AUTO ACCIDENTS

It's one of the worst experiences you'll ever go through: a car accident. It’s the moment your tires deny traction on wet pavement. When stopping at a light is punctuated by the car behind you slamming into your bumper. The moment you crawl over broken glass and the ceiling 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. Hiring the right auto accident attorney can drastically influence the amount of coverage you receive from insurance and the compensation you get from the liable party.

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 don't think you need medical attention. It's best not to wait until the adrenaline wears off and you realize how much pain you're in.

Next, 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.

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.

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 fault) that might affect your ability to collect compensation for your injuries or vehicle damage, so it's important that they 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 say they'll 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 where one or more parties are at fault. While these 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.