Being involved in a car accident is stressful. Whether it is a minor fender-bender or a serious collision with injuries, an accident can take a toll on your physical and emotional wellbeing. The last thing you need is to miss out on the fair compensation you deserve, but that can occur if you fail to take prompt action.
If you don’t secure that compensation, you might find yourself paying for car repairs and medical bills that should not be your responsibility. The resulting financial hardship can make it difficult to manage other bills and expenses unrelated to the crash.
One of the most important actions you can take regarding an auto accident is educating yourself about what you should do after a car accident. We list and explain five common misconceptions below so that you have the information you need to protect your rights and increase your chances of being compensated appropriately.
Misconception #1: I don’t need to file a police report if nobody was injured.
No matter how minor an auto accident is, you should call the police. They will record the details and secure any evidence related to the incident. This information can be crucial to your auto accident lawyer as they work to win a lawsuit should you or the other party file one.
The police do not determine who is at fault in the accident. They may, however, issue a citation, which can help your case.
Misconception #2: My insurance company will handle everything in the fairest way possible.
The truth about insurance adjusters is that they want car accident victims to believe that they are unlikely to receive any compensation following an auto accident. If they are successful in that goal, victims simply accept that they are “out of luck” and stop pursuing a fair outcome.
Insurance companies retain more profit if they can find ways to deny claims. In some instances, their strategy is to provide a quick cash settlement that greatly undervalues the cost of an accident and ignores future medical bills, rehabilitation, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
That’s why using the services of an experienced car accident lawyer at Ginnis, Krathen, & Zelnick, P.A. is so important.
Misconception #3: I’m required to give a statement to my insurance adjuster, even when I was not at fault.
In the aftermath of a car accident, insurance adjusters tend to call quickly for a statement. This is at a point when many victims do not yet realize the extent of their injuries or the damage to their vehicle.
It usually is not in your best interest to give them a statement. You are much better off referring an adjuster to a car accident attorney at Ginnis, Krathen, & Zelnick. We become your representative and help you navigate the claims process in a way that keeps the insurance companies from taking advantage of you.
Misconception #4: Unless I have severe injuries or my car suffered significant damage, I’m not entitled to any compensation.
As an accident victim, you may be entitled to compensation regardless of the severity of your injuries or the damage to your vehicle. Many accident victims do not feel pain right away because of the normal adrenaline surge following a traumatic incident, which may mask the pain of an injury. That’s why it is essential to talk with a personal injury lawyer or car accident lawyer right away.
The damage to your vehicle may be similarly hard to detect at first. You might write it off as minor, only to learn later that unseen issues will require thousands of dollars in repairs.
Misconception #5: Any personal injury attorney can handle my case.
This is perhaps the most common and potentially damaging auto accident misconception. Following an accident, a victim may quickly search for “car accident lawyers near me” and select an auto accident lawyer at random from the list. That can be a costly mistake.
The background and experience of the car accident attorney or personal injury attorney you choose can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. For example, a personal injury attorney specializing in medical malpractice cases is not the best choice for a car accident lawsuit. Taking the time to do your research and hire the right attorney for your case can make a significant difference in the compensation you receive.
Take Action to Protect Yourself and Get Fair Auto Accident Compensation
As an auto accident victim, you are essentially “on your own” at first. That changes with one phone call to Ginnis, Krathen, & Zelnick. We become your partner and advocate, protecting your interests in a system designed to put you at a disadvantage.
As a result, you can proceed with confidence, knowing that you will receive everything that is due to you. This takes the stress and worry out of a very emotional situation.
If you have been in a car accident, call Ginnis, Krathen, & Zelnick to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.