FAQs

At Georgia Auto Law, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means that you only pay us if we win your case. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement or final verdict that we win in your case.

We stand by our No Fee Pledge™ so you never pay a dollar until we win your case. And then our payment comes out of what we win, never out of your pocket.

Our team will be in touch with you immediately after you reach out to us via form fill, text, chat, or phone. If it is not convenient to speak at that time, then we can set up a time to speak with you at your convenience.

You will be assigned a legal team the same day and our investigation will begin at once. Our lawyers move very quickly to get your case underway as fast as possible. We don’t waste any time.

Yes. Our lawyers at Georgia Auto Law are car accident specialists. Our law firm focuses only on Georgia automobile accident cases. We will quickly begin working to make sure you get the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries. We are also ready to take your case to trial if needed to get you what you really deserve.

Getting you back on your feet is our highest priority.

The amount of a final settlement can vary depending on the case. In Georgia, a victim of a car accident can recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, suffering, and other categories. Our car accident lawyers will use your medical bills, car repair bills, and other factors to determine the value of your case. Then we can determine how much we can get the insurance company to pay.

Absolutely.  It is very important to call the police immediately after any car accident in Georgia, even if the car accident was very minor.  Having the police respond and prepare police report is very helpful in the aftermath of an accident.

There is nothing more important than your physical health and well-being after a car accident. So, you should seek immediate medical treatment. Oftentimes, you may be in shock after a car accident and you may not realize how serious your injuries actually are. Therefore, we recommend always being evaluated in the closest emergency room or hospital. It is always better to err on the side of caution so, if you think you may be injured, it is best to ask for an ambulance to take you to the hospital so that you can be properly evaluated by medical professionals.

Even minor pain should be reported immediately and fully documented to the responding officer. You should report all injuries, pain, and symptoms to EMS responders and medical professionals at the Emergency Room. Be sure to report any of the following symptoms immediately: headaches, ears ringing, any problems with vision, changes of emotional feeling, lightheadedness, headache (even if very minor), memory loss, or problems with concentration.

Also be sure to tell EMS responders and medical professionals if you had any impact that involved your head.

If you are physically able, you should obtain a copy of the police report for the car accident you were involved in. Most auto accident attorneys will need a copy of it for your file, so it is best to already have it. Many incident reports can be ordered online or you can reach out to the police department that responded to your accident.

Click here for instructions on how to order a Georgia auto accident incident report online.

In Georgia auto accidents, it is important to gather certain information in the aftermath of a crash. You should obtain all contact information for the other driver, any passengers, and any witnesses.

This contact information should include name, address, phone number, insurance information, and license plate information.

Witness information is especially important in case the af-fault driver tries to change their story after the accident. This happens very often, and a Georgia car accident attorney will be able to contact witnesses in order to build your case.

It will be very important for you to take photos of the damage to all vehicles involved in the crash. When making your claim to the insurance company, your Georgia car accident attorney will use these photos as evidence in your case.

If you are unable to take photos of the damaged vehicles at the scene due to your physical injuries, tell the responding officer that you want them to take photos as part of their investigation. They will do so if you request it.

Although it may be uncomfortable, it is important that you have well documented photos of your injuries in order to prove the extent of your bodily injuries.  Your Georgia car accident lawyer will use these photos as evidence of your injuries when building your case.

It is very important to keep through records of your injuries and all of the medical treatment you have had. Follow these few “Injury Documentation Rules” and your Georgia car accident lawyer will be able to build your case as strong as possible:

Rule 1: Note the date of every time you received any medical treatment and the amount charged.

Rule 2: Document every doctor’s visit, medications taken, prescriptions, medical imaging (x-ray, MRI, CAT Scan, etc.), hospital visits, surgeries, treatments.

Rule 3: Maintain a “Pain Diary” in which you document any pain you are experiencing on a day-to-day basis. This should include any pain, emotional distress, tiredness, inability to live life the same way as you did before the car accident, and any other problems the car accident has caused you.

Rule 4: Document how the car accident, treatment, and injuries have changed your day-to-day life and affected your relationships.

Rule 5: Maintain copies of all medical records and medical bills. This should include any medications and prescriptions as well.

Rule 6: Take photographs of any physical injuries present on your body. This should include any bruises, cuts, scrapes, scars, burns, etc.

No.  You should never give any statement to any auto insurance company in Georgia.  Auto insurance claims adjusters (even your own) will try to get you to give a recorded statement in order to attempt to “downplay” the extent of your injuries, pain, and suffering.  They do this in cases where the damage to the vehicles is relatively low, and they will later try to show that you were not truly injured.

The best course of action is to consult with a Georgia car accident lawyer before speaking with any auto insurance claims adjusters.  Call Georgia Auto Law at (404) 662-4949 to speak with one of our car accident lawyers now    

No. Just like you should never give a recorded statement to any auto insurance claims adjustor, you should also never sign a release. So often, people will quickly sign documents without first speaking with a Georgia car accident attorney, and these releases could limit your rights to recover compensation in your case.

If you are being asked to give a recorded statement, sign a release, or asked to describe the accident to any auto insurance claims adjustor you should call a Georgia car accident attorney and they will be able to help you protect your rights.

Under Georgia law, you are required to notify your own auto insurance company of the crash as soon as possible. In order to protect your future rights to make a possible Uninsured Motorist claim, you should notify your auto insurance company of the car accident as soon as possible after the crash.

Even when dealing with your own auto insurance company, we recommend contacting the best Georgia car accident attorney you can find in order to make sure your rights are protected. Some of these timelines for notifying your own insurance company can be very complicated, so it is often necessary to consult a lawyer for assistance. If you would like to speak with one of our lawyers about your case, please call Georgia Auto Law now at (404) 662-4949.

Determining whether or not you will get money for the damage to your vehicle will depend on what your insurance policy says about the coverage you may have for property damage.

Unfortunately, there are people out there who drive without auto insurance. If you are in a car accident in Georgia and the driver who hit you does not have auto insurance, it is also likely that they do not have any money to pay for your medical bills and other injuries.

Many people have Uninsured Motorist coverage (UM) or Underinsured Motorist coverage (UIM) on their own auto insurance policy. This UM and UIM coverage can provide a means for you to recover valuable compensation for your injuries, including pain and suffering, when you are injured in a car accident by an uninsured driver. Check your own auto insurance policy to see if you have this coverage. One of our Georgia car accident attorneys will be able to help you build your case in order to make a claim on this coverage.

If the insurance company for the other driver is trying to offer you a settlement quickly after a car accident in Georgia, then they are probably trying to close your case quickly. This means that the amount of the settlement check will probably be very low. Meaning it will not cover all of your losses.

If you accept this quick trick to close your caes, then you can not get more compensation later if you find our your losses are much higher than you first thought. You should have a Georgia car accident lawyer review any offer from an insurance company.

Remember that the insurance company wants to close your claim as quickly as possible and as cheaply as possible. A quick offer means that it will not take into account all of your potential injuries. It also does not take into account the full extent of your pain and suffering

Once you become a client you will be connected to your legal team:  Your car accident lawyer and paralegal will reach out to you and introduce themselves and answer any initial questions you have.  We move fast, so you will be hearing from your team quickly.

Your legal team will immediately begin investigating your case:  This is the part that we like to get started right away.  We want to make sure all necessary evidence is preserved to help your case.  We will be in touch with you during this process to make sure we stay up to date with your medical treatment and helping you in any way we can.   

Gathering Evidence:  Our specialists will continue gathering all the evidence we need such as police reports, hospital information, medical bills and records, photos and videos of the accident, 911 calls, etc.  We will also notify the at-fault insurance company (for the other driver) that Georgia Auto Law is representing you so they will know you have our team on your side. 

Negotiation and Settlement:  Your Georgia Auto Law attorney will work to make sure that nothing is left on the table.  We will fight to make sure you get the maximum compensation possible.

When you are in a car accident, there is a lot that takes place in the aftermath. Dealing with an insurance claim alone is very difficult. Insurance companies will try to settle your case as quickly as possible for as little as possible. Your Georgia car accident attorney will step in and make sure this does not happen.

A good car accident lawyer will gather strong evidence, speak with experts, and take on the insurance company for you. That way, you can focus all of your energy on getting better. We handle the legal stuff, so you can get your life back.

If you are in need of an experienced car accident attorney, Georgia Auto Law is here for you. Submit a free, no obligation case evaluation form and a member of our team will reach out to you directly.

Yes. You should call your own insurance company as soon as possible after your car accident in Georgia. Most insurance policies say that you have to notify them of your car accident within a certain time period after the accident, and sometimes they have short time periods. So, it is best to try to call your insurance company as soon as possible.

The time after a car accident can be stressful.  Our lawyers always recommend that you stay calm and remember to collect the information of the other driver.  If they caused the accident, your car accident lawyer will use this information to hold their insurance company accountable.    

Our car accident lawyers recommend that you gather the following information:

• Name
• Address
• Telephone number
• Insurance company
• Policy number
• Drivers license number
• License plate number 

Make sure you find out the owner of the vehicle and get their information too in case the driver does not actually own the vehicle.  

Unfortunately, truck accidents are very common in Georgia and they can occur in many different ways. We have seen many different causes of truck accidents including distracted driving, poor maintenance of trucks, overloaded/overweight trucks, distracted drivers, impaired truck drivers, fatigued/sleepy drivers. However, even smaller things like a small driver error or dangerous road conditions can cause a truck accident.

In a truck accident case, there could be a number of parties who are liable. Often, people think that the truck driver is the one who caused the accident but we have to remember that the truck driver is an employee of the trucking company. Therefore, the trucking company may be responsible for the accident as well. For example, we often see trucking companies (focused on making as much money as possible) force their drivers to meet deadlines that cause them to drive in a dangerous way. The driver might drive for too many hours in a row, drive while fatigued, or use illegal stimulant drugs to meet these deadlines. In these instances, the trucking company may also be found liable for the truck accident because it “looked the other way” or, worse, encouraged risky truck driving behavior.

If you have been injured in a truck accident in Georgia, then you need to have an experienced truck accident attorney review your case and find out who may be liable for your injuries. At Georgia Auto Law, we provide these consultations completely free of charge.

A truck accident victim has two years [O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33] from the date of the crash to file a truck accident lawsuit in Georgia.

Whether or not you have a truck accident case will depend on a number of factors about what happened in the collision. Sometimes, another driver other than the truck driver may have caused the accident. In order to pursue a claim for damages, you must show that the other party/parties involved are at fault for the accident. You will also have to show that your injuries were indeed caused by the truck accident.

Our team certainly understands how daunting it can be to hire a lawyer after you have been injured. After all, we always think that lawyers are incredibly expensive, right? However, at Georgia Auto Law we take all cases on a contingency basis [contingency page]. This means that we do not get paid a single dollar until we win compensation for our clients.

We advance the total cost of the case until the case is resolved and you get your damages award. This means that it does not matter how much money you have, or if you think you can not afford a lawyer. You can have the best truck accident lawyer on your team for absolutely no money out of your pocket. Take a look at more information about how our contingency fee works.

In Georgia, any person or company responsible for causing a truck accident can be sued. This includes the truck driver, the shipping company, the load broker, trailer owner, and the trucking company. Further, any other driver or company who may have contributed to the truck accident can also be sued. This might include vehicle manufacturers or property owners.

Under Georgia wrongful death law, certain family members have the right to file a wrongful death claim on behalf of a relative who was killed in a trucking accident.

The following individuals may file a wrongful death claim in Georgia (in order):

1. The surviving spouse and children of the deceased
2. The surviving parent or parents of the person killed if there is no spouse and no children.
3. If there are no surviving spouse, children, or parents, then the personal representative of the deceased’s estate can file the Georgia wrongful death claim

The party responsible for paying for a vehicle that was damaged or destroyed in a truck accident is based on the language in the at-fault party’s or your own auto insurance policy.  It will depend on what sort of property damage coverage is available in the case.

Immediately following the accident you should contact police and seek medical treatment for your injuries.  Often, trucking companies will send their defense attorneys, insurance adjusters, and investigators directly to the scene of a truck accident and it is critical for you to never speak with them.  They might try to get you to give a statement or sign documents at the scene, but you should refuse to do so because doing so might harm your right to recovery. Here is some additional information about what to do after a truck accident. [other article].

It also could be a good idea to call a Georgia truck accident lawyer from the scene of the accident.  We have team members who will go out to the scene and conduct an investigation on your behalf. 

The actual damages you may be able to recover will depend on the details of your case. If you sustained bodily injuries, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, lost future earnings (earning ability), emotional distress, and pain and suffering.

If a loved one was killed in the truck accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation for medical expenses prior to death, funeral/burial costs, loss of companionship, emotional suffering, and more. In some rare cases, you may be able to recover punitive damages if you can show that the negligence was very serious or that the accident was intentional (or caused by some intentional act).

Yes, one of the types of damages we claim is called “lost wages.” This amount is to compensate you for the money you would have made at work but did not make because you were not able to work. Therefore, it is possible to receive money for the times you missed work due to your truck accident injuries. You may also be able to recover for lost “earning capacity” resulting from the truck crash.

The majority of truck accident investigations start when the victim or the family hires a truck accident lawyer. From that point, the attorney will request various information from the trucking company along with making sure the trucking company does not destroy valuable evidence. This is why it is so critical to contact a Georgia truck accident lawyer as quickly as possible after your accident.

The trucking company will provide us with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) “driver qualification file” (DQF). This file includes information relating to the driver’s medical/lab test results (drug and alcohol tests), driving record, commercial driver’s license information.

We also thoroughly investigate police reports from the accident, interview witnesses, review the truck’s “black box” recorder, and visit the crash site. We often schedule an inspection of the truck by an expert. We have a team of accident reconstruction experts and trucking industry experts who help us rebuild the story as to how the accident occurred and who is liable.

Where your truck accident case is filed depends on where the crash took place and the parties involved. The primary location to file a lawsuit under Georgia law is the county where the crash occurred or where the defendant resides. The secondary location is the county in which the plaintiff resides of the accident took place in Georgia but the defendant does not reside in Georgia. Sometimes, a trucking company will be able to move the case to federal court under certain circumstances.

Yes. Federal law requires commercial trucks which operate in interstate commerce (meaning, in more than one state) to carry a minimum of $750,000 of bodily injury and property damage insurance. Additionally, some trucks are required to carry a minimum of $5,000,000 if they are hauling hazardous material. Given that Georgia has adopted the federal regulations, these minimums also apply in our state as well.

We often get asked by people for an estimate about how much their case is worth. It is normal to want to know how much money you will have to cover you medical bills, lost income, ongoing treatment, etc. However, it is impossible to place an approximate value on a case without looking closely at the specific facts of each case.

Contact our team to schedule a free consultation with one of our Georgia truck accident lawyers to learn more about how much your case might be worth.

The quick answer to this question is yes, you absolutely need an attorney for your truck accident claim. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to successfully litigate a truck accident claim on your own. The reason for this is due to the fact that truck accident cases are highly complex. There may be many different parties at fault leading to multiple parties being liable for your injuries. Further, trucking companies are large businesses and they have a lot of money to hire their own attorneys. These attorneys work day and night to try to devalue or even deny your claim. It is critical that you have a strong legal team on your side who knows how to beat these trucking companies and insurance companies. You need and experienced truck accident lawyer to fight for you.

At Georgia Auto Law, we know how important it is to have a truck accident lawyer in your corner. That is why we offer our services on a contingent fee basis. This means that you pay us nothing unless we win your case, and then our fee comes out of the settlement of trial verdict.

There is no doubt that most large trucking companies have teams of lawyers, experts, and investigators ready immediately to travel to the scene of a crash involving one of their trucks. Their job in doing this is to minimize your injuries and lessen the fault of their truck and truck driver. You should avoid speaking with any of them until you have hired a Georgia truck accident lawyer to represent you in these matters. These professionals will be very nice and make it seem like they are on your side, but trust us, their number one goal is to pay you as little as possible. Do not sign any documents or give any statements without first speaking to your truck accident lawyer.

It is in your best legal interest to contact one of the truck accident lawyers at Georgia Auto Law. Georgia truck accident laws are very complicated, and many out of state lawyers do not understand the laws that apply here and our trucking laws. The lawyers at Georgia Auto Law have handled the most serious truck accident cases all across the United States, and we work together with the best out-of-state lawyers when needed. This is to make sure we have all of the experts involved in the case so that we can build the strongest legal team to fight for you.

Any injured party, or the family of a person killed in a truck accident, can sue for pain and suffering damages and medical bills. This can also include minor children who can assert their claims through a parent or legal guardian.

Under Georgia law, you can still recover compensation if you were less than 50% at fault for the truck accident. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage at fault.

Every case has a different “life cycle.” But generally a case can resolve in as little as several months, and can take as long as several years.

Georgia truck accident cases are very complicated, so it is important that your lawyer have experience handling these types of cases. At Georgia Auto Law, we recognize how specialized this area of law is and that is why we only handle truck, car, and motorcycle cases and nothing else. This means that you will always know that the people working on your case work only on your type of case all day, every day. In other words, we are THE truck accident law firm in Georgia.

You also want a lawyer who you can easily get in touch with when you have questions. At Georgia Auto Law, we strive to be the most “in touch” law firm. Meaning, our goal is to answer your questions before you ask them. You will have a constant line of communication with your truck accident lawyer throughout your entire case. We also have many clients that we remain in close contact with well after their case is complete. At Georgia Auto Law, our clients are family.

It is important to note that every truck accident case has its own specific facts and circumstances.  The amount you recover depends on factors such as the severity of your injuries, the amount of time the injuries last, if the injuries are permanent, and whether surgery is involved.  Additionally, it will depend on which companies may be liable in the case and, therefore, may have more insurance coverage.  

There is no doubt that having an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer on your side will help you maximize your compensation.  If you were involved in a motorcycle accident in Georgia, your lawyer will build your case by doing the following things:

• Investigate the scene of the accident
• Photograph the scene
• Investigate the other driver’s driving history
• Speak with witnesses
• Review medical records
• Work with experts
• Deal with the insurance company

Because some of the evidence of a motorcycle accident can begin to disappear (witness memory, skid marks on the road, etc.) it is important to make sure you have your legal team working for you as soon as possible.  Our team at Georgia Auto Law does not waste any time. We are here to do anything that is needed to make sure your case gets the best result.

At Georgia Auto Law, our motorcycle accident attorneys have a very deep knowledge of the specific Georgia laws that apply to motorcycles and motorcycle accident cases.  These laws can differ from those that apply to normal car accidents, and our knowledge of the “ins and outs” of Georgia motorcycle laws benefits all of our motorcycle accident clients.  We work with the best motorcycle accident experts and we are able to build your case using our strong network of resources. The motorcycle accident attorneys at Georgia Auto Law have a well-known track record of top results for motorcycle accident claims.

In Georgia, if a motorcyclist was not at-fault in the crash, then they can file a motorcycle accident injury claim to recover compensation for their injuries.  Injured motorcycle riders are not limited in the damages they can recover to compensate them for their harms and losses, including full compensation for pain and suffering.  Motorcycle accident victims can also recover for medical bills, lost wages, and other expenses. 

Insurance negotiations.  After a motorcycle accident, your lawyer will contact the at-fault driver’s insurance company to try to negotiate a settlement for your damages as a result of the accident.  Your lawyer will use all of the evidence and proof discovered in order to recover maximum compensation for you. If the insurance company tries to get off cheap, or makes low-ball offers, then your attorney can file a lawsuit in order to recover fair compensation for you.

Negligence in a motorcycle accident.  Motorcycle accident lawsuits are in the category of personal injury.  This means that they are based on the principle of negligence. So, your lawyer will have to prove that the at-fault driver failed to meet the required, reasonable standard of care under Georgia law.  To do this, we conduct a deep investigation of all aspects of the motorcycle accident in order to build the strongest case. The stronger the case, the more likely it is that we recover maximum compensation for you. 

Wrongful death.  When someone is killed in a motorcycle accident, it is an unbelievable tragedy.  If you have lost someone you love in a motorcycle accident in Georgia, then you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit.  An experienced attorney can help the family of the deceased establish the elements needed to show that the other driver was the cause of the victim’s death.  

When we go up against insurance companies and negligent drivers on behalf of victims of motorcycle accidents, we work to help you recover compensation for different things:

Medical expenses.  Motorcycle accident victims can receive compensation for medical treatment, hospital care, surgeries, etc. if the injuries were related to the accident.  You can also recover future medical costs if you will require medical treatment in the future.

Lost wages and lost future earnings.  Motorcycle accident victims can recover compensation for money they lost by missing work due to their injuries.  If a victim had to be away from work to recover from injuries, then that money can be recovered. In a motorcycle accident case, the rider can also recover for lost future earnings if he or she is unable to return to work due to the injuries. 

Pain and suffering.  Under Georgia law, a motorcycle accident is claimed the same way as a personal injury claim.  Therefore, you are able to recover compensation for pain and suffering that resulted from the motorcycle accident.  The amount of pain and suffering damages depends on the severity of the injury, the amount and duration of pain, and the amount of medical treatment that was required.  

Emotional distress and mental anguish.  Motorcycle accidents are very scary and they can lead to post traumatic stress disorder and other mental and emotional damages.  Victims and families have a right to compensation for the emotional distress caused by the incident. These include fright, fear, worry, grief, embarrassment, and other feelings of mental anguish.   

Loss of consortium.  Under Georgia law, a spouse can recover damages for the loss of services, aid, society, companionship, and assistance from his or her spouse.  This also applies to wrongful death cases caused by a motorcycle accident. Parents are able to recover compensation for the loss of love, affection, and companionship of their minor children that results from a wrongful death.  Also, a minor child can be awarded compensation for the loss of a parent as a result of a wrongful death.  

There are many things out on the roads that can cause a motorcycle accident, including the negligence of other drivers.  Negligence can cause a motorcycle accident in the following ways:

• Failing to follow the speed limits
• Not leaving enough space between the vehicles
• Failing to yield
• Swerving in front of a motorcyclist
• Cutting off a motorcyclist
• Failing to see a motorcyclist when changing lanes
• Driving under the influence

Failing to properly yield and failing to see a motorcyclist on the roadway are the most common causes of motorcycle accidents.  Many of these crashes happen because drivers do not use proper care when making turns at intersections. In other words, they do not look closely enough to see the motorcyclist.  When this happens, and it causes an injury to the motorcyclist, the motorcyclist has a right to compensation.  

There is no doubt that motorcyclists are fully exposed to the elements.  This is part of the freedom and enjoyment of riding a motorcycle. However, this can leave the rider exposed to more dangers in the event of a motorcycle accident.  Some of the most common types of motorcycle accident injuries include the following:

• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Head trauma
• Neck injuries
• Back injuries
• Brain damage
• Loss of limbs
• Paralysis
• Death

If you were injured, or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, then you may have a right to compensation.  The motorcycle accident lawsuit process is complicated, and the motorcycle accident attorneys at Georgia Auto Law are seasoned fighters against the big insurance companies.  

Yes, our personal injury lawyers at Georgia Auto Law are taking on the big insurance companies and winning cases every single day. Our results show that we will fight for you to get the compensation you deserve to cover your bills. If you or a loved one have been injured, then financial hardship should not be one of your worries while you try to get back on your feet. We are here to take that stress off your shoulders.

You are probably wondering how much your personal injury case is worth.  There are some key factors: what happened in your accident, how severe your injuries are, the insurance coverage available.  The main thing that increases your case value is how much the plaintiff could get in damages at trial, including the following:

• Past medical bills
• Future medical bills
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning capacity
• Loss of consortium
• Pain and suffering 

It is hard to give an exact potential value because these factors can vary a lot from case to case.  However, an experienced personal injury lawyer should be able to give you an estimated value after investigating the case.  The lawyer will look at your medical records, police reports, witness statements, and all other evidence. This information can provide an overall picture of how much compensation you can get from a personal injury lawsuit.  

Pain and suffering is money that an injury victim can recover for the physical pain and emotional distress from an accident.  Pain and suffering is different that medical bills and lost wages. Those things are called “economic damages” because they have an exact number.  However, pain and suffering damages compensate you for the day to day pain, change in lifestyle, interference with enjoyment of life, interference with daily activities, and other things.

This is money above and beyond your medical bills that you have a right to.  You should make sure you speak with a personal injury lawyer to make sure you get the full amount of pain and suffering compensation in your case.

Plaintiffs are entitled to certain categories of damages related to their injuries.  Generally, personal injury lawsuits are filed to recover compensation (“damages”) to compensate the plaintiff for harms and losses he or she has suffered as a result of a personal injury.  The overall idea is that a personal injury victim has a right to compensation because he or she should not have to bear the financial hardship caused by another person or company’s actions.  The bottom line is that you should not have to pay for damage caused by someone else.

Under Georgia law, there are several types of damages that you can get in a personal injury lawsuit.  Some of these are considered “economic” damages and are related to actual costs incurred after an injury (medical bills, lost wages, etc.).  There are also “noneconomic” damages which are more subjective and do not have “exact” dollar figures. 

Medical bills.  If you have been involved in a personal injury accident you will probably need medical care.  This will include tests, surgeries, treatment, hospital visits, outpatient care, and other things to address your immediate injuries.  But, the need for medical treatment often goes much further. You may need medical care on an ongoing basis for very severe and permanent injuries.  This will lead to massive medical bills that can be thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. The damages in a personal injury lawsuit should cover all of this.

Lost wages.  When you are injured, it is likely that you have had to miss work.  Sometimes you may have had to take a very long time off of work while you recovered.  Or, you may have been injured so severely that you can no longer work. Whether you had to miss a few days for doctors appointments, or you are no longer able to work in the future, you are entitled to compensation for lost wages.

Pain and Suffering.  This compensation is based on the severity of the pain and suffering that you have gone through.  As discussed above, the type of injury and medical treatment that you underwent will also factor into how much pain and suffering damages will be.  To get pain and suffering compensation, which can exceed a million dollars in a jury trial in Georgia, we use as much evidence as we can to prove the true impact the injury has had on your life.

A personal injury lawyer will look at your medical records to help prove the true extent of your injuries and how long it has taken to recover from it.  For example, if you had a long stay in the hospital that is proof of more severe pain and suffering. We also use photos and videos of your injuries to show pain and suffering.

By gathering the necessary evidence to show your condition, we are providing information and proof to the court, insurance company, or jury that shows how much money you should get for pain and suffering.  There is not a calculator or certain way to provide a dollar amount for pain and suffering, because it is up to the jury. A jury can award compensation for pain and suffering based on many different factors including the credibility of the witnesses at trial.  Having good records detailing your condition can help bolster your claim for pain and suffering compensation in light of the subjective factors.            

Emotional distress.  This compensation is related to the mental and emotional toll on the injured person after an accident.  This makes sense. A severe injury does not just affect your body, but it also affects your mind and your emotions.  Depending on the severity of the accident, a personal injury victim could suffer anxiety and depression, along with serious mental trauma from the accident.  We often see people with post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from bad accidents.

In order to recover damages for emotional distress, you typically need records from a therapist, physiatrist, psychologist, or mental health professional.      

Wrongful Death.  A wrongful death claim is a civil action filed by the living survivors of a person who was killed in an accident due to the negligence or misconduct of someone else or a company.  In these cases, the survivors are left without the companionship, love, support, and income of the person who was killed. Courts and juries can award compensation for this.

The compensation for damages in a wrongful death case can help the family with the financial burdens that come with the loss of a loved one.  Wrongful death compensation is awarded to help cover the lost income, medical bills, and funeral expenses that the family will face because of the death of their loved one.  Also, Georgia law allows for things such as loss of companionship, instruction, and guidance for a child who loses a parent.      

Loss of consortium.  This applied to married people.  If you or someone you love are in an accident and injured in sucha  way that you cannot have the same level of relationship with your spouse or partner–or if one of you were killed in an accident–then you may be eligible for damages for loss of consortium.  This is also sometimes called “loss of companionship.”

Punitive Damages.  Under Georgia law, a plaintiff can be eligible for something called “punitive damages” in certain cases.  This type of damages is designed to punish defendants whose actions were particularly bad. These damages are not there to help make the plaintiff “whole” after an accident, but instead to punish the defendant and to deter the bad conduct in the future.  In other words, punitive damages can show people and companies that the conduct was bad and they should not do it again in the future.

For a court to allow punitive damages compensation to a plaintiff, the actions that led to the injury must have been intentional or willful misconduct that was reckless.  An example of this can be driving under the influence of alcohol and hurting someone. Georgia law allows compensation for punitive damages.

There are many different types of personal injury cases.  Here are some of the more common types of cases that we handle at Georgia Auto law.

Car Accidents.  Accidents involving cars are some of the most common personal injury cases.  These personal injury claims come from another driver’s negligence that causes a car accident.  These accidents can have lifelong impacts and the injuries can be very severe. Also, a car accident that may not seem that bad at first can require a lot of medical care to get the injured victim back on his or her feet.

We would file a personal injury lawsuit in a car accident case to achieve compensation for medical bills that have already been incurred and future medical bills as well.  You can also recover damages for lost wages due to an inability to work and the lost ability to work in the future. You can also recover pain and suffering damages in a car accident case.

Truck Accidents.  Big trucks are all over the roads, and they can cause very severe truck accidents.  These cases can lead to significant medical bills and pain and suffering damages. A personal injury lawsuit is often required to pursue full compensation if you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident.

Motorcycle accidents.  Motorcycles allow a sense of thrill and freedom, but they can also be more dangerous than normal passenger cars.  Due to the fact that a motorcycle rider is totally exposed, even a minor bump can have lifelong impacts. Motorcycle accidents often lead to personal injury lawsuits in order to recover damages for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering from a motorcycle accident.  

Wrongful Death.  Wrongful death cases are heartbreaking.  And we fight as hard as we can to get maximum compensation for these terrible personal injury accidents  In these cases, all medical bills and expenses, along with lost wages, that you can get in any personal injury lawsuit are available in a wrongful death case.  Under Georgia law, there are also special categories of compensation for the surviving family members of those who have died due to the negligence of others.  

Compensation is available for pain and suffering, along with the loss of companionship for the loss of a loved one.  These damages often can assist a family in getting some peace after experiencing the sudden and shocking loss of a loved one.

In a wrongful death case, it is very important for the surviving family members to pursue legal action immediately.  Obviously, thinking about a lawsuit when you are grieving might feel weird and uncomfortable, but it is important to protect your rights.  You deserve justice on behalf of the person who you lost.   

Brain and spinal cord injuries.  Unfortunately, the human brain and spinal cord is very fragile.  And we often see terribly sad and serious injuries to these areas.  Auto accidents and other personal injury accidents can lead to injuries to the brain and spinal cord, and these injuries can be life changing.  In personal injury cases like this, the injury victim could sustain permanent physical and mental damage, paralysis, and problems with cognitive function.                

If a negligent person, company, or entity injuries you or a loved one, you are all victims of this loss.  You do not have to go up against these negligent entities alone. A contingency-fee personal injury attorney, with a strong team, will work until you get the compensation you deserve for yourself or your loved one. 

As your personal injury lawyer, we are the team that stands up for you and fights to get you the compensation you need in a personal injury lawsuit.  

The first thing we do is investigate your case and gather all of the necessary evidence.  Then we use that evidence to build the strongest possible case. Here are some of the things we do in the personal injury lawsuit process:

• Visit the scene of the accident to investigate
• Speak to witnesses
• Review all documents
• Evaluate the nature of the accident and what happened 
• Work with medical experts
• View and analyze any photos and video
• Work with experts who can recreate the scene of an accident

This is just a sampling of the things that your lawyer will do throughout the personal injury lawsuit.  We use the information we gather to go toe-to-toe with the defense lawyers, and we do not stop fighting until we get you the compensation you deserve.  We strive for maximum compensation in every single case.  

Many times, we are able to build a strong case and win a good settlement in a settlement meeting or in negotiations.  But, sometimes insurance companies and big corporations try to get off cheap, so we take them to court.

We do not let insurance company low-ball offers scare us.  We know what our client’s cases are worth and we fight for every dollar.  

As your lawyer, we take as much stress off of your shoulders as we can.  While you focus on getting better and back on your feet, we do all the work needed to build your case.  But, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Attend all medical treatment to get better
• Don’t admit fault for your injuries
• Document your good days and bad days due to your injuries
• Inform your lawyer of any documentation you have (photos of injuries or damages cars, police reports, medical bills, insurance documents)

Once you are being treated for your injuries and are thinking about a personal injury lawsuit, it is important to know the proper steps to take.  These are the normal steps that take place in cases that arise from motor vehicle accidents and personal injury accidents.

1. Contact a lawyer:  You should contact a personal injury lawyer who specializes in the type of case that you have.  As discussed above, specialized and experienced personal injury lawyers are able to assess your case and determine if you are able to win a personal injury lawsuit. 
2. Building the case: Once you become a client, your lawyer and legal team will immediately investigate every aspect of your case.  We will look at your injuries and type of accident you were involved in, all evidence, your lost wages, and any other factors that make your case stronger.  
3. Settlement negotiations:  To start the negotiation, your personal injury attorney will send a “Demand Letter” to the insurance company.  In this letter, we show them our evidence and why you are entitled to compensation. In most cases, this step is where your lawyer will be able to get you an good personal injury settlement to help you get back on your feet. 
4. Filing the lawsuit: If the other insurance company tries to get away with a low-ball offer or rejects a settlement, then we file the personal injury lawsuit to get you the maximum compensation possible.  This is when we begin the litigation process in order to make sure your rights are protected.
5. Discovery: After the personal injury lawsuit has been filed, there is a period of time called “discovery.”  This is when both your lawyer and the defense lawyer share the documents and evidence with each other.  This is when your lawyer will sending requests for every single document that the defense lawyer has that relates to the case.  That way, we can know everything about their side of the case.  

Trial:  When a case does not reach a settlement, it goes to court in front of a judge and jury.  During trial, your lawyer will stand up and argue your case. At Georgia Auto Law, we have vast experience in trial, and insurance companies know it.  They do not like having to go up against us in court.

A personal injury settlement takes place when your lawyer, and the other lawyer, come to a mutual agreement on the amount of compensation for your damages. This will include your medical bills, lost wages, expenses, and pain and suffering. There are many factors that will have an impact on the final amount of personal injury settlement.

Things that affect the personal injury settlement amount are the severity of your injuries, the nature of the accident, your lost wages, and your medical bills. We will fight for this settlement with no upfront fees at all, we only take a fee from the final settlement if we win your case for you.

Generally, most personal injury cases settle. When Georgia Auto Law is on the case, the insurance companies know our strong reputation in handling auto accident cases in Georgia. They do not want to mess with us. They know that car, truck, and motorcycle cases are all we do, and they know we have the resources to beat them. And even if they try to low-ball us, our trial team is ready to take them to court. Many times we have secured hundreds of thousands, and even millions, in cases where the insurance company made an initial low-ball offer.

Personal injury lawsuits have very strict deadlines in Georgia. This law is called the “statute of limitations.” It means that you have 2 years from the date of the accident to file the lawsuit. If you wait too long, then you will not be able to make a claim for compensation. If you have been injured, you should consider hiring a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to make sure you do not lose the opportunity to seek compensation.

Personal injuries lawyers like Georgia Auto Law do not have hourly rates or any fees up front, ever. We work on a “contingency fee” which means that we only get paid if we win your case. Our fee comes from the money we recover for you and never out of your own pocket.

This is the best arrangement for injured people because it allows them to have a great personal injury lawyer without having to pay expensive hourly rates that other lawyers charge. This allows you to be on the same playing field as the big defense lawyers who are trying to fight against us. You only pay your legal team if they win your case for you.

If you or a loved one have been injured, contact Georgia Auto Law’s personal injury attorneys today for a completely free, no-obligation case evaluation. You do not have to fight this battle alone.