What should I do after a motor vehicle accident caused by someone else?
Call the police immediately to have a police report written up and do not leave the scene of the MVA. Make sure that you verify that a police report was written by the responding officer and obtain the police report number before leaving the scene of the accident. No matter how minor the accident may seem at the time, never leave the scene without a police report. Once you have left the scene, your next step is to call a motor vehicle accident attorney at Impact Law for a free consultation.
What if the driver who caused the accident did not have insurance?
If the driver that caused the MVA did not have insurance or did not have enough insurance at the time of loss, you may be able to obtain a monetary recovery for your damages under your own insurance policy if you purchased Uninsured/ Underinsured Motorist (UM) insurance coverage.
What compensation can I seek if involved in an MVA caused by someone else?
If you have been involved in an MVA caused by the carelessness of another person, you may be entitled to compensation in a number of ways. If you were injured during the MVA, you may be entitled to recover your medical expenses, lost wages and pain & suffering related to the MVA. In addition, you may be entitled to receive compensation up to the fair market value of your vehicle on the date of the MVA, plus reasonable loss of use of your vehicle, during repairs or for a reasonable period of time, if your vehicle has been deemed a total loss. If your vehicle is repairable, you may also be entitled to the depreciation of value to your vehicle due to the MVA. If the at fault driver was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and/or perpetrated a hit and run, you may also be entitled to recover punitive damages which serves to punish the at-fault driver for their willful and wanton disregard for your welfare.
How much does it cost to hire a personal injury attorney?
In Georgia, personal injury lawyers are paid on a contingency fee basis. This means that the injury attorney’s compensation is directly correlated to maximizing your monetary recovery. In simple terms, if no monetary recovery is obtained by your attorney, your attorney will not earn a fee and you will owe nothing out of your pocket. If your injury attorney obtains a monetary recovery on your behalf, your attorney is entitled to a percentage of the gross recovery, which will be agreed upon in writing at the outset of the representation, plus case cost/expenses necessary to prosecute your case.
How long will my case take?
It depends. Many factors go into determining how long a case will take to resolve. The extent of your injuries and treatment, the time necessary to accumulate all relevant evidence, the complexity of the MVA, the insurance carrier and the jurisdiction where your lawsuit was filed all factor into how quickly or slowly your case will take to resolve. Consult a personal injury lawyer at Impact Law to get a more accurate prediction of your case and how long it will take to resolve.
If I am experiencing pain after the MVA caused by someone else, should I seek treatment for my symptoms?
YES! It is important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible after an MVA. Even if you are experiencing minor symptoms, in an abundance of caution, it is always wise to be cleared medically after an MVA as injuries can linger if not addressed promptly.