When you are choosing a catastrophic injury lawyer in Atlanta, look for someone with experience handling serious injury cases. They also should have the resources to investigate every possible claim and a history of helping injured people recover after life-changing accidents.
Our Atlanta catastrophic injury lawyer helps people understand their legal options, communicates with the insurance company, and works to identify every available source of financial recovery after a catastrophic injury. Taking these steps early can strengthen a claim and allow injured people to focus on their medical care.
What Makes an Injury ‘Catastrophic’?
An injury is called catastrophic because it causes permanent or long-term harm that changes a person’s life. It may affect their ability to work, care for themselves, or take part in everyday activities. When someone talks about a catastrophic injury, they may be referring to:
- A traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Spinal cord damage
- Paralysis
- Amputation (limb loss)
- Severe internal organ injuries
- Permanent vision or hearing loss
How a Lawyer Can Help After a Catastrophic Accident
Catastrophic injuries change daily life in ways that many people may not expect. Medical care and rehabilitation can last for months or years, and some people cannot return to the job they had before. Others will require help with everyday tasks for the rest of their lives.
Our Atlanta personal injury lawyer handles the legal side of the case so our clients can spend more time focusing on improving their health and well-being or taking care of a loved one with a severe injury. The legal help our firm offers includes:
- Reviewing how the accident and injury happened.
- Collecting medical records and other evidence.
- Speaking with people who saw the accident.
- Working with medical and financial professionals to assess the value of a claim.
- Calculating current and future losses.
- Leading negotiations with insurance companies.
- Filing a lawsuit if a fair settlement cannot be reached.
Claims involving severe injuries often involve larger monetary losses than other accident cases. A thorough investigation helps identify everyone who may share responsibility for the injury.
What to Look for in an Atlanta Lawyer Who Handles Serious Injuries
Choosing the right attorney starts with asking the right questions. Ask if they have:
Experience With Serious Injury Cases
An attorney who regularly handles these cases understands the medical, financial, and legal issues that may arise.
The Ability to Handle Complex Claims
These cases often involved detailed medical records, expert opinions, and evidence about future care. Look for an attorney who has handled these cases before and has the team and the resources to prepare them.
Time to Do a Full Investigation
Sometimes, these cases involve more than one liable party, and it takes time to list everyone who may have contributed to an accident or injury. Your lawyer should have the time to conduct a complete investigation so they can determine all liable parties who may owe you damages.
You should also choose an Atlanta catastrophic injury lawyer who explains the legal process clearly so that you understand everything that is going on with your case. They should also answer your questions and keep you informed of all developments as your case moves forward.
Questions to Ask During Your Legal Consultation
The first meeting with an attorney gives you the opportunity to learn about the lawyer before deciding who to hire.
Consider asking questions such as:
- Have you handled catastrophic cases like mine?
- Who will work on my case?
- How will you investigate the accident?
- What damages may be available?
- How often will I receive updates?
- What happens if my case goes to trial?
- Do you charge any upfront fees?
The answers can help you understand whether the attorney is a good fit for your situation.
Ask About Fees During Your Consultation
The cost of hiring a lawyer is a common question people have when considering legal representation. Many firms handle these cases on a contingency fee basis, so attorney’s fees are typically collected only if the case results in the injured party recovering damages.
During your consultation, ask how fees and case costs are handled so there are no surprises later.
Why Experience With Insurance Companies Matters
Insurance companies look very closely at catastrophic injury claims because they usually involve notable financial losses. Adjusters look out for the company’s interests and evaluate claims based on their review of the evidence and terms of the policy.
As such, they may question the value of certain damages after reviewing claims about:
- The severity of the injury
- Future medical needs
- Long-term disability
- Lost earning capacity
- The cause of the accident
A lawyer who regularly handles these claims understands the types of evidence insurers look for and how to respond to disputes.
Recoverable Losses in Catastrophic Injury Cases
After a review of the accident and injury, a claim for damages may include:
- Hospital and doctor bills
- Ongoing medical care
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Income lost during recovery
- Future income that may no longer be possible to earn
- Wheelchair ramps, accessible vehicles, or other home changes
- Physical pain and lasting discomfort
- Anxiety, depression, and other emotional effects of the injury
- Changes in the ability to enjoy hobbies, family activities, and everyday life
If the injury results in death, surviving family members can work with our Atlanta wrongful death lawyer, who will help with a damages claim under Georgia law.
Is There an Advantage to Calling a Lawyer Early?
The first few days after a serious accident can affect the rest of the claim. Waiting does not always prevent you from filing one, but it can make the investigation more difficult. Evidence can disappear, and it may become harder to determine what happened.
Contacting a lawyer from our team soon after a catastrophic injury gives us an opportunity to protect your claim and work on moving it forward. We will collect documents, review the accident, and preserve evidence that could support your claim.
Get Help From Our Catastrophic Injury Lawyer in Atlanta
Choosing a catastrophic injury lawyer is one of the most important decisions you may make after a serious accident in the Atlanta area. The right legal team should have the experience, resources, and commitment to investigate every possible source of recovery.
Van Sant Law has served the Georgia community for over 25 years, recovering hundreds of millions of dollars for injured clients. We bring decades of combined legal experience to every injury case. Founding attorney David M. Van Sant also spent time representing a large insurance company, giving our team insight into the claims process.
We examine every part of the case to determine whether more than one person or business may share liability. If you cannot meet in person, we can sign your case electronically or arrange an in-home visit if that is more convenient. Make the Right Call and reach out to our team today for a free consultation.
