When you are involved in a road accident, many variables and links in a chain are set in motion that may not exactly lean in your favor, even if you were not the one at fault for the accident. The priority after such an event is to look after your own health and that of your passengers and whoever else was in the collision. If someone is seriously injured, administer first aid, before calling the authorities, police, ambulance, or firefighters, perhaps, and letting them take over. Seeking medical attention is crucial, as your well-being should be properly addressed before anything else. Once that has been taken care of, you should contact a lawyer, even if the accident was minor, and today you are going to find out why, so with all that said, let’s jump right in.
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Insurance Companies
Once the dust has settled and you have some time, the first thing you should do is contact an attorney. Reach out to a personal injury lawyer, like a trusted truck accident lawyer in Green Bay, even if the accident was minor. You deserve compensation after such an event and suffering physical and financial damages, like damage to your vehicle and perhaps lost wages because you were injured and so on. That is where insurance companies come in, which have a lot of money and a lot of legal resources at their disposal. They also have the instinctive position of paying you as frugally as possible, preferably nothing after an accident. As with any other business, their priority is making money, which they do by collecting premiums and not by paying out claims. This means they will very rarely, if ever, compensate you for the amount you are entitled to after having been in an accident if they can avoid it. The result of this is that they will often offer unfair compensation to crash victims, so if you try to negotiate with the insurance company yourself, without the aid of a lawyer, chances are your insurers are going to try to lowball you, underbid you, for whatever damages have been caused, and you may end up with unpaid medical bills, and vehicle damage expenses, to name a few. Those insurance adjusters are highly skilled and trained to negotiate settlements, doing everything in their power to minimize what they pay you, even to the point of just denying a completely valid and justified claim. They may act like they have your best interests at heart”, but the truth is they do not, all they are truly looking out for are their own interests, and that is just how it is.
Surprise Medical Bills
After having been in an accident, your injuries may seem as minor as a few bruises and cuts, or as serious as paralysis or other long-lasting or even permanent disability. The thing is, many serious injuries, like internal bleeding, hemorrhage, or even brain damage, may not show any obvious, apparent symptoms right away, which means you can just walk away thinking you are fine, only to literally collapse days or even weeks later, at which point the consequences may be disastrous. Numerous such injuries may not initially show any symptoms but still require urgent medical care. That is why it is so important that you go to a doctor right away, to get yourself checked for anything serious, and that is also why you should reach out to an attorney. If you have already settled with your insurance before an actual medical examination or waived your rights in some way, you may be stuck with a heap of medical bills that you now have to pay for yourself. These expenses can include ambulance fees, physical and cognitive therapy, consultations with doctors or other professionals in health care, and permanent disability, though there are more potential bills too. A lawyer in your corner will help to make sure you do not just give away your rights without even knowing until you can be sure you are fine.
Maximising Compensation
The first step a lawyer will take is to investigate and build your case and develop a strong, accurate sense of what your claim is truly worth. Car accident lawyers are already incentivized to maximize the payout as they are paid on a contingency basis, which is fantastic for you, as it means you do not have to worry about paying a fee for their services, and instead, they will receive a percentage of the settlement should you win. Either way, you do not lose any money, yet another reason why you should consult a legal professional. They get more money if you get more money, and everyone wins. Without your lawyer, you risk settling your claim for significantly less than what it may be worth. Determining the true value of a case is no simple thing, and requires experience and expertise, analyzing the accident itself, medical bills incurred, lost wages, property damage, and potential future medical needs. It is almost impossible for you to figure it out by yourself, but your attorney does this for a living.
Evidence
A strong case, in the end, rests on evidence, as your word alone is not going to be enough to win the settlement. Lawyers have the connections and experience needed to gather medical records, police reports, and possible witness statements. They also understand how evidence can be preserved to strengthen your claim, and thorough preparation like this is vital if your case ever makes its way to court because the insurance company refused to level with you. If it does end up in court, the whole process may stretch out for much longer than anyone wants, and evidence will be a key component in resolving it as quickly as possible.
An accident can quite literally turn your life upside down, and in the aftermath, it may be difficult to get your bearings, let alone make serious decisions. An attorney will step in and make sure that your rights are protected and that you receive fair compensation.
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Whether she is researching the latest trends in home decor, life-changing destination getaways, or the best way to maintain your finances, Dewey takes pride in leaving no stone unturned. She is passionate about distilling and delivering high-quality information that you can use to upgrade your life.
