The last thing any person expects is to get injured in a car accident. But the truth is, the chances are higher than you might think. In fact, 4.4 million people are injured in crashes every year in America. If you are one of these individuals, you’re likely facing mounting pressures. From dealing with financial burdens associated with property damage or medical bills, to managing your injuries and the emotional side effects, it can be a lot.

Luckily, the law is on your side. You have every right to file a claim against the responsible party seeking compensation for your losses. By teaming up with an Atlanta car accident lawyer and following the tips outlined in the guide below, you can properly prepare for court and stand a better chance of securing the compensation you deserve. 

Securing the representation of a reliable, experienced lawyer is a must. Unfortunately, in personal injury cases, the burden falls on the victim—not the liable party. It will be your responsibility to prove to the courts that the accident took place in the manner described, as well as outline and prove how the incident negatively impacted your life. Laying all this information out in a digestible, convincing way can be confusing for amateurs. Furthermore, it can be incredibly easy to accidentally say something incriminating.

Rather than run the risk, opt to work with an attorney. They’ll represent your interests and speak on your behalf to ensure an accurate portrayal of the events and your damages. 

Once you’ve secured an attorney, you’ll need to work together to paint a picture of the accident as it actually occurred. Evidence is a key part of that process. This often includes putting together a list of eyewitnesses who might be willing to testify on your behalf. It also includes providing any video footage or photographs of the scene during the crash, immediately before, and immediately after. 

If your attorney believes the other party might have been on their phone at the time of the crash, they’ll likely request cell phone records. Or, if they suspect alcohol or illegal substances were at play, they might request a blood test to prove the driver was incapacitated.

Once you’ve proven that the other party was liable, you’ll need to show exactly how their actions impacted you. From a financial perspective, this will involve creating an inventory of any expenses incurred after the crash. This might include bills from the hospital or doctor, the ambulance that transported you, medications, and surgeries or rehabilitative treatment. It might also include payment records to show a loss of income while you were incapacitated.

Proving damages from an emotional perspective is a bit more difficult—after all, you’re trying to prove something intangible and theoretical by nature. But with the help of an attorney, it is entirely possible to collect compensation for these kinds of damages as well. In this case, your lawyer will have to prepare testimonies from friends and family members. These parties might speak to a change in your temperament and lifestyle after the accident. 

Your attorney will likely also bring in expert witnesses, such as a psychologist, to provide testimony and analysis on how the accident caused damages like pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life. 

Appearing in court for the first time may be scary, especially when your physical, financial, and emotional futures depend on the outcome. But with proper preparation and guidance, you can ensure a successful trial and gather the compensation you deserve.