If you have been in a crash, you are likely asking yourself, “Do I need a lawyer?” The truth is that you have nothing to lose by talking to an attorney after a car accident in Georgia. The car accident lawyers at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., do not charge for initial consultations. Our car accident attorneys can explain your rights and legal options for free. Even if your injuries seem minor, our car crash lawyers can help you seek fair compensation.
What Factors Affect Whether You Need a Car Accident Lawyer?
Not every car accident in Georgia requires a lawyer, but many do. Here are some factors to consider if you are unsure whether you need a car accident attorney:
- Serious injuries – You should talk to a lawyer if you suffered severe injuries in a car accident. Medical bills, lost wages, and long-term care can quickly become overwhelming, but our attorneys are ready to fight to help you seek maximum compensation for all your losses.
- Disputed fault – You need legal help to prove what happened if the other driver blames you or no one accepts responsibility for the crash. Our car accident lawyers can gather evidence, speak with witnesses, document your injuries, and deal with the insurance company for you.
- Insurance issues – A lawyer from Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., can step in and protect your rights if the other driver is uninsured, underinsured, or their insurance company is giving you the runaround.
- Complex claims – Some car accident claims involve multiple drivers, commercial vehicles, unclear injuries, or other complex issues. Such situations are tough to handle alone and often require legal experience to sort out.
- Pressure to settle quickly – Be cautious if an insurance company is rushing you to settle. Quick offers often fall short of your claim’s full worth. Our car accident lawyers are ready to evaluate the offer and push for fair compensation if an insurer is lowballing you.
- Missed work or long-term effects – If your injuries are keeping you out of work or affecting your daily life, you may qualify for more than basic compensation. Our personal injury attorneys can help you calculate and document long-term costs in an effort to increase your compensation.
- Emotional stress – Dealing with severe injuries and legal claims can be exhausting. If you are already dealing with pain and stress, let our attorneys handle the paperwork, phone calls, and settlement negotiations to give you peace of mind.
Do I Still Need a Car Accident Lawyer If I Was Not Hurt in the Accident?
You might think you do not need a lawyer after a car accident if you feel fine in the immediate aftermath of the crash. However, it is not always that simple.
For example, injuries like whiplash, soft-tissue damage, or concussions do not always show symptoms right away. It might take hours, days, or even weeks before you notice pain, stiffness, or other signs of an injury. If you settle your claim too early without legal advice, you could miss out on compensation for medical treatment you did not realize you would need.
Furthermore, a lawyer can still protect your rights even if you were not hurt. Property damage, missing work, and other costs can add up quickly, and the insurance companies may try to close your claim fast with a low offer. Without legal help, you might not know what your case is worth or how to fight back if the insurance company denies it.
The bottom line is this: It is better to seek legal advice early than regret not doing so. Talking to a car accident lawyer at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., does not cost anything upfront and can help you avoid costly mistakes later.
Can a Car Accident Attorney Help If I Contributed to the Crash?
Hiring an auto accident attorney is especially important if you think you were partially at fault for the collision. While Georgia law lets you seek compensation even if you contributed to an accident, such cases have complex rules.
Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, which means you could lose much of your claim’s value if you do not present evidence that can minimize your degree of liability. Our car accident attorneys can use information from police crash reports, surveillance videos, eyewitness accounts, accident reconstructions, and other evidence to show that while you may have contributed to the accident, the other driver bears most of the blame.
Under Georgia law, you cannot recover compensation if your percentage of fault is greater than 50 percent. An insurance adjuster might attempt to use the rule to deny your claim, but determining fault is not ultimately up to the insurance company. It is up to the courts to determine fault, and our experienced attorneys can work to uncover and present evidence that demonstrates you should still receive compensation.
How Can a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer Help Me in My Car Accident Claim?
Our car accident lawyers stand ready to be an essential ally for seeking maximum compensation after a collision. Once you hire our attorneys after an accident, we can handle all the legal work in your case, including:
- Investigating the crash and collecting evidence to identify who is liable for your injuries
- Documenting your injuries, lost income, emotional distress, and other losses from the accident to maximize your claim’s value
- Negotiating with the liable parties and their insurance companies to help you pursue a fair settlement
- Taking your case to court and presenting evidence at trial if a fair settlement is not possible
- Answering your questions and explaining the legal process so you always know what is happening with your case
Will I Receive a Larger Settlement If I Have a Lawyer?
Injured people who hire a car accident attorney after a crash usually receive higher settlements. Insurance companies have huge legal teams to scrutinize your claim and find reasons to deny it or reduce your compensation.
Yes, it costs money to hire an experienced car accident lawyer, but an attorney’s knowledge and experience often mean you recover more compensation even after accounting for attorney’s fees. Additionally, the car accident attorneys at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., do not charge any fees if you do not receive compensation. You put nothing at risk by contacting us for a free consultation about your personal injury claim.
Contact a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer
Car accident cases are one of our core practice areas at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., and we have over 85 years of combined legal experience we can put to work for you. Our proven results and commitment to customer service have earned us positive reviews from our clients.
Call now or complete our contact form for a free, no-risk consultation with an experienced car accident attorney at our personal injury law firm.
