If you have never filed a personal injury claim before, it is expected that you will have more questions than answers when the process begins. Take comfort in knowing that the attorneys and staff at The Bennett Law Group are ready to listen and help address all your inquiries and concerns.
To assist you, we have compiled a list of some of the questions clients most frequently ask. If you have additional questions not addressed here that pertain to your or a loved one’s personal injury, please feel free to call our offices at 404.541.9330.
Do I have a personal injury case?
This is the very first question many victims ask, but without a knowledgeable attorney, you cannot be certain whether or not you have a valid case. If someone else’s negligence or poor decision has led to your injury, we recommend calling our firm to discuss the details of your situation in depth.
Remember, there is a statute of limitations on personal injury, and if you let it run out without consulting an attorney—no matter how serious your injury or how expensive your recovery process—you will have missed your opportunity to seek compensation.
How long after my accident do I have to file a lawsuit?
Generally speaking, in Georgia, the law provides for a two-year statute of limitations in personal injury cases. This means two years from the date of your accident. It’s important to consult with an attorney as soon as possible after the incident so that no important deadlines will be missed, and so that they can begin working right away to preserve all evidence in your case.
How long will it take for my case to be resolved?
Every case is different, and it is impossible to predict beforehand how long it will take a case to be resolved. The amount of time that it will take for your case to be completed depends on various factors, such as where the case is filed, the number of parties involved, and the medical complexities involved.
How much is my personal injury claim worth?
Determining the value of your personal injury claim is difficult, but a solid assessment of your settlement value is imperative to the success of your case. Having an attorney to deal with the insurance companies is crucial during the value claim process. If you are unrepresented, you are at risk of receiving a low settlement offer from insurance agencies looking to pay out as little as possible, and save as much as possible, while still settling your personal injury matter.
How do I value my personal injury claim?
You will work with your attorney to evaluate every facet of your accident and resulting damages. Factors that typically are included in assessing your claim’s value are:
- Expenses associated with your immediate medical care following your accident
- The value of your lost or damaged property, such as your vehicle if you were injured in an auto accident
- Compensation for lost wages
- Compensation for your pain and suffering
- Additional compensation for other economic losses
- Severity and permanency of your injury
There are also more circumstantial factors to be considered when valuing your claim. Some of these include:
- The behavior of the party at fault
- Whether or not the accident was alcohol related
- The final value of similarly settled personal injury claims
- Your medical history and prior injuries may also be considered
This is just a glimpse into the value claim process, but our attorneys at The Bennett Law Group will do everything possible to fully research your case; value your claim to adequately cover your losses; guide you through the process so you feel educated and knowledgeable, and fight for you to receive the most money allowed under Georgia law.
Will my claim result in a settlement or will it be taken to court for trial?
It is important that we research and prepare your claim as if it will be a case taken to a court of law. Our thorough approach helps us gather all the important information and evidence should your rights need to be defended in front of a jury. However, many insurance companies are willing to negotiate, and The Bennett Law Group offers years of experience in standing our ground against insurance giants offering low settlements.
By preparing thoroughly from the beginning of your case, we are able to force Defendants into making reasonable and fair settlement offers they would not normally make. After over 50 years of experience we have learned that insurance companies can sniff out those attorneys who only want to settle quickly and in these cases they respond with lowball offers. If an opportunity presents itself to resolve your claim early and for fair compensation, we are of course ready to negotiate. Rest assured, whether your claim is settled or taken to court, we will be prepared to fight for your rights and the compensation you deserve.
Am I in charge of whether or not to settle a case?
The decision is absolutely yours. You have the ultimate authority to decide whether or not to accept an offer. Our firm will provide advice and guidance based on similar cases that we have seen in the past, but the final determination of whether to accept an offer is up to you. We will support you 100% whichever decision you make. If you wish to reject the offer, we will work to prepare your case for trial.
Is it expensive to hire a personal injury attorney?
We understand people’s hesitancy to contact an attorney immediately following an accident because they assume that hiring an attorney is extremely expensive. While this is true of some lawyers, The Bennett Law Group works on a contingency basis. We believe this is the only fair way to do business with our clients here at the Bennett Law Group.
How much are your fees?
We know there are countless personal injury attorneys in Atlanta, and while we are confident we are among the best, we want you to be sure of this, too, before having to pay a penny for our services. There are no upfront costs and no advance expenses when you work with The Bennett Law Group. All of our legal services are rendered on a contingency basis. This means that if you do not win, we do not win—if you do not receive compensation for your personal injury, we do not receive compensation for representing you. It is a very simple, fair and affordable way to fight for your right to receive recourse for the damages you have incurred.
If you have more questions about the costs of hiring an attorney, we will be happy to answer them for you. Please give our offices a call at 404.541.9330.
Who will be responsible for compensating me for my personal injury?
This will depend on several factors, and when we address your specific accident during the free consultation, we can determine more precisely who the parties at fault are. For example, if you are injured in a drunken driving accident, you may be eligible for compensation from other people besides the motorist. Did a bar or liquor store serve an obviously intoxicated person who then caused your accident? If so, a dram shop issue may arise where you can bring a claim against those establishments. Was the motorist in a borrowed car? If so, did the owner know he or she was under the influence when the car was lent? They, too, could be held liable for your collision. Knowing who all the potential defendants may be and what insurance funds may be available to you is why you need an extremely experienced and specialized law firm like The Bennett Law Group to help you with your claim.
We are not in the business of suing for the sake of suing, but if you’ve been injured in a car wreck, lost a loved one due to medical malpractice, or suffered from any form of personal injury in an accident due to the negligence of another and through no fault of your own, we will help you to hold those responsible accountable for compensating you.
How should I prepare to file a personal injury claim?
If your injuries are severe, it is important that you see a healthcare provider as soon as possible. You will need to consult with your personal injury attorney as close to the time of the accident as you can, while the details and circumstances are still fresh in your mind. Having your injuries well documented and getting a jump start on preparing your case are two things you can do to give yourself a solid claim foundation.
What if I have a question about my case? Will I be able to speak with you?
Certainly. We are always available to answer any questions that you may have regarding your case. Call us at 404.541.9330.
Will you keep me updated regarding how my case is progressing?
Yes. Normally we try to give our clients a weekly update on the status of their case. We will also send you copies of any relevant documentation related to your case, such as any documents filed with the court.
What if I have a problem with another issue – something that is not related to my case?
Give us a call. Once a client, always a client. We will be happy to advise you in other legal matters, and if we cannot provide answers for you, we will find attorneys who can.
What should I do if the person at fault or an insurance company offers me money?
Before accepting a check from any of parties involved, either directly or indirectly, with your accident, consult your attorney. Payment of any form from an insurance company may mistakenly be considered a compensatory payment, and this could negatively affect the value of your claim, or worse, unintentionally settle it for less than full value.
If your injuries require medical treatment beyond what you received directly following your accident, you will want to ensure these costs are factored into your compensation.
Be safe and refrain from accepting any money from either the party at fault or their insurance company until you confer with your legal counsel. In fact, you should let your attorney be the sole point of contact for all communication with the insurance company.
Filing a personal injury claim is not the easiest thing to accomplish, but with a seasoned Atlanta attorney on your side—one who has years of experience defending injured clients—the process goes as smoothly as possible. Plus, you will experience much less anxiety and frustration by allowing your lawyer to handle the logistics, complicated paperwork and negotiations with the insurance companies.
The Bennett Law Group will be happy to answer any and all of your questions, so please do not hesitate to call our offices at 404.541.9330.
If your firm decides not to accept my case, what then?
There are various reasons that we may decide not to take your case. Sometimes we may not believe that your case is strong enough, or it may not make good financial sense for us to represent you. We are always happy to refer you to another attorney so that you can obtain a second opinion.
Do I need to hire a lawyer near where I live? What if I don’t live in Atlanta?
The Bennett Law Group has represented clients throughout Georgia. With a home base in Atlanta and with the density of the population, the majority of our clients do live in and around the extended twenty county metro Atlanta area. However, we have represented individuals and families throughout the state, from the northwest counties of Catoosa and Whitfield, to the northeast counties of Hall and Clark, to the southwest counties of Muscogee and Dougherty, to the southeast counties of Chatham and Wayne, to the central counties of Bibb and Tift, and everywhere in between.
Under certain circumstances a representative from The Bennett Law Group can come to meet with you at your home. If you are hospitalized or bed-ridden at home and are unable to travel, we will do whatever is necessary to give you the best service possible. However, ideally it is best to meet in the offices of The Bennett Law Group where we can focus on the matter in a quiet legal environment, while also having immediate access to all pertinent legal materials and media to review photographs, video, medical scans and other supporting documentation.
The attorneys of The Bennett Law Group are licensed to practice law in all counties in the state of Georgia, as well as the Georgia Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Georgia. They are also licensed to practice in the federal court system. Our attorneys here at The Bennett Law Group also often associate with attorneys from other states on matters involving cases of Georgia residents against out of state defendants, as well as matters involving people who live out of state, but need to bring a lawsuit in Georgia.
Contact us today to discuss your case. You can contact us online or call us at 404.541.9330. We look forward to your call.