. As though the direct challenges weren’t enough, an auto accident might well cast your family’s financial future in doubt, particularly if you have life-long injuries that make it difficult or impossible to resume your career.
Take heart! You don’t have to face these challenges by yourself. Help is out there!
You can take advantage of the expertise of a great Mableton car accident lawyer. Calvin Smith Law has been advising, supporting, and defending accident victims for decades. We never ask for payment unless and until we get you the compensation you deserve. Our initial consultations are free and carry no obligation. Schedule your consultation today by calling our Mableton personal injury lawyers at (404) 383-7552.
How Is Auto Accident Liability Determined?
Auto accidents in Mableton, Georgia, fall under “at-fault” laws. This means the responsibility for paying for all of the damages (including medical expenses) caused by an accident falls with the party who is at fault for it. This means that establishing fault is a critical part of any legal proceeding involving a car accident.
Negligence is a key concept in determining fault. The theory of negligence is that accidents occur due to one or more parties failing to exercise the proper care and caution called for in the circumstances of the accident. Every licensed driver has, under the law, an obligation to exercise such care and obey traffic regulations. Drivers that fail to do this and thereby cause an accident are at fault. That typically means their insurance company will be forced to pay for the damages.
Common forms of negligent behavior include:
- Exceeding speed limits
- Distracted driving
- Driving while intoxicated
- Switching lanes or turning dangerously
Do Insurance Companies Cover All The Costs In A Car Accident?
As outlined above, in theory, the insurance company of the at-fault driver must meet all the expenses caused by an accident. The reality can be quite different. Insurance providers are hesitant to pay any more than the absolute minimum for auto accident damages. Insurance companies engage in a wide range of different tactics to devalue or even invalidate your claim. This is why you must have an experienced car accident lawyer working on your behalf. You can trust a personal injury attorney to evaluate any offer made by an insurance company and tell you whether or not it is reasonable in light of your specific damages.
Accident attorneys are also capable of assembling a strong case in favor of full compensation, and this case gives you the leverage you need when negotiating with insurers. Insurance companies typically start by offering you an amount of money that is not even enough to cover your damages and medical expenses.
Always remember that insurance companies are for-profit businesses. It is in their best interest to protect their revenue and settle your case as quickly and cheaply as they can. It is dangerous to evaluate insurance offers on your own because accepting one can deprive you of your right to seek more reasonable compensation in the future.
Good Mableton car accident lawyers are intimately familiar with the way insurance companies work. You can trust your attorney to protect you from unfair tactics and fight for the highest possible amount of financial compensation. You can also trust your lawyer to review your medical situation to ensure that you receive a thorough evaluation of your injuries, chart out a plan for the best possible treatment, and get an accurate estimate of what that treatment will cost.
In many cases, the mere presence of an attorney in the matter will compel an insurance company to take your claim seriously and present you with more favorable settlement offers.
What Happens If The At-Fault Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
Seeking compensation in these cases is more complicated, but far from impossible. You may be able to claim against another insurance policy (such as your own, depending on your coverage) or work with a court to arrange for an installment plan of payment. Rest assured, there are extensive legal mechanisms available to enforce payment by the at-fault driver — some of them just take longer than others?
What Injuries Are Covered By Car Insurance?
Any sort of injury that is sustained as a direct result of the accident can be included in a damage claim. We frequently include some or all of the following injuries in our clients’ compensation claims:
- Head injuries
- Whiplash
- Cuts and lacerations
- Limb, joint, and finger damage
- Internal injuries
- Burns and smoke inhalation
You should always seek out a medical examination after an accident, even if you feel fine. An accident is a traumatic experience, and you may not be fully aware of injuries for some time. Additionally, some accident-induced injuries do not manifest symptoms immediately. If you begin to experience new symptoms in the weeks following an accident (e.g. pain or nausea), see a doctor. Not only does prompt medical attention improve your health outlook, but it also creates reliable documentation that may be essential to filing a successful claim or lawsuit.
Does My Claim Cover Additional Damages?
There are two other kinds of damages cited in accident claims besides medical expenses. These are:
- Incurred costs. This covers both property damage — e.g. repair or replacement of your car — and income lost due to temporary or permanent inability to work
- Compensatory damages. This is money awarded to you to account for the less-tangible consequences of an accident, like pain and suffering.
Though you are legally entitled to these types of compensation following an accident, insurance companies rarely address damages of these types (particularly the latter) in their first offers. Compensatory damages cannot get rid of permanent injuries incurred in an accident. They do help you handle the lifestyle changes that such injuries can subject you to.
What About Fatal Accidents?
If you lose a relative in an auto accident, your family is entitled to wrongful death compensation. The liable party in such cases is obliged to pay the same amount of money that the victim would deserve if he or she survived. It is especially important to retain an attorney in a wrongful death case because all the parties involved will be trying very hard to dodge liability and minimize the amount of compensation you are owed.
Get A Free Consultation With A Mableton Auto Accident Attorney Now
The Calvin Smith Law team puts your recovery first in the aftermath of an auto accident. Rest assured you’ll get top-quality legal help, and you won’t have to pay anything unless and until we get you the compensation you deserve. Schedule a free consultation now by calling us our Mableton injury firm at (404) 383-7552.