I was injured in a car wreck. Should I go to the doctor immediately or wait?
You should go see a doctor as soon as possible after you’ve been involved in an accident. This is true if you believe you have been injured, but it is also true if you feel fine after your automobile accident. Many times, injuries sustained during a car accident are not recognized or noticeable until days or weeks after the accident.
This means that even though you feel fine now, you may be suffering from unnoticed, internal injuries. You should always seek medical attention after a car accident.
When you go to see the doctor, make sure that you mention any complaint you have, no matter how minor it may seem. You shouldn’t try to be a medical expert and evaluate the importance of a symptom.
If you did not cause the car accident, the law allows you to seek and receive compensation for any medical bills you have incurred after the collision that was a result of the accident.
What if I believe the accident was at least partly my fault?
You are probably not in a position to accurately determine how or why the accident happened. There are many things that can occur or go wrong that escape a driver’s awareness that is not the driver’s fault, such as defective equipment in the vehicle, a malfunctioning traffic signal, or another driver’s intoxication. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you investigate and evaluate who is actually at fault in your case. Accepting blame or apologizing to another driver may be used as evidence against you at trial. Leave it to the judge and jury to determine who is at fault.
Who will pay for my medical bills?
Ideally, the liable insurance company will pay your medical bills without any hassle; however, often insurance companies dispute liability, and it can be very difficult to get an insurance provider to pay your bills upfront.
The insurance company is arguing about my injuries. What do I do?
Insurance companies exist to make money, and they don’t stay in business because they pay every victim what the victim believes their claim is worth. Insurance companies often refuse to compensate victims reasonably for their injuries. It is the goal of the insurance company to pay you the least amount possible for your injuries. When you hire an experienced personal injury attorney to prosecute your case, you will work with your attorney to claim the reasonable expenses you are legally entitled to because of your injury.
When should I talk with an attorney?
As soon as you can. To be safe, you should talk to an attorney as soon as possible, especially if your injuries are severe. Too often evidence disappears, witnesses move, memories grow dim, and the practical ability to prove your case may slowly diminish.
If you are being treated by a physician, an attorney can also provide you with guidance concerning your medical care and help you deal with unpaid bills and getting needed treatment.
Legal advice can also be useful if you have questions about the settlement value of a claim, your insurance policy’s terms, or suspect bad faith on the part of your insurance company. Call SeiferFlatow at (704)-512-0606 to set up a consultation.