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Property Damage

Accident Attorneys Serving Atlanta and Surrounding Areas

Car Accidents and Property DamageWhen your car or other vehicle is damaged in an accident, you may be able to recover compensation for repairs, as well as diminishment of value or the totaling of your vehicle. After an accident, you may need to file separate claims, one related to bodily injury and one related to property damage. In many instances, you can obtain compensation for vehicle repairs or salvage without an auto accident property damage lawyer. This may be appropriate for minor accidents in which you were not hurt, for instance. However, in some cases, when the property damage is substantial, and you have serious injuries, it may be wise to retain an experienced property damage attorney in Atlanta. You can contact the property damage lawyers at Van Sant Law.

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.

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.

When You Should Get an Attorney’s Help

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.

Retain a Skilled Motor Vehicle Collision Attorney

If you sustained property damage in an accident, you should discuss your losses with Van Sant Law. We represent clients throughout Georgia from offices in Atlanta, Alpharetta, Athens, Cumming, Duluth, Lawrenceville, and Gainesville. We can sign you up electronically without face-to-face interaction when needed. Alternatively, we can visit you in your home if you prefer. Call us at 855-GA-INJURY or complete our online form to discuss your case with a personal injury and property damage lawyer in Atlanta or surrounding areas.

Client Reviews
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From the first time I called them to the current status of my case, has been by my side through it all. I would like to thank everyone in Van Sant Law for answering any questions that I have in a timely manner. I can personally say, Everyone in deserves recognition for being honest, hard working, ethical, logical, dedicated people. The only reason I rated them 5 stars is because it would not let me go higher! Hilary
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I was in a car accident with a tractor trailer two years ago and David Van Sant came highly recommended for someone I could talk to about the situation. Best decision I've ever made! He fought for me in ways that was truly amazing. David and his crew worked so hard to come to a great conclusion on my case. Thank you David, Michael and everyone in the office. Mary
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Attorney David M. VanSant is one of the best injury trial attorneys here in the Atlanta area. They are precise and unique in their approach. When I had my car accident, my whole world was turned upside down, but with Attorney VanSant and his team of professionals dedication and quality of service, my life is back on track. Let the VanSant team handle your case! You're in good hands. Crystal