Atlanta Property Damage Lawyer

As previously mentioned, if the auto accident only resulted in damage to your vehicle, you may not need an attorney to help with your claim. However, if you were injured, or if one or more passengers in your vehicle were injured in the accident, you should consult a personal property damage lawyer who can help you determine whether a personal injury claim makes sense. That’s true regardless of how severe your initial injuries were. In some cases, injured persons think their injuries are relatively minor when, in fact, the full extent of the damage may not be immediately apparent. It is almost always a good idea to seek medical treatment to confirm the scope of your injuries.

Another reason to work with an attorney is that a skilled lawyer may be able to help you obtain a higher settlement than you could get if you tried to negotiate with the responsible party’s insurance company on your own. Insurance companies strive to settle claims quickly, and for the least amount of money possible. When you have an attorney in your corner, you will have a powerful advocate who will fight for the compensation you are owed. Your attorney will handle all communications with the other driver and their insurer on your behalf, so you don’t need to worry about accidentally incriminating yourself or giving them a reason to offer a lower payment than you should receive. And, because your personal injury attorney represents you on a contingency basis, you don’t pay anything unless he or she is successful in obtaining a settlement for you.

Do I Need a Property Damage Lawyer in Georgia?

You may not need an attorney for minor damage-only claims. However, hiring an Atlanta property damage lawyer is often critical when:

• Your vehicle was totaled
• You’re owed diminished value
• The insurer disputes repair costs or vehicle value
• The at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured
• You were injured and insurers are pressuring you to settle quickly

Insurance companies aim to close claims fast — and cheaply. Our role is to make sure you’re fully compensated, not rushed into an unfair settlement.

Property Damage

You may be entitled to recover the costs of repairing your vehicle and its diminished value from an at-fault driver and his insurer. Most people do not have enough money to pay a significant property damage claim out of pocket. If an at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may need to make an uninsured/underinsured claim with your own insurer.

To recover property damage from another party, you will need to establish that party’s liability. In many cases, you will need to prove negligence. This means showing that it is more likely than not that another driver failed to use reasonable care, such that you were injured, and your vehicle was damaged as a result.

When your vehicle is repaired after an accident, the shop will make these repairs by using either the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts or aftermarket parts. Insurers prefer aftermarket parts because they are cheaper. It is important to be aware that if your vehicle is repaired with aftermarket parts, the value of the vehicle drops. A buyer or dealer may offer you less money down the road if your car has been repaired using aftermarket vehicle parts. You should not assume that an insurer is on your side and will make decisions in your best interest regarding the value of your car or motorcycle. Instead, it is important to retain an experienced personal property damage attorney in the Atlanta area.

Once your vehicle is repaired after an accident, you will be entitled to diminished value. Diminished value is the decrease in value after the vehicle has been damaged. An insurer may not tell you that this is an aspect of your damages. You should be aware that a buyer or dealer can use your VIN number to determine whether your vehicle was involved in an accident. If they see that you were in an accident, you may be offered less money for the vehicle. In Georgia, you can seek compensation for the diminishment of value in your vehicle after an accident caused by someone else.

Diminished Value Claims in Georgia

Even after professional repairs, your vehicle is worth less simply because it has an accident history. Georgia law allows accident victims to recover this loss in resale value, but insurance companies rarely volunteer this information.

You may qualify for diminished value compensation if:

• Your vehicle was repaired, not totaled
• The accident was caused by another driver
• The vehicle lost market value due to the crash

Our attorneys work with professional appraisers to calculate and prove diminished value — and to challenge insurance formulas designed to minimize payouts.

Settling Your Property Damage Claim

Under Georgia law, property damage insurance claims may be handled separately from personal injury claims. You may be able to settle only the property damage claim, while leaving your personal injury claim open. In fact, if you have serious injuries, your attorney and you will need to wait to figure out how severe and extensive these injuries are before settling your personal injury claim. In some cases, an insurer tries to take advantage of a claimant’s lack of knowledge if they are not represented by an Atlanta property damage attorney. The insurer may offer a settlement that is too low soon after you make a claim, hoping that you accept it and sign a waiver to forgo your right to obtain the full scope of your damages.

When you have been injured in an accident that was caused by someone else, you should retain an experienced attorney before you talk to another party's insurer. Sometimes an insurer asks questions to an accident victim with the goal of obtaining admissions of fault. Additionally, if an insurer has offered you a settlement, and you are unsure about whether you are being offered an appropriate value for a property damage and personal injury claim, you should discuss your situation with an experienced personal injury and property damage attorney.

FAQ: Property Damage After a Car Accident in Georgia

Can I settle property damage separately from my injury claim?

Yes. Georgia allows property damage claims to be resolved independently while your injury claim remains open.

What if my car is totaled?

You’re entitled to the fair market value of your vehicle immediately before the accident — not the insurer’s lowest estimate.

Will aftermarket parts reduce my car’s value?

Yes. Aftermarket repairs often lower resale value, which can increase your diminished value claim.

What if the other driver is uninsured?

You may still recover compensation through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.

Why Choose Van Sant Law for Property Damage Claims?

• Insurance Negotiation Experience – We know insurer tactics and how to counter them.
• Diminished Value Focus – Many firms overlook this. We don’t.
• No Upfront Fees – You pay nothing unless we recover compensation.
• Local Georgia Knowledge – Atlanta-area accident law experience matters.
• Convenient Representation – Remote sign-up or in-home consultations available.

We don’t just help you repair your vehicle — we protect its true value.