FAQ | Melman Law Group - Auto Accident & Injury Attorneys

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Why do I need an attorney?

If you have been injured as a result of the negligence of another, whether it be a car, truck, motorcycle, bicycle, or any other type of accident, you are well advised to seek the assistance of a personal injury attorney. At Melman Law Group, we provide free consultations to individuals injured and not at fault in an accident.

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What if I’ve already started the process on my own?

If a new client has already begun the claims process themselves, they usually find it stressful and burdensome, or simply cannot afford to pay out of pocket for the medical treatment they need, and for that reason they seek our assistance. Once we are retained by a client, we immediately begin gathering the requisite information and immediately inform the insurance carriers to direct all communication to our office. It is our goal to alleviate as much stress as we can from our clients so they can concentrate on getting healthy again, both mentally and physically.

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The insurance company said I don’t need an attorney—is that true?

It is important to remember that your interests and the interests of the insurance company are not the same. While it is illegal for a non-attorney, such as an insurance adjuster, to provide legal advice, they often do, and it usually is not very sound. You should always seek an opinion from a personal injury lawyer to get an unbiased legal opinion regarding your case and your rights. At Melman Law Group, we provide free consultations to individuals injured and not at fault in an accident.

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Do I have to pay for my initial consultation with Melman Law Group?

No! Melman Law Group never charges for client consultations. All consultations are free and there are no up front costs to you. If you feel you have a potential case, please call or text our office at 770-365-7556 and we will be more than happy to see how we can help.

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How much will I have to pay Melman Law Group at the conclusion of my case?

We only work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that if we do not win, we do not get paid. Our contingency fee is in line with other top-quality lawyers who handle serious personal injury matters. There are no up front costs or fees for representation.

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What is my case worth?

Every case is based on the consideration of the totality of circumstances. The attorneys at Melman Law Group have successfully negotiated thousands of claims. We rely on our vast reserve of knowledge to ensure our clients obtain maximum recovery.

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What does a personal injury lawyer do?

A personal injury lawyer is an attorney who specializes in helping injured people recover compensation for their injuries after an accident. Personal injury attorneys can represent you in negotiations with the at-fault party’s insurance company. If you and your lawyer determine that filing a personal injury lawsuit is necessary, your lawyer will represent you in court should your case not settle prior to trial.

A personal injury lawyer will gather facts about what happened in your accident to determine how much compensation you are entitled to receive. Your lawyer will prepare a personal injury demand package and send it to the insurance company and engage in settlement negotiations with the claims adjuster. If you decide to file a personal injury lawsuit, your lawyer will prepare the paperwork necessary to initiate the lawsuit in the appropriate court. Your lawyer may try to engage the other party and his or her attorney in settlement negotiations in an effort to avoid going to trial, which can be costly. If your case does not settle prior to trial, your lawyer will argue your case in court. If you prevail in your lawsuit, your lawyer can help you recover the judgment and deal with any liens you may have incurred.

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What if the at-fault driver does not have insurance?

If the driver who hit you did not have insurance you can set up a claim with your own insurance company, but only if you have uninsured motorist coverage. It is additional coverage offered, but not required in the state of Georgia. It is a claim that you make against your own insurance company, instead of a claim against the other driver.

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What questions should I ask my attorney during my consultation?

Before even scheduling a consultation you want to ask if the attorney charges for one. The most important question to ask your attorney in our opinion is do they litigate their cases? Many injury attorneys outsource their litigation and do not have an in house trial attorney willing to take your case all the way to trial if necessary. Many firms that do not litigate may be more likely to settle a case prematurely because they do not have experience litigating and therefore can't file a lawsuit to pursue more compensation. Ask your attorneys if they are prepared to go to trial if the insurance company does not want to offer a fair settlement amount. At Melman Law Group, our consultations are free and our attorneys have over 50 years experience litigating cases. Let us fight to the bitter end if need be!

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What should I do immediately following an accident?

1. If it’s safe and you are able, move your and your car to a safe area, out of harm’s way. If you cannot move safely, turn on your hazard lights to alert those around you.

2. Stop your car and check on others involved.

3. Call 911 and file a police report in order to determine who is at fault. Try not to place blame on the other party, let the police decide who, if anyone, is at fault.

4. Gather all the info you can from the other parties involved, including the drivers’ and passengers’ names, make and model of the cars, license plate numbers, insurance information, location of the accident, and information of the eyewitnesses (if any). This will be a good time to take some photos!

5. Seek medical attention immediately following your accident. Often times there are “hidden” injuries days after the accident. It is important to seek the appropriate medical attention due to the serious injuries.

6. Research and seek an attorney who can represent you and your case.

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What NOT to do after an accident?

1. Do not fail to call your local law enforcement. This is crucial because a police
report will give concrete evidence if the other driver was at fault.

2. Do not drive way! Under GA Law, you are legally obligated to report any accident
involving injury, death and property damage of $500 or more.

3. Do not wait too long before seeking a claim for your accident. In GA, you are limited to
two years to file a lawsuit in court. This is known as “statue of limitations”, meaning once your time limit is up, you can not get a claim your damages.

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What Are Georgia's Minimum Car Insurance Requirements

Georgia's car insurance requirements set the minimum amount that you will need for each of these 3 types of car insurance coverage. The minimum Georgia car insurance requirements are set at 25/50/25, which means that you will need:

a minimum of $25,000 of bodily injury liability for one person in one accident;
a minimum of $50,000 bodily injury liability for all persons injured in one accident; and
a minimum of $25,000 property damage liability for one accident.