Frequently Asked
Questions

Cell phones do more than keep us connected — they're portable data hubs that track much of our daily activity. From texting and navigation to photos and location history, these devices store a surprising amount of information. In the aftermath of a car accident, cell phone data can quickly become a key piece of evidence in a personal injury (PI) case. Cell phone evidence can reveal where someone was, what they were doing, and even how fast they were going.

Choosing the right personal injury attorney can make a huge difference in the outcome of your case, and reduce the stress you feel during the process. But how can you tell the good ones from the bad? It’s important to understand the signs that indicate a good attorney - and the red flags suggesting one who isn’t. That way you can make an informed decision when choosing a lawyer to represent you. A good attorney stands out through clear communication, professionalism, relevant experience, ethical conduct, and genuine client respect.

Yes, accident victims can receive compensation for medically necessary plastic surgery due to injuries received in a car accident. One of the key factors determining whether any form of surgery can be recovered in a settlement claim or lawsuit is whether the surgery is medically necessary due to the injuries sustained in the accident. What is medically necessary depends on all the facts and circumstances of the accident itself and the injured victim. Plastic surgery after an accident isn’t always about appearance. Sometimes it’s about restoring how your body functions, reducing pain or preventing long-term issues. As a result, speaking with a trusted personal injury attorney can help you determine what expenses can be recovered and the path ahead.

After a car accident, many people assume that the insurance company will offer a fair payout. In reality, insurers are trained to minimize settlements. A skilled personal injury attorney can often recover significantly more compensation by identifying the full value of your losses, protecting you from costly mistakes, identifying all possible sources of compensation, and building a case that demands accountability from those responsible. These are five key ways an attorney can help you maximize your compensation after a car accident.

Yes, it is possible to get workers' compensation benefits for injuries that make pre-existing conditions worse. According to O.C.G.A. § 34-9-1(4) (2024), a covered injury includes the aggravation of a pre-existing condition that occurs while an employee is performing their job. This coverage applies for as long as the injury is the cause of the employee’s disability and ends when the aggravation of the pre-existing condition no longer causes disability. If work or an accident at work aggravates a pre-existing condition, employees should immediately notify their employer and seek medical treatment. While the law does provide some coverage, employers and insurance companies may contest claims that involve a pre-existing injury aggravated at work. That’s why having dedicated workers' comp attorneys in your corner can make all the difference for a workers’ compensation claim. They can help you regain a sense of normalcy in your life after an insurance company attempts to deny you benefits for a pre-existing condition workers compensation claim.

Even though you exercise extreme caution when you’re behind the wheel, not everyone does, which can make Georgia roads dangerous. Thankfully, Peach State roads and highways are widely monitored by a network of traffic cameras, which can help hold reckless drivers accountable. However, as an accident victim, you may not have access to this recording. In certain circumstances, your attorney can request traffic camera footage. While it might be possible to prove fault without it, having the recording can make things much easier for your legal team to help determine fault and assert your rights as a victim.

Bad weather can come without warning. When sudden floods, severe winds, or hail storms arise when you’re on the road, panic can set in. And rightfully so– these conditions create dangerous situations, making the already precarious task of driving even riskier. For instance, the winter storm in the Peach State in January caused multiple car crashes and at least one death.

A motor vehicle accident ICD-10 code (MVA ICD-10, sometimes known as MVC ICD-10 - motor vehicle collision - code) is a shorthand, standardized code used by medical professionals and insurance companies to quickly communicate a diagnosis and potential cause. In the wake of a car accident, the ICD-10 communicates critical information from first responders to emergency room physicians to follow up specialists. They also provide a record of diagnosis and treatment throughout the recovery process. In other words, an MVA ICD 10 code is the fingerprint of a motor vehicle accident’s health impact.

In Georgia, situations like these can raise complicated questions about insurance coverage and liability. Many car owners are left uncertain and unprepared when an accident involving someone else driving their vehicle occurs. Equally, if you are involved in an accident caused by a person driving someone else’s vehicle, the issues of liability and the applicability and priority of insurance policies can be rather complicated.

You’ve driven through the same 4-way stop a million times. This time, when it’s your turn to go, you suddenly lose control and crash into another vehicle. You’re dazed and confused, trying to figure out what happened. As you start to regain your bearings, you realize what’s gone on. Another driver flew through their stop sign and collided with you.

Learn what happens when you total a car, starting with how insurance companies make that determination, the types of insurance coverage available, and why - when dealing with a company concerned about its bottom line — it helps to talk to an attorney.

In Georgia, the Department of Driver Services can suspend a license for as little as sixty days to as long as three years. Even a sixty-day suspension is no minor punishment, given the role of cars and driving in our society. Our car is more than transportation; it’s our connection to the broader world. Whether we use our vehicles to get to work, pick up children, or buy groceries, they are vital to our lives. It makes sense, then, to better understand how license suspensions in Georgia operate, what offenses trigger them, and how to reinstate your license with as little interruption as possible. There are some driving offenses and even non-driving offenses that can trigger an automatic suspension. On the other hand, an accumulation of minor infractions can lead to a suspension. Georgia also increases the suspension period depending on the offense and the offender’s driving record.

The most recent available data shows that the average combined costs for nonfatal pedestrian accident victims are $337,309. This combined cost represents all the medical, work loss, and quality of life costs associated with the accident.

In Georgia, you can file an insurance claim without a police report. However, filing your claim with a can help make the process smoother and increase the likelihood of a successful claim.

Absolutely. A car accident attorney can and should negotiate with your insurance company on your behalf. A Montlick car accident attorney can handle all communication and negotiations with the insurance company, ensuring that they take your claim seriously and offer a fair settlement.

If you are somewhat responsible for a car accident, but not more so than the other driver(s), you might still be able to recover damages for your injuries in Georgia. GA Code § 51-12-33 applies the comparative negligence principle to accident injury claims.

Generally, the statute of limitations window for car accident injury and wrongful death cases is two years. If you file a claim after these two years are up, it’s extremely unlikely you’ll be able to recover any damages, even if you’ve been severely injured. It can take a thorough Decatur car accident attorney several months to put together a strong case. Gathering evidence, and waiting on insurance companies and the legal system takes time. To preserve evidence and give yourself the best chance at getting the compensation you are truly owed, it pays to contact a car accident attorney right away.

These cases tend to see higher amounts of compensation. As a result, insurance companies will fight tooth and nail to deny just compensation. Taking on these well-resourced behemoths alone is unmanageable. Thankfully, representation can put insurance companies on the back foot.

Generally speaking, settlement money is not subject to federal taxes.

The immediate aftermath of an Uber or Lyft accident is similar to any car accident, but with some additional pieces of information that need accounting for.