Decatur Car Accident Lawyer
Car accidents are very common in Decatur. The aftermath of these crashes is very confusing. You will be left with serious injuries, incur high medical bills, and you will likely be unable to return to work to pay for them. You may not even be able to perform simple daily tasks, such as cooking or caring for your children.
If someone else’s negligence caused your crash, you can file a claim for compensation with their insurance company. These claims are incredibly complex, however, and the liable party and their insurer will fight back against them. Our Decatur car accident lawyer can refute their defenses so you obtain the full damages you deserve.
Why Hire a Decatur Car Accident Lawyer?
You are never required to work with a Decatur car accident attorney following a crash. Having legal representation with personal injury lawyers, though, is an invaluable help in your case. Our car accident lawyer will handle the legal details of your claim, including:
- Insurance negotiations: You and the insurer will enter into negotiations to attempt to reach a fair settlement agreement. The insurer will want to protect the company’s profits, which means not paying the damages you deserve. Our experienced attorney is a skilled negotiator and will protect you from the dishonest tactics used by insurers.
- Collect evidence: It is essential that you collect important evidence as soon as possible after an accident. This includes obtaining video footage of the crash, locating witnesses, and more. Evidence is very hard to collect when you are suffering from serious injuries. Our lawyer knows the important evidence to collect and can gather it for you.
- File your claim on time: In Decatur, as throughout the rest of Georgia, you have just two years to file your claim under the statute of limitations. Our personal injury lawyer will ensure your claim is filed on time, and that all other laws are followed, so your case is never in jeopardy.
What Our Car Accident Lawyers Saw to Do After a Car Accident in Decatur
The steps you take immediately after a crash can greatly impact the damages you receive. The most important things to do after any car accident are as follows:
- Document the scene: State law requires you to report a car accident any time it results in injury, death, or significant property damage. Reporting the crash will also call law enforcement to the sign and once there, they will write and file a report. The accident report can indicate how the crash occurred, and even indicate liability.
- Seek medical attention: If an ambulance is called to the scene, allow the paramedics to examine you. In the event that paramedics do not examine you, visit an emergency room as soon as you leave the accident scene. Seeking medical attention will ensure your injuries do not become worse and you receive the treatment you need. Seeing a doctor will also document the nature and extent of your injuries so you can prove them to the insurer.
- Exchange information: Exchange names, contact information, and insurance information with all other parties involved. Your Decatur car accident attorney will need it in the future when filing your claim.
- Take detailed notes: Over time, your memories may fade from the car crash. Take detailed notes about how the accident occurred, the medical treatment you are receiving, and the impact your injuries have on your daily life. These are important details to include in your car accident claims to share with your auto accident attorney.
- Contact an attorney: After a car accident, you need sound legal advice from our Decatur car accident attorneys. Our car accident lawyer at our law firm can provide it and help ensure you receive the fair settlement you are entitled to from Decatur car accidents.
Common Causes of Car Accidents in Decatur
Any act of negligence can cause a car accident. Still, there are some causes that are more common than others. These include:
- Failing to signal
- Impaired driving
- Speeding
- Distracted driving, drinking, eating, texting and driving, and helping children in the vehicle
- Drowsy driving
- Reckless driving
It is not always easy to determine what caused a car accident with your personal injury attorney. However, this is a critical first step to ensure you know who to hold accountable for paying compensation for your injuries. Accidents happen in an instant, and you do not expect to become hurt while on the road. While you are recovering from serious injuries, it is very difficult to determine the cause of your crash. When working with our Decatur car accident lawyer, we will conduct an investigation to determine what caused your crash and collect the necessary evidence.
Bad Faith Insurance Tactics Used to Deny Your Car Accident Claim
Most people assume that auto insurance coverage exists to help accident victims after a crash. In theory this is true but in practice, it is not always easy to obtain the full damages you deserve from the insurance company regarding your personal injury claim. Insurance companies use many bad faith tactics to deny the claims of car accident victims. Their priority is not your safety and well-being in your car accident lawsuit. Instead, it is protecting the company’s profits by denying you fair damages for your personal injury claims. These tactics include:
- Misrepresenting the policy: Insurance adjusters often use the confusing language within their policies to deceive or mislead you about the coverage you deserve.
- Shifting the blame to you: Insurance companies often blame accident victims for the crash. If they are successful, you may be denied damages or your compensation may be significantly reduced.
- Blaming pre-existing conditions: The insurer may argue that the crash did not cause your injuries but that instead, the injury was a pre-existing condition. Even if the crash exacerbated a pre-existing condition.
- Offering a lowball settlement: In the days, and maybe even hours following a crash, the insurance adjuster may contact you. They will act like your friend and say they will treat you fairly. They may even offer you a settlement. This offer will not be enough to fully cover the cost of your losses, so it is important to speak to our Decatur car accident lawyer before signing anything.
Our Experienced Car Accident Attorney in Decatur Can Negotiate On Your Behalf
At Ponton Law, our Decatur car accident lawyer can handle the details of your claim while you focus on your recovery. Our Decatur car accident lawyers will negotiate for a fair settlement offer on your behalf, fight back against the insurance companies, and ensure your claim and rights are always protected. Call our experienced car accident lawyer in Decatur now at (404) 800-6762 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how we can help.