Car Accident Lawyers in Decatur Ready to Fight For You

When you’ve been injured, our attorneys help you recover compensation

A car accident can happen at any time in Decatur, and it can change your life in an instant. You can be left with serious injuries, mounting medical bills and even a loss of income if you are unable to work. If a negligent driver caused your accident, you deserve financial compensation. The experienced attorneys at Kurle Justus, LLC can help.

Whether you were hit on Highway 78, Ponce de Leon Avenue, South McDonough Street or while driving in a parking lot, an injury from a car accident can change your life in many ways. Dealing with insurance companies can be confusing and frustrating. This can make recovering compensation a complicated process.

Our personal injury lawyers know how insurance companies operate. We’re familiar with the tactics they use to try to limit your compensation. That’s why we focus on building strong cases that insurance companies must take seriously. Our goal is to hold negligent drivers accountable and help you recover the compensation you need to move forward.

Decatur car accident lawyers who will be your voice

The driver who caused your accident may have been speeding, or was distracted, or driving under the influence. Negligent drivers often deny doing anything wrong and refuse to accept responsibility. They may even try to blame you for what happened.

Insurance companies are supposed to help when you’ve been injured, but the truth is they are not on your side. They are in business to make money and paying you compensation hurts their bottom line. Insurance companies will try to pay you as little as possible. They may question the seriousness of your injuries or suggest they were pre-existing.

Sometimes, an insurance company will offer you a lump sum settlement soon after your accident. As your bills start to add up, their offer may sound tempting, and they may offer quick payment. These are usually lowball offers that fall far short of covering the damages you have suffered in your accident, however.

That’s why we start by getting the facts. Our legal team gathers evidence and carefully reviews accident reports and medical records. We identify and interview witnesses. If needed, we consult experts who can help us understand how the accident happened or provide more information about the types of injuries you suffered. One of our attorneys even worked in the healthcare field for more than 10 years before becoming a lawyer.

What should I do after a car accident?

First, make sure the scene is safe, and get emergency medical attention if you need it. Call the police and have them investigate; their accident report will be a key piece of evidence in your claim. Take pictures of the scene and any visible injuries and get names and contact information for other motorists and any witnesses. See a doctor as soon as possible and call an experienced attorney before you talk to the insurance company.

Do I have to see a doctor after a car accident?

You absolutely need to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible, even if you feel OK. Some car accidents cause injuries with delayed-onset symptoms. Tell your doctor what happened and follow their instructions. This is the best option for your health, and it also protects your legal rights. An insurance company may question the seriousness of your injuries or suggest they were pre-existing. Seeing a doctor creates a record of your injuries that will strengthen your claim.

Do I have to notify my car insurance company?

You do need to inform your insurance company promptly after an accident; otherwise, they may deny your claim. However, keep your comments brief, and don’t say anything regarding fault. Refer any further questions to your attorney.

Should I give a statement about the accident to an insurance company?

If an insurance company asks you to give a recorded statement, politely decline. Any statement could be taken out of context or even altered to damage your ability to recover compensation. The best way to protect your rights in this situation is to sit down with your attorney to create a written statement that accurately presents your side of the story.

Should I accept a settlement offer from an insurance company?

Sometimes, an insurance company will offer you a lump sum settlement soon after your accident. There are two things you need to know in this situation: first, the insurance company has a financial incentive to pay out as little as possible, and second, once you accept their money, that’s it. You can’t go back for more. As such, it’s safe to assume that any offer you get from an insurance company is a “low-ball” figure, and you should review it with your attorney before you sign anything.

Contact us for a free consultation

Our lawyers demand compensation from the insurance companies. This includes compensation for all current and future medical expenses related to your injuries, lost wages if you couldn’t work and other damages, such as pain and suffering. We are often able to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company that meets your needs.

Kurle Justus, LLC has the experience and the resources to build strong cases that get results. Unlike larger law firms, you won’t be assigned to a case manager here. You will deal directly with a lawyer who will guide you through the legal process every step of the way.

Contact us to learn more about how we can help you recover compensation after a car accident. We can review the details of your crash and go over your legal options during a free consultation. We can also answer any questions that you have.

How to Read Your Georgia Car Accident Report

If you’re involved in a car accident in Georgia, the accident report (called a Georgia Uniform Motor Vehicle Accident Report) will become a key piece of evidence in your case. Insurance companies use the accident report to establish fault for the accident, and if the investigating officer is called to testify in a deposition or at trial, he or she will most likely reference the report to provide testimony.

That’s why it’s important to have your copy of the report, to know what’s in it, and to set the record straight if it’s incorrect. Here’s what you need to know about reading your accident report.

Page 1

• Accident Information: This section records the date, time and location of your accident, as well as the number of vehicles and the injuries and fatalities known to police. Note that some injuries may have been hidden and unknown to the investigating officer, so this isn’t the final word, just an initial report.
• Driver Information: This section records the name, contact information, driver’s license number and insurance information for each involved motorist, as well as information on the vehicles involved. This is also where you will find information on alcohol tests, contributing factors and the condition of each vehicle, which can matter for both liability and damages.
• Hospitalization: If anyone involved in the accident was taken to a hospital, you’ll find information on where and when here. This section also records witness information and the name of the investigating officer.
• Commercial vehicles: The bottom section contains information on any commercial vehicles involved in the accident, including details on the driver, the vehicle and the carrier.

Click here to download a PDF.

Page 2

• Remarks: This is a section where the investigating officer can record information not listed elsewhere in the report, so be sure to read it carefully. If anything conflicts with your side of the story, let us know.
• Diagram: Here, the officer draws a diagram of how the crash occurred, including vehicle direction, traffic signals and any signage. Remember, the investigating officer usually is not a witness to the crash itself, so this diagram may not be perfectly accurate.
• Citations: If any citations, such as speeding, were issued, they will be listed here. Note that someone can be found at fault for an accident even if they weren’t cited for breaking a specific traffic law. This section also includes the first harmful event that occurred during the wreck as well as skid distance.

Damage other than vehicle: This section records any damage to non-vehicle property, such as guardrails, that may have occurred in the accident. It also contains contact information for every person involved, including drivers, passengers and pedestrians or other road users.