What a Car Accident Lawyer Actually Does for Your Case
On this page
A Georgia car accident lawyer’s work follows the legal steps of the claim: preserving evidence and meeting early deadlines, building the proof of fault and damages, making a settlement offer in the form Georgia law requires, sorting out insurance and liens, and, if needed, filing and trying the case under the 2025 procedural rules. What you can expect is the work each step requires, not a promised result.
The work, stage by stage
| Stage | Tasks tied to Georgia law |
|---|---|
| First weeks | Written preservation requests for video, vehicle data, and the vehicles; notice to a city within six months or to a county or state agency within 12 months, if one is involved; notice to your own insurer under your policy |
| Building the claim | Police report, medical records and bills, wage records; identifying every liable party and policy; proof of the reasonable value of medical care under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-1.1 for newer claims |
| Settlement offer | An offer meeting § 9-11-67.1 (material terms, at least 30 days to accept, at least 40 days for payment, proper delivery); evaluating responses and clarifications |
| Coverage | Coordinating the at-fault driver's limits with your UM coverage; using a limited release under § 33-24-41.1 where it fits |
| Liens and reimbursement | Checking hospital liens under § 44-14-471, health plan claims under § 33-24-56.1, and Medicare or Medicaid |
| Lawsuit | Choosing the court and county; service; responding to a motion to dismiss and the discovery stay; discovery and experts under § 24-7-702 |
| Trial | Jury selection, evidence, a phased trial if elected under § 51-12-15, and arguing damages within § 9-10-184 |
| Closing | Distributing the money and providing the written closing statement the professional conduct rules require for a contingency case |
The steps are explained in how to file a car accident lawsuit in Georgia, what goes into a Georgia car accident demand letter, and how medical liens affect your Georgia car accident settlement.
What stays your decision
A lawyer advises; certain decisions remain the client’s. Rule 1.2(a) of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct provides: “A lawyer shall abide by a client’s decision whether to settle a matter.” You also keep control of facts only you can supply: your medical history, your work, how the injury changed your life, and honest answers about the crash.
What you should receive
- A written fee agreement stating the percentage at each stage, the expenses, and whether expenses come out before or after the fee.
- Copies of the settlement offer, any release, and the closing statement.
- Updates on deadlines and offers.
How fees work is explained in how much does a car accident lawyer cost in Georgia, and whether you need one in should I get a lawyer after a Georgia car accident.
Sources
- O.C.G.A. §§ 33-24-41.1, 33-24-56.1, 44-14-471 (text as published in March 2024 or in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, November 2022 release); § 24-7-702; §§ 9-10-184, 51-12-1.1, 51-12-15 (Senate Bill 68 (2025), as passed); § 9-11-67.1 (Senate Bill 83 (2024), as passed, LC 48 1320S).
- Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.2, State Bar of Georgia handbook; Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct, Rule 1.5, State Bar of Georgia handbook (text as published in October 2026).
This page describes Georgia law as of October 2026 for general information. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship.