Hi, my name is Kirsten Krueger and two years ago, I was in a car accident. I was stopped at a stop sign when the driver behind me slammed into my car. Due to my injuries, I had to spend a few days in the hospital and I was unable to work for two months. My medical care was expensive and without being able to work, I couldn't pay my bills. The car accident was stressful enough and then I had to worry about how I would pay my bills. After speaking with a car accident lawyer, it wasn't long before I was compensated for my medical bills and lost wages from work. I'm writing this blog to help others who have been a car accident and haven't received any compensation. As you read my posts, you'll learn how an attorney can help you if you're in a vehicle accident.
If you have been injured in a car accident that was the other driver's fault, you will want to file a claim with the other driver's car insurance company. However, it is best to first consult with an attorney. Doing this offers protection from an insurance company's claims adjusters and lawyers in many ways. The following are a couple of examples.
Protection from making a statement
An insurance representative will likely ask you to make a statement about the accident. You are under no legal obligation to do this, and if you have an attorney, you will be told that all communication should be done through them. Quite often, after making a statement about the accident, it will come back to haunt a person, as this statement can be used against you. It is easy to say something that can be misinterpreted, and if it is something that helps the insurance company, you can bet that they will take advantage of it. A car accident attorney can protect you from any notion that you need to speak to anyone from the insurance company.
Protection from less compensation
Under the law, you are likely entitled to many areas of compensation for your injuries. But insurance companies know that they can settle for less because you have little understanding of what the law says you are entitled to, as well as how much. You may understand that you can be reimbursed for your medical expenses today, but what about future needs for treatment such as physical rehabilitation? And reimbursement for time lost on the job may be a second thought to you, but not to your attorney. In addition, receiving compensation for your pain and suffering is something an insurance company is not likely to negotiate unless you have an attorney.
Once you have been injured in an accident, it pays to hire a car accident attorney. They will protect you from all of the tactics an insurance company uses to settle for an amount less than you deserve. An attorney will do all of the negotiating on your behalf so you will not be tempted to make a statement about the accident nor be convinced not to hire a lawyer at the start. And although they work on a contingency fee, you will likely be better off financially hiring one.
Contact a car accident lawyer in your area to learn more.
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