Lilburn Car Accident Attorney
If a Lilburn, Georgia, car accident someone else caused injured you, Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP can help. We recognize car accident victims’ unique challenges and will doggedly pursue justice and fair compensation for you. With our experienced team of attorneys who possess in-depth knowledge of personal injury law and car accident cases, we provide compassionate guidance and unwavering support throughout the entire legal process.
Contact us today at (404) 671-8488 to schedule a free consultation, and let us advocate for your rights. We’re available around the clock to talk with you. Additionally, we operate on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t pay unless we secure a favorable outcome.
Trust the Georgia injury attorneys at Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP to be your committed allies as we fight for the compensation you deserve.
Why Do You Need an Attorney After a Georgia Car Accident?
After a car accident in Lilburn, Georgia, there are several compelling reasons why it may be necessary to engage the services of a car accident attorney:
- Legal experience – A car accident attorney possesses the necessary legal knowledge and experience to apply the appropriate laws and regulations about car accidents and personal injury cases. Your attorney can help you understand your rights and options and guide you on the most appropriate action.
- Gathering evidence – A car accident attorney will gather crucial evidence to support your case. These efforts include obtaining police reports, collecting witness statements, and securing medical records. They can also collaborate with accident reconstruction experts and other professionals to build a solid and compelling case for you.
- Negotiating with insurance companies – Dealing with insurance companies can be challenging. They often aim to minimize their financial responsibility and will use a variety of tactics to do so. Your attorney can skillfully negotiate with these companies to obtain fair compensation for your injuries.
- Court representation – If your case proceeds to court, our car accident attorneys can represent you before a judge or jury. A seasoned attorney can present a persuasive argument, increasing your chances of gaining the compensation you deserve.
By enlisting the services of a skilled car accident attorney in Lilburn, Georgia, such as the team at Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP, you can find someone to lead your fight and help protect your rights.
How Soon After an Accident Should You Hire a Car Accident Attorney?
It is wise to promptly seek the assistance of an attorney after a car accident. A Georgia car accident attorney can guide you through the challenges that arise in the accident’s aftermath. Reasons to promptly hire an attorney include:
- Insurance issues – Your attorney can handle all communications with the insurance company. They can advise you about whether to provide a recorded statement, what to say in that statement, and otherwise help you keep from inadvertently reducing the compensation you’re owed. Additionally, they can review any settlement offers to determine whether they are fair and appropriate.
- Medical treatment – An attorney can assist you in finding medical providers who specialize in treating car accident injuries, ensuring you receive the necessary care and support for recovery.
- Peace of mind – Life after a car accident can be overwhelming and stressful. You can focus on healing and moving forward with your life when you entrust your claim to a Gwinnett County car accident attorney.
- Statute of limitations – Georgia’s statute of limitations for personal injury claims sets a two-year deadline for filing a lawsuit. Hiring an attorney will allow you to meet this deadline and file your case within the specified time frame.
- Time-sensitive evidence – Crucial evidence related to the accident, such as surveillance footage, skid marks, debris, and eyewitness accounts, can quickly vanish. An attorney can act swiftly to preserve and collect this evidence before it is lost or destroyed.
How Much Do Car Accident Lawyers Charge?
A car accident attorney’s fee can vary depending on the attorney and the case. Some attorneys charge an hourly rate. However, at Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP, our Lilburn, Georgia, personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. A contingency fee means we only get paid if we get money for you.
How Is Fault Determined in a Car Crash?
In a Georgia car accident case, the judge or jury determines fault by considering the evidence presented during the trial. The jury examines various factors, such as witness testimony, expert opinions, physical evidence, and applicable laws. They assess the actions and behavior of each party involved in the accident and determine if they acted in a negligent manner.
A judge or jury determines negligence (or fault) by evaluating whether a party breached their duty of care, caused the accident, and whether the breach directly resulted in the injuries or losses the victim suffered. The jury’s decision on negligence plays a crucial role in determining the allocation of fault in the car accident case.
The jury is also permitted to compare the fault of the victim and other parties. This is called comparative negligence. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule, specifically the 50 percent bar rule. According to this rule, you can seek damages as long as your percentage of fault is 49 percent or less. However, if you are 50 percent or more at fault, you are barred from receiving any compensation.
For example, if a court determines that you were 40 percent at fault for the accident and the other party was 60 percent at fault, your recoverable compensation will reduce by your percentage of responsibility (40 percent). In this scenario, if your total compensable losses were $10,000, you could recover $6,000 (60 percent of the total).
It is important to note that insurance companies follow these same processes and consider the same laws when determining the value of an insurance claim.
Can You Still File a Claim if You Weren’t Wearing Your Seat Belt at the Time of the Accident?
Regardless of whether you were wearing a seatbelt during the accident, you still have the right to file a compensation claim. Georgia requires seatbelts for all drivers and front-seat passengers. However, not using a seatbelt does not impact your ability to pursue a claim for damages.
Under Georgia law, failing to wear a seatbelt is not considered evidence of negligence or causation. The other side cannot use it against you in determining liability or affecting your claim.
Wearing a seatbelt is crucial for reducing the likelihood of injuries in a car accident. However, the failure to wear one does not directly cause accidents and does not impact your legal rights to seek compensation.
What Evidence Should You Collect After a Car Accident?
After you’ve been in a car accident, you may be in shock. But if you’re able, you should preserve evidence that can help your claim. Some of that evidence must be collected directly after an accident, while you can collect some in the coming weeks or months. Here are some critical steps to take after an accident to gather necessary information and evidence:
- Contact details – Collect the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the drivers and passengers involved in the accident and any witnesses present at the scene.
- Insurance information – Obtain the insurance details of all involved drivers, including their policy numbers and provider name.
- Medical records – Obtain and preserve copies of your medical records for the care of your accident-related injuries from the accident, including documentation of treatments received, prescribed medications, physical therapy, and follow-up appointments. Your personal injury attorney can obtain medical records from your providers.
- Police report – If a Georgia car accident results in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $500, the driver must report it to local law enforcement. Later, your attorney can obtain a copy of the accident report from the police. The report contains essential information such as the date, time, location of the accident, and the names of the drivers and witnesses involved.
- Photographs and videos – Take pictures and videos of the accident scene, the damage to the vehicles involved, and any injuries you or your passengers sustained. Also, note and take photos of skid marks and any relevant road or weather conditions that might have contributed to the accident.
- Repair estimates – Obtain written estimates to repair your damaged vehicle.
- Witness statements – If they cooperate, your attorney can gather written or recorded statements from witnesses present during the accident.
Contact a Lilburn, Georgia, Car Accident Attorney Today
If you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident in Gwinnett County caused by someone else, retaining Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP can be your first step in getting the compensation you’re entitled to.
By choosing Farris, Riley & Pitt, LLP, you can access a skilled team of attorneys who provide compassionate guidance and unwavering support throughout the legal process. We focus on building trust and rapport and have a proven track record of obtaining client results.
We also take a personalized approach to each case, recognizing that your situation is unique. Our commitment is to tailor our strategies to your needs and work diligently to achieve a settlement or award that adequately covers your losses.
If you choose to work with us, you should know that we take your future as seriously as ours. Contact us today at (404) 671-8488 for a free consultation. Let us help you seek justice and recover the compensation you need.