Sometimes the hardest part about a car accident isn't the accident itself, it's all the fuss that comes with it and that's where our office of experienced personal injury attorneys can help. Since we can't be at the scene of the accident with you, here are some tips to get your accident claim off on the right foot.
Winter driving isn’t as hard as people think it is. It just takes a little more concentration and awareness. Drive like you’re tiptoeing on ice, because you might be. Use small, slow motions. Ease on the brakes, drive like there’s an egg under the accelerator, and if you start to skid, steer in the direction you want to go and keep steady, light pressure on the gas. If you’re skidding sideways, the brake is not the pedal to press. It will just make things worse. When you brake in a straight line and the pedal starts pulsing or chattering, don’t release pressure. Keep your foot in it. That noise means the anti-lock brakes are working.
Most people do not have the negotiation skills and experience to properly evaluate and present their claim to the responsible party’s insurance company to fully compensate them for their injury and their out of pocket expenses. Even with those skills, people without lawyers are unlikely to get full value for their case because they cannot file a lawsuit and pursue it if the insurance company denies their claim.
William R. Rawlings & Associates have over 35 years representing accident victims hit by drunk drivers. We aggressively handle drug and drunk driving related accidents. Every auto accident causes victims pain and suffering, out of pocket expenses, medical bills and property damage. However, accidents caused by drunk drivers can have a long term effect on the victims and their families. Drunk drivers are choosing to get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle and putting not only themselves in danger, but everyone else on the road. William R. Rawlings & Associates aggressively and vigorously handles these claims both on a criminal and civil litigation level.
Seriously…I just ate my airbag on the way to work this morning. Not at all what I expected for breakfast! Now, what do I do?
BE PREPARED
Have your cell phone with you and call 911 even if you think you are not injured. Adrenaline has kicked in…… AND you are grateful to be alive. The police will document events, get the insurance information you will need later and MAKE SURE you ARE ok.
Paper and pencil so you can jot down important information in the event the police are not able to come to the scene.
You see advertisements from some lawyers who say….”Call us and we’ll tell you what your claim is worth!” That should be a “red flag” to any potential client that this attorney does not exclusively handle auto accident claims. Every claim, every person and every accident is different and unique. The type of treatment you may require or the type of injuries you have will determine the VALUE of your claim. The VALUE is also dictated by time you missed from work or WILL miss as a result of a future surgery….and what if you have complications from that surgery or require additional follow up care. These are all factors that are completely impossible to determine over a phone call or one time consultation.
(more…)