Questions & Answers

If you’ve been injured and it was not your fault, you should consult with an attorney. There could be a lot at stake – your medical bills could be mounting, or you didn’t get paid for the time you were unable to work. Perhaps you don’t have the means to seek proper care for your injuries. At C. Ron Smith Attorney at Law, we understand your circumstances and the complexities involved in Personal Injury Law. Don’t try to do this alone. Call us for a free consultation. Even if your case doesn’t warrant a lawsuit, we will give you an honest evaluation and it won’t cost a thing unless we win your case. Give us a call, and we can put your mind at ease. READ MORE

You should contact an attorney as soon as possible. At C. Ron Smith Attorney at Law, we can help alleviate the stress you may be feeling, trying to figure out what to do next, especially when you should be focused on getting better. Also, evidence of liability is very important in proving your damages. Every day after an accident is one more day that evidence may deteriorate, or not be available at all. Even if your case doesn’t warrant a lawsuit, we will give you an honest evaluation and it won’t cost a thing unless we win your case.

We are different from other attorneys. One of the biggest complaints in this profession is “they don’t answer my questions.” At C. Ron Smith Attorney at Law, we pay particular attention to your questions and provide you with answers. We understand that every client is an individual with unique needs and expectations. Here, you can count on being treated with dignity, respect, and compassion – and our clients agree. (SEE TESTIMONIALS). We understand the complexities involved in Personal Injury Law and our team has the investigative experience to develop a strong case strategy that the insurance companies will take seriously. If your claim can’t be resolved through negotiations, Attorney Smith is a skilled trial attorney who has the confidence and experience to bring your case before a judge and jury. Here, you will always know the status of your case, and you won’t pay any fees unless we win. We welcome your call for a free, honest case evaluation. Call today!

We can put your mind at ease. We recognize that after an accident, it can be a very difficult, even traumatic time in your life. At C. Ron Smith Attorney at Law, we understand the complexities involved in Personal Injury Law and our team has the experience you need to deal with insurance companies and investigate the facts of your case. We will guide you through the claim process, help you understand the various types of insurance involved in your claim, prepare a demand, and negotiate with the insurance companies, file a lawsuit and try a case. So many of the larger law firms will not bother with trying a case. If your claim can’t be resolved through negotiations with the insurance companies, Attorney Smith is a skilled trial attorney who has the confidence and experience to bring your case before a judge and jury. READ MORE

First and foremost, we want you to focus on recovering from your injuries. During that time, please keep us informed as your treatment progresses and if you see any new doctors or therapy providers. Be sure to take photos of your injuries and record videos on the hardship they are causing you (or, how your injuries have affected your daily life.) This can be especially valuable to proving your case. You should also document your lost wages for any time you miss from work because of your injuries, including doctors’ notes stating you were unable to work, and pay stubs for one month immediately before your injuries and for one month after the time you returned to work. If you receive any medical bills, please be sure to send us a copy. Also, keep track of all receipts for medications or medical equipment your doctor prescribes. Here at C. Ron Smith Attorney at Law, we provide each client with a notebook that includes a convenient way to keep track of everything. Personal injury cases take time to develop, and while much of the process happens in the background, we are committed to keeping our clients well-informed.

A claim against a negligent party will include your medical bills. They must be related to the incident at issue. It is beneficial to use your health insurance or medical payments insurance if you have these coverages – even though the other party is at fault. When you use your employee health insurance for medical bills, there are times when the insurance company demands reimbursement after you receive recovery under ERISA laws, whether they have a right to or not. We are very familiar with ERISA and identifying whether the insurance company actually has the right to claim reimbursement and will lead you through the process every step of the way.

There is no exact answer because each claim is unique. Some claims can be settled quickly, while others may take two years or longer. We don’t want you to wait any longer than you have to, but we will not cut corners to shorten the process if it means you won’t get the compensation your case warrants. Some of the biggest complaints in this profession is “they don’t answer my questions,” and “they don’t keep me updated on my case.” Rest assured, at C. Ron Smith Attorney at Law, we pay particular attention to your questions and provide you with answers, and are committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. READ MORE

In Georgia, the statute of limitations – or period of time during which a claimant can file a lawsuit – is 2 years from the date of the injury. However, there are other deadlines, such as ante litem notices or timely notice to your insurance company that may affect your claim and the ability to pursue it.

There are three basic types of damages: Special, General, and Punitive. Special Damages are the tangible/financial losses you incur such as medical bills, prescription costs, and lost wages. General damages are those we seek for your pain and suffering – or impact on your quality-of-life. Punitive damages are those we seek when the defendant’s behavior is found to be especially willful, malicious or reckless. In Georgia, punitive damages are awarded solely to punish, penalize, or deter a defendant from repeating the action that caused your injury.

Our fees are contingent upon a client receiving a recovery for their case, whether through a negotiated settlement or an amount awarded at trial. We represent clients on a “Contingency Fee” basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless you do. Working on contingency comes with risk to an attorney. Up-front costs paid by a law firm can be in the thousands of dollars. Costs include fees for obtaining records, ordering evidence, case investigation, expert witnesses, depositions, court costs, and more.

There are a number of factors involved in determining the amount your case is worth. It varies based on the type and severity of your injuries, whether liability is clearly on the other party, and the impact of your injuries, such as how they affect your day to day living, earning capacity, or ability to earn wages in the future.

If you have any doubt, give our law firm a call. At C. Ron Smith Attorney at Law, we understand that insurance companies are for-profit organizations and their priority is to protect their bottom line. It is not in their best interest to offer you a single dollar more than you’re willing to accept. There are so many questions to ask and facts to consider. Without the representation of an experienced attorney like Ron Smith, you may receive much less than you deserve.

If the other driver was at fault, his or her insurance company would pay for your property damage, without a deductible. This is true even if you do not carry collision coverage. However, if there is a dispute in liability, you may need to use your collision coverage. Also, if there is an unknown defendant, you may need to use your UM (Uninsured Motorist) coverage.

In some situations, there may be multiple insurance companies involved after an accident. If you’re contacted by a company that covers another party in your accident, you are not required to give a statement (written or recorded) or to discuss the case at all. Simply refer them back to your attorney. It gets a bit trickier if it’s your own insurance company asking for a statement. Generally speaking, you must cooperate with your insurance company, but giving a statement without consulting an attorney is risky. You don’t want to say the wrong thing! So, even if it is your own insurer, it is a good idea to contact an attorney for advice prior to making any statements.

A Premises Liability case stems from injuries sustained on someone else’s property. A property owner or manager has a legal duty to exercise ordinary care to ensure premises and approaches are safe for invited guests, customers, and tenants who enter their property. Premises liability cases are very complex, as the Plaintiff must prove that a property owner or manager was negligent – or, did something wrong – in the eyes of the law as outlined in Georgia Statute Section 51, Chapter 3. As your legal team, we can evaluate the circumstances of a client’s injuries and ascertain the grounds for his or her case. This includes identifying exactly what hazard or condition caused the injury; that the injured party did not have equal knowledge of the hazardous situation; that the injured party was an “invitee” on the premises; and that the property owner knew of – or should have known of – the hazard.

Whether you are out shopping, visiting at a neighbor’s house, or at a professional baseball game, you should expect your environment to be safe with well-lit stairs, a floor without spills or damage, and free from physical assault. Call our office right away at (770) 731-1447 if you have been injured because of a property owner’s negligence. We will investigate your case while evidence is fresh, so you can get back to focusing on getting better.

This can be a complicated question to answer because there are many variables under Premises Liability law regarding the duty of the property owner and the relationship he or she has with the person who has been injured. However, generally speaking, the degree of responsibility that a property owner has to safeguard someone on his or her property can vary, depending on whether the person is an “invitee,” a “licensee,” or a “trespasser.” The greatest responsibility for a property owner is to invitees who are on their property for purposes of the owner’s economic gain; owners have a duty to exercise ordinary care in keeping the premises and approaches safe. For non-invitees, the owner’s liability differs, based on the specific circumstances of the injury. Attorney Ron Smith has extensive experience working with clients on Premises Liability cases. If you’ve been injured on someone else’s property, give our office a call so we can talk through the variables and decide what course of legal action we should take.

Choosing a law firm is an important and personal decision. With the seemingly endless TV ads for the firms in and around the Atlanta area, making your selection is a bit overwhelming. We suggest narrowing your options by searching for Personal Injury law firms located near your home or workplace and creating a list of potentials. Once you have your list, make a few phone calls. Here are some things to consider as you call:

• Is Personal Injury the only field of law the firm practices?
• Will I talk directly with my attorney for the initial consultation?
• How long has the attorney been practicing Personal Injury Law?
• Have you tried a Personal Injury case in front of a jury?
• When was the last time the attorney has taken a doctor’s deposition?
• Will I have the same legal team from start to finish?
• Is my attorney available to meet face to face and talk to me directly?

You can’t get answers to these questions from a TV or radio ad, nor can they convey the personal aspects of an attorney-client relationship. If they are not willing to talk to you directly, how will you know if you are comfortable with them? How will you know if they are willing to take time and explain everything to you? How will you know if you can trust them?

If you’re looking for a Personal Injury attorney, give our office a call and we’ll provide the service you want and deserve. You will speak with Ron Smith directly and experience, first hand, our commitment to treating you with dignity, respect and compassion. (Visit our “Testimonials” page to read what our clients are saying.) .