The most important aspect of getting the highest settlement or verdict from car accident injuries is receiving prompt and thorough medical treatment. Insurance companies love to argue that anyone who did not see a doctor right away could not have been seriously injured in the auto accident. So it is imperative that you receive treatment as soon as possible after the accident. Ideally, you went to the emergency room immediately. However, if you have not yet seen a doctor, then the time to make an appointment is right now. You should try to get the earliest possible appointment. Delays of a few days or weeks can make a big difference. Long delays can destroy the value of your case entirely.
Contacting a Car Accident Attorney Is Urgent
The next item on your checklist should be contacting a Massachusetts accident attorney. This is urgent because we need to contact the insurance company, and take steps to preserve evidence in your case. Ideally, you would never speak with any insurance adjuster directly because they will be seeking and may get evidence that hurts your case. Most non-lawyers have no idea what information could hurt their accident case, but the list is long. And the insurance company wants to pay you as little as possible. So helping them by providing evidence that hurts your case is not wise.
Avoid Talking To The Insurance Adjuster Without An Attorney
Also, you should not give a recorded statement without first talking to a MA auto accident attorney. But even an unrecorded statement is not a good idea, since adjusters may testify against you in court. Many auto accident lawsuit disputes involve the severity of the injuries, rather than liability for the accident itself. So, even in clear liability cases like certain rear-end collisions, talking to the adjuster without an attorney could hurt or even destroy your case. Most people have no idea what types of statements could lower the value of their injury claim, such as statements about pre-existing medical conditions, improvement in symptoms, and many other damaging admissions. However, sometimes you are required to give a statement. Your attorney can explain when you should, and should not, give a recorded statement.
Obligation To Notify The Rhode Island DMV After Certain Auto Accidents
Another urgent item is notifying the DMV. Under Rhode Island law, those who have experienced injuries or death, or vehicle or other property damage worth more than $1,000.00, must complete a DMV form within 21 days of the accident. We strongly advise our clients to call us before submitting that form, if at all possible. Again, you want to avoid saying anything that may hurt your case later.
Your Job After Your Hire Us: Stick With Your Medical Treatment
Once you hire us, and as your case is proceeding, continuing your medical treatment will be your most important job. This again is caused by insurance company arguments when accident victims stop treatment. You may have many reasons why treatment is difficult or even impossible for you. If so, you might want to read these suggestions for how to work through common obstacles to treatment after an auto accident.
Wondering What Your Auto Accident Case Is Worth?
Many factors determine the potential value of a Massachusetts auto accident case. The two most important are probably the severity of the injuries and value of the at-fault driver’s insurance policy. But other considerations include: the type of treatment you receive, how quickly you receive treatment, who treated you, whether there are gaps in your treatment, whether you had any similar pre-existing conditions, whether there are any arguments that you had any partial fault in the accident (which would reduce your damages according to your percentage of fault), and many other factors. We only learn the answers to those questions as the case moves forward. So, we can never tell our clients the value of their case when they first hire us.
Required Minimum Bodily Injury Insurance Coverage
The good news is that, in Rhode Island, the minimum liability coverage for bodily injury, required by statute, is $25,000 per person or $50,000 per accident. Additionally, if you were hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver, and you own a vehicle with insurance, your insurer must have provided you with uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage , unless they had you sign a notice waiving UM / UIM coverage.
Often There Is More Coverage
Many drivers have more than the statutory required minimum bodily injury coverage. Additionally, commercial trucks and vehicles often have one million dollar policies. Once you hire us, we obtain auto insurance coverage information regarding any potentially at-fault vehicles involved in the accident.
Who Will Pay Your Medical Bills After An Auto Accident?
At the end of any auto accident case, the insurance company for the at-fault party will pay for medical expenses, so long as there is enough coverage. Before your case concludes, your health insurance company will pay those costs. If you do not have health insurance, sometimes we can connect you with doctors who will agree to wait for their payment until the case concludes. Also, your auto insurance company was required to offer you “medical payments benefits.” Those benefits may cover $2500.00 for each individual, and $5000.00 in total, for medical payments, regardless of fault. If you purchased that coverage, then those benefits would cover some of your medical bills before the case is resolved. Importantly, once the at-fault party’s insurance company pays your claim, you will be required to pay back your medical providers and health insurance company. To help put more money in your pocket, another important part of our job, which we take very seriously, is negotiating your medical bill payments down, after the insurance company has agreed to pay whatever amount to settle your case.
We provide free consultations to further explain how we can help you receive the most money for your injuries from any auto accident. We can help you the most when you call us as soon as possible after the accident.
