All posts tagged personal injury

How Do You Know If You Need A Personal Injury Attorney Following An Auto Collision?

An auto accident can leave you with large medical bills and injuries that change your life. The person responsible for the accident may be liable for your damages. Unfortunately, collecting fair compensation from a liable party or an insurer is not always easy. There are several situations when you will need a personal injury attorney following an auto collision.

You Have Serious Injuries

You need an attorney if the accident resulted in serious injuries. These could be broken bones, organ damage or another injury that becomes a permanent disability. You need the experience of a lawyer in order to explain your injuries and get fair compensation. Relying on your insurer will not be enough when dealing with serious injuries.

Insurance Companies Are Causing Problems

There are times when your insurance company might cause problems in an attempt to not pay your claim or pay only the minimum. This can include constantly delaying your claim or requesting unreasonable amounts of documentation that is difficult to acquire. You need a personal injury attorney if this occurs.

Liability Is Being Disputed

Something that can be a real problem is if the other driver is denying liability and blaming the accident on you. This means that you are likely going to end up in court. If liability for the accident is being disputed, then call a personal injury lawyer right away.

Additional Parties Were Involved

Something that can complicate matters is if more than you and the other driver were involved in the accident. Pedestrians, a third driver or people on bicycles might also partially be liable for the incident. Get in touch with a lawyer if this is the situation.

Commercial or Government Vehicles Were Involved

A special situation is if you were in an auto collision with a commercial or government vehicle like a bus or delivery van. You could have trouble collecting anything from those parties. A personal injury lawyer will know exactly how to pursue the fair compensation you deserve.

Your Damages Exceed Your Coverage

If your damages exceed the amount of your insurance coverage, then you must call a personal injury attorney for help. Your attorney will be able to go after the insurer or the liable party for everything you are owed. This will likely involve going to court.

Do not hesitate or give up on collecting fair compensation when you have been injured in a car accident. You need to be persistent and get help as quickly as possible. A personal injury attorney will fight to hold the liable parties responsible for your damages.

Injured After Your Car Accident? Here’s Why You May Need an Injury Lawyer

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, year after year an excess of 10 million motor vehicle accidents are reported annually. While no one ever anticipates being involved in a motor vehicle accident, it is clear that they can often be unavoidable.

What Injuries May Occur in an Accident?

While drivers are often fortunate enough to walk away from motor vehicle accidents without a scratch, often times this is not the case. Edmunds reports that approximately one third of motor vehicle accidents result in injury. Common injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents include whiplash, broken bones, and even brain or spinal damage, all of which can have severe consequences.

What Should I Do If Involved in an Accident?

Should you ever be involved in a motor vehicle accident, the first thing all of the drivers involved should do is confirm that there are no life threatening injuries, followed by relocating to a safe place. Next, exchange information with all drivers involved, file an accident report with the police, and photograph the scene if possible. If you are injured, you should contact a personal injury lawyer or a similar firm before contacting the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC). Consulting with a personal injury lawyer before contacting ICBC ensures that your claim is reported properly in order to avoid costly mistakes.

Who is Liable for My Injuries?

Any injury resulting from negligent operation of a motor vehicle, including motorcycles, trucks, and buses, may be grounds for legal action. There are a number of potential parties who may be liable for your injuries.

What Is an Example Situation Wherein I May Need a Lawyer?

For example, suppose you are sitting at a traffic light and your car is rear-ended by a bus, resulting in severe whiplash and neck pain. After following the appropriate steps at the scene of the accident, you go directly to hospital to be assessed, having your injuries confirmed and documented by a health professional. The driver or owner of the bus may be liable for any expenses incurred as a result of your injury, expenses you may not have to cover with the assistance of a personal injury lawyer.

Consulting with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible is the best way to determine how to proceed with your personal injury case. You may have rights that you may not even be aware of, rights that can help ease the anxiety and consequences resulting from your personal injuries.