Client Frequently Asked Questions

How We Handle Your Claim

We are pleased that you have chosen Millar & Mixon to represent your interests in this case. Since you probably do not know what to expect, we would like to acquaint you with the general pattern of how we handle cases of this type. You may want to refer to these materials as your case progresses.

The First Office Conference

When you are first interviewed, general information regarding the accident is obtained. We will relate to you the things you should or should not do. You will be requested to sign certain authorization forms which will allow us to obtain your medical records and other necessary information.

Our First Step in Helping You

We will notify the other party’s insurance company that you have retained us as your attorneys.  A letter will be sent to all of the doctors and hospitals involved in your case.

Who To Talk To

Do not talk about your case with anyone except this office and your doctor. If your own insurance company wants to talk about your case before they pay your medical bills, please refer them to our office so that arrangements can be made to have your statement taken in the presence of your attorney.

What To Sign

Any necessary information from employers, schools, or other personal will be obtained by us. You should not sign anything for anyone else until you check with us first.

Uninsured or Underinsured Driver

If you were hit by an uninsured or underinsured motorist, you may be eligible for uninsured or underinsured motorist benefits under your own insurance policy or the policy that covered the vehicle you were in. Many insurance companies have special provisions if you desire to proceed against the uninsured or underinsured motorist provision of the policy. In most cases, you will be able to collect for your lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, etc., in the same way as if the driver that hit you did have insurance.

Millar & Mixon is eager to assist you in a timely manner filing this claim if no other insurance coverage is available or the at fault driver is underinsured and your own policy provides underinsured benefits.

Premises Liability - slip and falls, animal bites and dangerous conditions

Atlanta lawyers Millar & Mixon can help if you have been injured as the result of an unsafe condition on the property of another person or business. Examples include falls on slippery floors, animal (dog) bites, collapsing stairways and railings, and falling walls and ceilings. We have successfully recovered settlements and verdicts in each of these areas.

Medical Payments Coverage

While your case is pending against the insurance company of the party that caused the injury, we frequently arrange to have your medical bills, and sometimes your lost wages, paid by another insurance company. This could be from the medical payments provision of your own automobile insurance policy or your own health insurance policy. Please be sure that all your medical bills that relate to your collision are sent to our office, so that we may forward them to the appropriate insurance company.

Keep Detailed Records

Keep detailed records of your lost time and wages, physical limitations, other expenses resulting from your injuries, i.e., transportation, home care, etc. It is important to make entries on an ongoing basis. A summary at the end of each month will not be as helpful to us.

All of your bills should be paid by check or you should obtain and keep receipts. The records will be very helpful when, a year later, you may be asked by an insurance company or an attorney to recall your pain, physical disabilities and any out-of-pocket expenses.

Medical - Attorney Liens

Some of our clients may have been involved in an accident where there is no medical payments insurance, worker's compensation or private health insurance. In such cases, your doctor will expect to be paid by you at the conclusion of the case. Often they will require you to agree in writing to have our office pay them directly from the proceeds you receive at the time of your settlement. If your doctor asks you to sign what is often called a "lien letter", be sure to contact our office. In some cases, it may not be appropriate for you to sign such an agreement.

You May Be Watched and Photographed

When a claim is filed by an injured person, insurance companies routinely conduct a detailed investigation of the injured person's background. It is not uncommon for an insurance company investigator to park his surveillance van near your house and videotape your activities. These investigators work very hard to obtain videotapes of claimants lifting heavy groceries or engaging in strenuous physical activity. However, these same surveillance tapes have been useful to corroborate our client's limitations, including the use of canes, crutches, etc.

If you believe you are being watched, please call us and try to avoid the camera. Do no exaggerate your limitations or pose for the camera.

Bankruptcy

If you are considering filing bankruptcy, you should know that you may lose some or all rights to your personal injury case. The Bankruptcy Court can take over your case, settle your case and give some or all of your settlement money to your creditors. Be sure to talk to your attorney before filing bankruptcy.

We Work Hard to Get You a Good Settlement

It is important to know that your case will not be settled until damages have been determined and all investigations to determine who is liable have been complete. It generally takes until you complete your medical care to have everything necessary to settle your case. If a trial becomes necessary, it can take longer to complete a case. We will work as hard and fast as possible to settle your case quickly.

In the final steps of preparing your settlement, you may be asked for some supplemental information and material to help us better evaluate your case. As soon as investigation is completed and sufficient information obtained, we will make an evaluation of your case and arrive at a range for settlement. Sometimes your doctor will be unable to provide us with a final evaluation of your injuries until he allows time for total healing or further evaluation. Once a doctor tells us how much time is required, we will request a report from him/her as soon as it becomes available. Upon receipt of the doctor's report, we will then prepare a settlement demand to submit to the insurance company.

You will be informed at all times of any offer that is made to settle the case. Sometimes it is necessary for several offers and counter-offers to be made and evaluated in order for a settlement to be reached. We strive to keep you informed of the settlement discussions.

How Much Money Will I Get

It is impossible for us to tell how much money, if any, you will receive in connection with your case. In cases of serious injury, the ultimate recovery can sometimes be related to the amount of insurance coverage available. As your attorneys, we feel it is our primary duty to obtain an amount of money which will fairly and justly compensate you for your injuries. We will make every effort to do this by locating all sources of money. We will advise you of our evaluation in that regard.

Starting a Lawsuit

Your case is special. Every case is different in many ways. There are many factors we examine to determine when a lawsuit should be filed. We appreciate the fact that injured people want to settle their case and get on with a normal life as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, many insurance companies are not willing to treat an injured person fairly. Before filing suit in your case, we will call you to obtain your permission and explain to you why we believe a lawsuit should be filed.

We want to point out that although a lawsuit may have to be filed, settlement is always possible. Negotiations continue and many lawsuits settle before trial. After the lawsuit is filed, you may have to come into our office and have the other side ask you questions. This is called a deposition or examination before trial. If this needs to be done, rest assured that we will be with you every step of the way to advise you.

What is a Deposition?

A Deposition (or examination before trial) is a procedure which may be used by either side prior to trial in a lawsuit. It is used to learn as much as possible about the other side's claims or defenses and consists of a series of oral questions with possible identification of documents. Those present are the parties concerned, their lawyers, sometimes an additional witness or two, and a stenographer (court reporter) who records the questions and answers.

The lawyers agree in advance where the deposition will be held. It often will be in the office of one of the lawyers, but sometimes it is held in a conference room at the courthouse.

Attendance is mandated and required by law. This is not something in which we have a choice. Because of this, we will need your full cooperation. Prior to the deposition and at the meeting place noted in our letter, our lawyer will go over the facts of the case with you and answer any questions you might have.

It is very important that you confirm the date of appearance two days before the scheduled date. Indeed, when you receive a letter from us, let us know immediately about your availability and any problems which might prevent your appearance at deposition.

Trial

If your case cannot be settled for a fair amount of money, we will proceed to trial. The last several weeks before the trial date are spent in detailed preparation of your case. What is expected of you at trial will be explained to you in the detail well in advance of your going to court.

Things For You To Remember

Address & Number:

Car Repair:

Medical Items:

Your Job:

Receipts:

Inform this office immediately of any change of address and/or telephone number.

If your vehicle was damaged, we need pictures before you get it repaired. Use color film or digital pictures and take several shots. Send the pictures to our office. If for some reason you are unable to take pictures, and if the car is drivable, you can bring it to our office and we will take the pictures.

Save all pill bottles, casts, braces and any other items from your doctors.

Tell us of any changes in your job, job duties, salary or anything. If you miss work because of your injury, be sure and keep it in your records.

Be sure to obtain and save all receipts itemizing any and all expenses you incurred as a result of your accident. Receipts must be dated and contain legible and complete vendor identification.

Conclusion

We look forward to the opportunity to help you resolve your legal problem, and we feel certain you will be pleased with our work. If you have any questions or difficulties through this process, we encourage you to contact us. Our office number is 770-477-6360 which is answered 24/7 or you can email us at info@millarandmixon.com.