Who Bubba Head Is and What His Awards Mean
Bubba Head is a car accident attorney based in Atlanta with a track record of winning cases and settlements for clients injured in vehicle collisions. His name appears in legal directories and on his firm's website alongside awards from legal rating organizations. These awards typically come from peer review (other lawyers voting on competence) or client review platforms, and they signal that he has handled a significant number of cases and maintained a reputation among both the legal community and people he has represented.
Awards in personal injury law do not may provide an outcome in your case. They indicate experience and a pattern of results, but every accident is different. Your own case depends on the facts of what happened, the injuries you sustained, what insurance is involved, and what evidence exists. An award tells you the attorney has done this work before; it does not tell you whether your particular claim will settle quickly or go to trial.
Key Takeaways
- Awards from legal rating organizations signal experience and peer or client recognition, but do not predict the outcome of your specific case.
- Before hiring any attorney, you should understand their fee structure—most car accident attorneys in Georgia work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of what you recover and nothing if you recover nothing.
- Your first conversation with an attorney should cover what happened, your injuries, whether you have already filed a claim with insurance, and what the attorney's process is for handling your case.
- Georgia law sets a time limit (statute of limitations) of two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, so waiting too long can cost you the right to sue even if you have a strong claim.
How Contingency Fees Work in Georgia Car Accident Cases
Most car accident attorneys in Atlanta, including award-winning firms, work on a contingency fee basis. This means the attorney takes a percentage of the money you recover—typically 33 percent if the case settles before trial, or 40 percent if it goes to trial. You pay nothing upfront and nothing if you recover nothing. The attorney fronts the costs of investigation, medical records, informed witnesses, and court filings, and recoups those costs from your settlement or judgment.
Before you sign a fee agreement, ask the attorney to explain in writing what percentage they take, when that percentage applies (settlement versus trial), and what costs come out before or after the fee is calculated. Some firms deduct costs first, then take their percentage of what remains. Others calculate the percentage first, then deduct costs. The difference can be hundreds or thousands of dollars in your pocket.
If an attorney offers to work for free or promises a specific dollar amount, that is a red flag. Legitimate car accident attorneys price their work based on the complexity of the case and the time required, not on a may provide of outcome.
What Happens in the First Meeting With an Attorney
When you meet with Bubba Head's office or any car accident attorney, bring the police report (if one was filed), photos of vehicle damage, medical records and bills, proof of lost wages, and any communication with the other driver's insurance company. The attorney will ask you to walk through the accident in detail: where you were, what you were doing, what you saw the other driver do, and how the collision happened. They will ask about your injuries, what medical treatment you received, and whether you are still in pain or undergoing treatment.
The attorney will also ask whether you have already filed a claim with your own insurance company or the other driver's insurance company, and what response you have received. If you have been offered a settlement, bring that offer. The attorney will explain whether that offer is reasonable given the facts and your injuries, or whether pursuing a lawsuit is likely to result in a better outcome.
At the end of the meeting, the attorney should tell you what the next steps are, how long the process typically takes, and when you should expect to hear from them again. If they do not explain the process or rush you to sign a fee agreement without answering your questions, that is a sign to consult with another firm before deciding.
Georgia's Statute of Limitations and Why Timing Matters
Georgia law gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit in court. This important date, called the statute of limitations, is firm. If you do not file by that date, you lose the right to sue, even if you have a strong case and the other driver was clearly at fault. Insurance claims do not have the same important date, but waiting too long to notify an insurance company can give them reason to deny your claim.
Hiring an attorney does not stop the clock. The attorney must file the lawsuit before the two-year important date passes. If you are still negotiating a settlement with insurance, the attorney will usually file a lawsuit before the important date as a precaution, then continue settlement talks. Filing a lawsuit does not mean the case will go to trial; most cases settle even after a lawsuit is filed.
If your accident happened more than 18 months ago and you have not yet hired an attorney or filed a claim, contact one now. The closer you get to the two-year mark, the less time the attorney has to investigate and negotiate before they must file to protect your rights.
How Awards and Ratings Differ, and What They Actually Measure
Legal awards come from different sources and measure different things. Peer review awards (like those from Martindale-Hubbell or Super Lawyers) are based on votes from other lawyers in the same practice area. Client review awards (like those from Avvo or Google) are based on ratings and reviews from people who have hired the attorney. Bar association recognition means the attorney is in good standing with the State Bar of Georgia and has no disciplinary history.
An award does not mean the attorney has never lost a case or that every client was satisfied. It means the attorney has built a reputation for competence and results over time. When you are comparing attorneys, look at the type of award (peer versus client), how recent it is, and whether the attorney's website explains what the award is based on. Be skeptical of vague claims like "award-winning" without specifics about which award or what year.
You can verify an attorney's standing with the State Bar of Georgia by visiting the Georgia Bar's website and searching their disciplinary history. This is free and takes two minutes. It tells you whether the attorney has faced complaints, sanctions, or suspension.
Questions to Ask Before Hiring Any Car Accident Attorney
Before you commit to working with an attorney, you should have clear answers to these questions: How many car accident cases have you handled in the last five years? What is your typical settlement range for cases like mine? What is your fee percentage, and when does it explore? What costs do you front, and when do I reimburse them? How often will you update me on my case, and how do I reach you? If my case goes to trial, will you try it yourself or refer it to another attorney?
An experienced attorney will answer these questions directly and in writing. If an attorney is evasive, promises a specific outcome, or pressures you to sign when ready, keep looking. The Atlanta market has many may have access to car accident attorneys, and you should feel confident in your choice before you sign a fee agreement.
What Happens After You Hire an Attorney
After you sign a fee agreement, the attorney's office will send a letter to the other driver's insurance company notifying them that you are represented and that all communication should go through the attorney. The insurance company will assign a claims adjuster to your case. The attorney will request your medical records, bills, and proof of lost wages, and will also request the police report and any photos or video of the accident from the insurance company.
The attorney will review all of this information and prepare a demand letter—a detailed written summary of what happened, your injuries, your damages (medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering), and the amount of money you are asking for. The insurance company will respond with a counteroffer. Negotiation typically takes weeks or months. If the parties cannot reach a settlement, the attorney will file a lawsuit and the case will proceed through discovery (exchanging evidence) and potentially to trial.
Throughout this process, you should expect the attorney to contact you with updates, ask for additional information if needed, and explain what is happening at each stage. If you do not hear from the attorney for months, or if they do not return your calls, that is a problem and you should address it directly or consider finding new representation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does hiring an award-winning attorney mean I will win my case?
No. Awards reflect an attorney's experience and reputation, not a may provide of outcome. Your case depends on the facts, the evidence, the injuries you sustained, and what the insurance company or jury believes happened. An experienced attorney improves your chances of a fair settlement or judgment, but cannot promise a specific result.
What if I already settled with insurance before hiring an attorney?
If you have already signed a release and accepted a settlement check, you generally cannot hire an attorney to reopen the case. This is why it is important to consult with an attorney before accepting any settlement offer from an insurance company. If you have not yet cashed the check, contact an attorney when ready to review the settlement before you do.
How long does a car accident case typically take in Georgia?
Most cases settle within three to six months if liability is clear and injuries are straightforward. Cases with serious injuries, disputed liability, or multiple parties can take a year or longer. If the case goes to trial, add several more months for court scheduling. Your attorney should give you a realistic timeline based on the facts of your case.
Can I change attorneys if I am unhappy with the one I hired?
Yes, but you need to do it carefully. You have the right to fire your attorney at any time, but you may owe them a fee for work they have already done. Before you switch, consult with a new attorney about whether changing makes sense and what it will cost you. Some attorneys will negotiate a reduced fee if you are leaving because of a genuine problem with service.
What if the other driver does not have insurance?
Georgia requires all drivers to carry liability insurance, but some do not. If the other driver is uninsured, you can still file a claim under your own uninsured motorist coverage (if you have it) or sue the driver directly. An attorney can help you understand your options and pursue the claim. The process is similar to an insured claim, but collection can be harder if the driver has no assets.