The type of attorney who handles car accidents is a personal injury lawyer, particularly one who regularly works with motor vehicle claims. They can investigate fault, deal with insurance companies, and pursue compensation for injuries and other losses caused by a crash.
Van Sant Law represents people whose lives have been disrupted by collisions. If you were injured in a wreck, our Atlanta car accident lawyers can review what happened and explain the options available to you.
Founder David M. Van Sant previously represented insurers and corporate defendants before focusing his practice on injured people. That experience gives us useful insight into how insurance companies may assess a claim and which parts of the evidence they are likely to question.
What Does a Car Accident Lawyer Actually Do?
A car accident lawyer takes care of the legal and insurance work that can become difficult to manage while you are recovering. The exact work involved depends on the crash, your injuries, and whether the insurer accepts responsibility.
An Atlanta personal injury lawyer from Van Sant Law may help by:
- Investigating the collision: We can obtain crash reports, photographs, video footage, witness accounts, and other evidence showing what happened.
- Handling the insurance claim: We will communicate with insurers, respond to requests for information, and review settlement offers with you.
- Documenting your losses: Medical records, bills, employment information, and other records can help show the financial and personal impact of your injuries.
- Preparing for litigation: If the claim cannot be resolved through negotiation, we can prepare the case for the next stage of the legal process.
Our aim is to give you a clear picture of your claim and take the day-to-day legal work off your plate. We’ll also keep you involved in decisions that affect how your case moves forward.
When Should You Call a Car Accident Lawyer?
Not every minor collision requires legal representation. However, speaking with a lawyer may be useful when you have been seriously injured, fault is disputed, several vehicles were involved, or an insurer is questioning part of your claim.
Your immediate priority after a serious collision should be safety and medical care. The Georgia Department of Driver Services confirms that drivers must notify law enforcement when an accident results in injury, death, or at least $500 in property damage.
Once those immediate concerns have been dealt with, getting legal advice early can make it easier to preserve evidence. Van Sant Law can also deal with insurer communications while you concentrate on treatment rather than trying to manage both at once.
Do You Need to Wait Until the Insurer Denies Your Claim?
No. You can speak with a lawyer before an insurer has accepted or denied the claim.
In fact, you may have questions much earlier about medical bills, vehicle repairs, what information an adjuster is requesting, or whether a settlement offer accounts for everything you have lost.
A car accident attorney in Atlanta can review the situation before you make decisions about the claim. You can then decide whether you want legal representation based on a better understanding of what is involved.
What Compensation May Be Available?
Compensation after a car accident depends on the injuries, available insurance coverage, evidence, and other circumstances surrounding the collision.
A claim may include medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost income, reduced earning ability, and damage to your vehicle or other property. Future treatment may also need to be considered when your recovery is expected to continue.
Some losses do not come with a receipt. Physical pain, emotional distress, scarring, disability, and changes to your everyday life may also be relevant. Van Sant Law will look at the effect of the crash as a whole rather than focusing only on the bills you have received so far.
How Contingency Fees Work
Van Sant Law handles car accident claims on a contingency fee basis. You do not pay an attorney fee upfront, and our fee depends on recovering compensation for you.
The fee arrangement will be explained before representation begins so you understand how payment works and what to expect if the case succeeds.
We also understand that an injury can create practical problems alongside the legal claim. When appropriate, we can help connect clients with resources for medical care or financial concerns while the case is underway.
Choosing Legal Representation After a Crash
Experience with personal injury claims matters, but it is not the only thing worth considering. You should also understand how the firm communicates, who will work on your case, how fees are handled, and whether you feel comfortable asking questions.
David M. Van Sant’s previous insurance-defense work gives our law firm experience looking at injury claims from both sides. Rather than guessing how an insurer might respond, we can prepare the evidence with the issues it will likely raise in mind.
Practical accessibility can matter too. Van Sant Law can complete case paperwork electronically, and an in-home meeting may be available if your injuries make traveling difficult.
Speak With Van Sant Law
If a car accident has left you injured, you do not have to work out the insurance and legal process by yourself. An Atlanta personal injury attorney who handles car accidents can investigate the collision, explain what your claim may involve, and help you decide what to do next.
Van Sant Law can review what happened and answer your questions during a free consultation. If you choose to work with us, we can handle the claim while keeping you informed about the decisions that matter.
