Q: I just had an auto accident – what should I do?
A: Your first step, before worrying about lawyers, insurance companies or settlements, should be to seek medical attention. If you experienced a whiplash or other trauma to your neck and back, you may not feel sore immediately but in many cases you will experience a great deal of pain and soreness in the days following your accident. You would be wise to have a physician check you out from head to toe as soon as possible following your accident. If you have any fractures, spinal disc damage or nerve issues, the faster you can begin treatment the better.
If you do not have health insurance or need advice about the type of doctor who you should consult, we would be happy to offer guidance.
Q: Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company representative?
A: Generally, we advise potential clients to secure legal representation before talking to the other driver’s insurance company. You can assume that any phone conversation you have with any insurance adjuster will be recorded and those recordings are not designed to help you. If you must talk to an adjuster, limit your conversation as much as possible to facts and avoid speculation about your medical prognosis or condition.
Q: How do I choose an attorney for my injury case?
A: We suggest that you spend a little time researching personal injury lawyers. There are literally hundreds of lawyers who would be happy to take your case as personal injury work can be very profitable for the lawyer. One tip to consider: lawyers, just like anyone else, sometimes need to hire other lawyers for certain legal matters – perhaps a will or trust, a real estate closing or a financial matter. When a lawyer searches for another lawyer, we will ask trusted friends and colleagues for a referral and we will only hire a lawyer that we can reach directly on the phone.
Generally, you are going to get the best service from the owner of a business and the law business is no exception. If you need to reach Jodi, you can call her directly at 770-351-0801 or you can call Jonathan directly at 770-393-4985.
Q: When can I get a rental car, and when will my property damage claim be settled?
A: The timing for your rental car will depend on a number of factors. First, we have to find out of the other drivers’ insurance company “accepts liability” in the accident. If the other driver’s insurance company contends that their driver was not at fault, they are not going to voluntarily pay for your rental car or for a property damage settlement.
If liability is contested, you will have to look to your own insurance company to pay for the rental car and to settle the property damage claim. If your insurance company pays for property damage, and later on the other driver’s carrier accepts liability or is held liable in court, your carrier can subrogate its claim to recover what it paid out.
If you don’t have property damage coverage, you will have no choice but to wait until your case is settled or decided in court for the property damage claim to be resolved.
Further, under Georgia law, if your vehicle is deemed totaled, you will only get a few days worth of rental car coverage. Assuming coverage you’ll get your property damage check quickly but you’ll have to move quickly to find a replacement vehicle.
Your property damage settlement goes 100% to you – we do not take attorney’s fees on this part of your case.