Frequently Asked Car Accident Questions

You have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If the defendant was issued a ticket, you have two years from the date of the disposition of the ticket.

Immediately after an accident, always call 911 to request an officer to your location. If it’s safe to exit your vehicle, get the other driver’s license and license plate number. Also, take pictures of both vehicles and of any debris on the roadway.

If you feel pain anywhere in your body, you need to seek medical treatment from the nearest emergency room. You can either be transported from the scene by ambulance, a friend or family member. The ER doctor will advise you whether you need to seek additional medical treatment.

It is not wise to handle your accident case on your own. Often insurance adjusters take advantage of people who are unrepresented. They will insist you make a recorded statement, which you should not do, and sometimes they will attempt to settle your case quickly so you will be on the hook for your medical bills. An experienced attorney knows the law and can walk you through process. Clients that use our services received 300% more money than if they would have handled it on their own.

Never give a recorded statement to an insurance company without an attorney present. Adjusters will ask tricky questions and will do their best to absolve their client of liability. The statements you make can be used against you in court.

Yes, you should contact your insurance carrier to inform them you were in an accident. Most insurance policies require the insured to alert their carrier of an accident. The consequences of not alerting your carrier of the accident is that the insurance carrier can deny coverage for the accident.

There are pros and cons of both. A chiropractor is going to be able to start treating you within days of the accident; therefore, you don’t have to suffer with your pain long. On the other hand, physical therapy treatment is going to be focused on your specific injuries. Jurors historically award higher verdicts to claimants who have received physical therapy treatment rather than chiropractic treatment.

Usually, cases settle within 6 to 9 months after the accident. The length of time you are under a doctor’s care is the determining factor.

Each case is different. Cases are evaluated depending on the severity of the injury. Someone with a broken arm will receive more money than someone with whiplash. Not only is what type of injury you have a factor, but the defendant’s policy limits are another major factor

If you are still in pain after your emergency room visit, you should see your primary physician. If you do not have a primary physician, our firm will provide you with one. Our firm has a network of primary physicians, chiropractors, and physical therapists.

Our clients receive 300% more money on average versus a client handling it themselves.

Usually someone will treat for a month or two after an auto injury. However, depending on the severity of the accident, someone can treat longer than a year.

Car accident, personal injury, and wrongful death cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. A contingency fee is when the attorney will only receive a fee if he collects money for you. Contingency fees normally range from 33%-40%. For example, if the contingency fee is 33% and the case settles for $10,000, the attorneys’ fee is $3,333.

If someone has caused you harm either physically or damaged your property, you can sue them immediately after the injury. Most cases settle before trial; nonetheless, you can sue the person anytime and you do not have to settle the claim.

As a passenger, you will always have a claim against someone. In a car accident it comes down to two scenarios: either the driver of the vehicle you occupied was negligent or the driver that hit the vehicle you were occupying was negligent.

Yes, if the person who caused the accident has insurance. In Georgia, the minimum coverage you must have on your vehicle is $25,000 meaning your medical bills will be paid up to $25,000. Some people have more insurance coverage than the minimum policy limits. Contact our firm to ensure there are no other coverages relating to your accident case.

Liability coverage is required in Georgia; full coverage is not. Liability coverage only covers damage you cause to another person’s vehicle or bodily injury. Full coverage covers all damages done to your vehicle whether you caused the accident or not.

If you have liability coverage only, your insurance coverage will not cover your injuries or your vehicle. If you have full coverage, you will be able to get you vehicle repaired but you would not be able to receive compensation for bodily injuries.

Med-pay is a no fault insurance. You can have med-pay only through your own insurance carrier. Med-pay covers medical treatment/bills you may have regardless of whether or not you caused the accident. Most med-pay policies range from $1,000 to $10,000.

Should I use my own medical insurance when I go to the emergency room or doctor’s office?

Yes, it is always wise to use your own medical insurance. Reason being, your insurance carrier will pay your medical bills in full or partially pay the bill. If there is a remaining balance, you will pay that amount.  Ultimately, the defendant’s insurance carrier will cover your medical expenses. For example, if your medical bill is $1,000, your medical insurance covers $650 of the bill and you will only be responsible to pay the difference of $350.  The defendant will also have to pay you the full amount of the medical bill and in this case, $1,000. Therefore, you will walk away with an additional $650.

Do I have to meet with an attorney in a face-to-face meeting to retain your services?

No, there are 2 additional options to retain our services. We have video conference and email (DocuSign) options available. You can retain us in less than 10 minutes. If for some reason you can’t come to our office and would like to meet with an attorney at your home or place of business, an appointment can be arranged.

How long will it take for my car to be repaired?

It normally takes about 2 weeks to get your vehicle repaired. During that time you will receive a rental. If your vehicle is totaled, you will receive a check for the fair market value of your vehicle. You can find out the value of your vehicle by visiting kkb.com or nada.com.