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5 Things to Consider When Hiring an Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer

5 Things to Consider When Hiring an Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer

After being injured in an accident, hiring a personal injury lawyer is your best bet if you want to get your claim settled fairly and receive compensation for your losses.

From evaluating your claim and doing the paperwork, to representing you in court and negotiating the best possible settlement, a lawyer can make the whole process go smoothly.

Choosing a qualified personal injury lawyer is a prerequisite for avoiding stressful time in court. Looking for an attorney can be a daunting task, especially if it’s your first time.

To make things easier for you, we’ve enlisted the top things you need to consider when hiring an Atlanta personal injury lawyer.

Availability and Communication

Communication is perhaps the most crucial aspect you can’t afford to ignore. You’d probably need to get in touch with your attorney outside of regular business hours for concerns, questions, or to clarify confusion – so make sure your lawyer is available for you.

It shouldn’t take you much time to realize whether or not an attorney is right for you based on the way they communicate with you. Ask yourself: Do they understand exactly what you try to convey? Are they compassionate towards your situation?

A lawyer who is willing to put in his best efforts to help you win the case can make the process oh-so-easy. Make sure you don’t compromise on these qualities.

Experience

When hiring a personal injury lawyer, make sure they have considerable experience working on similar cases. Their experience will allow them to answer all your questions and guide you through the whole process. Before you make a decision, consider their success record of helping other personal injury clients.

Dependability

You’re trusting your attorney with your personal injury case, so it’s important they are reliable. An ideal lawyer understands your case and has your best interest in mind. They should always treat you with respect and be willing to listen to and address all your relevant concerns.

Legal Fees

More often than not, an Atlanta personal injury lawyer works on a contingency fee basis. This means you won’t be charged any legal fee, unless the lawyer is able to get you compensation for your losses.

Before you hire a lawyer, make sure you understand the legal fees process and are aware of the details it entails. You should also ask for any miscellaneous expenses you may be billed.

Honesty

It’s important to note there are no 100% guarantees when it comes to personal injury cases. No attorney can guarantee certain results or give a certain time duration of a case.

You should be looking for a lawyer who’s not afraid to give you an honest opinion based on the details of your case. They may give you an estimated timeframe for the case, which should be realistic and tentative.

You must know that in most personal injury cases, time is of the essence. You need an Atlanta personal injury lawyer by your side who has experience handling similar cases and who is willing to get to work on your case right away.

Shani O. Brooks is a top-rated Atlanta personal injury law firm that has been helping clients get full and fair compensation for their losses for years. Get in touch with them for a free case evaluation today!

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6 Things to Do after an Auto Accident

6 Things to Do after an Auto Accident

While some car accidents involve only vehicle damage, many result in injuries and even more serious consequences, like fatal injuries. During this emergency, your mind shouldn’t go blank thinking, “What to do after an auto accident?”

You need to act proactively. You should be aware of things you can do to ensure your safety and protect your interest. Here’s a list of the top six things you need to do after a car accident.

Call the Police

Following an auto accident, the first thing to do is ensure your safety, then call the police.

Even if you think your injuries are only minor, or there is only vehicle damage, calling the police is a good idea because your insurance company will ask for a police report to file a claim.

Unless they are hindering traffic, make sure vehicles involved in the collision remain at their original position.

Have an Accurate Record

When police start their investigation, make sure you reveal all details correctly. If you don’t know something, don’t guess, speculate, or misstate it.

It’s also important to note that injuries from your accident often become apparent after an hour or more. If you aren’t sure about your injuries, don’t say you were not injured.

Make sure the other party involved does not mislead investigating officers by giving false information.

Gather Evidence

If there is visible damage, take pictures of all vehicles involved in the collision. Also, if you have visible injuries, photograph them.

Notify Your Insurance Company

You should report the accident to the insurance company as soon as possible. Their policies may require you to immediately report and cooperate to the best of your ability.

Know if your insurance covers medical benefits. If it does, you will have to submit your medical bills to the insurance company.

Seek Medical Attention

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again, don’t announce you are not injured unless you are absolutely certain you are not.

If you’re not sure, you should consider seeking medical attention at a local emergency room or consulting your family doctor. Even if the accident and apparent injuries are minor, it can certainly have an impact on your spinal cord. It’s always best to get yourself checked by a physician.

In case you were unconscious or dazed after the accident, it may be a sign of a head injury or concussion. If you don’t treat it immediately, injuries could result in further cognitive and behavioral changes.

Consult Your Lawyer

Please note, your insurance company may ask for your statement right after the accident. Before you give a statement, you need to make sure you have obtained legal advice from your attorney.

Your lawyer can guide you on issues, including your compensation for your vehicle and accessibility to quality medical treatment. Personal injury lawyers don’t charge any legal fee unless they are able to recover compensation for your injuries.

To make the process seamless and hassle-free, make sure you get the services of a qualified attorney after your car accident. Shani O. Brooks P.C. is a leading personal injury law firm dedicated to helping clients get just treatment and maximum compensation for their injuries after an auto accident.