If you’ve ever been in an auto accident, you know how scary it can be. The main thing you’re worried about is making sure everyone is okay. By the time things settle down, you realize you’re not sure what to do next. The good news is that you can always call a Riverdale car accident lawyer and they can help. They’ll walk you through the process of filing a claim with the insurance company. They can also help you a lawsuit if need be.
The question you may have is when exactly you should hire a Riverdale injury lawyer. It’s only natural to wonder when you should pull the trigger. We always suggest that auto accident victims not wait too long to talk to a lawyer. You only have a certain amount of time before the filing window closes. If you miss the statute of limitations period in Georgia, you won’t be able to refile your case. This means you’ll walk away with nothing.
Here at Humphrey and Ballard, we believe that it’s only fair that car accident victims have a Riverdale car accident lawyer by their side from day one. The defendant is going to be represented by the insurance company. Legally, they’re required to represent their clients in court. If you go up against them with nobody by your side, you’ll be at a serious disadvantage.
Here, we’ll talk about when it’s time to admit you need the help of an experienced Riverdale injury lawyer. We’ll also briefly discuss the benefits of having an attorney there for you from the very beginning.
You Should Contact a Riverdale Auto Accident Lawyer Prior to Submitting Your Claim
There’s no law saying that you have to hire an attorney to handle your car accident case. In fact, most people handle their insurance claim by themselves. However, if you don’t have a lawyer when you first reach out to the insurance company, they may try to take advantage of you. They know you don’t have anyone to help you. They may try to get you to accept a low settlement. Or they may deny your claim, hoping you’ll walk away without putting up a fight.
If you have a Riverdale car accident lawyer by your side, this won’t happen. The insurance adjuster knows better than to ignore your lawyer’s calls and emails. They also know that your attorney won’t let you entertain a low settlement. Having a lawyer there for this initial phase can be a great help.
You Don’t Want to Wait Until the Last Minute to Sue
If the insurance company refuses to pay your claim, even on appeal, you’ll have no choice but to sue. If you need to sue somebody in civil court, you need to know the court rules. There are attorneys who have been practicing for years who couldn’t tell you the first thing about filing a civil claim. If a person doesn’t practice in this area, it can be a bit overwhelming.
Thankfully, our Riverdale injury lawyers have decades of combined experience handling cases just like yours. They know the court rules and they know the filing fees. They also have a good relationship with the clerks at the court. They’ll make suer everything is filed properly. They’ll also make sure you pay the appropriate filing fees.
If you wait too long to meet with a Riverdale car accident lawyer, you could end up missing your filing deadline. Or, your attorney may not have enough time to prepare your case. The whole point is to force the defendant to pay you for any losses you suffered. If you don’t get to sue them at all, you’ll walk away with nothing. You’ll also be responsible for any out-of-pocket expenses related to your crash. Sadly, you’ll also have to reimburse your private health insurance company for any monies they paid out for your medical treatment.
Your Riverdale Auto Accident Lawyer Will Help You Settle
One of the most important role your Riverdale auto accident lawyer plays is during settlement negotiations. After you’ve filed your lawsuit against the defendant, you’ll have to complete the discovery process. This is where your lawyer gathers your evidence and shares it with the other side. You’ll also receive a copy of the other driver’s evidence as well. Once you have a chance to review this, you’ll begin settlement negotiations.
You won’t be expected to do this on your own. Your Riverdale injury lawyer will work hard to negotiate a fair settlement. They won’t force you to settle but they will encourage to accept a deal if it’s fair. It’s important to understand that it’s not your lawyer’s job to make you rich. It’s their job to make you whole. If they can do this and avoid a trial, it’s a win-win.
Contact an Experienced Riverdale Injury Lawyer Sooner Rather than Later
If you or your loved one has been hurt in a Georgia car accident, there’s a good chance you’ll need help. Our Riverdale car accident lawyers get calls from accident victims all the time. Many of them are calling just to ask a few questions. However, they often call back a few weeks later asking if we can represent them. It isn’t until they learn that their insurance claim has been denied that they realize they’re in over their heads. Unfortunately, by this time, you may have already jeopardized your case.
The things you do in the early days following your car crash can make all the difference between getting paid or walking away with nothing. That’s the last anyone wants to happen. If you call our office early enough, we can prevent you from making these mistakes. In fact, you can even call our Riverdale injury lawyers the same day as your accident. We’ll schedule your free, initial consultation right over the phone. And since you don’t pay anything upfront, you don’t have anything to lose.
