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Too often, people who have been injured in a car accident think they don’t need a lawyer. For accidents with no injuries, this is usually the case. However, if there are injuries, one should consider at least speaking to a lawyer to make sure they are being fully compensated for things like diminished value, lost wages and future expenses.
Sadly, Bibb County made it on the top 10 list of counties in Georgia with the highest number of auto accident fatalities. In 2014, Bibb County saw 6,983 motor vehicle crashes, 2,350 injuries and 23 fatalities. That’s almost 2 fatalities per month. And based on information from the National Safety Council, that number is expected to rise. Nationwide, auto accident fatalities increased 7.2 percent in 2015. That’s an alarming increase. Even more frightening to hear is that there is an estimated 9% increase in motor vehicle deaths for the first six months of 2016.
Insurance companies are expected to pay when someone is injured in an auto accident; however, they seem to resist paying full value. It appears as though they would like nothing more than to minimize what they have to pay victims of such tragic events. Typically, they try to settle claims quickly so as to reduce their liability and release themselves of any future expenses. For example, let’s say you’re in a car accident and hurt your back. Your doctor initially treats you conservatively, using pain medicine and physical therapy. She suggests, however, that you may have to have back surgery in the near future. In order to avoid paying for that future surgery, insurance companies will offer a quick settlement, which seems like a lot of money at the time, and require that you sign a document releasing them of any future payments for your claim. Three months down the road, if you have to have back surgery, you are responsible for the medical bills and any lost income from missed work.
Very few people want to deal with a lawyer after an accident. It’s one more complication in a myriad of other things to deal with. But talking with a personal injury lawyer is free. Our firm provides free consultations over the phone and in person. We will only take your case if we think we can get you greater compensation than you would be able to get if you handled the case on your own. And if we do take your case, our lawyers will deal with the insurance companies so that you don’t have to. Call us at 478-238-9758