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Motor vehicle accidents can result in devastating injuries and damages. While you focus on your recovery, know that the law empowers you to recover financial compensation for your accident. Remember, Georgia is an at-fault state, so residents of Lawrenceville can file a claim so long as they are not responsible for their accident.
Filing a claim can be challenging, especially for those not well-versed in personal injury or motor vehicle accident law. That is why you must get in touch with one of the Lawrenceville motor vehicle accident attorneys at The Dixon Firm today. We can help you fight against the insurance company for a fair settlement.
How Do At-Fault Laws Work for Motor Vehicle Accidents in Lawrenceville?
All car accidents fall under Georgia’s at-fault laws. At-fault laws for motor vehicle accidents mean that the driver responsible for the accident will be held liable for any damages that occurred. This would mean that so long as your accident was not your fault, the at-fault driver and their insurance company will likely have to give you a settlement for the damages you sustained.
Of course, this assumes that there are no issues with your case in establishing fault. For example, Georgia’s at-fault laws also include modified comparative negligence that is based on a percentage. So, if you were found 20% responsible for your accident, your total settlement will be reduced based on that percentage. The at-fault driver and their insurance company may try to pin the blame on you or deem you partially responsible to avoid having to make a full payout.
How Will a Lawrenceville Motor Vehicle Accident Lawyer Help Me?
Insurance companies are never on your side. Their primary goal is to try to get you to settle for far less than what you should be owed because, at the end of the day, insurance companies are businesses, and paying out for motor vehicle accidents honestly is bad for their bottom line.
With legal teams and experts on their side, it can be hard to fight for your settlement on your own. This is why getting help from one of our attorneys is essential. Our motor vehicle accident attorneys will help you in several key ways.
Collect Evidence and Important Documents
Insurance companies will be extremely thorough when assessing and investigating your accident. You need to meet them at their scrutiny. With one of our lawyers assisting you, you will get assistance in gathering key evidence that supports your claim, such as:
- Accident reports and official police reports
- Key medical documents for all parties involved
- Any CCTV footage or photographs taken of the accident
- Witness statements that describe how the accident occurred
The evidence you bring will be paramount in negotiating for your settlement. A lawyer will keep all your evidence organized and secure.
Calculate All Damages Accurately
Our Lawrenceville motor vehicle accident lawyers will help you calculate all of your damages accurately. While some damages are relatively straightforward to calculate, such as medical expenses, others are more abstract and difficult to put a value on, such as pain and suffering. Your lawyer will ensure all of your damages get accounted for accurately and will examine your case holistically to verify nothing gets left out or undercalculated.
Represent Your Best Interests at All Times
You will never have to talk to the insurance company directly related to your injury claim. In fact, insurance companies love to try to talk to motor vehicle accident victims directly to pressure them into settling for less than their injuries are worth.
Your lawyer will know how to handle the insurance company and ensure that you do not get cheated out of a fair settlement. While you focus on recovery, your lawyer will handle all negotiations on your behalf and, if necessary, take your claim to trial.
Damages You Can Recover Compensation for In Lawrenceville
You may be able to negotiate a settlement for the economic and non-economic damages you sustained due to your accident:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages or reduced earning capability
- Property damages
- Vehicle repair or replacement
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional damages
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disability
- Wrongful death of a loved one
If you do not see any of the damages you sustained listed above, do not worry. The above list is only for the most common damages sustained by motor vehicle accident victims. So long as your damages are directly tied to your accident, your lawyer should be able to factor them into your settlement.
It is also worth noting that Georgia law allows for punitive damages to be awarded to motor vehicle accident victims. These damages are not for compensation, but act as punishment for the at-fault driver for especially egregious negligence.
Punitive damages are typically awarded for cases involving driving under the influence or if the at-fault driver had clear malice towards you or others in causing the accident. It is important to note that not all cases will get awarded punitive damages.
The Statute of Limitations for Motor Vehicle Accidents
Lawrenceville residents generally have two years from the date of their injury to file a claim against the at-fault party. This could be longer depending on the circumstances. While two years seems like a generous amount of time, there are motor vehicle accident victims who wait too long and lose their chance to recover a settlement.
Once your accident happens, the clock starts ticking. After seeking medical treatment, get help from a lawyer to start your claim as soon as possible.
Get Help from The Dixon Firm Today
You can fight and negotiate with the insurance company with the help of one of our experienced Lawrenceville motor vehicle accident lawyers. The Dixon Firm has decades of experience and has helped its clients win millions in verdicts and settlements.
Allow us to assist you today. For a free consultation at no risk to you, please contact us to schedule an appointment.
