After a car accident, you may find yourself with many questions. Fortunately, we can help. Check out these commonly-asked car accident questions to help you understand how to best handle your car accident claim.
Question #1: Should I accept the first compensation offer an insurance company gives me?
If your car accident involved little more than superficial damage to your vehicle, the insurance company’s compensation offer probably adequately covers the damage your car received. On the other hand, if you suffered serious injuries or emotional trauma, you might be entitled to compensation much higher than the insurance company’s initial settlement offer. Working with an attorney can help you better discover how much compensation you really deserve after your accident.
Question #2: What are the most serious injuries that occur after car accidents?
Some car accidents result in whiplash or broken bones, allowing for quick healing and a fast return to work and regular activities. Other accidents, however, may lead to more serious injuries, including:
- Spinal cord damage, including paralysis
- Amputations
- Traumatic brain injury
These injuries may have lifelong implications for victims. In many cases, medical care will continue for years after the accident or may remain ongoing throughout the victim’s lifetime.
Question #3: How much compensation should I expect after my car accident?
You know that some people recover $1 million or more after a car accident, but the insurance company offered you considerably less than that. How much compensation should you really expect? Compensation after a car accident will depend on a variety of factors. You may receive a higher compensation offer for more serious injuries, especially those that lead to lifelong complications. Your offer may also change based on who bears responsibility for the accident and the limits of the insurance policy. Working with an attorney can help you better establish the full extent of the compensation you should receive for your specific accident.
Question #4: What should I expect after a car accident?
The first few days after a major car accident may feel incredibly overwhelming. You will receive multiple phone calls from the insurance company, the police, and others associated with the accident. You may need to contact your insurance company, seek chiropractic care, or make appointments for medical care. If you find yourself struggling with everything you must do after an accident, working with a lawyer can help reduce the number of items on your To Do list and give you a better blueprint for what to do next.
Question #5: What should I do immediately after a car accident?
Immediately after a car accident, you should stay at the scene of the accident and notify the police as soon as possible. Only leave the scene of the accident if necessary to seek immediate medical care. Contact your insurance company to notify them about the accident as soon as possible. Avoid admitting fault in the accident, even if you think your actions may have contributed. If you need medical care, seek it as soon as possible. Keep records of everything related to the accident, including photos of the accident scene and your injuries as well as medical records and other vital information.
Question #6: Does an accident with an Uber or Lyft vehicle change the compensation I can receive?
Most of the time, Uber and Lyft accidents will proceed much the same as an ordinary car accident case. Uber and Lyft drivers must carry additional insurance during their work times. Uber and Lyft also provide coverage themselves when their drivers have paid passengers in the vehicle. Typically, unless Uber or Lyft showed negligence in allowing a driver to work for them in spite of a poor driving record, you will receive the same compensation from an accident with a ride-sharing vehicle that you would receive if another driver caused an accident.
Question #7: Should I share my medical records with the insurance company after a car accident?
If you suffered injuries during your car accident, you may need to share medical records with the insurance company. The insurance company will use your medical records to determine the extent of your injuries, the amount you have paid in medical bills, and how much compensation they should offer you for your injuries. A lawyer can provide valuable advice about when to release your medical records and who you should share them with.
Question #8: Can I post on social media about my car accident?
Most people cannot wait to share big events on social media, including information about car accidents and other types of serious injuries. If you suffered serious injuries in a car accident, however, avoid posting on social media until you can consult with your lawyer. Your social media posts may act against you as you work to obtain compensation for your accident. If you post on social media, avoid mentioning fault in the accident or discussing the legal actions you take.
Question #9: If I must wait to receive compensation for my accident, who pays my medical bills in the meantime?
If you have health insurance, your health insurance may pay for the initial cost of your injuries. If you have personal injury protection insurance, or PIP, it may pay a set amount of your medical bills after your deductible. If you do not have insurance, you may need to make payment arrangements with the hospital providing your medical care. An attorney might help you set that up.
Question #10: Do I always have to see a doctor after a car accident?
If you believe you have serious injuries after a car accident, you should seek medical attention immediately. Even if you believe your injuries are minor or that you didn’t suffer injuries in the accident, you should visit a doctor if possible. Many injuries do not show up immediately, and some injuries may have serious side effects if left untreated.
Do You Need an Attorney After a Car Accident?
At The Robert Pahlke Law Group, we provide determined, capable legal services after car accidents. We will negotiate with the insurance company, provide valuable legal advice, and help you go to court if needed to obtain the compensation you deserve. Do you need legal help? Contact The Robert Pahlke Law Group online today or call at (308) 633-4444.