Getting into a car accident can be a terrifying experience. It brings with it a list of questions that you need answered. Below, a car accident lawyer will share with you the answers to the top three most frequently asked questions they encounter about car accidents:
- How is fault determined?
- Should you trust the insurance company?
- What should you not do directly after the accident?
Keep reading to get the answer to each of these questions.
How Is Fault Determined?
Fault is an important component to a successful personal injury claim. Fault may be determined by the police officer who worked the crash. It may also be determined by the insurance company. Fault relies on two concepts:
- Negligence
- Liability
Negligence essentially means that someone did something that they shouldn’t have. Because of this, someone is injured or their property is damaged. For example, maybe someone was texting and driving. They know they should not have been doing that, and it led to damages.
Liability refers to how much fault each person involved in the accident holds. For example, if you are struck by a company vehicle, is it the company’s fault or the driver’s fault?
To learn how these concepts apply to your potential case, schedule a consultation with a licensed attorney in your area.
Should You Trust The Insurance Company?
Unless you’re represented by an attorney who can inform you as to whether you should accept a settlement, the answer is a hard no. Insurance companies are supposed to make a personal injury victim’s life as close to what it resembled before the accident. Yet, it’s unfortunate that most insurance companies are more likely than not to lowball your claim.
The insurance company has a legal team on their side. As our friends at Herschensohn Law Firm, PLLC can tell you, that team looks out for the insurance company’s best interest. They cannot give you legal advice. To ensure that you’re not taken advantage of, it’s crucial to speak with an attorney before you deal with the insurance company.
What Should You NOT Do Directly After The Accident?
It’s important to know what to do directly after an accident. It’s equally important to know what you should not do.
- Do not apologize directly after the accident. A person with good manners who isn’t at fault may feel it is natural to apologize. The problem with this is that the police officer and the insurance company may mistake your politeness as an admission of liability. Just stick with the facts of the accident and do not add anything extra when discussing the incident with other parties.
- Do not wait to get medical attention. If you don’t have an obvious injury that requires emergency care, you should still get checked out by urgent care or by your primary care physician. If you don’t, it gives the defendant and insurance company leverage to argue that you weren’t really injured.
To learn more and to have more of your questions about your personal injury claim, contact a licensed and experienced personal injury lawyer in your state.