Traffic accidents in Atlanta often involve pedestrians, who suffer the most traumatic injuries in such mishaps. If you suffered unexpected injuries in such a road accident, you should take steps to protect your rights. Because you are not protected from the elements, and there is little time to react, even a small mishap can lead to severe consequences. Instead of trying to understand Georgia’s injury laws, it is best to contact a pedestrian accident attorney Atlanta. Check some important aspects about engaging a lawyer.
The need for an attorney
Following a pedestrian accident, you have many things to manage, but your foremost concern should be your medical care and treatment. You would need someone who can work on your claim as you take time to recover from the injuries. With an attorney on your side, you can expect to ease a bit and focus on other aspects. A skilled lawyer will do the following for you –
- Investigate the pedestrian accident
- Gather evidence and information
- Contact experts for statements
- Gather witness statements
- Help you file an insurance claim
- Negotiate the settlement with the insurance company
- File a lawsuit
No more dealing with the insurance company
You are under no obligation to discuss the pedestrian accident with the at-fault party’s insurance company. Anything you mention to the claims adjuster can be used against your claim, and it is best to let your lawyer handle everything. If the insurance company calls you, let them know you have a lawyer to discuss things further. For many victims, this is a massive relief because adjusters often make it hard to understand anything as they insist claimants accept the first offer.
The cost of hiring a lawyer
A pedestrian accident claim is a type of personal injury case, and therefore, the lawyer is expected to work on a contingency fee. The fee of the attorney depends on the outcome. If you win, the lawyer gets a fixed percentage, and for pedestrian accident claims, the standard norm is between 33% and 40%. Experienced lawyers can charge on the higher side, but it is also based on what the lawyer has to do to get a financial settlement for the client. As a client, you should ask the lawyer about the other expenses related to the case that you must pay for, which should be mentioned in advance.
Ideally, you should hire a lawyer immediately after the pedestrian accident.
