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At The Stoddard Firm, we offer professional, compassionate, and skilled guidance throughout the legal process, from the moment a client first contacts our firm to the final resolution of their case. We understand that the legal system can feel overwhelming, and that’s why we lay out a clear process so our clients know what to expect. Building a legal case is a collaborative experience between client and attorney, and we make sure a client is always at the center of decision-making about their case. While the timeline in every case is different, what follows is a general outline of the process our clients go through with The Stoddard Firm:
You or a loved one are injured in a vehicle accident, on a business’ property, by a defective product, or in some other catastrophic event. This includes injuries that result in your loved one’s wrongful death.
You contact our law firm anytime day or night through a phone call, chat, or email. Our office manager will respond that same day, or if it’s a weekend, on the next business day. She will gather critical information about your claim and coordinate a phone call between you and our attorneys if appropriate.
Our attorneys will briefly research and assess the facts in your case to determine liability, fault, and other essential legal elements and determine if our firm is best suited to handle your claim. If we cannot, we will provide you with additional resources in the community and tell you we cannot help.
If we believe we can help, you retain our law firm by signing a written agreement via digital DocuSign or in person. We are paid on contingency in personal injury claims. That means the defendant pays our legal fees and case expenses as part of a settlement agreement or jury award. If there is no recovery, you do not owe us anything.
You’ll receive a letter from us that explains our entire legal process – from our first meeting through getting compensation, and all the steps in between.
We’ll mail out “Evidence Preservation Letters” to all appropriate parties to ensure evidence is not destroyed. This evidence can include video surveillance, emails, traffic reports, technical files, medical records, and other critical evidence that can help prove your case.
This one-hour meeting is a client’s chance to meet their legal team at our firm. You can ask questions, we’ll explain the laws around your claim, gather witness contact information, and collaborate about legal strategy. This is also when you can provide digital photos and background information about you or your loved one’s injuries. In addition to Matt Stoddard, you will have a dedicated attorney and a dedicated paralegal who will handle your case. All three persons are available to you.
We’ll contact witnesses to find out what they saw, heard, and knew when your injury took place. Depending on the circumstances, we may digitally record these interviews.
We’ll gather police and EMS reports, photos, medical test results, surveillance videos, lost wage verification, electronic data, Internet search results, insurance information, medical prognosis, relevant legal statutes and case law, and other documentation to establish negligence and show the damages you or your loved one suffered.
We’ll mail letters of representation, putting the defendant, insurance companies, and others on notice that we are the law firm representing you. This informs them that a legal action has commenced.
We’ll put our legal skill and experience to work drafting a powerful legal complaint that will be used to file a lawsuit in court. We’ll ask you to read through certain sections, offer comments, and approve the complaint.
We’ll file a lawsuit in court (unless the defendant has already consented to pay agreed-upon damages). This launches a series of legal filings that include questions and answers from both plaintiff and defendant. It can also include parties filing objections.
You’ll sit down with your attorney to answer opposing counsel’s questions and then verify that all answers are accurate.
Your attorney and defendant’s attorney will send out subpoenas to interview both parties, witnesses, medical personnel, and others under oath. If you are subpoenaed, we will prepare you for the interview and accompany you to the interview.
All the while, your attorney will continue negotiations back and forth with defendant’s insurance company to try to achieve an acceptable settlement. Negotiations are often ongoing as your case progresses through the legal system. Your attorney will keep you apprised of these negotiations, so you always know what is being offered and what is likely to happen next.
When appropriate, both plaintiff and defense will identify expert witnesses to support their claims and interview these individuals under oath. Expert witnesses can include medical doctors, accident reconstruction experts, engineers, and others.
Both parties typically participate in non-binding mediation to see if a settlement agreement can be reached.
Prior to a trial, the defendant’s insurance company will typically make their best financial offer in an effort to avoid a courtroom trial. What happens next is up to you.
You must decide whether to accept this settlement offer or turn it down and pursue a trial in front of a judge. Each option has a different set of steps to follow. Your attorney will present each option, and provide advice, but the choice is yours to make.
You accept a negotiated dollar amount as settlement and avoid going to court.
You receive your settlement check, less attorney’s fees and case expenses. On occasion there are other expenses that we are required to pay out of settlement such as reimbursing Medicare for amounts paid.
Lawyers for both sides argue their cases in front of a judge and jury in an attempt to win. You will testify. Others will testify too. Trial offers a chance to achieve much greater financial damages than previously offered, but it is also a riskier path as you could receive less or even nothing.
The judge and/or jury reach a decision in your case. Damages are awarded if successful.
Assuming there is not an appeal, you receive your settlement check, less attorney’s fees and case expenses. On occasion there are other expenses that we are required to pay out of settlement such as reimbursing Medicare for amounts paid.
A dedicated, ethical advocate who takes on major corporations and global insurers with virtually unlimited resources. Known for high-profile cases featured on Courtroom Viewing Network, this attorney is also a sought-after legal educator, teaching at seminars for top bar associations. Trusted by clients and media alike, they work tirelessly to secure justice and deliver results.
Member of the Atlanta Bar Association, the Georgia Bar Association, and the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association
Licensed in Georgia since: 2008
Education: University of Georgia School of Law
Client Reviews
(Georgia) 
Matthew Stoddard and his staff are wonderful people. This law firm is a no complication type of place. They always answer the phone without the hassle of going through 30 different people and always return emails just as quick as they are received. Thank you gentlemen for everything y’all do.
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If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, we’re here to help. Fill out the form below, and one of our experienced Atlanta personal injury attorneys will contact you shortly to discuss your case. Call us 678-RESULTS.
Your information will remain confidential and used solely to contact you about your case.
I can’t express enough how good attorneys Keith Evra and Matthew stoddard are as well as the rest of the firm. They took care of me and my family and did everything they could for us and were professional and amazing at what they do. You can count on them to genuinely make you feel like they care about you and will do everything they can for you. If I could give 500 stars I would. If you are debating to choose them for your representation look no further becuase you won’t find a better firm. They are the best.
I was very proud of my lawyer Keith evra n his professional in my time of pain dealing with my son’s death. I would recommend Keith to anyone who needs legal services
By far a great group to handle such a tremendous and difficult time in our lives, not only do they communicate and explain in detail, but they really care to make this process as easy as possible. I would highly recommend this firm for any of your needs because they really do go above and beyond with blood sweat and tears for their clients
One thing I can truly say about the Stoddard Firm is that they take great initiative in helping their clients. My case and situation took a lot out of me. Mentally, emotionally and even physically. But the Stoddard firm did an amazing job with my case. Shauna and Janine did absolutely amazing with helping me with coping skills and they have great communication. They helped me understand that the process of my case would take some time but that they would do everything in their power to help me differentiate the odds that were against me. Yes the process was time given, but patience is key and at the end everything was successful and I am grateful for them.
Matthew Stoddard and his team of lawyers, including Belle- Anne and the staff, were very professional and caring from the beginning to the end. They were very knowledgeable, always available to answer any questions, and made sure I was always updated. I’m very grateful and highly recommend them.
I contacted the Stoddard Firm and told them about the accident and explained our family’s situation in detail. They took on the case and did a FANTASTIC job. They were very mindful that this was a very heartbreaking situation for all of us. They made certain our entire family was well informed of everything going on throughout the entire process. They were always very polite, very responsive and never got frustrated whenever a situation arose where we didn’t understand something. They were always very patient and explained any questions or concerns we had at all times. I would highly recommend them to anyone who has experienced the unfortunate need to hire an attorney for this type of situation.
When you need a law firm to fight for you, I mean fight for you!! The Stoddard Firm is the answer. My case was a uphill battle. The Stoddard Firm went to war with other side and made it happen. I am ensure that anyone that’s in need of a excellent legal team. Dont waste your time with firms that sell dreams, this firm makes it happen. Thank you Stoddard Firm.
They are client focused and make sure that you are in the loop every step of the way. We worked directly with Matt Stoddard, Keith Evra, & Shauna Thomas and they were accommodating, understanding, and wonderful. They treat their clients with respect and care and genuinely have your best interest at heart. We weren’t treated as just clients, we were treated as family. Their knowledge and experience with law shows and they know exactly what they are doing. This is a top of the line law firm and you will be extremely satisfied when you choose them for your case.
The Stoddard firm did a extraordinary job on my case. Their whole team is very professional, and will go over and beyond to achieve the greatest results so that the customer is satisfied. Thank you again for making me a priority.
Our experience with The Stoddard Firm was great. Everyone helped us navigate through a stressful situation. Professional and compassionate – the firm worked with and for us. Would recommend them to anyone.
The Stoddard firm done an excellent with my son case. They had great open communication and treated you like family. The whole staff was just on point and had great customer service. I want to thank everyone at the Stoddard firm
The Stoddard Firm has been an excellent firm to work with. Everyone there was very professional. I truly appreciate everything that they did to walk me through the process. I know they worked very hard to bring my lawsuit to a favorable conclusion. I especially appreciate Matthew, Janine and Shauna and the dedication to my case.
All the folks at the Stoddard firm were responsive, polite, professional and caring. They handled our case with determination. They handled our family with high regard and respect.
I work with a lot of law firms across the country, and I can say The Stoddard Firm truly cares about all their clients and are invested in seeking justice for them. Their staff is always delightful, and super organized! Class act firm from top to bottom!
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was revised and approved by Attorney Matthew B. Stoddard, who has more than 16 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, we’re here to help. Fill out the form below, and one of our experienced Atlanta personal injury attorneys will contact you shortly to discuss your case. Call us 678-RESULTS.
Your information will remain confidential and used solely to contact you about your case.
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