Georgia Car Accident Lawyers

As Georgia car accident lawyers, we understand the lengths that insurance companies will go to protect their interests over yours. They hire legions of trained adjusters whose objective is to try to minimize the value of your claim. Having dealt with insurance companies for decades, our car accident lawyers know how overwhelming and confusing dealing with them can be if you don’t have experience.To make matters worse, without the benefit of years of experience handling car accident claims, you are unlikely to know what your car accident case is worth. As a result, is critically important to get an attorney involved as early as possible to help guide you towards an optimal outcome. 

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While many drivers on George’s roads are responsible and hold the appropriate amount of insurance for any liability they may arise. However, as a car accident attorneys, we have seen countless cases of drivers that did not hold the appropriate insurance at the time of a car accident. Uninsured/Underinsured coverage can help save you from bankruptcy or other financial turmoil. If you have any questions about your policy or insurance coverage, contact the Georgia car accident lawyers at Sawan & Sawan today to schedule a free consultation.

When talking to insurance company adjuster’s, having a skilled and competent Georgia car accident lawyer in your corner is incredibly valuable. As described above, it’s common knowledge that trying to negotiate for something that you don’t know the value of is nearly impossible. This is where the experience of a skilled Georgia car accident attorney comes in handy the most. An insurance company adjuster that understands that the lawyer on the other end of the phone has extensive experience dealing with car accident claims will engage in negotiations in a much fairer and transparent way. As Georgia car accident attorneys, we frequently present to the insurance company the following type of information:

Getting to Settlement

Settling a car accident claim, especially one where there are serious injuries, is difficult and complicated. The art of getting an insurance company to settle a claim involves competence, diligence, and tenacity.The process of settling a Georgia car accident claim begins with the transmission of a demand package to the insurance company. This demand package includes a valuable information about the underlying crash, the medical treatment involved, any lost wages, and any expected future medical treatment or pain and suffering. After the demand package is received by the insurance company and reviewed, and initial offer is often made. At this time we recommend speaking to your attorney openly and candidly about the value of your case, as well as any potential legal problems that may arise in an ensuing lawsuit. After engaging in settlement negotiations, if a settlement can’t be reached your Georgia car accident lawyer can begin the process of bringing a lawsuit against the tortfeasor in the appropriate court law in Georgia. 

Demand Package Transmitted
The demand package is a document that contains all the factual background of the car accident, as well as an outlay of any damages, legal theories or other relevant information. It also includes an initial demand for money.
Negotiation Period is Commenced
After the demand package is transmitted and reviewed, a period of negotiation will begin with the insurance company adjuster or lawyer. This period can last weeks or months - depending on the severity and complexity
Settlement Offer Made
Assuming the insurance company accepts liability and the legal theory of the case, they will typically extend an offer in settlement. While this is often not the best and highest offer, it forms the. initial starting point to argue about the damage amounts.
Settlement Reached
If the parties are able to come to an agreement that is mutually acceptable, the insurance company will prepare a settlement and release. This document has significant legal effect and should be fully understood before execution.
Lawsuit Filed
If the parties are not able to come to an agreement that is mutually acceptable, then the suit will need to be filed within the pertinent statute of limitations.
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How a Lawyer Can Help Your Claim
Maximizing Settlement

Helpful Tips if Your in a Car Accident

No one expects to be in a car accident, so most people don’t know what to do once they’ve been in one. Have you seen countless car accident, the family of Georgia car accident lawyers has some valuable insight into the best practices following a car accident. If you were loved one has been involved in a car accident in Georgia, here are some critical tips to remember to increase the chances of success in winning your car accident case:

If you are involved in an accident and  there is an injury, death, or property damage in excess of $500.00, Georgia requires that you immediately report the incident to the appropriate local law enforcement agencies. You must also exchange, personal, license, and insurance information. You must also offer to help any injured person and remain at the scene of the accident until these conditions are met. 

Georgia requires drivers to carry the following minimum insurance limits:
 
  • $25,000 for the injury or death of one person
  • $50,000 for the injury or death of more than one person in a single accident
  • $25,000 for property damage
Trials are very expensive, stressful and time consuming. For these reasons, most cases settle before trial. A settlement is an out of court procedure whereby you can resolve your case. Once you sign the release, you will give up your right to file a complaint. In addition, a settlement can be done by mediation or arbitration. In these procedures, neutral parties help foster resolution of the case. Due to this, 99% of all cases settle. 
 
Reaching a settlement requires, but is not limited to, documentation supporting your injuries, automobile repairs, past and future medical bills, pain and suffering, and lost wages. A case evaluation will be conducted looking at those documents as well as the extent of damage to the vehicles. Demands and offers go back and forth until you accept their final offer. As to the amount of time  for settlement, Georgia has a two year limit from the date of the accident called the statute of limitations. If not settled by then, you must file in the appropriate court of law even if the case is in settlement negotiations. For a property damage claim, it is four years. Because of this, it is imperative to consult with a personal injury attorney to assist you with an evaluation of the case and to make sure all deadlines are met. Remember, once a case is settled, it can not be changed. The release is binding and final. A low settlement can leave you with insufficient compensation for your damages. If not careful, a missed statute of limitations will totally waive all of your claims. 
 

Can You Recover Damages for a Minor Accident?

In all accidents, you look to recover out-of-pocket expenses, and “pain and suffering.” The out-of-pocket expenses, such as medical bills and prescriptions, are easy to document. “Pain and suffering” is less tangible and harder to prove. This proof is compounded when the damage to the vehicle is minor. How can a victim prove “soft tissue injury” and “pain and suffering” in a minor accident?

Pain and suffering explores both the physical and emotional stress associated with an accident. Generally, “soft tissue injuries” occur in these minor accidents. Over inflating “pain and suffering” in these cases is easy to do. Insurance companies look at the severity and permanency of your injuries. For example, you will be entitled to more compensation with three broken ribs than if you only suffer bruising. Soft tissue injury must be documented and confirmed by your doctor. Often an x-ray will confirm a reversed lordotic curve. This finding can cause headaches and painful soft tissue injury. A description of the pain can also assist in these soft tissue injuries. The movement of your body during the accident can also substantiate the location of your pain.

Insurance companies will often multiply the amount of medical bills to calculate the “pain and suffering”. The more severe and permanent the injury, the higher the number. You will need to discuss your pain and suffering with both your doctor and attorney. This will allow your attorney to estimate your pain and suffering in her discussions with the insurance company.

Because of the nature of these accidents, you must consider whether or not to even pursue these claims. Most insurance companies see these types of claims as having nuisance value. Relating a minor accident to injuries can be frustrating. The insurance company can be a hassle and adversarial. Settlement can be difficult as you are hurt but the insurance company thinks you are faking your claim.

If you can’t resolve it, you will have to file a lawsuit. Litigation is expensive and time-consuming. It is also stressful and frustrating. Before making a claim or filing a lawsuit, you have to determine your injury. If the injury is soft tissue and quickly resolves, it might not be worth pursuing. On the other hand, if you have severe injuries and significant medical bills pursuit would be appropriate.

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Dennis P. Sawan

Partner

Licensed in Ohio and Georgia

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Christopher A. Sawan

Partner

Licensed in Ohio and Michigan

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