Atlanta Car Accident Lawyers

In Atlanta, you should wait to settle your car accident injury claim until your medical treatment is complete and you have a clear understanding of your future medical needs. Typically, cases settle within two or three months after your medical care concludes. However, if there are disputes about the facts of your case or the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, a lawsuit might be needed. Such lawsuits usually take one to two years to go to trial in the Atlanta area. Once a settlement is agreed upon, payments are generally made within weeks or months, although sometimes they are spread out over time.

Determining the value of your Atlanta car accident case requires the review and evaluation of your medical bills, property damage, lost wages, and assessing the severity and permanency of your injuries. Under Georgia law, you can be compensated for both economic losses (like past and future expenses from the accident) and non-economic losses (such as ongoing pain and suffering). Cases with temporary injuries might not be valued as highly as those with permanent injuries.

An experienced car accident attorney can often give you a rough estimate of your case's value during an initial free consultation. The estimate might not be precise at first, as it depends on your recovery progress, available insurance, and the at-fault driver’s history. We will seek to be as transparent as possible as your case progresses.

Liability means who is at fault in a car accident. Automobile liability insurance is the coverage that protects the driver or vehicle owner when a claim is made, covering costs for accidents where they are at fault.

In Georgia, your insurance rates cannot legally increase if the accident was not your fault, even if you use your uninsured or underinsured motorist benefits.

If an uninsured vehicle hits you, you can try to get payment from the driver who caused the accident. This could involve demanding payment or suing for your medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

However, if they don’t have insurance, it might be hard to collect your damages. If you have UIM coverage, you can also file a claim with your own insurance. A UIM policy covers you when the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance. It's wise to have a car accident attorney review your policy to check for UM coverage and understand its limits.

Georgia Automobile Insurance and UIM Limits
In Georgia, all drivers must have at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in insurance coverage for injuries and property damage they cause. Georgia law also requires that you either decline uninsured/underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage in writing or purchase it up to the liability limits.

Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury in Georgia
In Atlanta, GA, you have two years from the date of a car accident to settle your claim or file a lawsuit. If you don't act within this period, you might lose your right to seek compensation. There are exceptions to this rule, so it’s wise to consult a car accident attorney if you’re approaching—or have already passed—the two-year deadline.

We are often asked about using cell phone records to prove the at-fault driver was talking on the phone when he or she caused a crash. It is important to request that the other driver preserve their phone and phone records. However, it may not be possible to force another driver to produce those records if you've already started a court case. If you need these records urgently, consider filing a lawsuit soon after your accident. Failing to preserve evidence such as cell phone records can lead to civil penalties.

If your car is totaled in an accident in Atlanta, you're entitled to the fair market value of the car in the local area, not necessarily what you paid or owe. The value is determined based on local prices, and considers mileage, condition, and features. You can claim compensation for repairs or replacement either through the at-fault driver's insurance or your own insurance, which might require you to pay a deductible initially. If you weren’t at fault, your insurance company should seek to recover this deductible from the at-fault driver’s insurer and reimburse you, which could take several weeks to months.

If you were hit in Georgia by a driver from another state, you can still make a claim or file a lawsuit against them. Such cases can often be settled.

However, when a lawsuit is necessary, it can often be filed in the county where the accident occurred or where you live. Under Georgia's long-arm statute, you can often hold an out-of-state driver accountable for their negligence.