Auto accident lawyers can be extremely beneficial when you’re pursuing a settlement. Putting together a strong case is a long and complicated process. A great attorney is backed up by an experienced staff. Together, they will gather all the materials necessary to build your claim against the responsible party. Hiring experts for this task is far easier than fumbling through it yourself.
One of the most important steps in the settlement process is determining how much money to ask for. To come up with a fair number, your attorney will consider several aspects of your situation. The process takes some time and requires input and documentation from you.
Here are some factors to keep in mind when your auto accident lawyer is calculating the worth of your case:
The Initial Settlement Offer for Your Car Accident
Chances are, right after the auto accident you received an initial settlement offer from the other party’s insurance company. With few exceptions, these first offers tend to be quite low. Your lawyer will probably advise you to treat this amount as a good starting point, and that’s sound advice. Regardless of how enticing the initial settlement offer might look, it’s always best to have an experienced personal injury attorney review the offer before you sign anything.
Medical Bills from Your Wreck
Your bills will add up fast after an auto accident. But don’t forget that your medical needs may continue to grow far past your initial recovery. Your future treatments might include physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, or even surgeries. All of these options are likely to involve even further out-of-pocket costs. Don’t forget to include future anticipated medical bills in your settlement request.
Did Your Car Accident Cause You to Lose Wages?
Even if you have disability insurance, missing work gets to be expensive. And just because you’re laid up doesn’t mean your bills stop coming every month. It doesn’t take long before you find yourself behind on payments. You don’t need this added stress when you are working hard to recuperate. Tally up your estimated lost wages, and make sure that number is added to the running total.
Replacing Your Vehicle after a Wreck
Will your auto insurance policy cover the cost of replacing your car? Are you sure? Some full-coverage policies will only pay out the current value of your car. If you’re still making payments on that ride, there’s a chance you still owe more than the car is actually worth. Our professional advice is to review your insurance policy before disaster strikes. Make sure you fully understand the coverage you’re paying for.
If your car is totaled in the accident, you will need to replace it so you can eventually get back to your normal life. Figure out how much it will cost you out-of-pocket to get another comparable car. Add that amount to your settlement request.
Pain and Suffering from Your Car Accident
Compensation for pain and suffering is a difficult number to quantify. Consider the pain you endure following the accident. Also, think of the suffering the situation has caused for the family members who have cared for you in the aftermath. Try to put a number to all of that pain and suffering. You may or may not collect the entire amount. If you settle with an insurance company, they will probably try to lower this amount. If you go to trial, your total compensation will be up to the judge.
What Will You Have to Pay Your Auto Accident Lawyer?
Paying your lawyer will make a dent in your compensation. But how much will your auto accident attorneys cost you? Personal injury lawyers typically work under contingency fee agreements. This means you don’t have to pay them anything up front. Once your compensation is received following a trial or settlement negotiations, your attorney will probably take somewhere between 30 and 40 percent of the total. Make sure you completely understand the terms of payment before you sign an agreement with any lawyer.
Hiring a Georgia Auto Accident Lawyer
Have you been the victim in an auto accident in Georgia? If so, you need the help of an experienced personal injury attorney with licensure in the state of Georgia. The Law Offices of Andrew Goldner handle a wide variety of personal injury cases, including auto accidents.
Need a professional to review your auto accident injury case? We offer a complimentary consultation for all new clients. Our legal professionals do a great job of getting our clients the compensation they deserve. Click to find out more about Georgia auto accident lawyers by contacting the Law Offices of Andrew Goldner online.