Why Choose Our Car Accident Lawyers?
There are many attorneys in Georgia, and it’s important for you to find one you not only can trust and feel comfortable with, but who has the resources, qualifications and skills to get the results you need. Here are some reasons why we think you should choose The Stoddard Firm to represent you:
- We are experienced. Matt Stoddard, the founder of The Stoddard Firm, worked for years defending corporations in serious injury and wrongful death product liability cases, so he knows how companies and their insurers operate and how to deal with them. In 2011, Mr. Stoddard began a rewarding career representing those harmed by the negligence of others and has successfully tried numerous high-dollar, serious injury and wrongful death cases in the Atlanta metro area.
- We have an aggressive approach which gets results and wins large settlements, such as the $1,510,000 recovery for the family of a teenager killed in a vehicle wreck.
- We are available and offer individualized personal service for our clients.
- We handle all legal requirements, forms, paperwork, and court appearances.
- We deal and negotiate with insurance companies, so you won’t have to.
- We offer free initial consultations to get you started.
- We work on a contingency basis so you pay us nothing unless we win and you get your money.
How Our Atlanta Car Accident Attorney Works for You
Time is of the essence when dealing with car accidents as there are strict deadlines for filing lawsuits. When you retain The Stoddard Firm, we start working for you immediately. We will:
- Meet with you to hear how the car accident happened and who the at-fault parties may be, and to determine approximately what the case should be worth
- Make sure you get proper medical care and that everything is documented
- Investigate the accident and gather evidence such as photos and videos from traffic cameras, pictures of damage to vehicles and skid and tire marks, and police, ambulance, doctor, phone, and hospital records
- Interview witnesses and first responders
- File all paperwork and make court appearances in a timely manner
- Hire experts to reconstruct the accident and testify as to fault and life-care experts to testify as to the extent and costs of your injuries, the care you may need in the future, and the physical and emotional effects on you and your family
- Handle all correspondence and negotiate with the insurance companies for a fair settlement
- Build your case and take it to trial and advocate on your behalf if necessary.
Damages Our Car Accident Attorneys May Recover
In car accident and other personal injury claims, the term “damages” refers to the amount of compensation the injured person, called the plaintiff, is entitled to receive from the negligent parties, the defendants in the case. Georgia law allows compensation for both your economic damages (monetary losses) as well as non-economic damages that do not have a specific dollar value but negatively impact your life. Examples include:
- Current and future medical and rehabilitation expenses
- Past and future lost wages if unable to work
- Any property-related damage
- Pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional anguish
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium.
In some rare cases where there was gross or willful negligence, you may also be awarded punitive damages, meant to punish a defendant and deter such behaviors in the future.
The Atlanta car accident lawyers at the Stoddard firm will evaluate your individual situation to determine what a fair settlement would be and fight for maximum compensation.
Car Accident Lawyer Must Prove Negligence
Proving negligence is essential to winning a personal injury case. To win a fair settlement, our car accident lawyers will have to show that another party (the defendant in the case) was negligent and at fault for causing the accident that injured you. Proving fault legally means showing the existence of the following elements:
- Duty: The defendant owed you a duty of care not to cause harm.
- Breach: The defendant breached this duty by actions or failure to act.
- Cause: This breach caused your injuries.
- Damages: You suffered damages as a result.
In some cases, there may be multiple parties responsible who could be found negligent and liable for the accident. For example, in addition to the driver who hit your car, other negligent parties may include:
- the manufacturer of a defective car part that failed and led to the accident
- a road repair company that left debris on the road or failed to put up warning signs
- a maintenance person who failed to repair a car correctly.
Our car accident attorneys would seek to find all potentially liable parties and name them as defendants in your lawsuit as they may all have insurance and assets that could go toward a settlement.
Car Accident Attorneys Answer Frequently Asked Questions
After a traumatic car accident, you are bound to have questions and concerns. The best place to get answers is at your free consultation, but to get started, here are answers to some questions our attorneys are often asked:
How much will my damage amount be?
There is a wide range of damage amounts that can be awarded in a successful car accident case, from the thousands to millions of dollars, depending on the circumstances and injuries involved. In general, cases that cause severe or permanent injuries, such as brain injuries and spinal cord damage that lead to paralysis or death may bring the highest awards.
Should I speak to the insurance company?
No, the less you say to the insurance company, the better. Insurance companies are concerned with their bottom line and have high-powered lawyers on their side who use tactics such as trying to get you to accept the lowest amount possible or asking leading questions to try to get you to admit that the accident was somehow your fault. Tell the insurance company to speak to your attorney and let The Stoddard Firm handle all correspondence and negotiations for your truck accident claims.
What if I did something to contribute to the accident?
Georgia has a modified comparative negligence law (Georgia Code § 51-12-33), where the negligence of all parties involved in the incident is taken into consideration. As long as you are less than 50 percent at fault, you can still collect a settlement, but it will be reduced by the portion you are found to be at fault.
What if a loved one dies from the accident?
If a loved one dies in a car crash, surviving family members can file a wrongful death claim to receive compensation for outstanding medical bills, funeral bills and other end-of-life costs as well as compensation for income that might have been lost by the passing of a family member.
How much time do I have to file a case?
According to Georgia code (Title 9/chapter 3/3/9-3-33) there is a statute of limitations, or deadline, for filing a personal injury case that is generally two years from the date of the crash. If you fail to meet this deadline, the courts are likely to refuse to hear your case.
What does it cost to hire an Atlanta car accident lawyer?
The good news is that there are no upfront costs when you hire our vehicle accident lawyers. Your initial consultation is free, and fees are only paid out of a settlement we win for you. If we do not win, you do not pay anything. It pays to have our lawyers fight on your behalf for a fair settlement that covers all damages you sustained.
When you have The Stoddard Firm working for you, we will be there for you to answer all your questions and address your concerns throughout the entire legal process.
Call Our Car Accident Lawyer in Atlanta for Help
If you or a loved one has been involved in a serious car accident in Atlanta and surrounding areas, contact The Stoddard Firm today. Our compassionate legal team cares about our clients and focuses on accommodating their needs, communicating frequently, and explaining their legal options. We dedicate our full resources to holding the negligent parties accountable for the harm they have caused and making sure you get the compensation you deserve.
Don’t delay. Call us at 470-467-2200 now to get started while evidence is fresh and witnesses can be found.
GET HELP NOW 470-467-2200
Attorney Matt Stoddard
Matt Stoddard is a professional, hardworking, ethical advocate. He routinely faces some of the nation’s largest companies and some of the world’s largest insurers – opponents who have virtually unlimited resources. In these circumstances, Mr. Stoddard is comfortable. Mr. Stoddard provides his strongest efforts to his clients, and he devotes the firm’s significant financial resources to presenting the strongest case possible on their behalf. Matt understands that his clients must put their trust in him. That trust creates an obligation for Matt to work tirelessly on their behalf, and Matt Stoddard does not take that obligation lightly. [ Attorney Bio ]
