Alpharetta Car Accident Attorney
Have you been hurt in a car accident near Alpharetta? If you were, there are two very important questions to be asking yourself. First, have you spoken to an Alpharetta car accident attorney? And second, have you signed any release or authorization forms for an auto insurance company? Hopefully, the answer to the second question is “no,” but let’s discuss the first question right now.
Should I Reach Out to a Car Accident Lawyer Alpharetta?
If you have not yet spoken to a car accident attorney Alpharetta GA, then you should do this as soon as you possibly can. Even in a minor case, speaking with Alpharetta car accident attorneys can help you to better understand the process of recovering the compensation you deserve and the potential value of your case. In some cases, it could be that you don’t actually need any car accident lawyers to help with your Alpharetta accident claim. If this is the case, the experienced attorneys here at The Weinstein Firm will let you know at the beginning.
However, in most car accident cases, we find that hiring car accident lawyers in Alpharetta, GA to be your representation during negotiation is a sensible step to take. In a recent study performed by several insurance companies, data suggested that those who do not work with car accident attorneys Alpharetta for assistance tend to not recover as much in compensation as those who do. Whatever you decide, at the very least, we urge you to speak to an Alpharetta car accident lawyer like one of the staff here at the personal injury law firm of The Weinstein Firm as soon as you can.
In the event that you hire one of our Alpharetta accident attorneys for help on your car accident case, your lawyer will handle all the paperwork, communications, and negotiations for you, so that you can focus on recovery. In addition, your auto accident attorney Alpharetta GA will help you to recover a more significant settlement sum than you would be able to recover on your own.
Did You Sign a Release for the Insurance Company?
As for our second important question, as mentioned, hopefully, the answer is “no.” Insurance companies following an accident will often reach out to injury victims and attempt to get a statement. Sometimes, during this process, they will ask for a medical release authorization to be signed. No matter what an insurance company tells you, do not sign any authorization to allow them access to your private medical files. These authorizations enable the insurance company to search your entire medical history, including medical history unrelated to your Alpharetta car accident. They will search for any injury which is similar to the one you have now, hoping to claim that the injury you suffered during your Alpharetta car accident existed before the wreck. Protect your privacy and refuse to sign such documents.
When Another Party is Liable for Your Alpharetta Car Wreck
If you are able to prove that someone else is at fault for your Alpharetta car accident, you will be able to hold that person liable for any damages or injuries you have suffered. The question of proving fault in a car accident case sounds straightforward, but it can be a complicated and heavily disputed issue. Fault, in general, is shown by the work of proving negligence on the part of that person. This is something best accomplished with the assistance of an Alpharetta accident attorney. Legally, negligence is defined as either an action or inaction in which a person knows (or, within reason, should have known) that the action or inaction will place others at risk. In order for you and your car accident attorneys in Alpharetta to prove negligence, the following needs to be shown:
First, it is necessary to establish “duty.” That is, that the at-fault party had a legal duty to see to your safety. In the case of a car accident, simply driving on the road involves sharing that road with others, and each of us has the duty to ensure the safety of other drivers. Second, it is necessary to show that the at-fault driver deviated from this duty. Common ways to do this is to demonstrate some sort of violation, from speeding to failure to yield, to following too closely, to distracted driving.
Then, once the duty and breach have been established, you and your car accident lawyer Alpharetta GA will need to show that the breach of duty was actually the cause of the accident. Finally, after causation is established, you and your car accident attorney in Alpharetta GA will have to prove that the amount of compensation you are seeking is fair and just.
When Your Own Actions Contribute to an Auto Accident
In certain cases, the other drivers in a car accident case will try to argue that you were also at fault for the accident. This is usually an attempt to prevent you from recovering compensation, but it is certainly still possible to be paid damages even if your actions did partially contribute to the accident. The state of Georgia uses comparative negligence in car accident cases. In other words, as long as you are determined to be less than 50% responsible for a vehicle accident, you will still be able to recover reduced compensation for your injuries. The amount of your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of your portion of responsibility.
What Sort of Compensation Can I Get for My Injuries?
In the state of Georgia, victims of a vehicle accident can seek to recover damages to completely cover their costs and losses. Those damages could be economic in nature, such as property damages, medical bills, emergency room fees, ambulance fees, hospital bills, and costs associated with rehabilitation including medical equipment, in-home care, doctor visits, and mental health treatment. In addition, other economic losses include lost wages and reduced earning potential. The compensation you receive for your Alpharetta car accident may also include non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, disfigurement, loss of quality of life, loss of consortium, and, in certain cases, punitive damages as a “punishment” for egregious negligence.
In the state of Georgia, legal action can be pursued by anyone involved in a car accident for up to two years following the accident. The case does not necessarily need to be finished within that time frame, but the claim must be initiated within that two-year window. If you fail to seek legal action within this period, you will not be able to recover any compensation from that accident in most cases. This may sound like plenty of time, but we urge you to reach out to a car accident lawyer in Alpharetta as soon as possible to make sure that your rights are upheld.
Rental Car Coverage After a Car Wreck
After a car accident, especially one that causes injuries, one of your primary concerns will be securing transportation. After all, you will have medical visits, meetings with your car accident attorney in Alpharetta, and other places to be while your vehicle is being repaired (or you work on obtaining a replacement vehicle). It is no surprise that our car accident lawyers in Alpharetta are frequently asked about the possibility of getting a rental car after their vehicle is damaged.
After a car accident, the first place to look for rental car coverage is your own insurance. If you have rental car reimbursement on your insurance policy, then this coverage will be the most expedient way of getting your rental car covered. Even though the other driver may be at fault, your own insurance company will provide rental coverage much faster than the other driver’s insurance, because they will typically not accept any costs until they have accepted responsibility for your car accident.
If you do not have rental reimbursement on your own insurance policy, you may be able to seek reimbursement from the other insurance company. It may take a little longer, especially if fault is in dispute in your accident, but your Alpharetta auto accident attorneys will work to see that you get the rental car reimbursement you deserve, if it is appropriate in your case.
Do I Need to Give a Statement on the Record for Rental Car Reimbursement?
Sometimes, the other insurance company will ask you for a recorded statement before they will cover your rental car costs. Be very careful about giving any insurance company a recorded statement, because it will be used against you later. In most cases, consult your car accident lawyer in Alpharetta GA before you give any statements to any insurance company, including your own.
Whether you use your own insurance or seek reimbursement from the other driver’s insurance for your rental car, it is important that you return the rental on time. Insurance companies will generally require the rental to be returned when your vehicle is repaired or replaced. If your insurance company provides a fair offer to replace your own damaged vehicle, this also indicates that your rental must be returned. Failing to promptly return your rental car could mean that you will be responsible for the additional fees incurred by the extended rental period.
Who is Responsible for Medical Payments following an Auto Accident?
Anytime anyone is injured in an Alpharetta car accident, it can result in expensive medical costs, and these bills will need to be paid in order to avoid damage to your credit. This can be incredibly frustrating, particularly when the accident was not your fault. Car accident lawyers in Alpharetta, GA will work to ensure that your medical bills are forwarded to the appropriate insurance company for payment. One of the common reasons that a medical bill is sent to collections is when the bill is sent to the wrong insurance company. By working with an Alpharetta, GA car accident attorney, you can avoid this happening to you.
Unfortunately, any medical bills which need to be sent to the at-fault driver’s insurance will probably not be paid on time. The other insurance company will not pay out any medical bills until a settlement is agreed upon, so while your case is pending, these bills will go unpaid. Sometimes, your car accident lawyers in Alpharetta may be able to help you contact doctors who will treat your injuries on a lien with the understanding that they will be paid when your case is settled.
When Should I See a Doctor After an Alpharetta Car Wreck?
If you have been involved in a car accident in Alpharetta, the best time to see a doctor is right away. If possible, see a doctor directly after leaving the accident scene. Even if you believe your injuries are not that serious, it is important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible following an accident, both for your own well-being and for the sake of your settlement.
In many cases, injuries sustained in a car accident may not show symptoms for days or even weeks. Head injuries, spinal injuries, and other internal injuries may seem benign at the time of the accident but can worsen quickly in the coming days. Seeing a doctor right away will ensure that these injuries are discovered and treated early, saving you pain and suffering.
Waiting for days or weeks after an accident to see a doctor will not only place your health at risk, however. It also gives the at-fault driver’s insurance company a reason to claim that your injuries were sustained after the accident itself. It is certainly possible to prove that your injuries were sustained in the accident if this is the case, but it is far easier if you seek medical attention right away after your accident. If nothing else, this will grant you the peace of mind of ruling out a serious underlying injury, and in the best case, you can ensure that your injuries are treated promptly and that the insurance company has no reason to deny your claim.
Once you have seen a doctor, make sure you follow their orders to the letter. Failing to follow your doctor’s recommendations for recovery can also result in your claim being denied.
Reach Out to an Alpharetta Car Wreck Lawyer for a Consultation Today
If you have sustained an injury in an Alpharetta, GA motor vehicle accident, there are plenty of calls to make and people with which to speak. Beyond speaking to police, reporting the accident to your insurance company, getting your vehicle repair started, and speaking to the other driver and any witnesses, it is extremely important that you talk to two other people. First, make sure you speak to a doctor, and second, make sure you contact an experienced personal injury attorney at the Weinstein Firm serving Alpharetta, Georgia. Call us for a Free Consultation and legal advice. We will provide you relentless legal representation to get the compensation you deserve.