A traffic crash can be a life-changing incident. You may be left coping with serious injuries, medical bills, car repair costs, and other stresses. If someone else was responsible for your accident, you have the right to seek compensation.
If you have a Winder car accident lawyer on your side, you can concentrate on recovering from your injuries while they fight to obtain you the greatest compensation possible. At H Groves Law, we have helped countless accident victims in Georgia and won millions on behalf of clients.
You pay us nothing unless we win you compensation. Call our personal injury attorneys in Winder today at (770) 329-1868 to schedule a free case review.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Many worry about whether they can afford to hire a car accident lawyer in Winder, Georgia. The good news is that H Groves Law doesn’t operate on retainers, expenditures, and hourly rates.
As a trusted personal injury law firm, we work on a contingency fee arrangement. This means you only pay us once we win compensation for you. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing.
What Should I Do After a Car Accident?
Immediately after a car accident, you might not be able to think clearly, so it’s crucial to be prepared. Here is what to do to help the claims process move smoothly.
Call the Police
Call the police to report your accident. The police will in turn create a report of the accident, which can be incredibly helpful when it comes to establishing fault and liability when it comes to filing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit.
Check on Other Involved Parties
Do not leave the accident scene. Leaving the scene of an accident is a serious offense with serious penalties. Never leave without reporting an accident. Check if others were hurt in the accident, and call 911 if you or anyone else needs medical treatment.
Exchange Info
Exchange information with other drivers or passengers involved in the crash. You should collect other drivers’ names, phone numbers, addresses, license numbers, and insurance details. If anyone witnessed the crash, ask for their name and contact information.
Record the Scene
Try to capture photo and video evidence of the crash scene if you can. Take pictures of the damage to your vehicle, the state of the road, and any visible wounds. These images can be of great assistance as you put up your case.
Never Admit Fault
When exchanging information, avoid discussing who was at fault because this could be used against you in a lawsuit. Don’t apologize to the other driver because that can be interpreted as an admission of guilt.
Seek Medical Attention
You should always visit a doctor if you’ve been in a car accident. You might not think you are badly hurt, but injuries such as a concussion or whiplash can often surface later. Never take chances with your health.
You should see a doctor as soon as possible after a car wreck. Don’t forget to keep records of all medical care you receive. These records will be critical if you file a lawsuit.
Call a Car Accident Lawyer!
After a car accident, don’t hesitate to contact a car accident lawyer in Winder to assist you with your case. Our team at H Groves Law has many years of experience helping accident victims in Georgia get the compensation they deserve.
When Should I Get a Lawyer for My Auto Accident?
Not everyone involved in an automobile accident will require legal counsel. However, you should get in touch with a lawyer immediately if any of the following apply to your circumstance:
- Accidents causing serious injuries or extensive property damage
- Any accident where blame is not immediately apparent
- Any wreck in a school or work zone
- Any collision where the at-fault party lacked insurance or had insufficient insurance
- When insurance providers deny your claim unfairly or try to pay less than you deserve.
What Is the Average Settlement for a Car Accident?
Data from the Insurance Information Institute indicates that vehicle accident victims who had filed bodily injury claims in 2019 were compensated an average of $18,417. Those who had filed property damage claims received an average settlement of $4,525 during the same year.
Why Do I Need a Winder Car Accident Lawyer?
If you have been involved in an auto accident in Winder, GA, you should consider hiring our car accident lawyers at H Groves Law to help with the following.
Case Preparation and Filing a Lawsuit
Our lawyers representing you will conduct investigations into the accident, gather evidence, and interview witnesses to build a strong case against the at-fault party. We will also handle the paperwork for your case and file your claim before the deadline.
Settlement Negotiations
During settlement talks, you shouldn’t speak to the insurance company on your own. Insurance companies will try to trick you into accepting a lowball settlement. Our attorneys understand the tactics of insurers and will ensure you are not taken advantage of.
Trial Representation
Most car accident cases are resolved with an out-of-court settlement. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we are ready to take your case to court and fight for the full amount that you deserve.
What Type of Damages Can I Recover?
Georgia courts may award three types of damages to car accident victims.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are compensation for financial losses. The value of these losses can be calculated objectively. Medical expenses, property damage, missed wages, and lost earning capacity are examples of these damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages compensate for non-monetary losses. Examples include pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment, disfigurement, and disability.
Punitive Damages
Unlike economic and non-economic damages, punitive damages are awarded to penalize the at-fault driver as opposed to compensating the victim. The court only imposes punitive damages if the at-fault motorist was extremely irresponsible.
Georgia state law caps punitive damages at $250,000 for most car accident cases. However, the court can award punitive damages over this limit for drunk driving accidents.
How Is Fault Determined in a Georgia Car Accident?
Georgia is an at-fault state where the driver determined to be responsible for the collision is liable for the damages and injuries resulting from the crash. To recover compensation, you must prove the elements of negligence.
- Duty of Care: All drivers have a duty of care to other road users. It is everyone’s duty to drive safely, follow traffic laws, and respect other road users.
- Breach of Duty of Care: To sue someone, you must provide proof that they violated their duty of care, which often means proving a traffic safety violation.
- Causation: You must then provide proof that the breach of duty caused the accident.
- Damages: You must also prove that you have suffered losses in the crash. The losses can be either economic or non-economic as described above.
Modified Comparative Negligence in Georgia
If you were less than 50% at fault in an automobile accident, you are still eligible for compensation under Georgia’s modified comparative negligence law. However, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. So if you were 10% at fault, you can only recover 90% of the damages.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?
In Georgia, you have two years from the accident date to submit a claim for personal injury and four years to file a claim for property damage. After those dates, you cannot file a claim against the other driver’s insurance provider.
If you want to file a lawsuit against the municipal or state government, you must first provide written notice of your claim to the government agency. This has to be done within 6 months for cases against the municipal government and within one year for claims against the state government.
How Can a Lawyer Help Me File My Insurance Claim?
A car accident attorney in Winder can make the recovery process go more smoothly by working to obtain a fair settlement.
Investigation
The insurance company’s adjuster will need to investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident to determine the amount of loss or damages covered by your insurance policy. The adjuster will look for ways to limit the amount paid by the insurance company.
Some of the ways we help support your claim include (but are not limited to):
- Obtaining police report information
- Speaking with witnesses
- Examining medical records
We consider your past, present, and projected losses resulting from medical expenses, auto repairs, and other damages to determine how much money you should receive as compensation.
Fighting for a Fair Settlement
In settlement negotiations with the insurance company, your Winder auto accident attorney will fight on your behalf to obtain the maximum compensation possible. Do not negotiate with your insurance provider before speaking with our car accident attorneys.
Although it’s unlikely, we’ll be there to protect your rights and act as your advocate if your case does end up in court. Do not negotiate with your insurance provider before speaking with our car accident attorneys.
What Can I Do If Insurance Denied My Claim?
Numerous factors could result in your auto insurance claim being denied. If you receive a rejection letter, carefully read it because it likely explains why the decision was made.
The following is a list of some of the most typical reasons insurers deny claims.
- You or the at-fault driver have insufficient insurance.
- The policy lapsed or was canceled.
- They believe you were responsible for the accident.
- They don’t believe you suffered injuries or damages.
- They don’t think your injuries resulted from the accident.
Our Winder car accident attorneys can help you to appeal a case where an insurance provider denies your car accident claim.
What If the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
Under Georgia law, all motorists are expected to have auto insurance. If the at-fault driver in your collision has no insurance or is underinsured, we can help you seek compensation from your uninsured/underinsured insurance coverage.
It’s also possible to sue the at-fault driver personally, but uninsured drivers rarely have many assets. Filing an uninsured/underinsured motorist claim is almost always the better option.
How Can I Obtain a Car Accident Report in Winder, Georgia?
A Georgia police accident report costs anywhere from $6 to $20, depending on how you obtain it. You can obtain a copy of your car accident report from the Winder Police Department. If you are unable to visit the local police station or sheriff’s office, you can obtain the accident report online at BuyCrash.com.
Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can cause a wide range of serious injuries. Here are some of the most common injuries from car crashes.
- Back injuries
- Head injuries and brain injuries
- Internal injuries
- Neck injuries
- Leg & knee injuries
- Facial disfigurement
- Spinal cord injuries
- Death
Types of Car Accidents We Handle
Some of the most typical types of car accidents we handle at H Groves Law include:
- DUI Accidents
- Distracted Driving Accidents
- Texting and Driving Accidents
- Head-on Collisions
- Hit & Run Accidents
- Rear-End Accidents
- Reckless Driving Accidents
- Speeding Accidents
- Uber Accidents
- Rollover Accidents
- Uninsured Motorist Claims
- Truck Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Pedestrian Accidents
- Bicycle Accidents
Get in Touch With the Best Winder Car Accident Lawyers!
A traffic crash can be a life-changing incident. You may be left coping with serious injuries, medical bills, car repair costs, and other stresses. If someone else was responsible for your accident, you have the right to seek compensation.
If you have an experienced Winder car accident lawyer on your side, you can concentrate on recovering from your injuries while they fight to obtain you the greatest compensation possible. At H Groves Law, we have helped countless accident victims in Georgia and won millions on behalf of clients.
You pay us nothing unless we win you compensation. Call our law firm near Winder, GA today at (770) 329-1868 to schedule a free case review.
