Collision Concerns? You May Need A Personal Injury Lawyer After An Accident
In the wake of a traumatic car accident, it can be hard to know where to focus your attention: your neck is aching, your car is a smoldering wreck, and you’re fielding calls from insurance companies all day long. As you assess the physical and emotional damage of the collision, you realize you may be on the brink of a financial disaster.
If you or a loved one has been in a car accident, you may not know where to turn. Let’s address a few common collision concerns and how a personal injury lawyer can help get you the compensation you deserve after an accident.
What If I’ve Already Contacted My Insurance Company?
If you’ve already reached out to your insurance company or exchanged communication with the other party involved in the accident, that’s Okay. Many people don’t think about reaching out to a personal injury attorney right away, especially in the chaos of a traumatic accident.
You can still hire a personal injury lawyer after you’ve communicated with your insurance, but keep in mind connecting with an attorney as soon as possible is preferable as they can handle those communications for you.
What If The Insurance Company Denies My Claim?
This is a very real fear after an accident, as a denied claim from the liable party’s insurance can mean you’ll not only have to deal with missed wages and healing injuries, but you may have to pay your medical bills on your own.
According to the National Law Review, one of the most common reasons a liable party’s insurance will deny your claim in a car accident is that they believe the individual they insure was not at fault. They may try to counter that you were at fault for the collision and thus the injury, landing you with a pile of medical bills. This is where a personal injury attorney can fight for you.
A personal injury lawyer can dig their heels in and determine liability by consulting eyewitnesses, looking for potential photo or video footage of the collision, and collecting evidence to prove exactly how the collision took place and who is to blame for your car accident.
How Will I Pay My Medical Bills?
A motor vehicle collision can have serious ramifications for your physical and mental health. Whether it’s attending a physical therapist or a chiropractor to attend to whiplash or a full-blown visit to the hospital, medical bills can really add up after an accident.
Research in 2019 found that over 137 million Americans are burdened by medical debt, and according to the Urban Institute, upwards of 644,000 Chicagoans are considered financially insecure. These are grim figures that are likely doomed to inflate in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
With these statistics, chances are you may already be struggling with medical debt and can’t afford to take on any more. You need legal counsel to negotiate a fair offer, and a personal injury lawyer can help you fight for the compensation you deserve.
What If Time Has Passed Since My Collision?
If some time has passed since your collision and you still are looking to file a claim, it may not be too late. At this time, the statute of limitations, or the time period in which you are able to file a valid claim, goes into effect. Each state handles the statute of limitations differently, and this is where your personal injury lawyer comes in.
For example, in Chicago, you would be able to file a claim up to two years after the accident, as Illinois has a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury or wrongful death. Your lawyer will have intimate knowledge of the laws in your state, and be able to counsel you on how to proceed.
The US sees 6 million car crashes per year, from small fender-benders to high-speed highway collisions. If you are concerned about covering medical expenses after an accident, handling insurance claims, or how to gain compensation for your trauma, contact a personal injury lawyer and find out how you can get help today.
