Articles Posted in Car Accident Settlements

need-lawyer-car-accident-300x157If a negligent motorist leaves you injured in a car accident, you have a lot on your mind. You have your injuries and medical care to concern yourself with – in addition to the lost income you may be experiencing as a result of those injuries. It is a lot, and the last thing you may want to take on is the additional effort of finding and hiring a car accident attorney. The good news is that a car accident lawyer can take the burden of dealing with the insurance company off your shoulders – while capably negotiating for a favorable claim resolution. The sooner you reach out for professional legal counsel, the sooner you can focus on your recovery – with the peace of mind that comes from knowing you have a skilled Atlanta car accident lawyer on your side. 

The First Order of Business 

If you have been injured by another driver’s negligence, the first order of business is obviously obtaining the medical attention that you require. The fact is that you can be seriously injured without recognizing you’ve been harmed. The shock and adrenaline rush that accompany violent car accidents can mask the initial pain and early symptoms you experience, and some injuries – such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and spinal cord injuries – can be asymptomatic in the beginning. After seeking medical care, the most important step you can take is reaching out to a seasoned car accident lawyer. 

A woman on the phone in front of a car accidentIn many car accident cases, it’s clear whose fault the wreck was. In instances like these, insurance companies often make settlement offers as soon as they can, hoping to resolve claims quickly and cheaply. If you have received an offer for a car crash before you have had a chance to talk to an attorney, it’s highly advisable that you speak to an Atlanta car accident attorney before you accept it. Read on to learn why.

Initial Offers are Almost Always Low

Insurance companies are in the business of making a profit. They do this by bringing in more than they pay out, so they are financially incentivized to settle your case for as little as possible. The insurance company has nothing to lose by making you a lowball offer in hopes that you will just accept it and move one.

An hourglassThere is no one set timeline for when your personal injury case will settle. It all depends on the individual facts of your case. The more complex the facts, the longer your case could take. The short answer is that a car accident settlement can take between several weeks to several years. Here are some factors that could determine how quickly you could settle your case.

Liability May Be Disputed

The first thing that an insurance company must do before it even begins to talk about settling a case is to determine who was responsible for the accident. Both drivers may say that it was the other driver who was at fault, and the insurance companies must consider the factual record to reach the decision. This may require an extensive investigation by claims adjusters who want to examine physical evidence and speak to the drivers multiple times. While most liability determinations are made within two months, there is nothing that binds an insurance company to that timeline.

A man crossing his fingers behind his backMost car accidents are resolved through insurance settlements. That means that if you have recently been hurt in a wreck that was not your fault, there is a good chance that your case will end by negotiating a settlement with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. As a victim, it’s important to remember that the insurance company is not on your side and will gladly settle your case for far less than it is worth.

Here are some of the tricks that insurance companies use to justify lower settlement offers. To protect your rights, call one of our Atlanta car accident lawyers today.

Unreasonably Broad Medical Record Requests

An empty courtroom.If you are involved in a car accident in the State of Georgia, it is important to remember that the at-fault driver’s insurance company is never on your side. The insurance company’s main goal is to offer the lowest possible settlement amount that you will accept in order to resolve your car accident claim. When that settlement offer just isn’t enough, a personal injury attorney may recommend that you “roll the dice,” so to speak, and consider taking your chances at trial.

Trials have both advantages and disadvantages. When you let the experienced Georgia car accident lawyers at Slappey & Sadd, LLC handle your case, we can explain all of your legal options and recommend whether trial might be the best option for maximizing your recovery.

We represent car accident victims throughout the State of Georgia, including in Fulton County, DeKalb County, Gwinnett County, Muscogee County, Newton County, Richmond County, Troup County, Walton County, and Whitfield County. Call us today at 404.255.6677, or contact us online to find out how we might be able to assist. 

A chalkboard with a question mark drawn on itMany accident victims know that they are entitled to compensation but underestimate the value of their claim. As a result, they wind up accepting the insurance company’s lowball settlement offer and find themselves with uncompensated losses long after their case has settled.

The Atlanta personal injury attorneys at Slappey & Sadd can help you understand the real value of your claim. We then fight to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. If you’ve been injured and are worried about your unpaid bills, call us at 888-474-9616 or visit us online to schedule a free consultation and claim evaluation. 

Damage to Your Vehicle

Red car with dented door and front fenderIf you’ve been in a car accident, you may be surprised at how quickly the insurance company has offered to settle your claim. Unfortunately, many people don’t understand that they are releasing the insurance company and the other party from any future claims if they accept the offer. Whether and when to settle your claim are critical questions with answers that can have a radical effect on your future. 

Founded in 1992, the car accident attorneys at Slappey & Sadd have extensive experience in helping accident victims settle their claims. We fight for your rights so that you receive the compensation you deserve, instead of some lowball amount offered by the insurance company. If you would like some guidance with your car accident claim, call us at 1-888-474-9616 or send us an email to schedule a free consultation with one of our personal injury lawyers. 

Understand the Insurance Company’s Game

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