Question: Do I get fair compensation from insurance after I’ve suffered an accident in Atlanta?
The Short Answer: If you were not at fault for the accident — whether it was a car accident, workplace accident, or something else — then you should receive fair compensation from the liable insurance provider that covers your medical bills, ongoing treatment, loss of income, and other expenses that were directly or indirectly caused by the accident.
Unfortunately, insurance providers are notorious for finding ways to avoid paying you fair compensation. In some cases, they might even argue that you were at fault for the accident and should receive no compensation at all.
From our experience litigating — and winning — personal injury cases, we put together some general guidelines to follow when you’re making an insurance claim.
Remember that the greater your injuries and expenses, the more the insurance company will push back against them, so it’s always best to consult with a personal injury lawyer if you’re the victim of a very significant accident.
About Schneider Williamson
Schneider Williamson is a personal injury litigation firm based in Atlanta, Georgia. The firm handles litigation, discovery, and mediation for a wide variety of personal injury cases, including slip and fall accidents, car accidents, traumatic brain injury, and more.
Will I Get Fair Compensation from Insurance?
As a Georgia resident, you have specific rights when it comes to accident claims. These rights include:
- Medical expenses: Costs associated with treatment, surgeries, medications, and therapy.
- Lost wages: Income lost due to missed work or reduced earning capacity.
- Property damage: Repair or replacement costs for your vehicle and other damaged property.
- Pain and suffering: Compensation for physical and emotional distress.
No matter what type of accident you’ve suffered, you’ll be more successful in your personal injury claim when you:
- Seek Medical Attention: Promptly seek medical care to document your injuries.
- Document the Incident: Take photos, gather witness statements, and keep detailed records.
- Consult with an Attorney: An experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and maximize your compensation.
- Be Aware of Deadlines: Be aware of the statute of limitations for filing a lawsuit in Georgia. In most accident cases, Georgia gives you two years to file a lawsuit.
“In so many personal injury cases, the success of your claim depends on how strong and numerous your evidence is. Sometimes, you will need to gather evidence immediately after the accident, which is especially the case in car wrecks.”
-Campbell Williamson, founding partner at Schneider Williamson
Depending on the type of accident you’ve been involved in, you may need to collect different types of evidence to prove your claim to an insurance company. Let’s cover a few of the most common types of personal injury accidents in Georgia and what may be required for claims.
Georgia Car Accidents
Take the following steps if you’ve been involved in a Georgia car accident:
- Seek Medical Attention: Prioritize your health and seek medical treatment, even for minor injuries.
- Document the Accident: Gather information from the other driver, including their insurance information and driver’s license. Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and injuries.
- Contact the Police: File a police report to document the incident.
- Inform Your Insurance Company: Notify your insurance company promptly and provide them with the necessary information.
Read our blog post on car accident claims for more information on this topic.
Slip-and-Fall Accidents
In Georgia, property owners have a duty to keep their property reasonably safe for visitors and employees. If you slip and fall on someone else’s property due to their negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.
Slip-and-fall accidents are usually caused by:
- Wet or Slippery Floors
- Uneven Surfaces
- Poor Lighting
- Obstructions in Walkways
- Defective Stairs or Ramps
To win fair compensation in a slip-and-fall case, you need to provide the insurance company with proof of negligence. In other words, you need to prove that the property owner knew or should have known about the hazardous condition and failed to take reasonable steps to fix it or warn others about the danger.
Proving negligence is not easy, but experienced personal injury lawyers can assist you. We recently won a case that involved a slip-and-fall accident; read about it to learn more about what these types of lawsuits typically entail.
Workplace Accidents
If you’re injured on the job in Georgia, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. These benefits can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and disability payments.
In some cases, you may be able to file a lawsuit against a third party, such as a negligent manufacturer or contractor, if their actions contributed to your injury. With these types of cases, it’s crucial to consult a personal injury attorney because it may be difficult to prove negligence.
We wrote a blog on third-party claims in workers’ compensation cases, which can give you some insight on what’s required to win fair compensation if you have suffered a workplace accident.
Tips for Maximizing Your Compensation
After an accident, your insurance company will likely contact you to initiate a claim. While they may seem helpful, remember that insurance companies are businesses. Their primary goal is to minimize payouts. It’s essential to be cautious and protect your interests.
Here are a few ways that you can get the best outcome from your personal injury claim.
1. Document Everything
Keep detailed records of:
- Medical appointments, diagnoses, and treatments.
- Repair estimates for vehicles or property damage.
- Wage loss documentation, including pay stubs, time-off requests, and employer statements.
- Photos of the accident scene and damages
2. Consult with an Attorney
Experienced personal injury attorneys can help you understand your legal options and develop strategies to help you get higher compensation. They can also negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf and make sure you’ve asserted your rights.
3. Be Cautious of Quick Settlements:
It’s common for insurance companies to offer you a quick settlement with the hopes you’ll take the money before thoroughly evaluating your total expenses incurred by the accident. Most of these offers will under-compensate you.
Always consult with a personal injury attorney before accepting a settlement offer.
“You can do everything right, and have your claim denied by the insurance company. Even if you have documented your injuries, provided your bills and bank statements, and collected witness statements and other evidence that prove you were not at fault, insurance providers may use simple or outrageous tactics to deny you fair compensation. Contact our personal injury firm if that happens to you; we can help you get the settlement you deserve.”
-Jason Schneider, founding partner at Schneider Williamson
Get Fair Compensation with Help from Schneider Williamson
If you’ve been injured in an Atlanta accident and were not at fault for the incident, it’s important that you take steps to document your injuries and expenses, while gathering evidence that proves you were not at fault.
If that seems like a lot to manage, don’t hesitate to contact Schneider Williamson. Our personal injury litigation firm has a strong track record in achieving favorable outcomes for our clients, and we’re happy to set up a free consultation to discuss the details of your case.
Remember, you don’t have to go through this alone. Our team will make sure you receive the justice and compensation you deserve.
