Injured in an Atlanta Car Accident and Need a 5-Star Attorney? The Millar Law Firm Can Help You Today.
How Our Atlanta Car Crash Attorneys Can Help You Now
If you’re injured in a crash in or near Atlanta, we can help protect you, your family and your finances. The Millar Law Firm’s car crash attorneys are an award-winning legal team that will immediately explain your rights, offer legal advice, help find ways to cover your medical care expenses, recover your lost wages, and secure full compensation for your pain and trauma.
Whether you have had a car, truck or motorcycle accident in or near Atlanta, call or contact our Atlanta law firm today and find out what steps to take and the potential value of your accident case. Our expert car crash attorneys provide free consultations over the phone, in person, or via email, and will start working on your claim immediately.
Table of Contents
How We Can Protect Your Financial Future if You Were Involved in an Accident in Atlanta
Our car crash attorneys bring over fifty years of combined personal injury experience to the table. With support staff members each boasting over twenty years in the legal field, our firm stands out in Atlanta, for its depth of expertise. We can help you deal with past and future medical expenses, lost income, and permanent pain and disability.
How Much Do We Charge Our Atlanta Clients?
The Millar Law Firm represents all car, truck and motorcycle accident victims on a contingent fee basis. This means we do not charge you anything unless we recover money for you, at which time we are paid from your recovery. If there is no financial settlement or recovery, you pay nothing.
Dealing With the Insurance Companies
After a serious car accident, notify your insurance company. You might also hear from the at-fault driver’s insurance adjuster. This is a critical moment because what you say can affect your case.
Your insurance will likely help you, and it's important to report the accident as your policy probably requires. However, the adjuster from the other party’s insurance may try to minimize your claim.
Giving Statements to an Insurance Adjuster can Damage Your Case
Be careful about giving a recorded statement to insurance adjusters. They may use your words against you. For example, if just after an accident you say you’re “fine” but later your injuries worsen, the adjuster could claim you’re exaggerating. They might also try to trap you into making mistakes, like guessing speeds or recalling details incorrectly, which could hurt your case.
Our car crash attorneys recommend against giving recorded or written statements to the at-fault driver’s insurance adjuster. Instead, let them know your attorney will be in touch.
Don't Cash a Settlement Check Without Speaking to an Attorney
After a car accident, insurance adjusters may seem helpful, but they often push for a quick settlement. This can happen before you fully understand your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, or property damage.
Should You Accept an Insurance Check for "medical bills" and "future pain and suffering?"
An increasingly common tactic used by major insurance companies is to offer a check for a few thousand dollars to pay for your "medical bills" and "pain and suffering" a few days after your accident. Sounds great, right? Why would an insurance company be so generous? That friendly insurance adjuster is hoping you will accept and cash the check, cutting off your right to recover any additional medical bills and the pain and suffering you are continuing to endure. Once you cash the check, it is extremely difficult (often impossible) to re-open your claim and receive the full value of your case.
Know Your Damages Before Signing
Don't sign any settlement release until you're aware of all your current and future damages. A settlement release is a binding contract. Once signed, it prevents you from claiming more compensation, even if your injuries or losses turn out to be worse than you thought.
First Offers Are Rarely the Best
Insurance companies want to settle claims quickly and cheaply. Be cautious if an adjuster makes you an offer while you're still receiving medical treatment. Accepting an early settlement or the first offer can mean missing out on the money you rightfully deserve.
The compensation for car accident injuries usually depends on the severity and long-term impact of your injuries. Insurance limits and your attorney’s expertise can also influence the settlement amount.
Reasons You May Need a Car Crash Attorney
Fast Action Can Result in a Higher Settlement of a Georgia Personal Injury Claim
Quick actions like fast investigation, timely claims, and immediate medical care can increase your compensation. At Millar Law Firm, we provide practical advice on what steps to take next, including help with medical care if you lack health insurance.
Delays in treatment can be used against you by insurance adjusters, suggesting you weren’t really injured if you wait too long to seek medical help. Prompt treatment and thorough documentation are useful for strengthening your car accident claim.
How We Prove Your Case: Our Approach to Investigating Your Case
Our firm will immediately begin to investigate your case by obtaining the police report, and gathering evidence such as 911 audio recordings, law enforcement body cams, surveillance video, and on-site investigation when necessary. Our process includes working with accident reconstruction experts, investigating officers, and you medical team to determine the full extent of your injuries. Our typical investigation includes:
- Taking photographs of the scene, and all vehicles involved, whether those be cars, trucks, or motorcycles.
- Conducting interviews with passengers and eyewitnesses.
- Obtaining and viewing video from traffic cameras, police vehicles and surrounding businesses.
- Working with leading accident reconstruction experts to prove your case.
- Meeting with your treating medical doctors to understand and document your injuries fully.
- Gathering all medical bills and expenses and evidence of lost earnings, both past and future.
Negotiating Your Settlement
Once you have recovered or reached maximum medical improvement, our next step is usually to begin to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company. Insurers often attempt to resist or minimize payment by claiming your injuries were minor, exaggerated or are pre-existing. We counter these tactics with a comprehensive demand package, often including medical reports or narratives, showing that you are prepared to take the defendant and their insurance company to court, if necessary. This is often one of the best ways to receive a fair settlement.
Settlement demand packages normally include:
- Police reports and accident reconstruction analysis
- Photographs of the injuries and your vehicle damage
- Your medical bills
- Documentation and reports showing your lost wages and earnings
- Medical and narrative reports from your doctors describing your treatment and condition
- Estimates of your anticipated future medical needs and economic losses
In Atlanta, insurance companies usually offer a fair settlement only when convinced that you have strong evidence to win in court. Our demand packages are designed to show the insurance company you mean business. In Georgia, a detailed demand package is often the best way to achive a full and fair settlement.
How The Millar Law Firm May be Able to Assist You:
Locating Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage: With many uninsured drivers in Atlanta, it is important to determine if you have uninsured motorist (UIM) coverage. Don't take your insurance company's word for ot. Many drivers don't realize they have this coverage, therefore, we check for it in every case.
Finding Doctors Who Will Treat Car Accident Injuries: It can come as a surprise, but in the Atlanta, Georgia area, some local doctors and clinics refuse to treat injuries from car accidents, and they may also refuse to accept your insurance. If you face this problem, we may be able to help. With over 32 years of experience, we have developed strategies and advice that is likely to get you the medical care you need.
Preserving and Maximizing Your Funds After Settlement is Reached: Often, health insurers or workers' compensation carriers attempt to lay claim to a part of your settlement. This is known a lien or subrogation. However, not all insurance or provider claims for reimbursement are valid. For example, under Georgia’s "made whole doctrine," you might not have to reimburse a health insurance company. Our staff can help determine if claimed liens are enforceable and will fight to help you keep as much of your settlement as possible.
Types of Traffic Accidents We Handle
- Interstate and Highway Accidents: Including collisions on I-75, I-85, I-285, I-16, and other state highways.
- City Street Crashes: Notably on busy Atlanta streets like Peachtree Street and Buford Highway.
- Intersection Collisions: Including accidents at stop signs and traffic lights.
- Vehicle-Specific Incidents:
- Totaled vehicle wrecks
- Rear-end collisions
- Head-on crashes
- Hit-and-run cases
- Side-impact and side-swipes
- T-bone collisions
- Multiple-car pile-ups
- Single-vehicle accidents
- Vehicle roll-over cases
Atlanta Auto Accident Cases We Specialize In
- Wrongful Death
- Paralysis
- DUI/Drunk driving injuries
- Distracted driving cases
- Negligence and careless driving incidents
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Road rage and aggressive driving attacks
- Phantom vehicle crashes (with or without contact)
Car Accident Injuries We Handle
At The Millar Law Firm, we handle a range of injuries from car accidents, fighting insurance companies that try to minimize compensation. Here’s how we prove them:
- Neck and Whiplash-Type Injuries: Common in rear-end collisions, these can cause long-term damage to discs or ligaments. Despite insurers' claims of minor inconvenience, these injuries must be taken seriously.
- Back Injuries: Damage to the back can cause acute and chronic pain. Insurers often claim these injuries were pre-existing, but immediate medical documentation can prove otherwise.
- Amputation Cases: Severe accidents can lead to amputations. We confront every excuse by at-fault parties trying to dodge responsibility. Expert testimony about the necessity of amputation and the ongoing costs of prosthetics can be used to prove the claim.
- Leg and Knee Injuries: Insurers often dismiss knee injuries like meniscus tears or ligament ruptures as pre-existing. However, medical expert testimony can link these injuries directly to the accident.
- Hand and Foot Injuries: These injuries can be debilitating and may lead to long-term conditions like arthritis. Immediate medical examination can provide evidence of nerve damage and other issues.
- Internal and Abdominal Injuries: Injuries to internal organs are complex and can lead to bigger settlements due to their serious nature.
- Shoulder Injuries: Symptoms of shoulder injuries like rotator cuff tears might not appear immediately. We handle cases involving shoulder dislocations, impingement, and surgeries, ensuring that delayed symptoms are recognized and compensated.
Damages and Expenses You May Recover
What Expenses and Damages Can I Recover In an Atlanta Car Accident?
Recovering Maximum Damages and Compensation
In Georgia, you may be entitled to recover damages after a car accident that was not your fault. Compensation may include current, past, and future medical expenses, pain and suffering and other losses.
Types of Legal Recoverable Damages:
- General Damages: Compensation for non-economic losses such as physical pain, suffering, and loss of life quality due to the accident.
- Special Damages: Covers all medical expenses, both past and future, as well as lost wages and earnings.
- Punitive Damages: Aimed at punishing or deterring the at-fault driver, especially in cases of egregious negligence like DUI, hit-and-run, or road rage.
- Future Losses: May include costs for upcoming surgeries or losses from having to retire early due to severe injuries.
How it Works if My Atlanta Car Accident Claim Has to Go to Court
Going to Court Over a Car Accident: Is a Lawsuit Necessary?
Most car accident cases, if they're well-prepared and backed by necessary medical documentation, settle without needing to go to court. However, if there are complex medical issues or disagreements about the facts, or if the insurance adjuster makes a low offer, going to court might be necessary.
In such cases, our attorneys will discuss your options and prepare you for what comes next. Even if a lawsuit is filed, it's rare for these cases to actually go to trial. With thorough preparation and assertive legal action, many suits are settled when the insurance company decides to make a better offer.
If your case does go to trial, The Millar Law Firm is ready to support you. We have a strong track record with over 100 cases tried to verdict. We are proud of the fact that judges, court reporters, and defense attorneys have referred cases to our Atlanta Law Firm after seeing our courtroom work.
In Atlanta, you should wait to settle your car accident injury claim until after your medical treatment is complete and you understand 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.
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 auto wreck attorney if you're approaching or have missed the two-year mark.
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.
1201 West Peachtree Street #2339 Atlanta, GA 30309+1-770-212-3795$0-$100000Outstanding Law firm with great customer service.
