Whether it’s a major accident where cars are totaled, or a fender bender with no visible injuries, people have misconceptions about car accidents. If you’ve never been in a car accident, you surely know someone who has and they’ve probably shared their experience. If you find yourself in a similar situation, make sure you know fact from fiction.
1. I don’t need to call the police.
No matter how small or minor your car accident is, you should call the police. The police will create a police report that will provide supporting evidence if you need to file a lawsuit against the other driver or an insurance company.
The police report, however, will not determine fault in the accident. The police can issue a citation and that will help your case, but the police report will not determine fault. That’s for the insurance company and courts to decide.
2. My insurance company will handle everything.
Speaking of insurance companies, you shouldn’t trust yours as much as you might think. You are required to have insurance, but just because they take your money each month doesn’t mean they will be looking out for your best interests.
In fact, when you are presented with a settlement offer, that’s an important time to speak with a Southern California injury lawyer. A settlement offer is designed to give you quick cash but also save the insurance company from paying out the full amount of your claim.
When you receive a settlement offer from an insurance company, it may not cover:
- Pain and suffering
- Future medical bills
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
3. If I don’t have injuries right away, I can’t sue for them later.
Some injuries can take months to appear. Don’t dismiss a sore neck or back pain just because it’s been a few weeks since your accident. It’s possible these injuries are a direct result of the car accident.
This is why it’s so important to get checked out by a doctor as soon as possible after the accident, even if it’s a minor accident. You want to make sure you have a record of every scratch and pain point.
4. I don’t need to call a Southern California injury lawyer.
Minor accidents may not result in any injury to you or any damage to your car, but those types of accidents are rare. If there are any injuries, especially serious injuries, you deserve to have skilled and experienced representation fighting to protect your rights. At Steinberg Injury Lawyers, we are ready to take your case and get you the compensation you deserve so you can focus on healing.
Selecting the right injury lawyer to represent you after a car accident is a personal choice. With so many misconceptions about the process of dealing with a car accident, it’s important to find the guidance you need. Contact us today for a free, no obligation evaluation of your case.
