While you might think the term ‘car accident’ is pretty straightforward, there are actually many types of motor vehicle accidents that fall under the scope of personal injury law. With that in mind, it’s important to ask your potential attorney about what types of accidents they handle. Not every car accident lawyer in Dunwoody will be equally as equipped to handle your case as another. Here’s a broad overview of the most common types of car accidents that lead to claims:

• Single-vehicle car accidents
• Multi-car crashes
• Semi-truck accidents
• Pedestrian versus vehicle
• Bicycle versus motor vehicle
• Fatal crashes

As you’d imagine, no two accidents are the same. One car accident claim might involve monumental losses, like in the case of a fatal accident, while another claim might only involve property damage. Get a free consultation to discuss your case! 

The main reason you’d consider consulting with a Dunwoody law firm and filing a claim is if your accident led to significant financial losses. Most injured individuals first consider their losses in the form of medical bills, but few go on to consider other financial losses they’ve suffered as a result of the accident. Here are a few types of recoverable damages often awarded in car accident claims:

• Medical costs (current and future)
• Lost wages
• Repair bills for any property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Funeral or burial costs
• Loss of spousal or parental support

A good car accident lawyer should consider all of these potential losses and more. They should also consider the behavior of the other driver. In situations where the other driver was extremely reckless or acted in wanton disregard for human life, it might be possible to recover additional compensation in the form of punitive damages. This is rare but might be possible.

While the list above explains the potential damages you could be awarded if you file a car accident claim, the actual amount of money you’re eligible to collect will depend on several factors. For one, the actions of the other driver, yourself, or any other involved party will come into play. If courts determine that you were partially at fault for the crash, then that could potentially limit your overall compensation award. The right Dunwoody car accident lawyer will work hard to ensure that you aren’t falsely attributed fault in an accident that you didn’t cause.

Another factor that will come into play is the actual amount of financial losses you’ve endured. Even the very best car accident attorney in Dunwoody won’t be able to reach a car accident settlement that’s worth more than what you actually lost.

Finally, it makes a difference whether you can come up with evidence to back up your claims or not. If you can provide proof of the other party’s fault and of your losses, then you’re more likely to get the compensation you deserve. If you aren’t able to come up with enough evidence to back up your claims, however, then you might face limitations on how much you can collect.

Since Georgia courtrooms operate on an at-fault basis, that doesn’t mean that insurance companies don’t play a role. Sometimes, the insurance provider of the other driver will be held liable for some of your losses. The exact answer to that question will hinge on your specific circumstances, though, so it makes the most sense to consult with an experienced car accident law firm in Dunwoody to get a direct answer to that question. The ideal firm will explain whether the other party’s insurance company or your own policy will come into play.

You might be wondering – doesn’t every personal injury law firm in Sandy Springs handle the same types of accidents? In short, the answer is ‘no’. One might focus exclusively on motorcycle accidents, while another only handles pedestrian claims.

Here are a few broad categories of car accident claims:

• Two vehicle crashes
• Multi-vehicle accidents
• Trucking accidents
• Pedestrian versus vehicle crashes
• Bicycle versus vehicle accidents
• Hit and runs
• Motorcycle accidents
• Wrongful death

Sadly, car accidents were the second leading cause of fatalities in Georgia throughout 2020. If your loved one was injured or killed, then you need to hire the best car accident lawyer in Sandy Springs.

The reason why you need to do your due diligence is that the car accident lawyer that you ultimately hire could be the difference between your full financial recovery and a complete denial of your claim altogether. The right attorney can help you recover the following types of damages:

• Medical bills
• Property damage
• Lost wages
• Loss of spousal support
• Pain and suffering

Of course, no car accident lawyer will be able to get a compensation award that exceeds the actual losses you endured. Find out more about how much money you might be able to recover below.

You should speak with a car accident attorney to figure out how much money you can recover in your claim because the answer differs for each person. The value of your claim hinges on the circumstances of the accident, the extent of your losses, and any limits on the damages.

It’s not always straightforward to value your losses. The right car accident lawyer will help you calculate how much some losses, like pain and suffering, are really worth. They will also help you value the economic losses you suffered by adding up every loss like your medical bills, lost wages, and property damages.

A top accident attorney in Sandy Springs won’t stop there, though. They’ll also consider what happened in the accident to consider any potential limits on damages.

The right car accident lawyer knows that there are some limits to the damages an injured citizen can seek out. The attorney should explain that Georgia courtrooms operate on a comparative negligence standard. An injured person can still seek out damages as long as they weren’t more than half at-fault for the accident.

That means your Sandy Springs law firm will likely have to defend you against claims that you were equally at-fault or more at-fault for the crash than the other party. They will defend you against these claims to ensure you can still receive monetary damages.

Your lawyer should also go over other actions that could limit your damages. If you fail to seek out timely medical care or wait too long to file a claim, for instance, then you could lose out on your right to any compensation.

Even for what seems like a minor car accident in Sandy Springs, consulting with an attorney is often advisable for several reasons:

“Minor” accidents can lead to major issues: What appears to be minor vehicle damage may hide structural problems, and seemingly minor injuries can develop into serious medical conditions days or weeks later. Neck and back injuries, in particular, often have delayed symptoms.

Insurance complexities: Georgia’s fault-based insurance system means even small claims involve determining liability. Insurance companies serving the Sandy Springs area are skilled at minimizing payouts, even for legitimate claims.

Statute of limitations concerns: If you wait until problems develop, you might approach Georgia’s two-year statute of limitations for injury claims.

No upfront costs: Don Singleton works on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless your case succeeds. This makes professional legal representation accessible regardless of your financial situation.

When you might handle it yourself: If the accident truly involved only minimal property damage (under $500), no injuries whatsoever, and clear liability, you might resolve it directly with insurance companies.

Don Singleton offers free initial consultations for Sandy Springs accident victims. This allows you to understand your rights and options without any financial commitment, ensuring you make an informed decision about your specific situation.