When Should You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer After a Car Accident?
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, it is a good idea to hire a personal injury lawyer right away. The sooner you do, the more likely it is that your case will be successful and that you will get the compensation you deserve.
The First 24 Hours
It is important to hire a personal injury attorney as soon as you have been injured in a car accident. That is when you need the most help to fight back against insurance companies that will try to deny your claim or offer a settlement that does not adequately cover all of your medical expenses, lost wages, and other damages from the accident.
You should also hire a personal injury attorney as soon as your medical bills are started to pile up and you aren’t getting any answers from the insurance company or other parties. This includes the other driver’s insurer as well as your own insurance company if you have an uninsured motorist policy.
Don’t Make a Statement to the Other Party or Their Insurance Company Before You Talk With a Lawyer
The other party or their insurance company may demand that you provide them with a recorded or written statement about your accident, including describing your injuries and other details. However, this can be a trap. This is because the insurance company may ask leading questions to get you to say something that can be used against your case later.
Don’t Sign Any Documents That Give the Insurance Company General Medical Authorization to Look Through Your Nonrelated Medical Records
The insurance company will use this authorization to dig through your medical records, especially if you have had any other injuries before the accident or if you have a pre-existing condition that was aggravated by the accident. In some states, this authorization also gives the insurance company permission to take your statements out of context and make up their own version of events to discount the value of your case.
Don’t Wait Until the 2 Week Gap Between the Accident and Your First Doctor Appointment to Call an Attorney
Many people like to wait until they’re in pain to see a doctor, hoping their injuries will heal on their own or that they can “tough it out.” Unfortunately, the insurance company will use this gap as a way to deny your claim or settle it for less than you deserve.
Don’t Be Distracted: Even if you are distracted by your own pain and suffering, you should keep your eyes on the road and avoid taking any unnecessary risks. It’s not safe to drive after an accident, regardless of the severity. It is especially dangerous when you are driving on an interstate or highway and there are other vehicles on the road.
A good personal injury attorney can take the time to explain what you should do and how to proceed after an accident, so that you don’t make any mistakes or make any bad decisions that could hurt your case. In addition, they can help you with your property damage claims and ensure that your medical bills are paid in a timely manner so that you can recover as quickly as possible from your accident.