Were you or a loved one injured in an accident? An Atlanta car accident lawyer can help you. An injury attorney near me from a McArthur Law Firm (MLF) office location across Georgia can also assist you.
This article addresses a common question. It answers, “How can I find a personal injury lawyer near me for the best recovery?”
These highly trained civil litigators from MLF will work to get you the compensation you deserve. The Firm was founded by veteran litigation attorney Kathy McArthur, a perennial Super Lawyer in the State of Georgia, who is in her 45th years of law practice.
This article by Georgia Super Lawyer and law partner Lindsey Macon, a personal injury lawyer near me in Atlanta with MLF, covers why you need an attorney, the types of cases they handle, and what to expect from the legal process. The reason you see and hear so many TV, radio and billboard ads by legal advertisers is that car crashes happen every single day in Georgia, especially around the highly congested metro Atlanta area.
Most callers to any of our three Georgia law office locations are asking for our help to help them get the medical treatment they deserve after a roadway crash. This is because (in America) the #1 cause of the largest number of personal injury “tort” claims are motor vehicle accidents.
Michael Thompson, another one of our fully trained auto accident attorney Super Lawyers, can act as your car accident case attorney following a collision in a truck or car crash case. In addition to Lindsey and Michael, Holly Stephens, another Georgia Super Lawyer and Atlanta car accident lawyer, staffs our Atlanta office.
In addition, it is not uncommon that our Firm will assign another car accident lawyer near me from one of our other MLF law offices near me, if additional assistance at trial is needed. The beauty of having a full team of trial attorneys and a staff of over 20 more in support gives our Firm the edge we need to cover “all the bases.
The Experience Level of Our Personal Injury Law Firm
At our personal injury law firm, Kathy McArthur has been fighting for the rights of injured Georgians since 1980. Our team of experienced personal injury lawyers (with over a century of combined legal experience) has a proven track record of success in handling a wide range of personal injury cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, and wrongful death cases.
Named as the Georgia Super Lawyer cover story attorney for 2024, this was the highest accolade any Georgia attorney can receive. Being THAT lawyer being recognized, out of 33,000 total Georgia lawyers, is humbling, yet happily received.
We are committed to helping our clients get the compensation they deserve for their injuries and losses. For the category of “losses,” think of your medical bills that need to be paid and your lost wages, when disabled from working. Often, medical expenses reach the $100,000 make or higher.
Fighting for Georgia’s Injured Victims Since 1980
Our law firm was founded on the principle of providing top-notch legal representation to individuals who have been injured because of the negligence of others. Over the years, we have built a reputation as one of the most trusted and respected personal injury law firms in Atlanta. Our team of experienced lawyers has a deep understanding of the complexities of personal injury law and is dedicated to fighting for the rights of our clients.
Your Initial Consultation with a MLF Attorney
To start a personal injury claim, first, set up a meeting with a good attorney. You can meet in person, online, or by phone. During this meeting, your lawyer will look at the details of your accident in Atlanta. They will review any medical documents you have and explain the next steps for your legal case.
During this free consultation, feel free to ask about anything you do not understand. You should also learn about your rights and what to do next.
The lawyer will collect information about the event that harmed you. They will discuss your injuries and the medical care you have received. They will emphasize how important ongoing health care is for your case. This will help make sure you get the compensation you deserve.
To wrap up this discussion, you should understand the legal process clearly. You will also know the steps to take for your claim.
The attorney has shared possible challenges you might face. This conversation helps you prepare and boosts your confidence. You will feel more ready to take the next steps in your personal injury lawsuit.
Asserting Your Claim and Not Accepting a Denial of Liability by the At-Fault Party
Following your initial meeting, proceed to file a personal injury claim. Immediately assess any injuries and seek assistance post-accident.
Notifying your insurance provider about the incident is crucial. Additionally, inform any rideshare or delivery services involved. Exercise caution when communicating with the other party’s insurer, as errors or admissions of fault could negatively impact your case.
Gathering evidence is a vital step in managing your car accident claim. This involves obtaining police reports, medical documentation, witness testimonies, and photographs from the site of the Atlanta car accident.
An Atlanta car accident attorney plays a key role during this phase. They assist in gathering and organizing evidence to bolster your case.
Once all essential documents are compiled, the attorneys will formulate your car accident claim. They will then present this claim in Atlanta against the liable parties.
If you have enough evidence for your case, you can start legal action. This begins by filing a formal complaint in civil court with an attorney. After this, you can either discuss a settlement or prepare for a trial if necessary.
Submitting your claims on time and with great care is important. This helps you get the most compensation for your injuries and any damages from the event.
When a Client is Eligible to Recover Punitive Damages
In some cases, such as seriously injured by a drunk driver, our attorneys can also seek punitive damages because Georgia law allows extra damages for some claims. However, in Georgia, punitive damages are awarded in only a small percentage of tort claims. According to available data, punitive damages were sought in approximately 9% of tort trials where plaintiffs won their cases.
In Georgia, an injured plaintiff can get punitive damages if they show clear and convincing evidence of willful misconduct, malice, fraud, wantonness, or a careless disregard for the consequences of their actions. This evidence must show that the defendant acted with callous disregard for her or his actions that led to of contributed to the harm caused.
The Bottom-Line Information on Settlement Negotiations
Most personal injury claims are settled out of court. The parties involved reach an agreement through discussions. This strategy helps avoid long trials.
It usually happens before the trial to resolve the issue quickly. Settling before court usually can lower legal costs and case preparation for trial costs, plus speed up the resolution of all claims.
But, with some insurance defense adjusters or in-house lawyers, accepting an initial settlement offer is not a good idea. Especially, when that adjuster knows the person is not represented, the offers are almost never “full value.”
Too often, these early offers do not give our client the compensation they deserve. Luckily, our Firm is known for going to trial. We fight for the full value of the case. When we do this, the adjusters pay attention to the next time MLF seeks justice for one of our clients.
Personal injury attorneys are important because they talk to insurance companies for you. They work to get you a fair amount of money. Their skills help avoid long trials and secure fair settlements for their clients.
If negotiations do not result in favorable terms and an equitable dollar amount, your MLF lawyer will decline the offer and prepare to take the case to court. The focus will then be letting a jury decide the value of the claim.
They will work hard to get you the best compensation possible. Experienced auto accident lawyers do careful research to strengthen your case. This helps make sure you receive fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
Contingency Fee Basis: No-Win, No-Fee
The contingency fee arrangement provides a significant financial advantage when hiring a personal injury lawyer. With this system, clients pay only if they win their case. This reduces financial risks for them.
It allows people to get great legal help without paying upfront fees. Lawyers only get paid if they win or settle the case.
Contingency fees usually range from 33% to 40% of the amount awarded, depending on the type of case. This type of agreement motivates your case’s litigation attorneys to “go the extra mile” to recover the full value of each client’s case. Our Firm benefits from winning just like you do.
Our Firm offers our clients a “no fee unless we win” guarantee. This means you won’t pay any fees unless you win in court.
With this financial understanding, you can feel more at ease during a tough recovery process. It also ensures that your lawyer is fully committed to helping you succeed in court, as both parties share the same goals.
Comparative Fault in Georgia Personal Injury Cases
In Georgia, the rule of modified comparative negligence is applied. Some other states, like North Carolina, totally block any claims for damages if the victim had any degree of fault in the collision.
Georgia’s guidelines are much more equitable and fairer. This allows individuals to receive compensation if their liability for an incident does not surpass 50%. No other example of the value of having top legal talent for your personal injury law firm near me can likely be given that this important “lesson” about winning a civil litigation case.
The compensation awarded to a claimant in Georgia is directly linked to their degree of fault in the accident. Claimants whose level of responsibility is equal to or greater than that of the other parties involved are not entitled to any financial compensation.
If our client is less than 50% at fault, he or she is entitled to damages. However, the amount being court-ordered to be paid will be reduced based on our client’s share of blame, as judged by a jury.
Knowing your exact level of fault is crucial. If your fault is 50% or more, you will lose all rights to recover damages. So, proving the other party’s fault while reducing your own is crucial.
Hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer can help a lot with these issues. A skilled attorney gathers evidence to accurately assess the acts of negligence that caused harm and enhance compensation chances.
The Role of Evidence in Personal Injury Claims
Proof is key in personal injury cases. It shows who is responsible for an incident and how serious the injuries are.
In Georgia, finding fault depends on different types of evidence. This includes witness testimony, police reports, and assessments from insurance adjusters. To prove that someone else was careless, strong evidence must be provided.
Collecting evidence at the accident scene is crucial to understand what happened. Important items to gather include photos of damaged vehicles and environmental details like skid marks or traffic signs.
Getting contact information for any eyewitnesses is important. Photos and videos can support your claims. Witness accounts add credibility to your case. Experts may be called in to help strengthen your claim if needed.
After the first phase, a detailed investigation begins. During this time, legal counsel will gather important items.
These include medical documents related to injuries and testimonies from witnesses. Starting this collection quickly after an incident is crucial. This keeps these items useful for a legal claim against other parties.
An experienced personal injury attorney is key in gathering the right materials. They also help improve the chances of getting good results through litigation or settlement.
Benefits of Hiring an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney
Employing the services of an experienced car accident lawyer can notably enhance the results of your case because of their specialized expertise. Their focus on personal injury law means they are more likely up to date with current legal precedents, which could influence the success rate of a claim. The extensive experience possessed by these attorneys often correlates with a reputable history in securing favorable outcomes.
Seasoned personal injury lawyers have honed skills for effectively dealing with insurance companies, aiming to obtain maximum compensation for clients. Through adept negotiation techniques and leveraging their network that includes various specialists and resources, experienced attorneys can substantially boost prospects for higher settlements.
Enlisting personal injury attorneys allows individuals to concentrate on healing from injuries while relinquishing the intricacies involved in legal proceedings to professional hands. Opting for a personal attorney ensures one has an expertly managed claim process along with emotional reassurance knowing there is an advocate dedicatedly pursuing their best interests.
What to Expect During the Legal Process
Following the initiation of a car accident lawsuit, the process begins with thorough investigations, meticulous collection of evidence, and precise assessment of damages. Given the myriad factors at play, this stage in addressing personal injury claims can extend beyond twelve months. To bolster your case, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly and continue treatment throughout the duration of legal proceedings.
The timeline for settling a personal injury claim can change a lot. This depends on the details of each case and the injuries involved. An experienced car accident lawyer will help you through each step. This includes starting the legal process and discussing possible settlements or court trials if needed.
Your lawyer will keep you informed during the decision-making process. They will ensure you know about any updates and upcoming actions.
A clear understanding of what lies ahead in the legal journey minimizes stress levels by setting realistic expectations. With this knowledge, you can focus on healing.
Your attorney will handle complex legal tasks for you. An initial free case evaluation gives you valuable insight into your situation and prepares you for what to expect in managing these lawsuits.
Choosing the Right Personal Injury Attorney
Selecting an adept personal injury attorney is essential for the favorable outcome of your case. Evaluate the lawyer’s qualifications by checking for membership in prestigious groups like the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Kathy McArthur has this accolade.
Scrutinize their history of successful claims to confirm they possess adequate expertise to manage your case effectively. You should be bold enough to ask when their last three jury trials were conducted, because only true trial lawyers get the biggest pre-trial settlements.
Gleaning insights from peer assessments and client feedback can shed light on a lawyer’s competence and standing within their field. Sift through online evaluations and rankings to measure their esteem among legal peers. Endorsements from former clients who report satisfactory dealings are indicative of commendable service delivery, which could influence your decision-making process.
When looking for a lawyer, trust your feelings about comfort and communication. These factors are crucial in making a good choice.
If you have any doubts about your choice, remember you can change lawyers, even during a case. This can help you find someone better for personal injury cases.
Take your time and do your research. This will help you avoid picking the first option and increase your chances of finding the right lawyer for you.
Summary and Call to Action: FREE Consultation!
Handling a personal injury claim can be tough. However, a good traffic accident attorney near me can make this process easier.
Our attorneys have discussed why it’s important to hire an experienced personal injury lawyer. We can also explain some of the different types of similar cases that our litigators have handled.
Call our national, free vanity number: 1-855-WARRIOR, or 1-855-927-7467. The call is FREE, and we can come to your location, if that is what is needed.
The members of our Legal Warrior team explained the steps from starting a claim to reaching a settlement. Knowing how to prove negligence and gather evidence is key to getting fair compensation.
A skilled lawyer will protect your interests and talk to insurance companies for you. They will guide you through each step of the legal process.
This support allows you to focus on healing while they handle complex legal issues. Choosing the right lawyer helps you avoid common mistakes and increases your chances of a good outcome in court.
In summary, choosing a well-known personal injury lawyer in Atlanta can help your case. Their skills and dedication give you confidence in the legal process. This can help you get the compensation you deserve. If you or someone you know has been harmed, it is important to seek legal help right away.
More Atlanta Personal Injury Resources
If you’d like to learn more about how the top rated personal injury attorneys in Atlanta from MLF can help you, read some of our informative articles below.
