Atlanta, GA African American Personal Injury Attorney

Our Atlanta African American Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help

If you have been injured due to the negligence of another, you may be entitled to compensation with the help of an African American personal injury attorney Atlanta, GA. When injuries occur in Georgia, it may be necessary to seek out an attorney as soon as possible due to the state’s statute of limitations laws that require you to file your claim within two years of the date of the incident. If your injuries are severe or permanent, your time period may be shorter. This can become an issue if your injury occurred months or years ago without you realizing it and you still have not consulted with an attorney — contact one today at the firm of Lashonda Council-Rogers for help.

How an Auto Accident Lawyer Builds Your Case

If you or a loved one has been involved in an auto accident, you may be feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to turn. An experienced auto accident lawyer in Atlanta can help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation you deserve. It is important that you contact an attorney as soon as possible following any type of automobile collision so that they can begin gathering evidence, determine your eligibility for damages, and build your case.

What to Do After a Car Accident

If you've been in a car accident, there are a few things you should do to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you. First, if you can, move your car to the side of the road. If you can't move your car, turn on your hazard lights. Second, call 911 and report the accident. Be sure to give them your location and the severity of the accident. Third, if there are any injuries, provide first aid if you are able. Fourth, exchange information with the other driver. You will need their name, address, phone number, insurance company and policy number. Fifth, take pictures of the damage to both vehicles as well as any visible injuries. Sixth, get witnesses' contact information if possible. Seventh, contact your insurance company. Eighth, file an accident report with the police department or sheriff's office within 24 hours. Lastly, see a doctor if necessary. It is important to remember that no matter what happens during an accident it is always best to remain calm and follow these steps to avoid further injury or legal troubles before you contact an African American personal injury attorney in Atlanta, Georgia.

Common Legally Actionable Car Accident Scenarios

If you’ve been injured in an accident and you’re unsure of what your options are, connect with an African American personal injury attorney Atlanta, GA residents trust. At Council & Associates, LLC, we don’t believe in “selling” our services. We believe in providing objective, personalized legal guidance to those who need to understand their rights and options under the law. So, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation to discuss your situation after you’ve been involved in a crash. If you have grounds upon which to file a potentially successful lawsuit, we’ll let you know. And if you don’t, we’ll be straight with you about that too.

Here are some of the most common legally-actionable scenarios that our firm navigates on behalf of our clients. This list is not exhaustive, so if your car crash situation differs from those below, we are still here to help.

Number One: Distracted Driving Crashes

Most injurious crashes are actionable if another’s negligence, recklessness, or intentionally dangerous conduct contributed to the cause(s) of a victim’s injuries. In distracted driving scenarios, a distracted driver is almost always assigned some of the fault for the crash unless they were distracted by no fault of their own (ie: tree struck by lightening felled directly next to their car). But that is not to say that distracted drivers always bear all of the fault for a crash. If there is more than one responsible party recognized in re: a crash, an injury victim can still seek damages from others, as long as the victim is not more than 50 percent at fault for what happened.

Number Two: Work-Related Crashes

As our Atlanta African American personal injury attorney team can attest, work-related auto crashes are common in Georgia. If you sustained injury while engaging in work-related activities and you’re not classified as an independent contractor, chances are good that you’re eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. You may also be in a strong position to file a personal injury lawsuit as well, but workers’ comp isn’t a fault-based system, so you’ll likely be able to receive this form of compensation at a minimum.

Number Three: Wrecks Involving Auto Defects

One of the reasons why it is important to avoid making assumptions about the strength of your case until it has been thoroughly investigated is that an invisible influence may have impacted why you crashed. For example, auto defect cases are often legally actionable but you may not know that a defective auto part played a part in your crash until the circumstances of your wreck have been investigated.

Number Four: Crashes Caused by Ill-Maintained Roads

Even if you believe that you’re totally to blame for what happened to you, it may be worth your while to have the knowledgeable legal team at Council & Associates, LLC evaluate the circumstances of your crash. It is possible that it wasn’t your fault that you, for example, seemed to swerve out of nowhere. An ill-maintained road may have been to blame. If so, know that our Atlanta African American personal injury attorney team understands how to successfully go after those responsible for safe road maintenance on behalf of our injured clients.

The Importance of Consulting with an Attorney Before Signing Forms

Have you been injured in an accident? If so, you may be wondering if you should consult with an attorney. The answer is yes! Here are four reasons why:

1) You need someone to represent your interests and make sure you get the right treatment and the right compensation for your injuries;

2) Your insurance company's adjuster may not want to pay for everything that it should, or might even try to trick you into signing a release that releases them from any future liability;

3) You may not realize how much time will be required for your case. When the clock starts ticking on deadlines like statutes of limitations, an experienced lawyer can help give advice about what's best for your case;

4) And while no one wants to think about something going wrong with their case later on down the line, it's important to know that there are many complex legal issues involved in personal injury cases.

Choosing A Lawyer

When you are choosing a lawyer to work with it is important to find someone that you feel comfortable with and can relate to you, such as an African American personal injury attorney Atlanta, GA relies on for legal assistance from Council & Associates, LLC. Whoever you end up choosing to represent you, be sure that you trust their legal guidance, they are qualified to provide you with counsel, and they give you and your case the time and attention it deserves. You have options when it comes to choosing your legal counsel, so don’t feel like you have to settle for just anyone with a law degree and legal practice. After being injured in some kind of accident, don’t wait to start your search for the personal injury attorney that will be the right fit for you. We would be happy to take your call and schedule you for an initial consultation to get to know you and your case and for you to get to know us. Give us a call today!

Tips for Choosing An Attorney

There are many things to take into consideration when choosing an attorney, and here are a few things to keep in mind while you are going over your options. 

• Ask questions about their experience
  It may be beneficial to your case if you can find someone who has experience in cases that are similar to yours, so make sure that during your consultation you ask questions about cases like yours that the attorney has represented and had a successful outcome. This will help you determine if they are qualified to represent you for your personal injury case.
• Look for professionalism
  A large part of your representation from an Atlanta African American personal injury attorney requires them to be professional in their attitude, attire, general presentation of themselves, and more. It is important to make sure during your consultation that the attorney is clearly very professional in how they carry themselves and represent the details of your legal case.
• Remember you don’t have to be friends
  Although you do want to have an attorney that you don’t feel comfortable with or have too clashing of personalities with, if you feel confident in their legal ability to represent you, they may still be the right choice for you. Just remember that you don’t have to be friends and enjoy the same hobbies, it is more important that they can successfully represent your interests and get the results you need from your personal injury case.
• Avoid switching attorneys
  There are times when switching attorneys can’t be avoided and is the best move for you and your case, however, it is something that you want to avoid because it can set your case back, cost you more money, require a new lawyer to become familiar with your case, and more. In order to avoid switching attorneys it is crucial that you choose well from the beginning of your case by ensuring your attorney is well vetted.

Contact an African American personal injury attorney in Atlanta, GA at Council & Associates, LLC today for help with your case.

Atlanta African American Personal Injury FAQs

Personal injury claims are often a challenging and confusing process for those who have been injured due to someone else's negligence. Our Atlanta, GA African American personal injury lawyer is here to address your questions, provide clarity on how the process works, and explain what you can expect throughout every stage of your case.

What Are Georgia’s Personal Injury Statute Of Limitations?

In Georgia, the statute of limitations is generally two years from the date of the incident. This means that if you don't file your claim within two years, you may lose your right to seek compensation. It's essential to act quickly, especially if your injuries are severe or if your case involves complex issues. Our Atlanta African American personal injury lawyer can help you understand the deadlines and ensure that your case is filed within the appropriate time frame.

How Much Compensation Am I Entitled To?

The amount of compensation in a personal injury case depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, the impact on your daily life, lost wages, medical expenses, and whether the other party was at fault.

It's also important to understand that Georgia follows a comparative negligence rule. This means that if you are found to be partially at fault for the accident, your compensation may be reduced in proportion to your degree of fault. If you are more than 50% at fault, you may not be able to recover damages at all. Our personal injury firm can help assess the specifics of your case and determine what damages you may be entitled to.

How Long Will The Whole Process Take?

The timeline for a personal injury case can vary widely. Some cases may settle quickly, while others may take months or even years to resolve, especially if a lawsuit is filed. If your case goes to trial, it could take longer. However, our legal team can work to expedite the process and ensure that you are not waiting unnecessarily.

Should I Accept The Insurance Company’s Offer They Made Me?

We’d advise against this. Insurance companies often try to settle claims quickly and for the lowest possible amount. It's crucial to understand that the first offer you receive may not be the best offer. Our personal injury attorneys can help you assess the fairness of an insurance settlement and determine if it's in your best interest to accept it. Many times, the initial offer is just a starting point for negotiations.

Why Do I Need An Attorney?

While it may seem like you can handle the claim on your own, having an attorney on your side can be invaluable. Our experienced lawyers know the legal process well and can help gather the necessary evidence, communicate with insurance companies, and advocate for your rights. We can also help you avoid common mistakes that could negatively impact your case.

Also, personal injury cases often involve multiple parties, witnesses, and legal issues. Whether your case is about a car accident, slip and fall, or medical malpractice, having the right attorney by your side can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case. Our Atlanta personal injury firm can guide you through the process and help you recover the compensation you deserve.

If you're unsure about whether you have a case or how to proceed, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. At Council & Associates, LLC, our team of dedicated professionals is here to help you understand your legal options and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our experienced Atlanta African American personal injury lawyer.