Protecting Car Accident Victims—It’s What We Do.
Macon Car Accident Lawyers
Standing Up for Victims of Negligence in Bibb County
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming. The pressure of mounting medical bills and serious injuries can prevent you from earning a living and providing for yourself and your family.
This, in turn, can place you under significant financial stress on top of the physical and emotional challenges associated with your recovery. However, if you were involved in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligent or wrongful conduct, you may be entitled to compensation.
As your car accident attorneys in Macon, we are here to help you navigate the entire legal process. At Adams, Jordan & Herrington, P.C., we have handled countless personal injury cases and have recovered millions of dollars for past clients. When you’re ready to get the help you need, we can start with a free consultation and help determine whether you have a case.
Are you looking to recover damages from a car accident? Call Adams, Jordan & Herrington, P.C. today or contact us online to schedule a meeting with our Macon car accident attorney!
Common Causes of Car Accidents
What was the cause of your car accident? Sometimes the answer is unclear because of the confusion surrounding a crash. When we are your chosen Macon car accident attorneys, we can help strengthen your claim by investigating the circumstances of your crash and figuring out how it happened and why. The minor details can reveal significant liability that benefits your chances of securing a maximized recovery amount.
Common causes of car accidents include:
- Intoxication or drug impairment
- Speeding
- Running red lights
- Texting behind the wheel
- Lane changes without signals
- Driving with low visibility
What to Do After a Car Accident
Being involved in a car accident is a frightening experience. Many people are in shock after the crash; if you were seriously injured, you might have been quickly transported to a nearby hospital for emergency medical care.
However, if you are able, there are certain things you should do immediately after the accident to protect yourself and your right to bring a future personal injury claim:
- If you or anyone else needs emergency medical attention, call 911; do not move anyone who appears seriously injured while waiting for paramedics to arrive.
- Get the name, insurance information, and contact information of anyone/everyone else involved in the crash
- If there are any witnesses, get their names and contact information, as well as a brief statement of what they saw
- Follow all of your doctor’s orders regarding your recovery—take all prescribed medications and attend any follow-up appointments or appointments with specialists
- Contact local police and have them come out to the scene of the accident to file an official police report
- Take pictures of the accident, including your vehicle, the other person’s vehicle, your injuries, and further relevant details
- If you do not require emergency medical care, visit a doctor as soon as possible after the crash, even if you believe you are not injured/seriously injured
- Refrain from speaking to anyone from the other person’s insurance company until you have first spoken to an attorney
As soon as possible after the accident, contact a Macon car accident lawyer who can assist you with your injury claim. Insurance companies will often attempt to contact you quickly to get you to accept a low settlement. Discussing your case with a lawyer is in your best interests.
Why Hire an Attorney After a Car Accident
You have the right to go through a civil case independently and without a car accident attorney. Although, being allowed to do something does not make it a good idea, as most anyone who has been in a severe car accident will admit.
Most people find it more than worth it to hire a car accident attorney after a crash because it takes so much of the stress of the situation while simultaneously giving them immediate access to impressive legal experience and insight.
If you want help making sure you demand the proper compensation, you probably want to hire an attorney. If you don’t want to deal with insurance companies and their notorious tactics on your own, then you almost definitely want a lawyer representing you.
How Can I Find a Car Accident Lawyer?
Finding the right car accident attorney for your case is critical. It can directly influence the outcome of your claims and the amount of compensation that you may receive. A well-versed and experienced attorney will know how to navigate the complex legal landscape, effectively negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure your rights are protected at all stages of the case. This not only alleviates the burden from your shoulders but also enhances your chances of securing a fair settlement for your sustained injuries and losses. But do you know how to find a lawyer for a car accident case?
These steps may help guide you the right attorney for your case:
- Research: Conduct a thorough online search for car accident attorneys in your area. Look for those with a strong reputation and positive client reviews.
- Experience:Assess their experience in handling car accident cases similar to yours. Experience in this specific area of law is vital for effective representation.
- Consultation:Schedule a consultation with potential attorneys. This is a great opportunity to ask questions about their experience, approach, and any concerns you may have about your case.
- Track Record: Check their track record of success in cases like yours. A proven track record can indicate their competence and effectiveness.
- Communication:Ensure they are responsive, keeping you informed about the progress of your case. Open and timely communication is crucial for a successful attorney-client relationship.
- Fees:Verify their fee structure. Many car accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay only if they win your case. Make sure you understand all costs involved.
Can You Sue for Emotional Distress From a Car Accident?
Suppose you have been in a car accident, require psychiatric treatment, and cannot work for a lengthy amount of time. In that case, you may be able to seek compensation from the at-fault driver with the help of a personal injury attorney in Macon, GA.
If you can prove you have suffered from PTSD as a direct result of the accident, you will be able to demand compensation for your medical expenses that were not covered by insurance. You may also get compensation if your PTSD directly affects your work and you have lost wages because you were unable to perform your job.
What is a Good Settlement Offer?
You know that you did not cause your car accident, and you have prepared your case best. How much money should you expect to be offered from the opposing insurance company to know that it is a “good” settlement offer? There is no definitive answer to this question. Every case is different, so a fair value for each is also unique.
A settlement offer will not be good unless it takes all damages you have experienced and will experience fully account. You need to know the value of your medical bills and missing wages far into the future. The emotional trauma, pain, and suffering you have endured also have values to factor into a settlement. If the insurance company has ignored these noneconomic damages, you won’t be offered a reasonable settlement.
Contact Our Car Accident Attorney Today
Not every car accident requires or needs a lawyer, but it is still a good idea to have an experienced car accident attorney look over a settlement offer before accepting it. Whether your accident was major or minor, you are entitled to a fair settlement.
If you’re ready to fight for the justice you deserve, we’re prepared to get you started with a free case evaluation. When you work with our firm, you’ll get dedicated legal services and personalized attention every step of the way.
Understanding the Most Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, some of which can have long-lasting effects on victims’ physical and emotional well-being. Knowing about these common injuries and understanding the necessary steps to seek compensation is crucial for anyone involved in a car accident. In this blog post, we will delve into the most common car accident injuries.
Whiplash:
Whiplash is perhaps the most common car accident injury, especially in rear-end collisions. It occurs when a sudden jolt causes the head to jerk forward and backward, straining the neck’s muscles and ligaments. Symptoms may not be immediately apparent, but victims often experience neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and reduced range of motion.
Though whiplash is usually not life-threatening, it can be extremely uncomfortable and may lead to chronic pain if not treated promptly. Rest, physical therapy, and pain management techniques are commonly used to alleviate symptoms and promote recovery.
Fractures and Broken Bones:
The force of a car accident impact can cause bones to break or fracture. This injury can affect any part of the body, but the most common sites are the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis. Fractures can vary in severity, ranging from simple hairline cracks to compound fractures that pierce the skin.
Treatment for fractures depends on their type and location. Simple fractures may require immobilization with casts or splints, while complex fractures may necessitate surgery for proper alignment and stabilization.
Head Injuries:
Head injuries are a grave concern in car accidents, especially when drivers and passengers are not wearing seat belts or lack proper head protection. The impact can lead to concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBI), or even fatal skull fractures.
Even seemingly minor head injuries can have long-lasting consequences. It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention after an accident, as early detection and intervention can significantly improve the prognosis for head injuries.
Back Injuries:
Car accidents can also cause various back injuries, including herniated discs, spinal cord injuries, and lumbar sprains. The spine is a delicate structure, and any trauma to it can result in excruciating pain and mobility issues.
Recovery from back injuries may require extensive physical therapy, pain management, and, in severe cases, surgical intervention. Patients may need to undergo rehabilitation to regain mobility and strength, making early diagnosis and treatment critical.
Soft Tissue Injuries:
Soft tissue injuries involve damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments and are common in car accidents, even at low speeds. These injuries can cause pain, swelling, and bruising, making it challenging to carry out daily activities.
While soft tissue injuries often heal with time and rest, medical professionals may recommend physiotherapy and gentle exercises to aid the recovery process and prevent long-term complications.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, Adams, Jordan & Herrington, P.C. is here to help. Contact our experienced personal injury attorneys to navigate the legal process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
What to Do After a Minor Car Accident
Every car accident is a serious situation for the people involved. Even a minor car accident that appears to have caused minimal damage and no concerning injuries should be taken seriously. You never know when a claim will escalate or complicate due to unforeseen factors, so taking the right steps after even a minor car accident is a must.
After being in a minor car accident, try to follow these simple steps:
- Check on everyone: Minor collisions usually occur at low speeds, but that doesn’t mean that no one was hurt. Check on everyone to ensure that all drivers and passengers are responsive and feeling well enough to not require emergency medical care.
- Call the authorities if needed: Some states require you to call the police after any motor vehicle accident, regardless of severity. Check your local laws now to see if you must. You should also call the authorities if someone appears to be seriously injured, if the other driver is uninsured, or if there are pieces of vehicular debris scattered into the road and affected traffic.
- Take photographs of the scene: Use your smartphone to photograph all vehicles as they are to get a clear idea of what happened. Although, in a minor accident, it is quite common for one or all drivers to pull over into a parking lot or along the curb immediately after the collision, which means your photographs might be more about documenting the damage and less about capturing the accident scene exactly.
- Move all vehicles out of the way: Once photographs have been taken of all vehicles, you should move them out of the way if you have not already done so. Moving the vehicles well away from the street is ideal. Otherwise, there will be a risk of another rubbernecking driver crashing into your stopped cars.
- Exchange insurance information: You need to know the other driver’s insurance information, even if it looks like no damage has been done to either vehicle. Exchange insurance and driver’s license info as you would after any other crash.
- Talk to eyewitnesses: If people have stopped to check on you after the fender bender, then do not hesitate to ask for their contact information as well. They might have seen what the other driver did to cause the crash with more clarity than what you witnessed.
- Notify your insurer: You should report the crash to your auto insurance provider shortly after it occurs. Do not overshare, though. Just keep the report simple for now. Saying the wrong thing at this time could make it seem like you caused the accident.
- See your doctor: It is always a smart move to see a medical provider after any auto accident, no matter how minor. Your doctor can check to see if there are any subtle underlying injuries that need to be addressed.
Final Step: Talk to a Lawyer
A minor car accident will usually not trigger sizeable damages. At most, you might need to pay the deductible for your vehicle repairs and perhaps a small co-pay for a medical examination. When there is such a small amount of money on the line, there is not really a need to get an attorney involved. Most car accident lawyers need to keep their schedules open to help clients in more drastic situations, so they might not even be able to accept a case for a minor car accident, anyway.
However, if your injuries are feeling worse than expected or the vehicle repair costs are unexpectedly high, then it might be time to talk to a local attorney. You dop not want to get stuck with a steep bill because you were overly confident that your crash was minor and “nothing to worry about.”
Drivers in Macon, Georgia can count on Adams, Jordan & Herrington, P.C. for reliable and kindhearted legal representation after a car accident of any sort. Call 478-743-2159 or contact us online if you need our help for your claim or lawsuit.
Contact Adams, Jordan & Herrington, P.C. to schedule a free, confidential consultation with our experienced Macon car accident lawyer!
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