Car Accident Case: Why Do I Need a Lawyer?

August 25, 2022

In the moments after a car accident, all you think about is whether everybody is okay. You don’t care about your vehicle. You don’t care about suing anybody. You’re shaken up and angry. If the other driver caused the crash, you may have a legal claim against them. The best way to know for sure is to talk to one of the best auto accident lawyers in Columbia. Our firm has represented hundreds of car accident victims over the years. We understand the law and we know how the big insurance companies operate. We’ll do whatever we can to get you the compensation you deserve.

Of course, there’s no law that says you have to hire a personal injury attorney in Columbia, Georgia. You can handle the matter yourself if you want. However, you should at least consider meeting with a car accident attorney. The law in Georgia can be complicated. If you aren’t familiar with it, you’ll be at a serious disadvantage. Plus, once the insurance adjuster learns that you don’t have an attorney, they’ll do whatever they can to keep the upper hand. This won’t happen if you retain an experienced personal injury attorney in Columbia, Georgia.

Here, we’ll discuss what the benefits of hiring a seasoned lawyer are. We will explain how they can help your case. We’ll also talk about what can happen if you don’t have an attorney. If you still have questions about your car accident case in Georgia, just give us a call. We can always schedule your free, initial consultation right over the phone.

Your Personal Injury Attorney in Columbia, Georgia Can Help File Your Claim

Ideally, you’ll file your claim with the insurance company, and they’ll pay it without any issue. This is usually what happens. However, there are times when your claim could be denied. This could happen for any number of reasons, including:

  • The policy was invalid or had been cancelled for non-payment
  • The insurance adjuster thinks you caused the crash
  • They don’t believe your injuries were all that serious
  • You have a history of filing auto accident claims
  • You didn’t file your claim in time

As long as the policy was valid, the best auto accident lawyers in Columbia can help. They’ll file an appeal on your behalf and try to negotiate payment of your claim. If this doesn’t work, they’ll be glad to file a lawsuit on your behalf. If this happens, you’ll definitely want an experienced lawyer by your side.

Your Attorney Will Gather the Necessary Evidence to Prove Your Claim

If you expect to collect damages from the other driver, you need to prove that they were negligent. Of course, there are cases where the other driver intended to crash into you. These are few and far between. For the most part, the cases we handle were pure accidents.

In these cases, the court is going to require your personal injury attorney in Columbia, Georgia to demonstrate negligence on the part of the defendant. This isn’t as easy as it may sound. If you can’t prove each and every element of negligence, your case could be dismissed. If that happens, you’ll walk away with nothing.

The 4 elements of negligence in Georgia include the following:

  • You must show that the Defendant Owed You a Duty of Care
  • You also have to demonstrate that they breached this duty
  • Your attorney must show that you were hurt
  • You’ll have to show that the defendant’s breach of duty caused your injuries

Usually, it is rather easy to prove the first elements. All drivers owe a duty of care to other motorists. At a minimum, they must obey all traffic laws. The hardest part of your case is proving that they breached this duty. It can also be challenging to demonstrate the seriousness of your injuries.

The Best Car Accident Lawyers in Columbia Know How to Negotiate a Settlement

The most important thing your personal injury attorney in Columbia, Georgia will do is negotiate a settlement on your behalf. Of course, there’s a part of you that wants your day in court. You don’t want to accept less than your full demand. However, in the real world, more than 95% of all personal injury cases settle long before trial.

Your attorney has been settling cases for years. They know the tendencies of the various insurance companies. They also know how to gather the evidence necessary to prove fault. You’re in much better hands if you retain an attorney rather than trying to handle things all by yourself.

Sit Down and Met with One of the Best Car Accident Lawyers in Columbia

When people come to us after their car accident Georgia, they aren’t quite sure whether they need an attorney. They figure, since the initial consultation is free, it can’t hurt. This is why we offer a free consultation. Everybody deserves the chance to sit down with somebody who knows the law. You can pick our brain and find out if you have a case. You can also find out what it may be worth. This also gives our personal injury attorney in Columbia, Georgia the chance to see if we want to handle your case.

Now, if you still choose to represent yourself, there’s nothing wrong with that. You have every right to do that. Just keep in mind – you will be at a serious disadvantage if you do this. The insurance company will try to take advantage of you. If the case goes to trial, you’ll find yourself in over your head. By that point, it may be too late to hire a personal injury attorney in Columbia, Georgia. Once you’ve past the statute of limitations period, it’s too late to take legal action.

This is why we recommend that you come into the office and meet with one of our associates. Our team has years of experience handling cases just like yours. Since the consultation is free, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.