CAR ACCIDENTS

It's one of the worst experiences you'll ever go through: a car accident.

It’s the moment you cautiously enter an intersection with the right of way and someone runs a red light. When you stop at a light and the car behind you is texting their friend and slam into your bumper. The moment you crawl over broken glass and the pieces of your car to safety. In these moments, your life is uprooted. You can’t just bounce back tomorrow and everything will be okay. You need the time and resources to recover.

Being in an auto accident is frightening and can leave you with severe injuries and mountains of medical bills.

Your insurance company may cover some of the damage, and your health insurance may cover some treatment, but you need more. How will you pay for groceries and rent when you can't work because of your injuries? How will you show up to work if your back and neck are killing you? How will you get to your doctor's appointments with your car in the shop? How are you going to pay for expensive medical treatment if you don't even have health insurance?

Hiring the right car accident attorney can drastically influence the amount of compensation you receive from insurance and the liable party. You need someone who can help you answer all of the tough questions that are going through your head right after an accident.

LBC can help...let us start now by giving you some pointers on what to do if you've been injured.

What should I do after an auto accident?

First, make sure everyone involved is okay.

If you, or anyone in your vehicle, have any injuries, call 911 immediately—even if you're not sure you need medical attention. It's best not to wait until the adrenaline wears off and you realize how much pain you're in.

In addition, you want the police to come to the scene of the accident to make sure the right person is found at-fault for the accident.

Second, wait for police to show up to scene.

You would be surprised at how many people admit fault at the scene of the accident, but then recant their story. They will their own insurance company a different story if they can. If you have a police officer show up to the scene, you drastically increase the chances that the right person is going to be found liable for the accident. This one thing can ensure that you will recover what you are owed once all is said and done.

Third, gather all information that you can about the scene and the other driver.

Take pictures of the damage to your car and the other person's car (if applicable).

Get the name and number of anyone who saw what happened or who has any other information about what happened before, during, or after the accident. Look around the scene to see if any businesses have cameras that may have caught the accident on video.

If you're injured, go to a doctor as soon as possible—do not wait until later in the day!

Car accidents can cause injuries that don't show up immediately but worsen over time. A majority of our clients tell us that injuries are often worse then days following an accident. You may feel fine at the scene of the accident because your adrenaline is pumping...but once that wears off, the injuries turn on.

If you are in pain, stop by an urgent care or emergency room immediately. Urgent care wait times are usually less significant and you can often be seen same day without waiting in a hospital emergency room.

The sooner you document your injuries, the better chance you have at recovering a settlement for those injuries. The opposite is also true. If you wait too long after the accident to receive treatment, the more difficult it will be to convince the insurance company that the injuries are accident related.

You should also call an attorney immediately so they can begin working on your case while it's still fresh in your mind.

The sooner the better, but at least within 72 hours of the accident. Your attorney will be able to tell you if there are any legal issues (such as liability, or who actually caused the accident) that might affect your ability to collect compensation for your injuries or vehicle damage. It's important that an attorney get involved early on in order to advocate for your rights and interests as best they can.

Finally, don't sign anything at the scene of an accident—especially if they offer to pay for damages—and never accept cash from anyone involved with your accident. Unscrupulous business owners, parents or friends will often try to get you to accept payment for your unknown injuries. Unless you refuse this, you may sign away your rights before you've even had a chance to get a diagnosis on your injuries!

Why hire an attorney for a car accident?

Often, car accidents result in physical injuries requiring medical treatment. An attorney can help you navigate insurance and personal injury law and help you get the critical medical treatment and compensation you need. Our firm can help you:

• Recover damages to your car/property

• Mitigate pestering calls with insurance companies

• Help determine fault

• Advise you when giving statements to your insurance and/or the police

• Receive compensation for any medical expenses

• Receive compensation for pain and suffering and lost wages during your recovery

• Navigate the complex world of Uber/Lyft insurance

We are well-experienced in handling car accident cases. While the above are some helpful tips... there are many more that could save you worry and headaches. Please call us if you've been in an accident-we can help you get back to health and protect your rights!

We can guide you through the process and ensure you make the best choices moving forward.

What should I do after an auto accident?

Usually, when an accident has occurred you experience initial shock and confusion. If the accident is severe you likely are not immediately able to fully understand what has happened. This is normal. And even if you weren’t able to compile all of the information from the other driver or witnesses, you can still file a claim. Here are some things you should do immediately if you are in a car crash:

• If there was no police officer at the scene, you must report it immediately to a law enforcement authority (such as Highway Patrol or the Police)

• Seek medical attention for any wounds or injuries sustained from the crash

• Keep ALL documents obtained by police, health providers, and insurance companies

• Do NOT give a statement to the other party’s insurance company

• Hire an experienced car accident attorney and do not give statements to police or your insurance company without consulting with your Attorney first

• Turn over any pictures taken from the accident as well as all documents regarding the accident to your attorney

If you were not already able to take some or all of these steps, that’s okay. We can help you compile all the evidence and help you get the information you need to file a suit. Call us now!

Rideshare Car Accidents: What you should know getting into an Uber or Lyft vehicle.

With Uber and Lyft taking over the rideshare industry, it is important for you, as their customer, to know how rideshare accidents differ from conventional car accidents. To start, where a regular auto accident usually involves two drivers and their respective insurance companies, these are the common parties involved with rideshare accidents,

• The two drivers (if the accident involves only two cars)

• The rideshare company (i.e. Uber, Lyft, etc.)

• The passenger(s) of the rideshare vehicle

Insurance companies have special policies for individuals using private cars for commercial purposes. However, because rideshare companies declare their drivers as individual contractors, the personal insurance of the rideshare driver can drop coverage due to the commercial use of the vehicle. Because of the complex and often confusing nature of rideshare insurance, it is best to consult with an experienced rideshare accident attorney to know who to file a claim against and how to get compensated for your injuries.

While some injuries sustained in a car accident are minor, other times injuries are severe, catastrophic, and can even end in death. It is very important you and the other passengers seek medical attention for any injury sustained as serious injuries may not be immediately apparent.

If you or someone you know has been in a car accident, don’t wait to begin seeking compensation for your losses. Contact a skilled personal injury attorney who specializes in auto accident injuries and claims. Call on our firm to help you get the compensation you deserve.