Cambre & Associates handles car accident claims in Atlanta
Cambre & Associates is a law firm based in Atlanta that represents people injured in car accidents. The firm handles cases involving vehicle collisions, injuries from accidents, and disputes with insurance companies over claim denials or low settlement offers. If you have been in a car accident in Georgia and are considering legal representation, understanding what an attorney does in these cases and how the process works will help you decide whether to hire one.
A car accident attorney's main role is to investigate what happened, gather evidence, communicate with insurance companies on your behalf, and represent you if the case goes to court. They do not work for the insurance company—they work for you. This matters because insurance adjusters are trained to settle claims for as little as possible, while your attorney's job is to push for what your case is actually worth based on your injuries, lost wages, medical bills, and other damages.
Key Takeaways
- An attorney investigates the accident, collects police reports and medical records, and builds evidence to support your claim for damages.
- Insurance companies often offer less than a claim is worth; an attorney negotiates on your behalf and can reject lowball offers.
- Most car accident attorneys work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your settlement or court award instead of charging upfront fees.
- The process typically involves demand letters, negotiation, and sometimes a lawsuit if the insurance company will not settle fairly.
- Georgia law sets time limits for filing a lawsuit; waiting too long can bar you from recovering anything, so early consultation matters.
How a car accident attorney investigates your case
When you hire an attorney, they begin by collecting the police accident report, medical records from your treatment, repair estimates for your vehicle, and photographs of the accident scene. They also interview witnesses, review traffic camera footage if available, and sometimes hire accident reconstruction experts to prove how the collision happened and who was at fault.
This investigation serves two purposes. First, it establishes liability—proving the other driver caused the accident. Second, it documents the full extent of your injuries and damages. Insurance companies often deny claims or offer low settlements because they have not seen complete medical records or do not understand how severely you were hurt. An attorney's investigation fills those gaps and creates a stronger case.
The attorney will also review your insurance policy and the other driver's policy to understand what coverage is available. Georgia requires drivers to carry liability insurance, which pays for injuries and property damage the driver causes. If the other driver does not have enough insurance to cover your damages, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may explore. An attorney knows which policies explore and how to access them.
Negotiating with insurance companies
After the investigation, your attorney sends a demand letter to the other driver's insurance company. This letter summarizes the accident, explains why the other driver was at fault, lists your medical bills and other expenses, and states the amount you are seeking. The insurance company then has a set time to respond—usually 30 days.
Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators. They may dispute fault, argue your injuries are not as serious as you claim, or offer a settlement far below what your case is worth. An attorney knows these tactics and counters them with evidence. If the adjuster's offer is too low, your attorney can reject it and continue negotiating or prepare to file a lawsuit.
Most car accident cases settle during negotiation without going to court. An attorney's presence and willingness to litigate often moves the insurance company toward a fair settlement. They understand Georgia law on damages, know what similar cases have settled for, and can credibly threaten to take the case to trial if necessary.
Understanding contingency fees and costs
Most car accident attorneys in Atlanta work on contingency, which means they do not charge you an upfront fee. Instead, they take a percentage of your settlement or court award—typically 25 to 33 percent, depending on the firm and whether the case settles or goes to trial. If you do not recover money, the attorney does not get paid.
Beyond the attorney's fee, there are case costs: filing fees to start a lawsuit, costs to obtain medical records, informed witness fees, and court reporter fees. Some firms advance these costs and deduct them from your settlement. Others ask you to pay them as they arise. Before hiring an attorney, ask in writing how fees and costs work and what percentage they charge.
Contingency arrangements align the attorney's interests with yours—they only make money if you recover money, and they want the recovery to be as large as possible. This is different from hourly billing, where an attorney is paid regardless of the outcome.
The timeline from accident to settlement or trial
The process moves at different speeds depending on the case. If liability is clear and your injuries are straightforward, a settlement may come within three to six months. If the case is complex—multiple vehicles, serious injuries, disputed fault—it can take a year or longer.
Here is a typical sequence: you hire the attorney, they investigate for four to eight weeks, they send a demand letter, the insurance company responds within 30 days, negotiation happens over weeks or months, and either a settlement is reached or a lawsuit is filed. If a lawsuit is filed, there is a discovery phase where both sides exchange documents and take depositions (recorded statements under oath), which adds several months. Trial, if it happens, comes after that.
Georgia law sets a statute of limitations of two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. This means if you do not file within two years, you lose the right to sue and recover anything. This is why consulting an attorney early matters—they can file before the important date even if settlement negotiations are still ongoing.
When to hire an attorney versus handling it yourself
You do not need an attorney for every accident. If you were not injured, the damage to your vehicle is minor, and the other driver's insurance company is cooperating, you may handle the claim yourself. You can file a claim directly with the other driver's insurer, provide your medical bills and repair estimates, and accept their settlement offer if it covers your losses.
You should consider hiring an attorney if you were injured, the other driver disputes fault, the insurance company denies your claim, their settlement offer seems too low, or you have serious injuries requiring ongoing treatment. An attorney can also help if the other driver was uninsured or underinsured, or if multiple vehicles were involved and liability is unclear.
Many attorneys offer free consultations. You can meet with an attorney, describe your accident, and ask whether they think you need representation. This costs you nothing and gives you information to decide.
What Georgia law says about car accident damages
Georgia law allows you to recover economic damages—medical bills, lost wages, vehicle repair costs, and other out-of-pocket expenses—and non-economic damages—pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. The amount of non-economic damages depends on how severe your injuries are and how long recovery takes.
Georgia also allows comparative fault, which means if you were partly at fault for the accident, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20 percent at fault and your total damages are $10,000, you can recover $8,000. If you are more than 50 percent at fault, you cannot recover anything.
An attorney uses Georgia law to calculate what your case is worth and to argue for the highest recovery possible. They know how judges and juries in your county typically value similar injuries and can predict what a case might bring at trial if settlement fails.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do when ready after a car accident?
Call 911 if anyone is injured. Get the other driver's name, phone number, address, insurance company, and policy number. Take photographs of vehicle damage, the accident scene, and road conditions. Get contact information from witnesses. Do not admit fault or apologize for the accident. Report the accident to your own insurance company. Then contact an attorney before giving a recorded statement to the other driver's insurance company.
Can I still hire an attorney if I already accepted a settlement from the insurance company?
Once you sign a release, you have given up your right to sue. An attorney cannot reopen a settled claim. This is why it is important to consult an attorney before accepting any settlement offer, especially if you were seriously injured or the offer seems low.
How much is my car accident case worth?
The value depends on your medical bills, lost wages, the severity of your injuries, how long recovery takes, whether you have permanent damage, and whether liability is clear. An attorney can review your case and give you a range based on similar cases in Georgia, but the exact value only becomes clear through negotiation or trial.
What if the other driver does not have insurance?
Georgia requires drivers to carry liability insurance, but some do not. If the other driver is uninsured, you can file a claim under your own uninsured motorist coverage, which pays for injuries caused by an uninsured driver. An attorney can help you file this claim and negotiate with your own insurance company.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit after a car accident in Georgia?
You have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. If you do not file within two years, you lose the right to sue. An attorney can file before the important date even if settlement talks are still happening, protecting your right to go to court if needed.