Every year, thousands of people are injured or killed in side impact crashes throughout the US. These crashes are the second-most deadly type of collision, behind head-on accidents.
There are many factors that contribute to the severity of a side-impact crash, including angle, speed, and the types of vehicles that are involved in the accident. One fact remains constant, though: even minor side-impact crashes can be dangerous.
If you’ve been hit broadside by another vehicle, you could face hefty medical bills, disruptions to your daily routine, and other challenges that impact your ability to function and enjoy life. Attorney Ali Awad has built his practice around aiding people whose lives have been changed by injuries. He’ll help you seek compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering from all liable parties.
Attorney Awad has won tens of millions of dollars in settlements and jury awards for his clients. Schedule a free, no-obligation case review with an experienced attorney near you when you call
call (404) 777-8800 or contact us online today.
What an Atlanta Side-Impact Accident Attorney Can Do for You
If you’ve recently been in a car accident, you may be struggling to navigate your new reality. Getting medical care, working with your insurance company, getting help with your day-to-day responsibilities, processing the trauma of being hit, or grieving for injured or killed loved ones — it all takes a heavy toll. Further, it may feel at times like you’re alone on your journey. Others may not understand or appreciate the frightening events that you’ve endured.
An attorney can’t alleviate your pain or reverse the clock, but they can help you move forward by seeking compensation on your behalf. When you have been hit, you have the option of filing a claim using the liability insurance of the at-fault driver. Sadly, insurance companies often try to get away with paying the minimum to accident victims. They will use the opaque claims process and the claimant’s unfamiliarity to their advantage, often using any justification to deny claims or reduce the benefits offered in an eventual settlement.
The settlement you’re offered may not even make a dent in the expenses you’ve incurred as a result of the at-fault party’s negligence. You attorney can use their experience, however, along with their knowledge of injury law and the claims process to help you fight for the highest level of compensation possible.
Common Damages Claimable in a Side-Impact Injury Case
When you work with a Atlanta personal injury attorney, they can help you claim fair compensation for all of the damages you have suffered, including the following.
Medical Bills
It’s no secret that medical expenses are astronomical. A quick trip to the emergency room could end with a bill for tens of thousands of dollars. If you have complex medical procedures, surgeries, or a prolonged hospital stay, you could be on the hook for a 7-figure sum.
You shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket or be forced to use your own medical insurance to pay for these costs, which would cause a rise in premiums. A bodily injury liability policy claim can help you retrieve the costs of all reasonable and necessary medical care stemming from your accident, including emergency transport, diagnostics, testing, specialist consults, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and more. Your claim should also compensate you for anticipated future costs, such as for any long-term physical rehabilitation, medication, or follow-up procedures and appointments.
Lost Wages
A side-impact crash is disruptive to your life. If you’re injured, traumatized, or grieving, you may need to take time off of work to recover. Without adequate PTO or some type of leave arrangement, you’ll lose out on pay during that period.
Additionally, an accident can diminish your future earning potential. This scenario is especially common in cases where a victim is left mentally or physically disabled after a crash. An attorney can advocate for compensation for current and future lost earnings, including for not just missed work hours but also for any likely commissions, bonuses, benefits, performance-based pay, or other income and perks they would have earned, based on their average earnings from the previous 6-12 months.
Pain and Suffering
It is difficult to assign a dollar figure to the pain and suffering that accident victims face after a crash. Thankfully, though, it is possible for people to receive payment for mental anguish. The funds can lessen your financial burden and help you move forward from the accident.
Steps in Working With an Atlanta Side-Impact Accident Law Firm
Every personal injury claim is different, but most cases follow a distinctive and fairly uniform process from start to finish.
Initial Consultation
During an initial consultation, you’ll provide an attorney with an overview of what happened. They’ll ask questions about how the accident occurred, who was involved, the effects of the collision, medical treatments you’ve had following the accident, and what treatments you anticipate needing in the future.
They’ll use these details to construct a picture of what happened and to determine if you may be eligible for compensation.
Investigation
Next, your attorney will do an in-depth investigation into what happened. They may visit the scene of the accident, inspect your vehicle, speak with witnesses, and consult with medical professionals.
They’ll also initiate insurance claims with the at-fault party or parties.
Demand Package
Your lawyer will draft a demand package, which is a comprehensive set of documentation that supports your claim for compensation. The package could include police reports, medical documentation, receipts, pictures or videos of damages, and other materials that demonstrate the need for compensation.
Your attorney will review the demand package with you to ensure it’s complete.
Negotiations
Generally, your attorney will send the demand package to the at-fault party’s insurance company. From there, the insurance company will review and respond with a settlement offer — or a denial of benefits.
Your attorney will discuss your options with you, and you can decide to either accept the package, counter-offer, or file a lawsuit.
Settlement
Oftentimes, you and your attorney will reach an agreement with the insurance company. You’ll decide on a settlement that includes the payout amount and instructions for disbursement.
Your attorney will prepare the documents to formalize the settlement so that you can receive your funds from the insurer.
Further Legal Action
If you reach an impasse with the at-fault party of their insurance company — or if you are unable to obtain the needed evidence or prove standing to file your claim — you may have to move forward with filing a civil complain, otherwise known as a lawsuit. If a lawsuit is filed, the case may go to trial in front of a jury, and they’ll decide whether or not you’re entitled to compensation.
Of course, your attorney will represent your interests in this process and attempt to reach an out-of-court settlement. At the same time, they will continue to prepare your case for trial, assembling evidence and legal justifications that may pressure the other side into conceding a reasonable settlement amount. You may be asked to provide further documentation to get ready for the courtroom and eventually appear before a jury to seek an appropriate award for your damages.
How Long Does a Personal Injury Claim Typically Take?
There is no set answer to how long it will take you to complete the personal injury claim process. Some claims are resolved in a matter of months, while others can continue on for years.
Even if your attorney works as efficiently as they can, your claim can only move as fast as the system allows. You may experience delays from the insurance company, as well as from agencies that need to supply vital records related to the accident, the courts, or other entities. Delays are especially common in complex cases that involve multiple parties and their insurance agencies.
With so much back-and-forth communication, it’s typical to occasionally experience lapses in progression during your claim. Do your part to avoid them by answering questions or supplying documentation as soon as you can.
Don’t hesitate to check in with your attorney if you are concerned about speed or efficiency. A client-focused attorney will communicate and provide regular updates so that you know what’s happening at any given time.
Contact an Atlanta Side-Impact Collision Law Firm That’s Ready to Fight for You
In Georgia, personal injury claims have a two-year statute of limitations. In other words, in order to pursue a claim (and be eligible for compensation), you need to initiate your claim within two years of the accident date.
It’s essential to work quickly. You’ll also benefit from filing sooner rather than later since the details of the accident will be fresh on your mind.
If you’re ready to talk about your accident, contact Ali Awad of The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm. Awad works on a contingency basis, meaning you don’t owe any money for his services unless he secures a monetary award on your behalf.
Attorney Awad has won substantial settlement and jury payouts for his clients since starting his practice in 2016. With a success rate of 99%+, you’re in good hands when you work with the CEO Lawyer.
Call (404) 777-8800 or contact us online to schedule a free, confidential case review with a motivated attorney in your area, and start fighting for the compensation you need to recover from your accident.
