Car accidents can happen for a number of reasons, from road rage incidents to drunk drivers to distracted motorists. But no matter how your car accident happened, you may have medical bills, lost income, and other damages related to the crash.
If you turn to the other driver’s insurance company to pay these bills, you could be met with resistance or receive a lowball offer that doesn’t cover all your expenses.
Get Help From a Duluth Car Accident Attorney
Few people enjoy dealing with an insurance company after a car accident. However, if the insurer has denied your claim or offered less than it’s worth, you may feel motivated to call the insurance adjuster and argue with them.
This is understandable but not advisable. Your insurance adjuster will most likely record the call, then dissect everything you say, no matter how innocent, in search of something that might indicate you were at fault.
More than one person has inadvertently made their claim more complicated by trying to straighten things out with the insurance company.
A car accident attorney can help you avoid these difficulties; first, we will investigate the accident and collect evidence to show that you were not at fault. Next, we’ll negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.
Why Are Car Accident Cases So Complicated?
Not all car accident cases are complicated, but many are. Usually, the reason is related to disagreements about fault. Here are some common ways that things become complicated when determining fault:
We often see cases where the client thinks it’s obvious that the other driver was at fault, but that person (and their insurance company) thinks the client caused the accident. The client may be right, but the other driver’s insurance company isn’t going to pay their claim without proof.
On the other hand, there are also situations where one or both drivers admit they were at fault. Unfortunately, some people who think they are at fault are actually wrong. They might not have all the information about the accident, or they could be disoriented from the crash. For this reason, we always recommend that you avoid speculating about fault after an accident.
Occasionally, both parties admit fault. There can still be disagreement between the respective insurance companies, however, about which party is more at fault. We’ll talk more about Georgia’s comparative negligence statutes and how they affect your case in the next section.
In all of these situations, we typically see two insurance companies that don’t want to pay for any of the accident damage. You might think that’s exactly what insurance is for, and you’d be right, but the fact remains that insurance company adjusters work to pay out as little as possible.
Liability insurance, which is required in Georgia, is only paid when the policyholder is at fault, so if the other driver claims you caused the accident, their insurance company will be inclined to agree.
Under the comparative negligence doctrine, it is possible for both parties in an accident or injury to be at fault. However, someone still needs to be found liable, so each party is assigned a percentage of the blame.
The driver who is at least 50 percent responsible is considered to be at fault, and the other driver can collect damages from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. But there is one stipulation—the lesser responsible driver loses their percentage of fault from their damages.
For instance, if John is 20 percent at fault and Bob is 80 percent at fault, Bob’s insurance carrier would only have to pay John 80 percent of his damages.
Who Decides Fault in a Car Accident?
In the majority of cases, fault is determined by the insurance companies and/or the drivers’ lawyers.
Very few car accident cases are resolved in court. If neither driver has a lawyer, the insurance companies will argue about fault and eventually come to an agreement about who pays for what – a situation that is often detrimental to one or both drivers.
Here’s an example: You are in a car accident, and you believe the other driver is to blame. They point a finger at you.
The responding officer takes both your statements and examines the physical evidence at the scene, but there are no other witnesses, and the police report is inconclusive. After going back and forth for a little while, the insurance companies agreed that you were 30 percent at fault and the other driver was 70 percent at fault.
Your insurance company’s adjuster is happy with this outcome because it means they don’t have to pay anything. But you’ve lost 30 percent of your damages when you may only be 10 percent at fault or have no responsibility at all.
When you have the assistance of a lawyer, they will fight for you to get the total settlement amount you deserve. Your attorney will work to prove that you had little to no fault so that you can recover as much as possible.
How Can You Prove Fault in Your Car Accident Case?
The first step is to contact a car accident lawyer. Our investigative team will immediately go to work searching for more evidence in your case, including:
Photo and video evidence. We encourage you to take pictures of both vehicles from all angles after the accident (but we understand if your injuries prevent you from doing so). Our investigators will also try to find video of the accident itself from sources like security or doorbell cameras in the area.
Witnesses. When canvassing the area where the crash took place, we hope to find additional witnesses. Although the police will try to interview any bystanders at the scene of an accident, sometimes witnesses have already left by the time the officers arrive. In some cases, we may be able to locate another witness and get their testimony about what happened.
Black box data. Using information from both vehicles’ event data records or EDRs (sometimes called black boxes), we can piece together a more clear picture of what happened. These devices record multiple data points, such as the vehicle’s speed, direction, and actions the driver took.
Other electronic evidence. Sometimes, we request the other driver’s phone records, which can reveal if they were distracted by texting or otherwise using their phone at the time of the accident.
What if an Uninsured Driver Hit You?
The best solution in this situation is to make a claim on your own uninsured/underinsured motorist insurance (UM/UI). This type of coverage is not required in Georgia, but you will be happy you have it if you’re in an accident with an uninsured driver.
About 12.4 percent of Georgia motorists are uninsured—that’s more than 900,000 people driving around without liability insurance. If you don’t have UM/UI insurance, your lawyer will try to find other options, but in many cases, there simply aren’t any.
In some situations, we might be able to sue the driver directly, but this is only worthwhile if they have enough assets to cover the judgment. In less common circumstances, we may be able to sue a third party.
It is important to note, however, that in the majority of uninsured motorist accidents, UM/UI is the only way to recover damages. In addition, UM/UI may also cover situations where the other driver has insurance, but it’s not sufficient to cover all your damages.
Remember that Georgia only requires $25,000 in bodily injury liability per person and $25,000 in property damage liability. In some cases involving serious injuries, the injured person’s medical bills can easily exceed the $25,000 limit.
If this happens to you, a UM/UI policy that “stacks” on top of the at-fault driver’s coverage will pay additional damages.
As a final point, it’s easy to think of car insurance as being attached to your car, but you are still covered in some situations that don’t involve your vehicle. UM/UI policies will cover hit-and-run accidents (which have seen a 54 percent increase in Duluth in recent years) where the other driver is never found.
How Can You Get Help From a Duluth Car Accident Law Firm?
If you or a loved one have been injured in a car accident, please contact the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm for a free, confidential consultation. We’ll review your case, answer your questions, and explain your options for seeking compensation.
There is no obligation, but if we do take your case, we don’t charge you anything until we win or settle it.
The CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm was established by attorney Ali Awad, who quickly made it one of the fastest-growing law firms in the country. He has since recovered millions of dollars in compensation for injured clients and their families.
When he’s not working on a case or negotiating with insurance companies, you can find him delivering no-nonsense legal advice to more than a million followers on social media. Work with his expert team by calling 833-254-2923 today.
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Posted by Dan Carter
You are in good hands with Ali Awad. He is a professional who knows what it takes to get the insurance company’s attention and maximize results for his clients. He is knowledgeable, an excellent communicator and truly cares about his clients. If anyone needs a personal injury attorney in the Atlanta metropolitan area, I would have no hesitation in recommending Ali Awad and his talented staff.
Posted by Christian Hope
If you are looking for a professional but compassionate lawyer Ali Awad Law will definitely get everything back in order for you. Richard was outstanding and determined to help me get the best help he could. I will definitely be recommending Ali Awad law in the near future.
Posted by Dalia Rodriguez
I was involved in a car accident where my kids and myself were injured. I reached out to Ali Awad law. They have been so helpful and friendly and I am very satisfied with my outcome in my case. I am so satisfied and happy that anyone who asks me for help in this kinds of situations I always refer them to Ali and his team. They were always there…
Posted by Lauren Kesten
I was highly recommended by a coworker to contact Ali Awad Law when I was injured in a car accident. I am so glad I did. Julixza Acevedo has been such a pleasure to work with. She is extremely knowledgeable and professional. She makes the process with the insurance companies seamless. All information about my case is related to me so that it is easy to understand. Most importantly, Julixza…
Posted by Heather Brown
After I got in my car wreck, I decided to call Ali Awad as my personal injury attorney. I’d never been in a wreck before but after calling this firm and having Rebecca and Mohammad assist me with my case, I’ll never use another car wreck lawyer other than Ali Awad (hopefully I won’t need to). They were extremely communicative and let me know exactly what was happening with my…
Posted by Tiara Carter
I had a horrible experience with a previous lawyer and was told that there was money money to be gained from my case because the person responsible for the auto accident did not have insurance and the car was a total lost. I felt that it was about the money and focusing on the principal of what has happened has altered my life and never will be the same again.…
Posted by Arjorie Stewart
Ms. Julixza Acevedo is truly a life saver with her good quality information, we truly value her professional and on time help that she have giving us over the years,back in March 2021 my son was in a car accident here in NC.and we needed some professional advice, From someone that we could trust and depend on in trouble time, and we call on Ms. Acevedo someone with good value…
Posted by Roxie
I was in an accident where the at fault party drove away. He was tracked down and police ticketed him. I didn’t know what to do for damages to myself and car. Ali took my call and had his team was on my case immediately! Everyone has been so helpful in walking me through the process and I’ve had to do very little. The case is still pending, but I…
Posted by Lindsey Mcfalls
I highly recommend William Lorenzo and the Awad team, Mr. Lorenzo and the Awad team have been taking excellent care of my daughters case. The attention to detail and professionalism is second to none!!!
Posted by C Lopez
Ali Awad are the best personal injury lawyers. They made things so much smoother and easier and have made me feel like family. I don’t know what I would’ve done without them! Melody and Andy have been so helpful and polite, I recommend them to anyone who is need of a personal injury lawyer. They really care about you and are always making sure your in good hands!!
Posted by Muhammad Rahman
First I would like to give a HighFive to the entire Ali Awad law Team. Also I would like to give a special mention to Amer Abukhdeir who was specifically assigned to my case. Amer was very informative and professional. Even though my case wasn’t a very huge case, he made me feel like I was going to receive a million bucks and that was important to me.The firm will…
Posted by Ricke Willis
Where would I like to start. My oh my, what a great law firm. I came from a different law firm referred to Ali Awad law, by an employee. The other law firm was not responsive or professional; I made numerous phone calls, my calls were not returned. However, here at Ali Awad, I was handle with care. Ali Awad, called me on a Sunday because I was in a…
Posted by Jay B
Ali and his team are the best in the business when it comes to personal injury, especially automotive accidents. The knowledge of the insurance and medical processes are unmatched and they can connect you to healthcare and rehab professionals to get you on track to recovery. Julixza worked hard to get my costs down and make sure everything was ready to go. Highly recommended.
Posted by Belinda White
I was involved in an accident earlier this week and I spoke to Michael and he was amazing! He is very knowledgeable, professional and has great customer service. He answered every question and then some I thought I was speaking to an actual lawyer excellent experience!
Posted by Michael Gulisano
Jessica Moss is amazing, she listened to our situation and was very informative for what our next steps are during the process. Everyone we have talked to from Ali Awad law have been a huge help and very kind. We instantly felt more comfort after hiring Ali Awad law, thank you for making this stressful event more easy and simple to understand.
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Frequently Asked Questions
After a personal injury, you're bound to have legal questions. The CEO Lawyer Ali Awad can provide you with answers to these questions, just as he's given answers to his millions of curious social media followers. Take a look at some of the most common personal injury law questions for general information, and then reach out to one of our seasoned attorneys for specific guidance on your case!
To quickly resolve matters following an accident, insurance companies will offer you less than you deserve in compensation for your injuries. Many victims feel pressured to accept these offers as the bills begin to pile up, but that is rarely a good idea. The insurance company is looking to protect its bottom line; and will offer injured victims less than they deserve. An experienced personal injury attorney understands how to negotiate with the insurance company and can look out for your best interests by getting you the compensation you deserve after an injury. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, it is important to avoid negotiating or providing recorded statements to the insurance company without first seeking help from a qualified personal injury attorney.
Do You Have a Personal Injury Case?
The best way to determine if you have a personal injury case is to speak with a knowledgeable attorney. Our legal professionals have the expertise to evaluate your case and determine a strong legal strategy so that you can obtain the greatest amount of compensation possible under the law. We will enlist investigators, assistants, and other specialists to collect accident reports, speak with witnesses to your accident, and put together a plan. While you focus on your physical recovery, we will remain committed to fighting for the compensation that you deserve.
Georgia's Personal Injury & Accident Firm
Accident victims have a limited time to file a personal injury lawsuit. This time period is referred to as the statute of limitations, and in Atlanta, it lasts only two years. This means that if you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, you have only two years to pursue a personal injury suit. If you wait too long to reach out to an experienced attorney, you might be forever barred from seeking the compensation you deserve.
What to Expect From Your Initial Consultation With a Personal Injury Attorney?
During your initial consultation with CEO Lawyer team, we will go over the important details of your personal injury accident, which include the nature and extent of your injuries, how your injuries have impacted your ability to earn a paycheck, the cost of your medical treatment, and whether further medical treatment will be required. We will answer any questions you might have, as well, in regards to our experience, our track record of success, and what to expect from the legal process.
Many personal injury victims wonder if they will be able to afford the legal fees required to pursue a lawsuit. CEO Lawyer injury and accident attorneys will not ask for any type of upfront fee unless we are successful in obtaining compensation for you. That means that if you have been harmed in a motor vehicle accident, slip and fall accident, defective product accident, or any other type of personal injury accident, you can absolutely afford to contact our law office today for assistance. In fact, you cannot afford to wait. Reach out today.
We understand that some accident victims might have already obtained the assistance of an attorney but may be dissatisfied with the services provided. We are standing by and prepared to help you change legal representation, regardless of where you are in the process.
Speak to an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in any type of personal injury accident, you should not hesitate to speak with the experienced attorneys at CEO Lawyer personal injury law firm. Call, email, or fill out our online contact form today so that we can begin helping you pursue the compensation you deserve.