Unfortunately, if you’ve been injured in a car accident, you can’t always rely on the integrity of the insurance companies involved to protect your interests. They are, after all, companies in the business of making a profit. And, anything that they pay out takes away from their profit. If you have suffered a personal injury due to a car accident, you really need a personal injury attorney to represent your own best interests.
Injuries sustained from car accidents can be extremely disruptive to your livelihood. What if your injuries won’t allow you to work? Are you entitled to lost wage compensation? And, what about any emotional distress you may have incurred because of the accident? An experienced personal injury knows the ins-and-outs of exactly how insurance companies work, and will be able to get you the compensation that you deserve.
Car Accident Personal Injury Statistics
• There an estimated 16,000,000 car accidents in the United States every year, with a big majority of them not being reported to insurance companies.
• Nearly five million people are treated yearly for injuries sustained from car accidents, with many of those injuries requiring long-term rehabilitation.
• The overall annual cost of all reported car accidents exceeds $400 billion each year, accounting for medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and other costs.
• And, a huge majority of personal injury victims of car accidents were not fairly compensated for their injuries because they didn’t have the right representation.
If you have suffered from a personal injury in a car accident, the first thing you really need to do after receiving medical attention is to contact an attorney for advice. A simple phone call to an attorney knowledgeable in the field of personal injury can affect the rest of your life. Here are just a few reasons why it’s in your best interests to have an attorney representing you.
Personal Injury and Insurance Disputes
Having a personal injury attorney representing you just sets you up for success from the beginning. Your attorney will be the one dealing with the insurance companies. And, while some insurance companies will try to take advantage of you if you are the one dealing with them, they won’t be as apt to take advantage of your attorney. Your attorney will handle any insurance disputes, making certain that your interests are protected.
Personal Injury and Medical Bills
Medical bills will start piling up quickly. The hospital will bill whichever insurance company they have on file. But, ultimately, you will be responsible for the bills until they are paid. And, if they’re not paid on time, it’s your credit rating that will be affected. Having an attorney on your side will make sure that those bills get paid in a timely manner.
Extended Medical Bills
One of the scariest things about car accidents is that you might not even realize some of your injuries right away. What happens if, a few months after the accident, you discover that you sustained an injury to your neck or back that wasn’t noticed after the accident. Who pays those medical bills?
And, most states have a statute of limitations defining how long you have to seek damages after any personal injury caused by an auto accident. Insurance companies can be very hesitant when it comes to paying for extended medical bills. Having an experienced personal injury attorney representing you can be vital to your financial future if you realize that you have further injuries after the accident.
A Personal Injury Attorney Knows What You are Entitled To
In many cases, if you have been injured in an auto accident, you may be entitled to damages beyond medical expenses and property damages. And, depending on how badly you are injured, you family may also be entitled to compensation. An attorney knowledgeable in personal injury law will know exactly what you are entitled to.
Proving Liability in a Personal Injury Case
A big part of the legal process is determining who was at fault for the accident. And, each insurance company will be trying to protect their interests by showing the other party at fault. A personal injury attorney will be there to navigate the intricacies of proving liability.
Personal Injury Settlements
Insurance companies can be quick to offer settlements to avoid the cost of a legal procedure. But, how will you know if the settlement is fair? Chances are, their first offer will be much less than you actually deserve. Having an attorney on your side is the best way to make sure that you are receiving the compensation that you deserve.
If There’s a Lawsuit
Your attorney will be negotiating with the insurance companies, in the hopes of getting you fair compensation without filing a lawsuit. Unfortunately, sometimes a lawsuit is what’s needed for you to receive fair compensation. If the insurance companies aren’t offering adequate compensation for your damage and injuries, you’ll want the expertise of legal counsel to navigate the legal proceedings.
Peace of Mind
Being in a car accident is stressful enough, especially if you are injured, and even more so if your injuries affect your family or your quality of life. The last thing you need is the hassle of dealing with the insurance companies and medical bills, much less a legal battle. Having a personal injury attorney protecting your interests can ease a lot of that stress, letting you focus on the recovery process.
It’s at least worth a small investment of your time to have a short consultation with a reputable personal injury attorney to find out exactly what your rights are if you have been injured in a car accident. The legal aspects of personal injury liabilities can be very intricate. An attorney will protect your rights and fight for the compensation that you deserve, protecting the financial interests of you and your family.
Oklahoma City Personal Injury Attorney, Bryan Garrett
Bryan Garrett is a personal injury attorney in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Call the law firm of Bryan Garrett today for a consultation.
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Bryan Garrett is a personal injury attorney in Oklahoma City.