Amazingly enough, most people will never be involved in a car accident.
Still, there are a lot of collisions on our roads, and as a result, our lawyers know how to handle claims from them.
After you’ve been in a car accident, you’ll need to determine whether you need treatment, based ENTIRELY on how badly you’re hurt, and what you and your doctors think you need to do to get better. You should NEVER let an insurance adjuster talk you out of getting treatment. Likewise never let anyone talk you into treatment you don’t need. You need to make those decisions based on how you feel.
You’ll need to handle a property damage claim, including getting a rental vehicle, and possibly making a claim for loss of value to your car.
Not every case involves medical treatment, and not every case needs a lawyer. However, it’s always a good idea to at least understand what your rights are before you make a decision. You may be able to do it all, but understand that, once you and the insurance adjuster agree to an amount and sign a release, you’ve had your one bite at the apple. You can’t go back for more money if something else happens down the road.
If you hire a lawyer, a good one will tell you how the handle the property damage on your own, and will advise you to consult a doctor to determine your course of treatment. The lawyer then gathers up evidence like photos of the scene, the police report, and any witness statements, and orders copies of your bills and medical records from your treatment. This is assembled into a demand package and sent to the insurance company for negotiation.
Then liens, subrogation interests, and outstanding bills should be reviewed and negotiated as well. If a settlement can be reached with the insurance company, you and your lawyer may decide to resolve the case and be done. If not, a lawsuit is filed and the case proceeds through litigation, possibly all the way to trial.
If you’ve been in a car accident, or hurt in a collision with a semi or other commercial vehicle, hit on a motorcycle or bicycle, or as a pedestrian, you’ve got questions. Our firm has answers. We don’t take every case that comes to us, because we only want to help if we think you’ll do better with us than without us. Contact us today for a free consultation by clicking here or calling us at 919-348-4361.
Getting a Rental Vehicle After an Accident
Health Insurance Liens and Subrogation
