There are many myths about car accidents which can cause a lot of confusion. In order to protect your rights, it’s important to separate facts from fiction. While ultimately contacting a car accident or personal injury lawyer to discuss your case’s specific needs may be in your best interest, we’ve debunked a few of the common myths for you below:
1) You can’t file a claim against the other driver if you were partly at fault for the accident.
Not necessarily true. In some states, fault can be distributed amongst both the parties and you you may still entitled to file a claim for compensation. A qualified car accident attorney can give you more information specific to your case and to the laws of your state governing at fault liability.
2) Your insurance company’s settlement offer will be the best offer you can get.
Not necessarily true. Even if you have a great customer provider relationship, when it comes for them to offer compensation, they may try to undercut what you deserve. Having a lawyer on your side can help immensely in this kind of scenario. Not only may your lawyer be able to increase your settlement value, they may also be able to expedite the payment process as some insurance companies may intentionally delay the payment as a negotiation tactic.
3) You can’t claim injuries that present after the initial trauma of the accident.
Not necessarily true. When an accident occurs, however minor, the human body can go into shock which can mask the symptoms of an injury. Head injuries, like a concussion, can commonly present symptoms well after the accident. By contacting a car accident attorney immediately following an auto accident of any kind, you can establish the chain of events. This helps to protect your rights if you end up filing an accident claim or lawsuit for your injuries.
4) The police will prove who was at fault, so you don’t have to worry.
Not necessarily true. If called to the scene, police are required to write an accident report, but the extent to which they investigate what happened may vary. If the investigation is minimal, the other driver’s insurance company may deny your claim because there is not enough factual evidence to prove you were not at fault. It is important that as soon as you are safely able to do so, write down in detail what happened. Include the date, times, and full descriptions of vehicles and the people involved. If you are still on the scene, take pictures of any damage, governing signage, or other pertinent details. Keep your receipts for any vehicle repairs or medical costs. Contact a car accident lawyer immediately and provide him or her with your notes and receipts. To protect your rights, your lawyer may decide to conduct their own investigation into the accident.
5) Lawyers are not worth the cost to help you file an accident claim.
Not necessarily true. Some lawyers won’t charge you anything until they’ve won your case. Furthermore, an experienced car accident attorney may be able to negotiate a higher settlement amount for your claim than the insurance company offered. If the medical costs from your accident extend into the future, an attorney may be able to include those costs in the settlement as well. There are many myths about car accidents that could keep you from getting the compensation you deserve. If you have been involved in a car accident, or have any questions about your rights after an accident, it may be in your best interest to contact a trusted car accident attorney, today.
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Thanks to our friends and contributors at Cohen & Cohen, P.C.
for their added insight into debunking some of myths about car accidents.
