How Scholle Law handles car accident cases in Atlanta
Scholle Law is a personal injury firm based in Atlanta that takes car accident cases on a contingency basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront and the firm collects a fee only if you receive money from a settlement or court judgment. The firm handles cases involving injuries from collisions, rear-end accidents, and multi-vehicle crashes within the Atlanta area and surrounding counties.
When you contact Scholle Law about a car accident, the process typically begins with an initial consultation where an attorney reviews the police report, your medical records, and the circumstances of the crash. The firm investigates whether the other driver was at fault, gathers witness statements, and works with medical providers to document your injuries. This investigation phase can take weeks or months depending on the complexity of the case.
The firm handles communication with the at-fault driver's insurance company on your behalf. This means the insurance adjuster contacts Scholle Law instead of calling you directly, which protects you from saying something that could hurt your case. The attorney negotiates a settlement demand based on your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Key Takeaways
- Scholle Law works on contingency, so you owe no attorney fees unless the firm recovers money for you through settlement or trial.
- The firm handles all communication with insurance companies, which prevents you from accidentally weakening your case by speaking directly to adjusters.
- Investigation and settlement negotiation typically take several months, and the timeline depends on how quickly medical treatment is complete and how willing the insurance company is to settle.
- If settlement negotiations stall, Scholle Law can file a lawsuit and take the case to trial, though most car accident cases settle before trial.
- You should gather your police report, medical records, and photos of vehicle damage before your first consultation.
What happens during the investigation phase
After you hire Scholle Law, the attorney's office requests the official police report from the Atlanta Police Department or the Georgia State Patrol, depending on where the accident occurred. This report contains the officer's assessment of fault, statements from both drivers, and witness contact information. The police report is one of the most important documents because insurance companies rely on it heavily when deciding whether to accept liability.
Scholle Law also collects your medical records from every provider who treated you after the accident—emergency room, urgent care, physical therapy, or ongoing specialists. Insurance companies use these records to understand the severity of your injuries and calculate what your case is worth. If you delayed seeking treatment or have gaps in your medical care, the insurance company will argue your injuries were not serious, which reduces the settlement offer.
The firm photographs the accident scene, the damage to your vehicle, and any visible injuries. If there were witnesses, the attorney's office contacts them to get written statements about what they saw. This evidence becomes part of the demand package sent to the insurance company.
How settlement negotiations work
Once investigation is complete, Scholle Law prepares a demand letter that outlines the facts of the case, explains why the other driver was at fault, and lists your damages—medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repair costs, and a dollar amount for pain and suffering. This letter goes to the at-fault driver's insurance company, not to the driver directly.
The insurance adjuster reviews the demand and makes a counteroffer, usually lower than what you requested. Scholle Law then negotiates back and forth with the adjuster. This process can take weeks or months. Most car accident cases settle during this phase because both sides want to avoid the cost and uncertainty of trial.
If the insurance company's offer is too low and you and the attorney agree the case is worth more, Scholle Law can file a lawsuit in Georgia state court. Filing a lawsuit does not mean you will go to trial—it often pushes the insurance company to increase its settlement offer because the company now faces legal costs and jury risk.
What the contingency fee means for your recovery
A contingency fee agreement means Scholle Law's payment comes from the settlement or judgment you receive. The firm's fee is typically one-third of the recovery, though this percentage can vary and should be clearly stated in your written agreement before the case begins. Court costs and investigation expenses are separate from the attorney fee and are also deducted from your settlement.
If Scholle Law does not recover money for you—for example, if the case goes to trial and you lose—you owe nothing to the firm. You may still owe court costs depending on the terms of your agreement, so ask about this during your consultation. The contingency model means the firm has financial incentive to maximize your recovery because the firm's payment depends on it.
Before you receive a settlement check, Scholle Law pays off any medical liens—agreements with hospitals or doctors to repay them from your settlement—and pays back any health insurance that covered your accident-related treatment. These payments come from your settlement before you receive your portion.
Timeline and what to expect at each stage
The first stage is the initial consultation, which can often be scheduled within a few days of your call. Bring your police report, insurance information, photos of the accident, and any medical records you have. This consultation is free and helps the attorney decide whether to take your case.
If Scholle Law agrees to represent you, the investigation phase begins when ready. Gathering police reports and medical records typically takes two to four weeks. During this time, you should continue any medical treatment your doctor recommends and keep records of all expenses related to the accident.
Once investigation is complete, the demand letter goes to the insurance company. The adjuster usually responds within two to four weeks. Settlement negotiations can then take another one to three months, depending on how far apart you and the insurance company are on value. If the case does not settle, filing a lawsuit adds another six to twelve months before trial, though many cases settle after a lawsuit is filed.
Documents and information to bring to your consultation
Bring the police report if you have it, or be ready to provide the report number and the agency that responded. Bring your driver's license and insurance card. If you took photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, or your injuries, bring those as well.
Bring any medical records you have received so far, including emergency room discharge papers, doctor's notes, and bills. If you have missed work because of the accident, bring documentation of lost wages from your employer. Bring the contact information for any witnesses who saw the accident.
If the other driver's insurance company has already contacted you, bring any written communication from them. Do not bring original documents—bring copies, as the attorney's office will need to keep them for the file.
When you might not need an attorney
If the accident was minor, both vehicles have only cosmetic damage, and no one was injured, you may be able to handle the claim yourself by contacting the at-fault driver's insurance company directly. In these cases, the insurance company will likely offer a quick settlement for vehicle repair costs.
However, if you have any injury—even pain that develops days after the accident—or if the other driver disputes fault, hiring an attorney protects you. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and they often pressure unrepresented people to settle quickly for less than their case is worth. An attorney levels this imbalance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a car accident case usually take from start to finish?
Most cases settle within three to six months if the facts are clear and liability is not disputed. Cases involving serious injuries or disputed fault can take longer. If the case goes to trial, add another six to twelve months after the lawsuit is filed.
What if I already accepted a settlement from the insurance company before hiring an attorney?
Once you sign a settlement agreement and release, you generally cannot reopen the case or hire an attorney to pursue additional money. This is why it is important to consult with an attorney before accepting any settlement offer, even if the insurance company pressures you to decide quickly.
Do I have to go to court or testify at trial?
Most cases settle without trial, so you will not testify. If your case does go to trial, your attorney will prepare you for what to expect and what questions you may be asked. You and your attorney will discuss trial strategy well in advance.
What if the other driver does not have insurance?
Georgia requires all drivers to carry liability insurance, but uninsured drivers do exist. Your own uninsured motorist coverage may cover your damages in this situation. Scholle Law can explain your options during your consultation and pursue recovery against the uninsured driver if your policy covers it.
Can I still hire Scholle Law if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Georgia follows comparative negligence rules, meaning you can recover money even if you were partially at fault, as long as you were not more than 50 percent responsible. The amount you recover is reduced by your percentage of fault. An attorney can argue your percentage of fault down during negotiations.