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When you’ve been injured in a car crash, determining who will pay for the damages is often the last thing on your mind. The first thing on your mind is your health, injuries, and safety of the people who were traveling with you. However, whether your injuries are relatively minor or significant, you will eventually (sooner than later) need to deal with the insurance company regarding payment for medical costs, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Before you pick up the phone to call the insurance company responsible for paying your bills, there are three crucial facts that you need to know to keep yourself from being taken advantage of. In all circumstances, having an auto accident lawyer can help you get through the process and get the money you need to pay your bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering and cover your expenses.
Potential Damages
When you are injured in an auto accident, you may be saddled with thousands of dollars of medical bills. However, there are other costs involved when you are in a car crash. For instance, you might lose money because you have to take time off of work, or you might have to pay travel expenses to get treatment. You may miss out on family vacations or special events, and you might deal with emotional problems. Insurance companies can and should compensate you for these losses as well as your medical bills. However, putting a number on issues like pain and suffering can be difficult, and without a lawyer, trying to make the insurance company see how you have really suffered is a challenge.
Assigning Fault
Although it might seem pretty clear to you who is at fault in your accident, insurance companies don’t always see it that way. Often, they want to assign a percentage of fault to you – even if you know that you are clearly in the right. If the car insurance company determines that you are even partially at fault for the accident, the amount they are willing to pay decreases. It is frustrating and emotionally exhausting to argue with the insurance company, continually attempting to provide proof that you are a victim and are not at fault. With an attorney, you will not only be spared the frustration of having to argue with the insurance company when the fault was never yours, but you will also have a better chance of getting the highest possible payment.
Importance of An Attorney
Simply stated, insurance companies do not want to have the full value of your claim. Insurance companies make money by taking in premiums from people not by paying out claims. For this reason, they often make it difficult for you to obtain what you are entitled to. This is one reason to consult with an injury attorney before dealing with the insurance company. First, you should understand that you or your insurance claim lawyer must contact the insurance company. Even if you’ve filed a police report or made a claim with your own insurance company, you still need to contact the company of the person who hit you. Often, you must also provide insurance information, like the claim number, date of the accident, and insured party’s name, to the hospital. While this might seem simple, if you are injured and without a vehicle and/or dealing with the stress of injured family, it can be very difficult. For this reason, having an injury lawyer who can represent you, answer the insurance company’s questions, take care of the paperwork for you, and advocate for you is the best course of action.
After you’ve been in in a car crash, dealing with the insurance company can be almost as painful as the accident itself. Get the help you need to get what you deserve. Our firm offers a free consultation on all potential cases. When you come in for your consultation, you will speak directly with an attorney who will listen and give you all of your options. Don’t let the insurance company take advantage of you. Contact us today to get the process started.
