Personal Injury Attorney in Alpharetta
Choosing a personal injury lawyer in Alpharetta, Georgia, is the first step in a major process of evaluating your case to assure that you get the compensation to which you are entitled. Even though this step might be the simplest in terms of overall complexity, it is perhaps the most important step for several reasons.
First, taking this first step shows that you are ready to seriously pursue compensation for your injuries and recognize that hiring an attorney will give you the benefit of working with someone who fully understands the process. For many injury victims, the most difficult thing is to understand what compensation they are entitled to and how the process can make you whole.
It is all too easy to simply sit back and accept that the at fault party’s insurance carrier may agree to pay your medical bills, but they do not fairly compensate you for all your injuries. Making the decision to pursue compensation for your injuries and putting up a legal fight is the right first step.
Secondly, your choice of lawyer has a major effect on your ability to pursue fair compensation. An experienced personal injury lawyer from Dermer Appel Ruder, LLC will help you seek justice and complete compensation. Evaluate your attorney before hiring them – find out their experience in the industry – who will manage your case? How many years of experience does your attorney have? How accessible will your attorney be when you have a question? Can they fully explain the process to you? And do they understand what you are seeking to accomplish?
Know the answers to these questions when choosing your lawyer, and you could walk away with a much more substantial level of compensation.
What Does an Alpharetta Injury Lawyer Do for You?
An injury lawyer performs many roles as you pursue compensation for your injuries. They will help you collect evidence and important documents to support your claims. Not every auto accident case is one of clear liability. Investigating who was at fault and securing evidence – whether a witness statement, a video of the accident, or a “black box” download from a vehicle are all pieces of information that may change the outcome of your claim.
Additionally, your lawyer will assist you in collecting and identifying financial documents, such as lost wage information, and medical records in bills. Financial records will support recovery of your compensation for any missed wages you might have incurred due to your injuries, including if you miss work to go to a doctor’s appointment, the loss of income, or inability to earn a living may be significant if you have suffered a permanent disability that will prevent you from working ever again or taking a job that results in reduced earnings.
In terms of medical evidence, injured persons must provide proof of their injuries through medical records and medical bills to receive compensation for these expenses. Proof is required that the accident caused your injuries, the nature of your injuries and that the medical expenses you are claiming are a direct result of the injuries you sustained.
Often these expenses and treatment are referred to what is reasonable and necessary medical treatment for your injury. Your medical bills are referred to as special damages and must be proven with certainty.
In Georgia, you are entitled to recover for the full amount of the medical bill, not just what you paid out of pocket. Accordingly, your attorney will gather your medical bills to present to the at fault party or his/her insurance carrier to support your claim for compensation. Insurance companies often question whether treatment is related to an accident – sometimes because people avoid getting prompt treatment.
Seeking prompt treatment as soon as possible after your accident is important – not only so that you are aware of your injury but also to avoid the insurance company questioning whether the treatment you received is related to the accident. Remember, the insurance company is searching for ways to avoid compensating you. Even if you do not think you need to go to the ER by ambulance after an accident, you should get prompt treatment the day of the accident or as soon thereafter as practical.
For example, if you refuse treatment at the scene of the accident, the at fault driver and his/her insurance companies may contend that your hesitation to get treated shows the lack of severity of your injuries. We represent injured victims whether they delay getting treatment or not and will discuss with you how the delay in treatment may impact your claim.
Even if you had a pre-existing injury, if the accident aggravated that condition, you are still entitled to compensation and should seek prompt attention. Let your medical provider know that you were in an accident or had a slip and fall and that your condition has been exacerbated by the accident.
What Skills Do the Best Georgia Personal Injury Lawyers Have?
Lawyers bring years of experience, skills, and resources to each case they oversee.
When choosing a lawyer, be sure to look out for the following skills:
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- Communication: Great lawyers have solid communication skills. These legal professionals will keep you updated on the progress of your lawsuit. Although this might take the form of a quick email, you should have a general idea of what is going on with your case. You can assess a lawyer’s communication skills during the initial consultation, so be sure to ask plenty of questions during this first meeting about when and how the lawyer will keep you updated. You should also ask the lawyer how accessible he/she will be to you should you have a question. The personal injury lawyers at Dermer Appel Ruder take pride in being readily available to their clients.
- Negotiation: Lawyers should be excellent negotiators, and this is an important skill for personal injury cases. Lawyers negotiate with insurance adjusters for a fair settlement on your behalf. They may back up their claims with documents, evidence, and other tactics. The personal injury lawyers at Dermer Appel Ruder have negotiated thousands of cases ranging from a simple auto accident to catastrophic injury cases. Understanding how to value these cases is key to securing the compensation you are entitled to and doing so in a timely fashion.
- Analytical: The best lawyers have a keen ability to evaluate evidence for important information that other people might not believe has relevance to your claim. This is why it is so important to give your lawyer all the documents that they request – even if you think the information is not important to your case. Attorneys evaluate the evidence and will make decisions about how to use that information to pursue compensation for you.
How Long Will I Have to Work With an Alpharetta Personal Injury Lawyer?
You may have to work with your Alpharetta personal injury lawyer for many months or even years. While negotiations may be wrapped up quickly, not all cases settle within a few months. Factors that may result in your case lasting longer include the number of parties to the accident, the extent of your injury, is liability for the accident clear or is there a dispute; are you still being treated; will you need future medical care.
If the insurance company will not fairly compensate you, we may need to file a lawsuit and pursue discovery to prove your case. There is a potential that your case may go to trial. To get through the discovery phase and move your case to a trial may take 18 to 30 months.
Trials are scheduled at the discretion of the judge in the county where your case is pending. This is why you need to choose a lawyer who you see yourself working within the long term. And it is important to find a lawyer that will manage your case from day one until the jury returns its verdict – if that is the path that your claim takes.
How Do I Pay My Alpharetta Personal Injury Lawyer?
Personal injury lawyers are paid via a contingency fee, which means you only pay when you win your lawsuit. The contingency is a percentage of your total settlement or verdict. This is a helpful system because it means that you will not come out of pocket to pursue your claim. Your attorney will front all the expenses to manage your case – including paying court costs, expert fees, document collection fees, and deposition expenses. You will not be charged for these expenses and will not pay any money to the lawyers at Dermer Appel Ruder unless we recover for you.
Where Can I Find a Qualified Personal Injury Lawyer in Alpharetta, Georgia?
If you are serious about pursuing fair compensation for your injuries, do not hesitate to contact Dermer Appel Ruder, LLC. We have helped numerous injured victims in Alpharetta, and we know how daunting it can be to take this crucial first step. There is no obligation associated with booking a free consultation and discussing your case alongside our attorneys. If you do not feel comfortable about proceeding, you can simply stop there. But if you are ready to pursue justice for your accident and seek compensation for your loss or your loved one’s loss and everything you have been forced to endure, we are ready to fight for your rights. Book your consultation today to get started.
Location of our Alpharetta Personal Injury Law Office
Total Est. Time: 20 min
Total Est. Distance: 13.3 miles
- Head west on Academy St toward N Main St
- Continue on S Main St to Haynes Bridge Rd
- Get on GA-400 S/US-19 S
- Take GA-140 E to Holcomb Bridge Rd in Peachtree Corners
- Follow Holcomb Bridge Rd to your destination in Norcross
Call Us:
Our Address is:
708 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Norcross, GA 30071
