Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers | August 19, 2024 | Car Accident
People are injured every day, and while these accidental injuries might seem random, they are usually caused by somebody’s negligence. If you were injured by another driver’s negligence, you may wonder what a car accident lawyer does or how to bring a claim. Read on to learn more about the role of a car accident lawyer.
What Is Involved in a Car Accident Lawsuit?
The civil justice system governs personal injury lawsuits, including lawsuits stemming from car accidents. A negligent driver can cause injury to one or more people. Under Georgia law, negligent actors are held accountable for the injuries they cause to others.
A civil lawsuit consists of several steps. A car accident lawyer will be able to guide you through these steps to ensure that your legal rights are protected throughout the proceedings. Your lawyer can provide you with a careful explanation of your case strategy. Read on to learn more about the role of a car accident lawyer.
Initial Pleadings
A lawsuit begins when a complaint is filed, and a summons is served on the other party. A complaint must identify the parties, the facts of the case, and the legal theories involved in the matter. A complaint must describe how a defendant harmed you and must identify the value of your case.
Once your car accident lawyer has put together your complaint, it will be served on the defendant. You must serve your complaint together with a summons that orders the defendant to appear. A summons also tells the negligent party to answer the allegations in the complaint.
Answer from the Other Side
When a defendant receives a copy of the complaint, they must respond to each allegation within a certain timeframe. A response to each allegation can be either an admission or denial. On the other hand, a defendant can also file a motion to dismiss to ask the Court to dismiss a lawsuit.
Discovery Stage
The next step of the legal process is called discovery. During this phase, you will work with your car accident attorney to develop the evidence to prove your case. You can investigate the accident scene, the defendant, and important witnesses. You can also send written requests to the opposing party. Your attorney can ask the other side to provide additional evidence, admit certain facts, or answer written questions. The process of discovery is supposed to help narrow the issues of the case.
Mediation and Settlement
Most civil cases are resolved before they go to trial. In some situations, a case can be resolved through informal negotiations between the parties. Other times, the parties may engage in a process called mediation.
Mediation involves a neutral mediator who helps the parties resolve the case. The mediator cannot force the parties to settle the case, but they can make recommendations based on the law and the facts.
Trial Proceedings
If you are not able to settle your car accident case through an agreement, you may need to take your case all the way to trial. Cases can be tried before a jury of your peers or before a judge. It can be expensive, stressful, and unpredictable to take a case to trial.
An experienced car accident lawyer can assist you with this process. You should be aware of all your legal rights before you decide to take a case to trial.
Advocate for You
A car accident can leave you in pretty rough shape. You may be dealing with mounting medical expenses, a long physical recovery, and the pressures of getting back on your feet. If you have to deal with insurance companies and defense attorneys on top of it all, that can push you over the edge. When you hire a car accident lawyer, you will have someone fighting for your legal rights. You should be able to focus on getting your life back rather than trying to navigate a complex legal system.
Aggressively Negotiate
Automobile insurers are incentivized to pay as little as possible to injured victims. The defense attorneys hired by insurance companies are paid well to argue that you are not entitled to a large payout. Don’t settle for less than you are owed.
When you work with a car accident lawyer, you don’t have to deal with insurers or opposing attorneys who don’t have your best interests at heart. A car accident lawyer can help you secure justice after a crash.
Pursue Maximum Compensation
The average personal injury settlement can vary greatly depending on the claim involved.
For car accident cases, some factors impacting case value include:
- Severity and scope of your injuries
- Whether you lost income or lost earning capacity
- Whether you experienced pain and suffering
- Whether you have property damage or need a rental car
- Whether you experienced loss of enjoyment of life
A car accident lawyer will work tirelessly to accurately determine how much you should be compensated for your injuries. The value of your case shouldn’t be guesswork. Turn to a trusted legal advisor to get help with your claim.
Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer Can Make All The Difference For Your Case
Lawyers receive training to handle the complexities of the legal system so that you don’t have to do it yourself. If someone else is to blame for your car accident injuries, contact a car accident lawyer to find out how they can help. You don’t have to handle your insurance claim or lawsuit by yourself.
Contact the Georgia Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers Today
For more information, please contact an experienced car accident lawyer at Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today. We have three convenient locations in Georgia, including Atlanta, Sandy Springs, and Jonesboro, GA.
We proudly serve Fulton County and Clayton County, GA, and its surrounding areas:
Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers – Atlanta
139 Ralph McGill Blvd NE, Suite 301, Atlanta, GA 30308
(404) 255-9000
Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers – Sandy Springs
200 Sandy Springs Place NE, Atlanta, GA 30328
(404) 255-9000
Guardian Accident & Injury Lawyers – Jonesboro
6909 Tara Blvd, Ste 200, Jonesboro, GA 30236
(404) 255-9000