Car Accident Attorney in Columbus

The first thing that all car accident victims should do is remove themselves from the scene and get to a safe distance. Your health and wellbeing are most important, so be sure to assess your physical damage as well while you wait for the authorities to arrive. Also, you should remember to never admit fault at the scene of the accident, as this can come up later on and cause problems with your compensation. Once the authorities arrive and handle the situation, it’s time to get yourself to a medical professional for a comprehensive evaluation. 

The medical professional in charge of your care should maintain accurate and complete notes of all your injuries, making sure to inspect for internal damage as well. In some cases, car accident victims have chosen to forgo their medical evaluation because they felt it was unnecessary, only to find out later that they sustained major internal injuries that will cause pain and discomfort later in life. That’s why it’s recommended that anyone involved in an accident seek medical attention, as you never know what the outcome might be.

Now that you’ve removed yourself from the scene and received medical treatment, it’s time for you to file an insurance claim with your provider. You should make sure to keep detailed records of all your purchase receipts and correspondence with your provider. This information will help your attorney understand your situation better, and if there’s any unethical activity anywhere throughout the process, you’ll have solid evidence of the behavior.

Although it’s never required to retain an attorney for your car accident, their involvement does offer some key benefits that can ensure the process moves as smoothly as possible. When you’re ready to file a claim with your insurance provider, you might notice that it’s significantly more complicated than you originally thought, with mountains of paperwork and legal jargon standing between you and your recovery. Someone without legal experience can easily make a mistake on one of the required forms, and if no one is there to correct the error, it could result in a lower settlement for you and your family. An attorney can help you fill out all the necessary paperwork and make sure you understand every aspect of the process, always ensuring that everything is moving in the right direction.

If you choose to forgo an attorney for your insurance claim, you should definitely consider one if you plan on filing a car accident lawsuit against the negligent driver. Georgia isn’t one of the thirteen “no-fault” insurance states, meaning that all motorists involved in car accidents will have to prove the other driver is at fault to recover compensation. While this may sound easy, it’s actually very difficult, as you have to argue with the opposing party and display solid evidence that will convince them that they were at fault for the crash. Determining fault is a car accident lawyer's specialty, and they can help you prepare your case, negotiate, and fight the case in court if no agreement can be reached by either party. 

Insurance companies tend to see individuals without an attorney backing as weak, even if they aren’t. They’ll see your individuality as a vulnerability, and they may attempt to employ unethical business practices to bully you into accepting a lower settlement. However, if you team up with one of Morgan & Morgan’s Columbus car accident attorneys, they’ll know they can’t offer a lowball settlement because we won’t stand for them. Our firm has earned a reputation after relentlessly advocating for our clients over the last 35 years, one that insurance companies across the nation have come to notice. They know that if they offer a settlement that’s less than you deserve, we’ll see them in court, and we’re always prepared for that scenario starting from the beginning of your case. 

Our Columbus car accident lawyers are backed by the resources of America’s largest personal injury firm, meaning that they have the capability to litigate for longer and with more intensity than other firms. We work with you from start to finish, always making sure that your interests are placed at the forefront of the case. When you bring your case to us, we will:

• Investigate your case and determine fault: First, our attorneys will review the facts of your case and determine whether or not you’re responsible for the accident. If it’s clear that another driver was at fault, we’ll begin to establish a foundation that gives your case the best possible chance of success.
• Gather evidence: We’ll collect all applicable evidence surrounding your case, including your medical records, police reports, and any photo/video of the accident scene or the crash itself. Additionally, our attorneys work closely with subject matter experts both in Georgia and across the country, and we can enlist their involvement to strengthen your case further. Their assistance, in combination with the expertise of your attorney, will help prove to the at-fault party that their actions resulted in serious harm for you, allowing you to recover the compensation you’re entitled to with ease. 
• Negotiate with the at-fault party: Our attorneys will negotiate with the at-fault party and attempt to reach a settlement agreement that will fully compensate you for the damage you sustained. We’ll display each individual damage, explain how significantly they harmed you, and establish a dollar amount for each. If the other party doesn’t agree to our terms, we’ll do our best to advocate for you and your situation, but it is possible that the at-fault party will double down and refuse to come to an agreement. 
• Prepare for trial: Although most car accident cases are resolved before they reach the courtroom through negotiations, some cases will need to be fought in the courtroom. Rather than agree on a settlement, the at-fault party will have to see us in the courtroom, where we’ll advocate for your rightful compensation in the face of a jury. They can no longer refuse to settle, and when the jury deliberates in our favor, they’ll be forced to pay you what you deserve, regardless of how they feel about the verdict.

Other firms may promise they can offer you the best results, but many haven’t seen the inside of a courtroom in years. These firms may have your best interests in mind, but when push comes to shove, they simply don’t have the resources to hold out for your compensation, which can force you into accepting a lower settlement when the law firm that represents you needs to give up. On the other hand, our attorneys relish the opportunity to advocate for our client's rights in the courtroom. We’re prepared for your case to go to trial starting from day one, even if the possibility of that outcome is low.