If you’ve been involved in a car wreck, you’re going to feel several emotions all at once, as every Alpharetta car accident lawyer knows. You’re going to be scared that somebody has been hurt. At the same time, you’ll be angry at the other driver. When somebody crashes into our car, we don’t realize it was an accident. We automatically think the worst of the other driver. Once a cooler head prevails, you realize that you need to call and talk to an experienced Alpharetta car accident lawyer. They’ll review your case and let you know if you have a valid legal claim.
If the other driver was at fault, there’s a good chance you’ll be entitled to damages. But that doesn’t mean the attorney you meet with is guaranteed to handle your case. There are times when they may have to turn down the opportunity to represent you. If this happens, they may be able to refer you to somebody else. The only way to know if you have a claim worth pursuing is to talk to an Alpharetta car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
You May Have Missed the Georgia Statute of Limitations
Every state has a law that tells you how long you have to file suit against another party. This law is called the statute of limitations. In Georgia, the filing period is for two (2) years from the day of your accident. If you wait too long to talk to an Alpharetta car accident lawyer, they may not have time to prepare your case. Nobody wants to have to file a lawsuit blind. Your attorney will need to review your case and see what kind of evidence you have. They also need to check to see if the potential defendants are still in the area. Once they have decided that your case is worth pursuing, they’ll promptly file your lawsuit. If there is not enough time for them to do all of this, they won’t want to accept your case.
Your Claim May Be Too Small to Warrant Legal Action
To you, your lawsuit is worth everything. Somebody crashed into your car, and you were hurt. You want them to pay. What you have to remember is that you can only sue somebody if you suffered damages. If the insurance company already paid your claim, then you don’t have a reason to sue. If your medical care was covered and you didn’t suffer any out-of-pocket expenses, then you don’t have legitimate damages to claim. Your Alpharetta car accident lawyer has to consider all of this before they decide to handle your case.
The Alpharetta Car Accident Lawyer May Have a Conflict of Interest
There are times when an attorney has to turn a case down because of a conflict of interest. Perhaps they represented the defendant in a prior lawsuit. Or their spouse could be related to the defendant or work for their insurance company. In situations like this, the attorney would not be able to handle your case. It would be considered a conflict of interest. There would be no way for them to represent your case without there being the chance of bias for the other party. If an Alpharetta car accident lawyer turns your case down for this reason, they’ll more than likely refer you to another lawyer who can take care of it for you.
The Evidence May Be Too Weak to Prove Fault
The reason you file a car accident lawsuit in Georgia is because you want damages. Somebody was negligent and you paid the price. However, even if they ran into you, there’s a chance that there isn’t enough evidence to prove it. For example, you may have refused to go to the hospital. There won’t be any records showing that you were hurt. Or you didn’t call the police so there’s no report indicating what happened. If your Alpharetta car accident lawyer can’t prove your case, they aren’t going to want to file suit on your behalf.
Talk to a Skilled Alpharetta Car Accident Lawyer Either Way
Nobody wants to be told no. If you were hurt in a car accident, the person responsible should pay. It’s not fair for you to shoulder the whole burden. Your Alpharetta car accident lawyer will do what they can to help you get the compensation you deserve. The only way to know if they can handle your case is to meet with them. All you have to do is call and schedule your free, initial consultation.
