It is an unfortunate reality that car accidents are a common occurrence on Georgia roads and highways. They can happen for several reasons, but more often than not, they are the result of another party’s carelessness or negligence on the road.
If you have suffered harm or an injury from a car crash caused by someone else’s fault, you may be entitled to financial compensation. An injury can make it challenging and even impossible for you to work or could have long-term or permanent effects on your physical and mental health, as well as your finances.
At Bethune Law Firm, we understand that the experience of being involved in a car accident can be a painful, traumatic, and life-changing experience for you and your family. Alpharetta car accident lawyer Terrence R. Bethune has decades of experience and has helped many individuals throughout Georgia and their families recover the compensation owed to them. Expert legal advice is available to you concerning car accidents or any other injury claim.
To talk about how our firm can assist you and your potential compensation, call us on 4048757800. We offer free initial no-risk consultations at a time most convenient to you.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Most car accident victims may hesitate to hire a lawyer due to the costs of hiring an attorney. The thought of taking legal action can be overwhelming, and many victims are put off by the costs involved.
But we want to reassure you that Bethune Law Firm operates on a “contingency fee” or “no-win-no-fee” basis, which means that if your car accident claim does not have a successful conclusion, then you will not be charged any legal fees.
To learn more about how a contingency fee agreement works, please contact us today.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
No one wants to be involved in a road accident, but a car accident can happen even to the most careful road users. If you’re involved in a traffic accident in Alpharetta, GA, knowing what to do can save you a ton of stress. Therefore, it is imperative for everyone to have an idea of what they should do if they are involved in a car crash.
Get to Safety But Don’t Leave the Scene
The first step is to prioritize your safety. Check yourself for injuries, and if you’re able to, move your vehicle to the side of the road. You can then assess your injuries and the damage to your car. Don’t leave the scene of the crash, even if it was a fender-bender. If you leave, you could be charged with a hit-and-run crime.
Check on Others
Look around you to make sure that others involved are okay and help anyone with minor injuries. You must provide physical assistance or first aid if you can; if not, notify emergency services ASAP.
Immediately Call the Police
You must call 911 even if your injuries appear minor. Let them know that a car accident has occurred and that emergency services are needed. The police will write up an accident report, which details the crash’s circumstances plus the officer’s expert opinion regarding who caused the accident.
Never Admit Any Responsibility
You don’t have to determine who was responsible for the accident at the crash scene. Even if you think you’re 100% sure that the other driver was at fault, don’t say anything. Also, if you believe you were to blame, never admit fault. It’s up to insurance companies and attorneys to investigate and determine who’s at fault.
Exchange Information With the Other Driver
Jot down the name, insurance car info, driver’s license number, telephone number, and other contact information of the other driver and any witnesses.
Record the Scene
Protect your right to pursue compensation by recording the scene. Do not hesitate to take photos of the scene. Capture as many details as possible, including the weather, road conditions, the damage to the car, your injuries, and so on. Pictures could be invaluable in helping you prove fault and negligence.
Seek Medical Attention
Make sure you seek medical attention immediately after a car accident. Even if you feel that you’ve not suffered any significant injuries, symptoms could be delayed. For this reason, visit your doctor and keep a detailed record of your injuries.
Contact Your Auto Insurer
You must explain the details of the crash to your auto insurer, even if you don’t intend to lodge a claim. Call your insurance company and specify the details of the accident, the nature and extent of your injuries and car damage, as well as the location of the accident.
Call a Well-Reputed Car Accident Lawyer
Last but not least, call a car accident lawyer for help. Making a claim after an automobile accident is often not as straightforward as many believe, things can easily spiral out of your control, and you could end up losing your right to pursue financial compensation. Contacting a lawyer can help you make a recovery medically, emotionally, and financially.
How an Alpharetta Car Accident Lawyer Can Help With Your Claim
After you’re hurt in a car accident, you have a ton of issues to deal with. Your immediate concern is your health and well-being. It is imperative you get the best possible medical care and focus on your recovery. But in the aftermath of a crash, medical and household bills start to add up. You may be forced to dig into your savings to cover your health insurance deductible, especially if you’ve missed work because of injuries.
There are several reasons to contact an Alpharetta car accident lawyer after a crash, but one of the primary benefits may be a lawyer’s ability to obtain maximum compensation for you.
When you reach out to us, there are several steps our accident attorneys take to pursue fair compensation on your behalf, including:
Case Investigation and Preparation
After a crash, you should not rely on your insurance company’s findings or the other party’s conclusions. It would be best if you had a lawyer to look into the car accident and collect evidence independently on your behalf.
Determining Liable Parties
Sometimes, multiple parties may be liable for damages. A lawyer can help assess your car accident claim and determine potentially liable parties.
Calculating Damages
Most clients we speak to are unfamiliar with the damages they can recover from a car accident claim. An experienced car accident lawyer will calculate your past, current, and future lost income, medical expenses, mental anguish, disability, pain and suffering, and disfigurement to come up with an estimate for how much your claim could be worth.
Working With Expert Witnesses
In a car accident case, you need more evidence to prove liability and the extent of your losses. Our firm may hire expert witnesses such as an accident reconstructionist or economic experts to strengthen your claim for financial compensation.
Negotiating Your Claim
Most car accident claims we handle do not go to trial. Instead, our car accident lawyers negotiate with insurance companies and make a firm demand for your fair compensation.
Litigating Your Car Accident Claim
If our Alpharetta, GA, car accident lawyers cannot obtain fair compensation for you through an out-of-court settlement, we will prepare and take the responsible party to court and seek fair compensation there.
What Type Of Damages Can I Recover From A Car Accident Claim In Georgia?
In general, car accident victims in Georgia can recover three types of damages for their losses:
Economic Damages
Are awarded for the monetary or financial loss incurred by the plaintiff due to injuries resulting from a car accident. They include compensation for medical expenses; property damage, such as clothing; all other expenses you have incurred because of the accident.
Non-Economic Damages
Are awarded as compensation for non-monetary losses such as pain and suffering.
Punitive Damages
Are awarded when the jury or judge has found the at-fault party to be exceptionally malicious, reckless, or negligent.
How Is Fault Or Liability Determined For Car Accident Claims In Alpharetta, Georgia?
Alpharetta follows Georgia’s “at-fault” system and modified comparative negligence rule. This means that the at-fault party – or their insurance carrier – is liable for damages resulting from a car accident, and anyone involved in a car accident in Georgia, as long as they are 49% or less responsible for the accident, can recover compensation. The courts will determine your percentage or degree of fault.
What Are Georgia’s Time Limits or the “Statute Of Limitation” for Filing Car Accident Claims?
You must lodge your car accident claim in Georgia within 2 years of the accident giving rise to your injuries. However, it would be prudent to seek expert legal assistance early to increase the chances of a better outcome for your car accident claim.
How Can I Obtain an Accident Report In Alpharetta, GA?
The cost of a police accident report in Alpharetta, GA, ranges between $6 to $20, depending on the method you use to get it. Alpharetta Police Department offers two ways to obtain a copy of your accident report:
In-Person: 2565 Old Milton Pkwy, Alpharetta, GA 30009
Phone: 678-297-6300
Contact Bethune Law Firm
When you’ve been hurt/injured in a car accident, you do not have to deal with the legal and insurance issues on your own. Bethune Law Firm is here to help you make a no-win-no-fee car accident claim for the compensation owed to you. Call us right away on 4048757800 to speak to an experienced car accident lawyer in Alpharetta, who will be glad to assist you in lodging your claim.
