Georgia Car Accident Legal Questions

That is NOT good. Call a lawyer.  Essentially, insurance carriers try to negotiate every dollar they can, because every $100 means millions in the end to the Board of Directors. Even in soft tissue injuries, those tissues stretch and scar, or cause corresponding pressure on nerves in the spinal cord, leaving behind permanent problems for some. I have had clients need surgeries years later because of a bulging disk and have their entire world collapse for what seemed inconsequential at the time. Insurance companies want you to settle as soon as possible and treat as little as possible. Attorneys matter. They change their gameplan when a lawyer is involved. It seems like your injuries are more serious. You injuries are serious. For that reason - and the misinformation by TV lawyers and referral services- is why people should consult lawyers who take the time like on sites like this. Because of the economy, more lawyers are jumping into personal injury and should stick to what they know. Personal injury law REQUIRED knowledge about medical science and biomechanics (the forces on a body in a wreck) far greater and more specific than you'd think. The other side has doctors and millions on their side to say nothing is wrong or fight the claim. If you have any further questions, feel free to email me- jmp@knowthelawyer.com. Check out our website- www.knowthelawyer.com. We'd love to help you. Our number is 800-6-know-law. ... Read More

First, you said it was a hit and run. Do you know who hit you? If so, does the person have insurance? If you do not know who hit you, then you do not have a case at all. No defendant, no case. Second, there is no set timeline when it comes to settling a personal injury case; some settle within a few months and some take years. No one can tell you what kind of money to expect without knowing the extent of your injuries and the total amount of your medical bills.... Read More

Give us a call.  You have a case with clear damages, pain, suffering and sacrifice.  Essentially, insurance carriers try to negotiate every dollar they can, because every $100 means millions in the end to the Board of Directors. For that reason - and the misinformation by TV lawyers and referral services- is why people should consult lawyers who take the time like on sites like this. Because of the economy, more lawyers are jumping into personal injury and should stick to what they know. Personal injury law REQUIRED knowledge about medical science and biomechanics (the forces on a body in a wreck) far greater and more specific than you'd think. The other side has doctors and millions on their side to say nothing is wrong or fight the claim. If you have any further questions, feel free to email me- jmp@knowthelawyer.com. Check out our website- www.knowthelawyer.com. We'd love to help you. Our number is 800-6-know-law. ... Read More

Give us a call.  It sounds like you have a case with clear damages, pain, suffering and sacrifice.  They oew you some damages. For that reason - and the misinformation by TV lawyers and referral services- is why people should consult lawyers who take the time like on sites like this. Because of the economy, more lawyers are jumping into personal injury and should stick to what they know. Personal injury law REQUIRED knowledge about medical science and biomechanics (the forces on a body in a wreck) far greater and more specific than you'd think. The other side has doctors and millions on their side to say nothing is wrong or fight the claim. If you have any further questions, feel free to email me- jmp@knowthelawyer.com. Check out our website- www.knowthelawyer.com. We'd love to help you. Our number is 800-6-know-law. ... Read More

Insurance companies would rather spend the money to fight small cases, knowing that someone without a lawyer will likely go away if offered pennies on the dollar for what their case is worth.  I've seen $1,000 requests denied when the only injuries are soft tissue.  If you really expect to be compensated for your case, I'd find a good lawyer to fight your case.      ... Read More

In answering your question, I am assuming that you are suing an individual who has automobile insurance and not actually suing the insurance company itself for some sort of bad faith claim. If that is the case, you are not usually suing the insurance company but are suing the insured or the operator of the vehicle.  The insurance company covering the vehicle then defends and pays any judgment up to the policy limits, assuming there is not some exclusion from coverage.  Any judgment in excess of the policy limits could be covered by an under insured motorist policy, if one exists, but ultimately is collectable from the person being sued.  The amount of insurance provided by the insurance company is not a cap on the amount you can receive but may be a cap on the amount that you can receive without going after the driver's assets. As an aside, this is why minimum coverage insurance does not usually protect you in the case of a serious wreck. With that said, there are certain circumstances that, if an insurance company does not settle a claim in good faith, that the insurance company can be liable for an amount in excess of the policy limits because they put their insured's assets at risk without any justification.   For example, if a claim is worth $65,000, but there is only $25,000 in liability insurance coverage, then the insurance company should offer to settle the claim for their policy limits of $25,000 to avoid putting their insured at risk to have to pay the $40,000 that the insured would be responsible for after a judgment.  If, in this scenario, the insurance company refused to settle for $25,000 then the insurance company could be liable for more than the policy limits under a bad faith claim.  The insurance company could also be liable for punitive damages in a suit by their insured for failure to settle the claim and protect the insured. I hope this helps answer your question.Paul GhanouniAttorney at LawLaw Office of Paul Ghanouni, P.C.Handling Accident, Injury, and Criminal Cases221 E. Main StreetCanton, GA 30114Phone: 770-720-6336Fax: 770-720-6339www.PGLawOffice.com  ... Read More

No.  You must name and sue the tortfeasor in an automobile accident.  Insurance companies must be served and put on notice of the suit though.  The laws surrounding automobile lawsuits and the civil practice act can be very complex.  I would highly recommend you find a good lawyer and see if they are interested in taking your case on.  The added benefit of a lawyer will more than pay for the cost of the lawyer's services.    ... Read More

So noone was injured, which is good.  You are probably, at best, only going to see the full value of the repairs paid for.  If you are having trouble at least getting them to cover the repairs, you may want to consider getting a lawyer involved.  Most accidents are caused by negligence.  Without damages to a person, you are not going to have a compelling case for pain and suffering, lost work, etc. etc. etc. ... Read More

Jason, Where there any damages or injuries to you or your vehicle that have not been taken care of?  Officers responding to accident scenes frequently make judgment calls on the fly.  This does not dictate whether there is a civil case to pursue, but the officer's decision would have a potential impact on any case you would have.... Read More

Personal injury claims are typically handled seperately from any property damage claims.  One should not impact the other.  You would need to give more information about your son's accident to get a better evaluation of where you stand.  Just because your vehicle was 12 years old and totaled does not mean you are entitled to less recovery.  Either way, the value of the vehicle would be looked at seperately from the medical and personal injury claim.... Read More

I strongly advise you to discuss your facts with a lawyer specializing in this area of law. Many lawyers, such as myself, offer free phone consultations, without obligation. There is no way for a lawyer to honestly answer all your questions without a consultation. One thing, for sure, you will require follow-up treatment to have anything but a very minimal case. Also, three times specials is a measuring stick from the past. Juries & insurance companies routinely value cases for much less in smaller injury cases without broken bones or surgery.... Read More

Go to the Bar Association for the county in which you live, and ask for a referral to a lawyer who is experienced with TBI cases. There are a lot of people who will tell you how great they are, but it is best to get a referral from a lawyer who is objective. Personally, I would suggest that you speak to an insurance defense attorney; they know who the good lawyers are.... Read More