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Getting the Right Help After an Accident
Many people believe that they do not need to hire an attorney after an accident. For some, failing to do so could cost them the full and fair compensation they are owed.
July 14, 2009 /Motorcycles PR News/ -- Getting the Right Help After an Accident
Article provided by Frederick J. Brynn, P.C.
Visit us at www.brynnlawoffice.com
If you have ever had the misfortune of being involved in a motor vehicle accident, then you know how difficult the days and months following the accident can be. If you suffered severe injuries, you may be required to spend several nights or longer in the hospital. You may miss time from work. If your vehicle is not drivable, you or a family member will have to make arrangements to have it towed from the scene of the accident. You also will have to find a mechanic to fix your car and secure a rental. Depending on your insurance policy, you may be paying some or all of these costs out-of-pocket.
And this is just the beginning of your troubles.
Following an accident, many people might believe they do not need to hire an attorney. They figure they can work with the insurance company to settle the claim and handle everything just fine on their own. For some, this may be true. What many people forget, however, is that insurance companies are in the business to make money -- they want to minimize payouts as much as possible. As a consequence, injured people may not receive the full and fair amount of compensation owed to them by the insurance company.
Don't Wait For an Attorney to Contact You
More and more, states are passing anti-solicitation laws that prevent lawyers from contacting potential clients for a certain period following an accident. The laws generally prevent in-person contact, which includes face-to-face and phone contact. Most of the laws do not prohibit contact through the mail or over the Internet, although some states also have begun regulating when attorneys can use electronic communications to reach out to accident victims.
For example, Maryland currently has a law that prevents attorneys from contacting prospective clients in-person within 30 days of an accident or disaster (MD Code, Business Occupations & Professions, § 10-605.1). In 2006, the District of Columbia passed a similar restriction that prevents attorneys from contacting those injured in a motor vehicle accident or their families within 21 days of the accident (DC Code § 22-3225.14).
The insurance companies, however, are not subject to similar restrictions. After an accident, they immediately will want to take statements from everyone involved. Their questions may seem harmless enough, but if you overlook the importance of certain details or are unable to effectively communicate what happened, your statements could be used against you to lower the value of your claim.
Insurance adjusters know about anti-solicitation laws and want to get you to accept a settlement before the 21 or 30 day limit has been reached. In many cases, the settlement you will be offered may not be fair or adequate to cover your losses.
Even if you agreed to a settlement with the insurance company and signed a release of liability, an attorney still may be able to secure additional compensation for you. For example, in Washington, D.C., if someone involved in a car accident signs the waiver within 21 days of the accident without consulting an attorney first, they have 14 days after the release was signed to void it.
How a Lawyer Can Help You
Fortunately, the laws do not prevent accident victims from contacting attorneys. There are many benefits to hiring an experienced personal injury attorney to handle your auto accident case. Even if you are unsure whether you want to file a personal injury claim against the other driver, the attorney still can help you by:
- Representing you with the insurance companies. Once you have hired an attorney, all communications between you and the insurance companies will go through your lawyer.
- Determining the true value of your claim. More likely than not, any settlement offered by the insurance company for your claim is going to be low. Your attorney can determine how much your claim is worth and help you get that amount.
- Discovering any additional sources of compensation. If you were injured in an accident caused by another person, you may be entitled to compensation from more than one insurance policy, like an umbrella or homeowner's policy.
- Helping you get the medical attention you need. If you were injured in the accident, an attorney can direct you to the best types of medical specialists to treat your injuries. These specialists can determine the extent of your injuries and the type of care you will need to get back on your feet.
In some cases, the attorney also can help you purse a personal injury claim against those responsible for your injuries. You may be entitled to additional compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages and any unpaid medical expenses.
If a loved one died in the accident or as a result of injuries from the accident, the lawyer also can help the family file a wrongful death action against the responsible parties.
Conclusion
No matter how severe or seemingly minor the injuries following an accident, accidents always are traumatic events. You deserve to have someone on your side, fighting for your interests during this difficult and stressful time. An attorney can guide you through the process and make sure your best interests come first.
Article provided by Frederick J. Brynn, P.C.
Visit us at www.brynnlawoffice.com
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