Avoid These Common Accident Assumptions
For those suffering from vehicle accident injuries, the stress of the situation could lead to making some unwise assumptions. The below common accident assumptions could prevent you from being paid what you deserve. Read on and find out more.
You should speak to the other driver.
It's human nature to be concerned about the other driver. However, particularly if they are the at-fault driver, it's unwise to make contact with the other driver or their passengers at the scene. Even expressing sorrow at the accident could be a mistake. This is not the time to express your concerns because things could be misinterpreted.
The other driver is insured so everything will be fine.
If the driver that hit you is insured, that is a positive. Unfortunately, insurance is limited in what they will volunteer to pay. Most accident injury victims find it necessary to get a personal injury lawyer on the case to fight for the compensation they need. Everything will only be fine when that happens so just assume that insurance is only the first box to check.
The insurer will cover my losses.
There are losses and then there are losses. When it comes to accidents, insurers will often offer you a very low amount of money. Don't assume that you cannot get more, however. You may be entitled to two or three times what you were initially offered.
Lawyers are too expensive.
In the case of personal injury lawyers, this is not a correct assumption. Most injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay them once they win your case for you. If they don't win, you don't owe any legal fees. When you do win, they are paid a percentage of your settlement. The percentage is worked out when you sign the agreement. Get your case started with no upfront money needed and reap the benefits of having a lawyer on your side.
Personal injury cases take a long time to resolve.
If your case settles, you can have a check in your account in as little as a month or two. Each case is different, and more complex cases can take longer to be settled. However, taking a case to court can take a year or more depending on the court calendars in your area.
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