What Legal Options Are Available After an Accident in Atlanta?

A serious accident can be life-changing, leaving you to deal with long-term consequences. No matter how the accident occurred, if another person was liable, you could be eligible to claim compensation. An experienced accident lawyer in Atlanta, GA can provide advice on the legal options that are appropriate for your circumstances. Below, we outline the different routes that might be discussed.

Claiming on Insurance

Some types of accident are covered by insurance, such as road traffic collisions. This means that making an insurance claim should be your primary route. In many cases, the insurance will cover the full costs without the need for further legal action, but you may need to fight hard to get a fair offer. An accident lawyer can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf to ensure the payout fully reflects the severity of your injuries and losses.

Some of the most common types of accidents that may be covered by insurance include:

• Auto Accident
• Pedestrian
• Slip and fall
• Dog bites
• Defective products

Uninsured Drivers

Georgia is a fault state, which means that you will usually claim on the other driver’s insurance if they are at fault, even partially. However, if they have no insurance, or you have been unable to identify the driver, you might be able to submit a claim on your own insurance policy.

Insurers are required by law to offer Uninsured Motorist Coverage on every policy. This means that unless you have specifically agreed for it to be excluded, it will be automatically added to your regular auto insurance. Uninsured Motorist Coverage allows you to be fully compensated for any losses through an insurance claim, even if the at-fault party has no insurance. 

Alternative Legal Options

If there is no insurance in place and Uninsured Motorist Coverage is not applicable, you have other legal options. By taking the other party to court, you can sue for compensation to cover your losses. This includes the same types of losses that can be covered through an insurance claim.

A lawsuit is still a viable option, even if the other party has no immediate means to pay. The court has many options available to enforce payment, such as placing a lien on their assets or garnishing their bank account or future earnings.

Discuss Your Case With an Accident Lawyer in Atlanta, GA

Depending on the specifics, you may need to pursue multiple legal options to get a fair outcome. This is because insurance claims have limits and a serious accident may result in losses that exceed this amount. It is possible to make an insurance claim up to the maximum allowed, and to issue legal proceedings for the surplus sum being claimed.

It’s therefore imperative to get legal advice from the start to determine the right route to pursue. A car accident lawyer is ideally placed to advise which legal options are most appropriate for your circumstances, and the evidence required for success.

We have extensive experience in dealing with all types of accident claim and can take your case all the way to a trial, where necessary. To find out how we could help you, book a free consultation with an attorney at Spaulding Injury Law in Atlanta today.

Posted in Atlanta, Back Injuries, Brain Injuries, Car Accidents, Construction Accident, Dog Bites, Slip and Fall Accidents, Truck Accidents | No Comments »