Every collision is unique. There are patterns to how crashes occur, and being aware of them could help you avoid an accident.
Something that doesn’t appear to need immediate medical treatment can become highly problematic in the days and weeks ahead.
Make Sure You and Your Vehicle Are Safe
You should drive your car to the side of the road if you aren’t hurt and the car accident was a minor. To alert other drivers to slow down, turn on your emergency lights and set up flares or reflective emergency triangles, especially if it is dark outside. Be extra careful when getting out of your car, especially if the accident is on a busy highway.
If the accident is severe or anyone is seriously injured, the vehicles should be left alone. Get out of your car if you can, and to safety on the side of the road.
Consult the Police
Despite the importance of reporting an accident, some police departments may not respond to minor accidents that do not involve injuries. Some police departments are moving away from dedicating resources to the accident scene and instead are relying on online reporting.
Note the name, badge number, and contact information of any police officers who arrive. Ask the officer how you can obtain a copy of the accident report.
The law enforcement office or the insurance adjuster handling your claim may be able to provide you with a copy of the report if the police do not come.
Take Note of Important Details
Get the name, address, phone number, and driver’s license number of all people involved in the accident with a pen and paper or with your cellphone camera. Determine the relationship between the driver and the owner of the car if the name on the registration or insurance papers does not match.
Once all the vehicle information is gathered, get the year, make, model, color, license plate number, and VIN of the vehicles involved. Please provide your policy number and the insurance company’s telephone number. Get contact information from any witnesses and details about what they saw.
You should never give out your Social Security number, your insurance policy limits, or any other personal information.
Obtain a Tow Truck if Necessary
The extent of the damage to your car may necessitate towing it to a collision repair facility. Roadside assistance is a perk often provided by motor clubs. The police might call a towing company, and some automobile manufacturers offer driver assistance programs.
Check credentials and take down the contact information of any tow truck that appears at the scene.
Get in Touch With Your Insurer
Even though it is tempting to negotiate a cash deal to avoid making an insurance claim, failing to notify your insurer after an accident can leave you liable for the damages resulting from the accident.
Your insurance professional can determine whether your policy covers damages if the other person has insufficient coverage.
If you are deemed to be not at fault, your insurance company may waive your deductible.
Consult Your Physician
Seek medical attention immediately. Some injuries aren’t apparent until a day or two after an incident, so you may feel fine initially. It is possible to sustain serious head or spinal injuries from a minor impact, so seek medical treatment if you experience pain or unusual symptoms.
It is important to document any physical harm caused by an accident since they will usually be included in your auto insurance claim, personal injury claim, or injury settlements. The degree of your financial compensation may also rely heavily on your medical assessment.
Some injuries are permanent and can lead to lost income. Having a lawyer is extremely helpful when you are dealing with accident injuries. A law firm will usually offer a free consultation or a free case evaluation to go over details such as these.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer
After an auto accident, contact an experienced attorney to handle your case. The Brown Firm is well-versed in all types of motor vehicle accident law, whether it be a car accident, semi-truck accident, or motorcycle accident.
We know the pain and suffering these accidents can cause. Getting the right representation is crucial to winning your case.
Our legal team won’t accept a lowball settlement and will make sure you get the fair compensation you deserve. We will review all potential sources of compensation to make sure you are covered for medical bills, vehicle repair costs, and all other actual damages you incurred in the accident.
Our aggressive representation will secure maximum compensation from the at-fault party. We treat families with compassion while staying aggressive with the insurance companies.
You’re already carrying so much; let us do the heavy lifting. No detail is too small for our accident attorneys.
If you need help understanding your medical expenses, assessing property damage, getting to a doctor’s appointment, or understanding any other potential monetary damages, we’ll help with that too.
After an accident, it’s normal to have a lot of questions. Unfortunately, it’s nearly impossible to get clear, honest information from the insurance company.
Here, our auto accident lawyers answer some of your most common questions.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in Atlanta, you may be wondering if you should hire a car accident lawyer. Experienced car accident attorneys can help you get the money you deserve for your injuries. They can also help you file a claim and handle all of the legal paperwork.
An auto accident lawyer will review and investigate your case to determine fault and the potential financial value of your accident claim. They can also deal with the insurance companies and set you up with trusted doctors in your area, so you can focus on recovering.
If you have experienced a motor vehicle accident, getting a personal injury attorney to help you with your accident claim increases your chances of getting maximum compensation.
Many car accident victims do not get to pursue their car accident claim because they are unsure of what to do after an accident. Car accident claims can get complicated, especially when the insurance companies get involved.
The best Atlanta auto accident lawyers will ensure you get the support you need. Whether you are fighting a minor or major car accident case, your legal team will provide what is required. They will deal with medical records, police reports, and insurance companies. They will also add up your compensation for property damages, current medical bills, and future medical expenses.
Personal injury lawyers, especially those experienced in car accident settlements, know how to best present your case to a judge. There are many different types of accidents related to car accident law. Whether you were the victim of a rideshare accident, truck accident, commercial vehicle accident, hit and run accident, bicycle accident, bus accident, pedestrian accident, drunk driving accident, or motorcycle accident, you will get the best representation in Atlanta, Georgia.
If you were injured in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, you may be able to recover damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.
Medical expenses include not only the cost of treatment for visible injuries but also the costs of diagnostic tests, such as MRIs and X-rays. Lost wages are compensation for missed work due to injury or illness. Pain and suffering damages includes compensation for physical injuries, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment, loss of companionship, mental anguish, and more.
In addition to these types of damages, you may be entitled to recover punitive damages if the defendant acted maliciously or recklessly. Punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.
With other types of claims, lawyers charge an hourly fee for their services. When it comes to personal injury claims, our Atlanta car accident lawyers work on a “contingency fee basis.” The Brown Firm does not charge any auto accident attorney fees, because your attorney will receive a percentage of the final settlement. Your attorney is not paid unless your case is won.
The percentage Georgia lawyers receive in a contingency fee agreement varies but is typically between 25 and 40 percent, with 33 percent being average. For instance, if your car accident case settles for $90,000, your attorney will receive around $30,000.
Depending on whether the case goes to trial or you settle in mediation, the contingency fee percentage can vary. The percentage may be lower if the case settles before going to court.
You should always discuss the contingency fee with your attorney and review your contract for legal services carefully. Consult your attorney if you do not understand the fee arrangement outlined in the agreement.
Contract fees are also negotiable, just like everything else. It may be feasible to negotiate a lower contingency percentage if your case is “cut and dry,” the defendant has plenty of car insurance, your damages are clear, and you have ample evidence supporting your claims.
Negligence is defined as “the failure to exercise ordinary care; lack of due diligence.” It is often used when discussing legal issues such as personal injury claims.
The theory of negligence states that everyone should uphold a standard duty of care. A breach of duty could result in physical injuries or emotional distress.
In a car accident, negligence may be determined by whether the driver was speeding, driving under the influence, distracted, not wearing a seat belt, etc. The other party’s negligence will also play a role in determining who is at fault.
Even a minor auto accident can still cause injuries. Back pain, neck pain, whiplash, lacerations, and burns can all occur if the car accident was minor.
Traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, concussions, spinal cord injuries, internal bleeding, burns, muscle tears, and limb loss are all possible after a major car accident.
People seeking compensation from these traumatic events often have to undergo a lengthy treatment process to get the compensation they deserve. Auto accidents lead to expensive medical bills. With the help of an experienced attorney, your economic and non-economic damages will be taken care of. Legal representation is highly recommended to recover a fair settlement against the at-fault driver.
Our Atlanta attorneys know exactly what you need to win and will gather as much evidence as they can. They will review the police report, examine the accident scene, gather witness statements, assemble evidence, and review your medical records. Our Atlanta team will handle the insurance company and connect you with a medical professional if you have sustained injuries.
Harry Brown isn’t your average trial lawyer. Besides graduating from John Marshall Law School and passing the bar in Georgia, he earned a Doctor of Chiropractic from Parker College of Chiropractic. He was a practicing chiropractor for 10 years.
Chiropractors don’t just learn how bodies work and respond to trauma—they’re also specially trained to see things holistically. This unique perspective helps Harry and his team uncover the truth when investigating cases and understand what their clients really need.
Harry sees accident injuries and the healthcare industry in a way most personal injury lawyers don’t. He brings that empathy to his practice.