One of the most frustrating things about a car crash is dealing with so many injuries, medical bills, and other costs because someone else was negligent. A lawyer can help you hold that person responsible and get fair compensation.
It is smart to talk to a lawyer about your car accident and damages as soon as possible. Even if you are uncertain about what kind of legal action you might take, a lawyer can at least help you explore and understand your options. To begin a claim for damages, you should talk to your lawyer about things like damages and evidence before preparing a complaint and serving notice of your case on the defendant. Evidence might include witnesses, photos from the accident scene, and possibly assistance from an accident reconstruction expert. Damages you can recover might include medical costs, pain, suffering, lost income, and the value of destroyed property or belongings.
Call our car accident lawyers of Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 and make an appointment to discuss your situation with our team in a free case evaluation.
When You Should Talk to a Lawyer About Your Car Accident in Mableton, GA
It would help if you spoke to an attorney about your case as soon as possible. While it is reasonable to take some time to recover from your injuries and take stock of everything that has happened to you, you should not wait too long. The longer you wait, the harder it might be to find witnesses and other evidence, and your claims might be more challenging to argue.
You should also be aware of the statute of limitations on personal injury claims in Georgia. Under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, a plaintiff has only 2 years from the date of their injury to file an injury lawsuit with the courts. If you miss this deadline, you might lose your right to bring the cause of action, and you cannot recover any damages or compensation.
If you are not sure whether you need to talk to a lawyer, you should consider some important factors that might be implicated in your accident. First, what kind of damages did you incur? If you were badly hurt or your vehicle was destroyed, you should speak to a lawyer about compensation for those losses.
Second, how did the other driver or other responsible parties react after the accident? If they were apologetic and remorseful, they might be more willing to pay compensation without going through a trial. If they were hostile and defensive, a trial with an attorney might be the only way you will ever see compensation.
How to Begin a Legal Claim for Damages for a Mableton, GA Car Crash Case
Your first step to initiating legal action against the person or people responsible for your car accident is to meet with a lawyer. Many people hesitate to call a lawyer because they fear getting in way over their heads. A lawsuit is a big commitment, and it is understandable to be unsure of taking that first step. However, you do not have to commit to anything when you speak to an attorney. At the very least, your attorney can help you explore all your legal options so you can make an informed decision about what you want to do.
When you are ready, our car accident attorneys can help you prepare a formal complaint. The complaint will initiate your lawsuit against the people responsible for the crash and your injuries. We must include detailed information about who the parties are, how the accident happened, why the defendant is liable, and what kind of compensation you deserve.
When filing a complaint, it is crucial that we also serve notice of the complaint to the defendant. How notice is served is ruled by very strict laws and court protocols. Your attorney should be familiar with how to serve proper legal notice. If the defendant is hard to find, like if they are in another state, your lawyer can track them down and serve them via long-arm statutes.
Evidence You Might Need in a Mableton, GA Auto Accident Case
Cases are won and lost based on evidence. Evidence in car accident cases is notoriously tricky to deal with. While crash sites are often full of details and evidence we might use in a trial, much of this evidence is lost when the authorities clear away the accident scene for safety reasons. This makes things like photos or videos you recorded at the crash scene extra important, as they might be the only recordings of the scene we have left.
Other evidence might still be available without photos from the accident scene. Witnesses are crucial in many accident cases. If other drivers, passengers, or pedestrians saw the accident, their testimony might be of the utmost importance.
Some evidence is not immediately apparent. We might put together a clear picture of what happened to you using multiple seemingly unrelated pieces of evidence. We can have an accident reconstruction expert review details about your case and scientifically reconstruct the accident. For example, details from police reports, witness statements, tire marks on the road, and other details might be used to determine exactly how the collision occurred.
Recoverable Damages in Mableton, GA Car Accident Cases
Damages in car accident cases can be quite large, depending on your losses and injuries. A major factor in your damages calculations is your hospital bills. You should seek emergency medical treatment right after a collision, even if you do not think you are injured. You might have unseen injuries that have yet to reveal themselves. Healthcare is infamously expensive, and even with health insurance, you might pay a hefty deductible.
Drivers injured in accidents are often psychologically traumatized by the experience. If this is the case, you can claim damages for emotional and mental suffering. This might manifest as conditions like depression, anxiety, or even post-traumatic stress disorder.
If your injuries and mental health keep you away from your job, you might lose a lot of income. Talk to your attorney about how much work you have missed and might continue to lose in the future. You may claim lost earnings as part of your damages.
Talk to Our Mableton, GA Car Accident Attorneys If You Were Hurt in a Crash
Call our car accident lawyers of Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 and set up an appointment to talk about your accident and injuries with our team in a free case review.
