If you are in a car accident, you will need to either file a lawsuit to get compensation for your injuries or defend a lawsuit to protect your assets. We have experience doing both.

At Weatherby Law Firm, we represent genuinely injured and reputable businesses. To increase your chances of success, you should hire a dedicated Atlanta auto accident lawyer like the team Weatherby Law Firm. There are several things to consider when you are looking to hire an Atlanta car accident attorney.

What Should I Do After a Car Accident?

It can be hard to start thinking about a lawsuit immediately after a car accident.

If you are injured, medical attention for injuries and getting car repairs can be stressful and time-consuming.

If you are the at-fault driver, dealing with potential losses is also stressful.

However, there are a few important things you should do after a car accident that may help you win compensation or protect your assets.

For immediate assistance, please give us a call at (404) 739-0026 or send us an online message.

Report the Atlanta Auto Accident to the Police

Immediately after an accident, when you are still at the scene, you should call the police to report the accident.

Georgia state law requires drivers to report any car accident that results in an injury, death, or property damage over $500. 

When the police come to the scene of an accident, they will make a police report.

The police report can be useful for filing an insurance claim, or it can preserve evidence from the accident scene.

This evidence can be particularly important if weeks or months pass between the accident and the personal injury claim.

Exchange Information with the Other Driver

Make sure to get personal and contact information from any other drivers involved in the accident.

This will help you make an insurance claim, address a personal injury suit, or create a personal accident report later. Information you should get from the other driver includes:

  • Name;
  • Birth date;
  • Address;
  • Driver license number;
  • Year, make, and model of the vehicle involved in the crash; and
  • Name, birth date, address, and driver license number of the vehicle’s owner if different from the driver.

When an injured person files a lawsuit, they must name the party that they are suing, so the name of the other driver is important. Likewise, your insurance company will want to know the folks involved, so they can prepare for the claim.

When Should I Hire an Attorney for My Atlanta Auto Accident?

You should hire an Atlanta auto accident attorney if you were seriously injured in a car accident or if you are suing on behalf of someone who died in a car accident.

If you had medical expenses or missed work hiring an Atlanta auto accident lawyer could be a smart decision. If you were at fault in a car accident that resulted in injuries, you also should hire an Atlanta car accident lawyer.

It is important to hire an attorney as soon as possible after the accident.

The sooner you contact an Atlanta auto accident lawyer, the sooner you may receive a damages award that can help you cover medical bills and other expenses.

Even if you are not planning to sue the other driver after your car accident, an attorney can help. An Atlanta car accident lawyer can help you with your insurance claim.

An attorney can review your paperwork and make sure you are complying with the terms of your policy if you decide to seek compensation through an insurance claim.

How Much Does an Atlanta Auto Accident Lawyer Cost?

This depends on if you are the injured party or the at-fault driver.

If you are the injured party, when you hire an Atlanta car accident attorney, you will not usually have to pay attorney fees unless you receive a damages award for your claim.

Personal injury attorneys commonly use contingency fee arrangements to collect their legal fees.

This means that your attorney will be paid a percentage of any settlement award you receive. You will not have to pay your attorney upfront. 

If you are the at fault driver, the attorney generally works on an hourly basis. This means that the attorney will be you at an hourly rate for work done on the file. 

How Long Do I Have to File a Claim?

In Georgia, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a suit for personal injuries.

You have four years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for damage to your vehicle or other property.

If you are suing on behalf of someone who died as a result of a car accident, you have two years from the date of death to file a wrongful death claim.

These are the general rules, and there are exceptions that can significantly shorten or lengthen the time to file a lawsuit.

It is important to have an experienced car accident attorney in Atlanta advise you on your claim as soon as possible.

Types of Auto Accident Cases in Atlanta

In the city of Atlanta, the most popular way to commute to work is by driving.

Each Atlanta household owns an average of two cars. With so many cars on the road, accidents are, unfortunately, inevitable.

The following are a few common types of auto accident cases in Atlanta, Georgia.

Truck Accidents Involving Car Accidents in Atlanta

Truck drivers and trucking companies have to comply with laws that do not apply to the average driver on the road in Atlanta, Georgia.

For example, federal laws regulate the amount of driving a long-haul trucker can do after a certain amount of off-duty time. Georgia also has its own state laws that apply similar regulations to short-haul truckers.

There are also separate vehicle inspection guidelines for commercial vehicles in Georgia.

At our firm, we know truck accidents.

We defend trucking companies, and we prosecute cases against trucking companies. Over half of the Weatherby Law Firm, P.C. has a legal practices that involves truck accidents.

Weatherby Law Firm, P.C. will handle your truck accident case with expertise and confidence.

Multi-Car Accidents in Atlanta, GA

Multi-car accidents can present unique challenges when it comes to allocating fault among the involved drivers. Georgia is a modified comparative fault state.

Any person who was less than 50% at fault for an accident may be able to recover damages.

The court will reduce an at-fault driver’s damages award by whatever percentage of fault was that driver’s responsibility.

If multiple drivers are involved, the court will allocate damages based on each driver’s percentage of fault. 

A multi-car accident may also present issues about which court has jurisdiction to hear the case.

If some of the involved drivers are from out of state, determining jurisdiction can get complicated.

An experienced Atlanta car accident lawyer can help you handle your claim for damages from a multi-car accident.

Fatal Car Accidents in Atlanta, GA

Georgia has specific laws that apply to wrongful death cases, including fatal car accident claims. These laws state who can bring a wrongful death claim, what kind of damages can be recovered, and who can recover these damages.

The Atlanta car accident lawyers at Weatherby Law Firm, P.C. have practiced in handling wrongful death claims that result from car accidents.

Our experienced attorneys are poised and focused on reaching an efficient resolution that respects the gravity of the situation. The team at Weatherby Law Firm, P.C. can give you the help you need in a difficult time.

Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia

If you were in a car accident where someone was injured or lost a loved one, you should contact an Atlanta auto accident lawyer as soon as possible. An attorney can help you with your insurance claim. An attorney can help you preserve evidence, take witness statements, deal with your insurance company, and more. Plus, hiring a Georgia auto accident lawyer will not cost you money up front. It may be helpful to speak to an attorney even if you are worried about being able to pay.

Even if you are not sure whether you want to file a lawsuit, consulting a car accident lawyer can help you decide how to proceed. An attorney can tell you whether you have a strong case and let you know what to expect from the process of filing a lawsuit.

Get started by calling us today at (404) 739-0026 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.

Why Hire Weatherby Law Firm, P.C.?

Our car accident lawyers will handle your case with integrity, strength, and honor. Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be emotionally challenging.

Our trial lawyers are here for you with legal representation that puts your best interests first. Nobody expects to get in a car accident, but when accidents happen, you need someone who will advocate to get you the compensation you need.

We represent honorable companies, and the genuinely injured. We specialize in truck accidents, catastrophic injury, and wrongful death claims. These seasoned legal professionals know how to handle your case with sensitivity and respect for everyone involved. The results don’t lie.

We can provide you with top-notch legal representation for any type of Atlanta car or truck accident.

[WATCH] Atlanta Car Accident Lawyer; Alex Weatherby An Informed Client is a Happy Client

https://www.youtube.com/watch?reload=9&v=tTfjccTmNf4

“The most important thing that a lawyer does is keep their client informed about their case.

If you’re a personal injury client, then the truth is from the time of your accident until the resolution… It’s going to take months, If not years.

It’s just the nature of how long it takes to get this type of stuff done. So because of that, open communication is really important and there are peaks and valleys.

There are times when things are going really hot. And so you’re going to be talking a lot between the lawyer and the client.

There are other times where not much is going on.

In both instances, it’s really important that the lawyer talk to the client and update them. Saying, ‘Hey, we’re thinking about you. We’re doing this or that.’

Or, ‘We’re waiting for this, or that.’

Simple messages like that are really important. An informed client is a happy client, and that always leads to a better result.”