Auto accidents can cause injuries
By Michael D. Barber, Georgia Lawyer specializing in DUI, Drug Charges & Criminal Defense
If you experience a severe enough injury from an accident, the bills may start to pile up, causing financial losses not just to you but also to your family.
Many people who find themselves in this situation do not know that the law in Georgia gives an injured person a right to recovery for their damages from the responsible party.
The things that could be included in the financial struggle may range from medical expenses, lost wages, funeral expenses, property damage, and the list goes on. Most importantly, all the pain that is experienced due to the injury, the suffering party can recover for that pain and suffering which stems from their injuries and treatment.
One thing to keep in mind is that the driver who injured you is required to have insurance and that company has a lot of experience defending personal injury claims. Their position is to obtain the lowest settlement possible, which is why it is so important to have a personal injury attorney who will help you deal with the insurance company.
Determining the value of a claim for personal injury is complicated
To delve into that question it takes an evaluation of the nature and extent of the injury, the losses that are recoverable, and the potential liability for both parties which relate to the accident. Oftentimes, one important key, which is often overlooked, will stem from the location where a trial would take place as that would have a great effect on the outcome of the case.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Atlanta, Alpharetta, College Park, Decatur, Dunwoody, Kennesaw, Lawrenceville, Roswell or anywhere in Georgia, contact our law office today at 678-883-1040 to schedule your free consultation with an experienced attorney. All information is kept strictly confidential.
The Role of Insurance Companies in Personal Injury Claims
The insurance company for the individual who caused the auto accident will start an investigation immediately. It is the insurer’s responsibility to try to limit the recovery of the injured person to the lowest possible amount. Accordingly, insurance companies have established very specific and elaborate procedures on handling auto accident claims, especially in the early stages of the claim. During this time, the insurance company will take recorded statements from the persons involved in the car accident, have the vehicles examined, have photographs taken, obtain the police report, and try to establish the extent of the injuries suffered in the auto collision. The insurance company is usually able to accomplish all of these items within the first week after the car wreck and many of them within the first 24 to 48 hours after the auto accident.
Although the approach of insurance companies vary, many insurance companies try to reach a quick settlement with an injury victim. Their purpose is to avoid responsibility for future medical expenses, lost wages and other damages that are likely to develop. This is a trap which you must avoid. When a person is injured in an auto accident, it very often takes months to completely assess the person’s injuries. At that point, the person may need surgery or other extensive treatment. The injuries may leave the person permanently disabled even after corrective surgery. Therefore, the true value of a claim can only be assessed after a firm prognosis has been established by a physician.
Reimbursement of Insurance Money Paid for a Car Accident
There are other significant issues that develop for persons injured in an car accident. For instance, if your health insurance company pays for your medical bills they will very often seek to obtain reimbursement from your settlement with the other driver’s insurance company. There are significant limitations on their right to obtain such reimbursement. Likewise, if you were on the job when injured, the worker’s compensation insurance company will try to obtain reimbursement of their payments for medical expenses and lost wages. Again, there are significant limitations on their right to receive reimbursement. These are important issues that an experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer can help you understand and maximize your recovery.
Types of Insurance Available in Auto Wreck Cases
In the State of Georgia, individuals are required to maintain liability insurance coverage for their automobiles. The minimum requirements for bodily injury liability insurance coverage in Georgia are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Since these insurance limits may be insufficient to cover the claim of an injured person, very often the injured person must explore what other insurance is available to the responsible driver or the extent of the driver’s personal assets. The responsible driver may have the right to coverage from insurance policies of family members, an employer, a rental car company or from an “umbrella” policy. In addition, other unknown persons or entities may also have liability for the auto collision. For instance, if the road or a light was defective, a government agency may share responsibility for the collision. In addition, your own insurance policy may provide you with coverage for your injuries.
What is Your Personal Injury Case Worth?
One thing to keep in mind is that the driver who injured you has a insurance and that company has a lot of experience defending personal injury claims. Their position is to obtain the lowest settlement possible, which is why it is so important to have a attorney helping you deal with \the insurance company. Determining the value of a claim for personal injury is complicated. In order to delve into that question takes a evaluation of the nature and extent of the injury, the losses that are recoverable, and the potential liability for both parties which relate to the accident. Often times, one important key, which is often overlooked, will stem from the location where a trial would take place as that would have a great effect on the outcome of the case.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident in Atlanta, Decatur, Marietta, Roswell, Alpharetta, Macon, Columbus, or anywhere in Georgia, contact our law office today at (404) 460-0101 or (855) 675-1235 to schedule your free consultation with an experienced attorney. All information is kept strictly confidential
