Georgia Car Accidents – What to Do After
Steps to Take Following a Car Accident in Georgia
If you were in a Georgia car accident, you may be wondering what you should do next.
Below is a list of tips from our team of Georgia car accident experts.
For a free consultation, please call (706) 354-4000 or fill out our online form today.
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What is the Statute of Limitations After a Georgia Car Accident?
The legal deadline to file a lawsuit is called the statute of limitations. You have two years from the date of the accident to file suit for injuries and four years to file suit for damage to your car or property.
Contact Your Insurance Company in Writing
Call your insurance agent or insurance company as soon as possible after a car wreck in Georgia.
You should also send a written notice that includes information like the names of people who were injured in the crash, the time of the accident, where it occurred, contact information for the other person involved, and other details.
Failure to contact your insurance company within a reasonable amount of time could mean the insurance company refuses to cover the accident
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Whose Insurance Company Should Repair My Car?
If the other driver is at fault for the accident, their insurance company should take responsibility.
However, if the other driver’s insurance does not take responsibility or drags its feet, and you have collision coverage on your car insurance policy, you may want to have your insurance company repair the damage.
Your insurance company will pursue the other driver’s insurance company for repayment and if they are successful you’ll get your deductible back.
Georgia law requires that the insurance company repair the damage to your car or pay you for its fair market value, whichever is less. To get an idea of the fair market value of your car, you can search Kelley Blue Book and similar websites.
Quick Tips to Consider Following an Accident
If vehicle damage is present, you have four (4) years to file a claim for damages. If you suffered injuries, then you have two (2) years to file a claim.
If you wait to contact the insurance car accident following the car accident then there could be the chance that they refuse to cover the accident.
If you are not at fault from the accident then you need to make sure that the “at-fault” parties’ insurance company will cover the accident.
You shouldn’t have to pay for the rental car, the person that is at-fault should have their insurance company pay for the damages.
How Do I Get a Rental Car?
The other driver’s insurance company should provide you with a rental car while they repair your car.
If they decide your car is totaled, they’ll usually provide you with a rental car until they’ve sent you a check for the car.
If you have rental car coverage on your car insurance policy, you may want to use it for a rental car.
Who Should Pay My Medical Bills After a Car Accident?
The other driver’s insurance will not pay your medical bills as they come in. They will only pay your medical bills when the case settles, which could be months or even years.
If you have health insurance, use it to pay for medical bills. Some medical providers may try to file a “lien” against your case rather than billing health insurance and it’s important that you follow up with them and ask them to bill your health insurance.
If you have medical payments coverage on your car insurance policy, you can use it to pay for medical bills from the accident including health insurance co-pays or deductibles.
Ask your insurance company what they need to pay the bills and send them the information.
Were you Injured in a Georgia Accident?
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Should I Give a Statement to the Insurance Company?
It’s okay to give a statement to your insurance company. In fact, your insurance policy requires you to cooperate by giving them a statement and other evidence or documents they may need.
However, it’s usually not a good idea to give a statement to the other driver’s insurance company. They don’t represent you and may use your statement against you to deny your claim.
Document EVERYTHING
Take pictures or video of the damage to the cars involved in the wreck, the placement of the cars at the crash site, any marks on the street or sidewalk, damage to trees, shrubbery or the surrounding area. If you have visible injuries or need surgery, take photos of your injuries so there’s evidence when you’ve recovered.
What Will I Be Compensated For?
The other driver’s insurance is required to compensate you for your medical bills, lost income from missing work, and for pain and suffering caused by your injuries.
There’s no formula or calculator to determine an appropriate amount of compensation for pain and suffering. It’s ultimately up to a jury to decide.
Factors juries consider include how bad your injuries are, how much they interfere with your life, and how long they last.
Do I Need an Attorney If I Was Injured in a Car Accident in Georgia?
Not every person in a car wreck in Georgia requires legal representation. If you’re only slightly injured or have a small amount of medical bills, you may not need to get an attorney involved.
However, if you’ve suffered serious injuries, a loved one has been killed, there’s a dispute over who’s at fault, the accident involves a tractor-trailer or commercial vehicle, or you have a significant amount of medical bills and lost income from missing work, it’s time to speak with an experienced car accident attorney.
How Do Attorneys Charge Fees?
Personal injury attorneys charge a contingency fee, which is a percentage of the financial recovery in the case. The attorney also advances any expenses necessary to prosecute the case.
If there is no financial recovery, you don’t owe the attorney anything.
If your case resolves without a lawsuit, our firm’s contingency fee is usually 1/3. If a lawsuit is necessary, our firm’s contingency fee is usually 40 percent.
Contact an Experienced Georgia Car Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been seriously injured in a Georgia car accident or lost a loved one due to someone else’s negligence, contact one of our experienced personal injury attorneys at Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Ashley, P.C., today. We have offices in Athens and Lake Oconee. We take cases across Georgia.
Fill out our online form for a free case review or call us at (706) 354-4000.
There is no fee unless we recover money for you in your case.
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We have an established track record of bringing our clients results they expect and deserve. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients, and we know how to fight the insurance companies.
