That car crash? Not exactly a delightful surprise.
Whether the other driver got lost in Savannah’s beautiful architecture or thought they saw a ghost, their negligence caused a major situation for you. This morning you were navigating I-16 to get across town; now you’re looking at getting your car fixed, finding someone to look at your neck, and calling out of work for a few days. After a car accident, you may find yourself dealing with more stress and confusion than needed.
Here’s what to do after you’ve been involved in or injured in a car accident:
01
Take long, slow deep breaths. Try to keep your attention on your breath and in the moment to regulate your nervous system and create a sense of calm. A shock like a car crash
02
Check out your physical and mental health. If you’re injured, seek medical attention immediately. Your injury may not be obvious right away—some injuries to soft tissue and/or the brain have elusive symptoms. And often the shock of the wreck can dampen the pain you’re feeling, so don’t be surprised if you’re sore a day or three after. Go ahead and get medically checked out. If you’re not sure where to go, give us a shout. We’ll help you connect with a medical provider who can help.
03
Report the crash to the police. If there are injuries, call 911. If not, call the Savannah police department’s non-emergency number: (912) 652-6500. If you’re on a state freeway, call the GA State Patrol Office nearest.
04
Find out who the players are. Who’s the other driver? What’s their driver’s license number? What vehicle were they driving? What’s their insurance company information? Who witnessed the collision? Get as much info as you can about the other people involved. You’ll need it.
05
Call in to work and let them know your situation. “Hey, I’ve been in a car accident, I’m going to get medical attention. I’ll call you at the end of the day and let you know my status. I won’t be in today.”
06
Consider calling Savannah car accident lawyers Issa & Castro before you report the crash to your insurance company. Why? Because insurance companies, even yours, are more interested in protecting their purses than your health. You’re going to be asked to give a recorded statement, and investigators know how to ask questions that don’t tell your full story…which may lead them to undervalue your case.
How much is your case worth?
Look, we know that lawyers are famous for advertising their mega dollar settlements. Our experience shows us that those folks would trade the cash for their health and mobility any day of the week. Nonetheless, the expenses you incur from a collision are numerous…and you deserve to be made whole again for something that you didn’t create.
So what IS your case worth? Here’s the typical car accident lawyer response: “It depends.” We’re not trying to dodge your question…it really does depend. Every case is different because insurance policy limits and crash circumstances vary. And every lawyer you ask might give you a different answer.
One of our clients was told their case was worth $0. We settled the same case for $1,000,000. Does that happen all the time? Will that happen for you? It depends. The only way to find out is to consult with a car accident attorney.
We offer complimentary case evaluations over Zoom, so you don’t even have to leave your house to meet with us. We’ll listen to your case and offer our opinion based on nearly 20 years of experience in almost every county courtroom in Georgia.
Ok, but how much do you charge after the free consultation?
We provide contingency-based services, meaning we don’t get paid until you do.
We work on a contingency basis, which means we don’t get paid unless you do. That ensures we focus on doing what’s right for you – managing your case to maximize your recovery. We’ll put our experience, skill, and resources to work for you immediately, providing documentation, investigation, and negotiation, without asking you for a dollar.
If you’d like to find out what aggressive, compassionate representation can do for you after a car accident, call or text 770-LAWSUIT to schedule your complimentary case consultation now.
Couldn’t I just handle this on my own?
Of course, you can call the insurance company and open a claim. You can call your doctor and schedule an appointment. You can say yes or no to any offers that come your way. You don’t need an attorney. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t hire one.
Here’s how lawyers like us can help.
What happens to your vehicle and to your body only scratches the surface of what happens after a car crash. One of our clients had a minor collision and suffered little visible injury…but his situation became chronic neck pain that eventually limited his mobility. While things may seem ok today, we want to know what future damages may result from this accident. We’ll work with your medical experts to ensure your health is protected today and later on.
You’re also looking at shelling out some cash for expenses like fixing up your car or visiting your doctor. If you miss work, you’ve lost wages. If you start any therapy or are prescribed medication, you’ve got to pay for it. We can help you track and recover these expenses so that your finances don’t take a hit because your car did.
We’ll also talk to the insurance companies on your behalf so that you don’t have to worry about saying the wrong thing. You’ll be relieved of stress so you can recover while we protect your short- and long-term interests.
We’ll help strengthen your case by preparing it as if we’re going to trial. Don’t freak out on us – most cases settle out of court. But we’re not going to treat your case like it’s going to settle. We’re going to prepare as if you’ll get your day in court. That ensures you’ve got aggressive representation that’s always ready to stand up to the insurance company for you.
We’ll protect your peace of mind. Personal injury lawsuits are complicated, and multiple decisions must be made along the way…with each of those having unique consequences. We’ll offer strategic counsel so you understand what it means to say yes or no to any offers that come your way—including the choice between settling and going to trial.
I’m interested. What kinds of cases do you handle?
We specialize in the strategic resolution of the following issues:
Car Accidents
In the event of a collision between two cars or light trucks, one or both of the following generally happens:
– Head-on
– Rear-end
– Sideswipe
– Hit and run
The severity of each of these depends on many factors, like speed and direction of travel, as well as the weight of the vehicles involved. Sometimes minor property damage has major bodily consequences.
Truck Accidents
These types of crashes usually involve a commercial vehicle, like an 18-wheeler, bus, or one that transports hazardous material. Commercial drivers are required to follow very specific guidelines, and responsibility for the crash may rest with multiple parties. These are particularly complicated cases, and you’ll want aggressive representation to ensure the appropriate parties are held accountable.
Motorcycle Accidents
Riding a motorcycle comes with its share of vulnerabilities, as the majority of vehicles that share the roadway are larger and weigh more.
Bicycle Accidents
While it’s a great way to exercise or take short trips for groceries, riding a bicycle can be harrowing when you’re on a major roadway. Even if a negligent driver fails to follow a traffic safety law, they may be held accountable for your injuries.
Pedestrian Accidents
It sure seems like we’re increasing in danger as we write about these types of cases, doesn’t it? Walking around can be more dangerous than it should be when we’re talking about vehicles and traffic.
Medical Malpractice
When it comes to your health, you are right to expect a certain standard of care. When your provider causes injury, your life can take a turn for the worse.
Nursing Home Abuse
As hard as this is for us to talk about, we can empathize with the agony of watching your loved one become the victim of abuse. If your elder family member shows signs of distress, has physical markings that appear suddenly, or is missing money after time in a nursing home, you may want to consult us. No one should suffer the indignity of abuse.
Premises Liability
If a property is in disrepair, it may present hazards that cause trips and slips. Things like broken railings, obstructed sidewalks, or ripped carpeting may be the root cause of a slip and fall that results in injury.
Wrongful Death
Personal injury that results in death is heartbreaking. While legal action can’t bring back your loved one, it can provide an avenue for justice and accountability.
If you have suffered injuries as the result of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to recover medical expenses, lost wages, and damages for pain and suffering. To find out what your rights are and learn what your case is worth, schedule a complimentary case consultation with Issa & Castro now.
Ok, what kinds of expenses could I recover?
With our usual caveat: it depends. Every case has variables we need to evaluate, like policy limits, property damage, the extent of your injuries, and what the future might look like for you based on medical evaluations. Generally, here are some of the expenses we’ll consider:
- Doctor’s office visits
- Diagnostic tests (X-ray, MRI, CT scan, etc.)
- Physical therapy
- Medical devices (crutches, neck braces, scooters, etc.)
- Prescriptions and over-the-counter medication
- Lost wages
- Potential future income lost
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Caretakers or help getting around
- Emotional and physical pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Each of these, of course, must relate to the law, so if you try to evaluate your own case you might miss something crucial or account for something that the law doesn’t. Either way, it’s best to get a case evaluation to understand what your case is worth.
Wait. What do you mean pain and suffering can be compensated?
When you’re injured, it takes a toll on your energy and your mental health. A lot of your life has to work around the injury, and there’s a good deal of grief over losing what was and losing out on what you can’t do. We can’t overlook the disrupted sleep, anxiety, and depression that can come with injuries. That’s pain and suffering.
The insurance company will look at your case and use their series of averages to determine the value of your case. But we won’t. We’ll consider your story and circumstances to fight for the compensation and recovery you deserve.
The insurance company offered a settlement.
It seems pretty good. Should we take it?
By now you can probably tell that we’re going to say “it depends on the circumstances of your case.”
Here’s what we can say for sure: Personal injury cases are a one and done situation. If you do accept an offer and later need more medical attention for your injuries, which costs more time and money, you can’t go back and ask for a second serving of cash. Personal injury cases aren’t like dinner at grandma’s. So if you’re going to accept an offer, be sure it provides for the present and future.
If you hire us, we’ll advise you, negotiate for you, and do everything we can under the law to protect you. And if the insurance company still isn’t doing right by you, we’ll go to court and fight for you.
Alright, what can I do to help my case?
Documentation is to your claim what food is to a party: It’s not necessary, but without it the whole thing is a bust. In other words, document everything.
Put these at the top of your list:
- Take out your smartphone and take pictures and/or video of everything. And we mean everything: the scene; property damage to your vehicle, the other vehicle, the roadway, signs or other things that got damaged…don’t be shy! This stuff is like potato chips: you really can’t have enough
- Look for dash cams, security cameras, or roadway cameras. But with this one, you’ve got to be speedy—that footage can get erased quickly. Get us involved ASAP to help you access these recordings
- Personal information for anyone who witnesses the incident. Record a statement if possible
- The other driver’s info, including their name, phone number, and insurance details
- How to get ahold of your insurance company
- Your medical provider’s information and all charges
- Any other expenses you incur, like riding in an emergency vehicle; the hours you had to take off work (including your sick and vacation time), the hours you couldn’t get to work, you get the idea; changes to your living space; any devices you had to purchase like walking boots, crutches, or walkers.
Oh, and if you want to put your party feast – we mean documentation – over the top, keep a detailed record of your health. It’s often the people around you who notice changes in your mood, sleep, and appetite before you do.
- Let’s say you’re a little forgetful after your injury. You lose track of where you left the keys, you can’t remember the details that someone shared a few moments ago, or you struggle to remember your co-worker’s name… Any one of those things on their own is an expected part of being an adult. But those things together, detailed over time, may point to a brain injury. So whip out that smartphone and type or dictate a note about what happened.
- Pay attention to your moods. Few of us are even-keeled all the time, so it’s expected to see some ups and downs throughout your day. Just notice any highs and lows or responses that seem out of proportion to the situation and take note.
- Notice your balance, five senses, and coordination. Dropping stuff more than usual? Struggling to write or type? Struggling to tie your shoes or button your pants? Walking giving you more trouble than it used to? Keep track of these things.
This type of documentation can give us a better picture of your injuries and what your experience is like…which could be the very thing that allows us to secure for you and a resolution you feel good about.
What should I say to my insurance company?
Your insurance company may seem like your advocate, but they’re most likely a for-profit corporation whose interest is profit. SO… You want to report the accident, but you don’t want to give any details about your health, fault, or story. Don’t give a recorded statement without consulting an attorney.
Here are the dos and don’ts of talking to your insurance company:
- Don’t give a recorded statement without consulting an attorney
- Don’t offer details about your health
- Don’t say you’re “fine” or “ok” or “feeling great today”
- Don’t tell your story
- Don’t say anything like “I wasn’t paying attention” or “I don’t know what happened”
- Don’t accept any offers without consulting an attorney
- Don’t post on social media
Do contact Issa & Castro, Savannah personal injury lawyers, to represent your interests. Do offer facts, like “I was traveling 54 miles per hour, headed east on I-16 at 5:00 p.m. and my car was struck on the driver’s side by Mr. Smith’s vehicle.”
How soon should I file a claim?
The law in Georgia gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit and four years to file one for property damage. But why wait? The farther you are from the incident, the less you’re going to remember. And it does raise some eyebrows when a claim is filed long after the fact.
What should I look for when I want to hire a personal injury lawyer?
Aside from the degrees and accolades, which most of us have, you want to remember one guideline: You can’t do a good deal with a bad partner. So look and listen for the following when you’re looking for solid representation:
- Do you feel like this lawyer genuinely cares about you? We know that you’ve got a ton of choices when it comes to hiring an attorney, so let your gut be your guide. If you feel like you matter and your story is important when you’re with your lawyer, you’ve got the most important factor covered: safety and trust.
- Do you understand what your lawyer is saying? It may seem silly to ask a question like this, but we know that a lot of folks use legal-speak. If your lawyer can communicate clearly with you in ways that make sense to you, then you’ve got the next thing down: clear and direct communication.
- Does your lawyer make the conversation about you? At the end of the day, this is your case and your life, so it’s really all about you. Is your lawyer asking questions that are focus on your wellbeing and experience? Are they interested in what you have to say? If your lawyer keeps the conversation focused on you, then you’ve got a third reason to partner with them: invested in your case.
Our goal is to create a result you smile about. We’ll put strategy and empathy to work for you as we fight with purpose to make you whole. Call or text 770-LAWSUIT to schedule your complimentary case evaluation.
