Hi there! If you are reading this, you might be in the same situation I was a few months ago. I was involved in a car accident that was not my fault and left me with serious injuries and medical bills. I needed an Atlanta car accident attorney to help me get the compensation I deserved, but I had no idea how to find one.
There are so many law firms and lawyers in Atlanta that claim to be experts in personal injury cases, but how do you know which one is right for you? How do you compare their experience, reputation, fees, and results? How do you avoid falling for scams or hiring someone who will not fight for your best interests?
I decided to do some research and find out how to choose the best Atlanta car accident attorney for my case. I learned a lot along the way and I want to share it with you. Here are the steps I followed and the criteria I used to make my decision.
Step 1: Ask for Recommendations
The first thing I did was ask for recommendations from people I trust. I spoke with members of my family, close friends, coworkers, and neighbours who had experienced auto accidents or had previously retained personal injury attorneys. I questioned them regarding how well their lawyers handled their cases, how much they charged, and how happy they were with the results.
Additionally, I searched online for critiques and endorsements left by former clients of various law offices and attorneys.I looked at reviews of Atlanta automobile accident lawyers on websites like Google, AVVO, Justia, and FindLaw. I considered both favourable and unfavourable comments, as well as the overall score and number of reviews.
Then made a list of the names of the attorneys that were recommended to me or had good reviews online. I also eliminated those that had bad reviews or no reviews at all.
Step 2: Do Some Background Check
The next thing I did was do some background check on the attorneys on my list. I wanted to make sure they were qualified, experienced, and reputable in handling car accident cases in Atlanta.
I visited their websites and looked for information about their education, credentials, awards, memberships, and case results. I also searched for any disciplinary actions or complaints against them on the websites of the State Bar of Georgia and the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association.
I also called their offices and asked some questions about their practice, such as:
- How long have they been practicing personal injury law in Atlanta?
- How many car accident cases have they handled and what were the outcomes?
- How do they communicate with their clients and how often?
- How do they charge for their services and what are their fees?
- Do they offer a free consultation and a contingency fee arrangement?
I compared the answers I got from different attorneys and eliminated those that did not meet my expectations or standards.
Step 3: Schedule a Free Consultation
The final thing I did was schedule a free consultation with the remaining attorneys on my list. This was an opportunity for me to meet them in person, discuss my case in detail, and get a feel for their personality and style.
I prepared some documents and evidence related to my case, such as:
- The police report of the accident
- The medical records and bills of my injuries
- The photos and videos of the accident scene and my damages
- The contact information of the witnesses and the other driver
- The insurance information of both parties
I also prepared some questions to ask them during the consultation, such as:
- What is their opinion on the merits and value of my case?
- What is their strategy and plan for handling my case?
- What are the potential challenges and risks involved in my case?
- How long will it take to resolve my case?
- What are the possible outcomes of my case?
I carefully considered their responses and made a judgment based on how assured, informed, truthful, and professional they seemed. I also took note of how they interacted with me, including their level of comfort, politeness, and friendliness.
I chose the attorney that gave me the best impression, answered all my questions clearly and satisfactorily, showed genuine interest and concern for my situation, and made me feel confident and comfortable with them.
And The Winner Is…
After following these steps and criteria, I decided to hire Todd Henningsen from Henningsen Injury Attorneys, P.C. as my Atlanta car accident attorney. My expectations were more than surpassed by him. He had more than ten years of legal expertise, a 10.0 AVVO rating, and a track record of winning millions of dollars for his clients. He also had a Google rating of 5.0. Furthermore, he provided me with a free consultation and a contingency fee agreement, which meant that I would not have to pay him anything until he won my case.
He interacted with me in a very professional, cordial, and sincere manner. He answered every question I had and provided thorough explanations for everything. He consistently connected with me and provided me with updates on the status of my case. He battled hard for my rights and was abrasive with the insurance provider.
He was able to negotiate a fair and favorable settlement for me that covered all my economic and non-economic damages. He also helped me reduce my medical bills and liens. He made the whole process easy and stress-free for me.
I was very happy with the outcome of my case and the service I received from Todd Henningsen. He was the best Atlanta car accident attorney for me and I would highly recommend him to anyone who needs legal help after a car accident.
How Much Can You Expect From Your Georgia Car Accident Settlement?
As I mentioned earlier, there is no simple answer to this question. The amount of compensation you can receive from your Georgia car accident settlement depends on many factors, such as:
- The severity and permanency of your injuries
- The extent and duration of your medical treatment
- The impact of your injuries on your quality of life and ability to work
- The amount of insurance coverage available from both parties
- The degree of fault and liability of both parties
- The strength of your evidence and legal arguments
- The skill and experience of your attorney
According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average value of a car accident claim is around $20,235. However, that amount can vary significantly based on the factors above. Some cases may settle for less than $10,000, while others may settle for more than $1 million.
Working with a lawyer can help you take a look at the overall value of your claim. Your economic damages, such as medical expenditures, lost wages, property damage, and future costs, can be calculated with the assistance of an attorney. Your non-economic damages, such as your pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium, can also be estimated with the aid of an attorney.
In cases when the other motorist was incredibly careless or dangerous, such as when they were texting or drinking while driving, an attorney can also assist you in pursuing punitive damages. Punitive damages are meant to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior in the future. In Georgia, punitive damages are capped at $250,000 unless the defendant acted with specific intent to harm.
A lawyer can also help you negotiate with the insurance company and avoid accepting a lowball offer. Insurance companies are not on your side and they will try to minimize your claim or deny it altogether. A lawyer can protect your rights and interests and make sure you get the maximum compensation you deserve.
Conclusion
Finding the best Atlanta car accident attorney for your case is not easy, but it is worth it. A good attorney can make a big difference in the outcome of your case and the amount of compensation you receive.
If you follow the steps and criteria I shared with you in this article, you will be able to narrow down your choices and find the best attorney for you.
I hope this article was helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below.
And if you need legal help after a car accident in Atlanta, Georgia, I highly recommend Todd Henningsen from Henningsen Injury Attorneys, P.C. He is an experienced, reputable, and successful personal injury lawyer who will fight for your rights and get you the best possible settlement.
