(ThyBlackMan.com) If you’ve ever been in a car accident, you know how difficult it can be to recount the experience. For some, it all happened so fast that they couldn’t take it in, while others feel like they’re watching it happen to someone else in a movie.
The confusion accidents cause can extend beyond the incident itself and cloud our judgement when it comes to dealing with the aftermath. But if you’ve been in a car accident, here are three ways to tell if you should be seeking damages.
- When it’s not your fault.
Determining who is at fault can be very challenging. From who broke the traffic law to what was said (or admitted) at the scene of the accident, things can be a bit unclear.
But if, for instance, you were rear-ended while stopped at a traffic light, or T-boned while moving lawfully through an intersection, it’s pretty safe to assume you’re not at fault. In such cases, it’s essential to contact an auto accident attorney as soon as possible. It may seem cut and dry, but a lawyer who specializes in the field can really protect your interests.
- When you’re injured.
When you’ve been injured in a car accident, there’s a lot more at stake. You can miss work and get stuck with medical bills. In addition to this, people who depend on you to be functional miss out. If your injury happens to be permanent, it’s even more important that you hire an attorney.
Before that, however, answer two questions. Are you at fault for the injury in any way? Have you done everything you can to mitigate the extent of the injury? That is to say, you must seek appropriate medical attention and follow a doctor’s protocol for treatment; if the injury gets worse through inattention, the blame may shift to you.
- When insurance isn’t offering enough.
How big and swift your settlement is can depend on the state in which you live. If you’ve been injured, speak to an attorney about whether you like in a fault or no-fault state. If you live in a no-fault state, your insurance carrier may be responsible for a portion of the expenses. In a fault state, it’s the responsibility of the insurer the party to blame carries.
In either case, it’s possible that the insurance company isn’t trying to settle for what you’re truly owed. You shouldn’t try to determine this, either. An accident attorney is well aware of how insurance companies calculate damages, and will be able to ascertain whether or not it’s fair.
Usually, whether or not you’re entitled to a settlement all comes down to blame. If the car accident wasn’t your fault, and the damages are quite severe, you should do everything you can to maximize your settlement. Even if you share a small portion of the blame, it doesn’t mean you own the losses you suffered. The bottom line is that speaking to an attorney who can lend their professional perspective to your situation is critical to getting back on your feet.
Staff Writer; Bobby Poole