In 2017 there were 10 fatalities and hundreds of serious injuries in Mercer County car accidents. Car accidents are always unexpected, so that means that it is not much you can do to be prepared for a car accident. You do not save up your PTO in anticipation of a car accident that leaves you with injuries serious enough to cause you to miss work. You do not clear your calendar, plan for the childcare you need while you are recovering for your injuries, and you probably do not have a spare vehicle parked in your garage to use until your damaged vehicle is repaired or replaced. Our car accident attorneys know those car accidents, especially when serious injuries are involved, interrupt your life and leave families feeling overwhelmed and full of anxiety.
Most people are also not prepared for the expense of steep medical bills and car repairs or replacement. Unfortunately, this is how insurance companies frequently get innocent, injured parties to settle quickly and often for an amount that is a fraction of what their claim is actually worth. Insurance companies know those car accident victims may be financially strapped, making them more willing to settle quickly. Our car accident experts at SMT Legal recommend that car accident victims do not speak with insurance companies until they have first consulted with a car accident attorney.
Reasons to hire an attorney
We will help you prove liability and secure compensation. We will help to value your claim and weigh that value against the strength of your case in order to effectively negotiate with insurance companies and maximize your compensation. When insurance companies are not making reasonable offers, we will discuss the pros and cons of going to trial with you. Based on our trial experience, legal knowledge, and our evaluation of the accident facts, we will offer our expert advice as to legal avenues to pursue, but ultimately the decision to accept a settlement or go to trial is up to you.
What to do after an accident
- Seek medical treatment as soon as possible.
- Do not communicate with the at fault driver’s insurance company.
- Take photos of the accident scene and property damage.
- Listen to statements made by witnesses and get their contact information, but do not make any statements to them about the accident, especially anything that could be interpreted as an admission of fault.
- Make sure to give police a full account of what happened so that all important and relevant information gets into the accident report.
- Review the accident report once it is complete to be sure that the details are accurate and important information is included.
- Keep all documentation related to your injuries including photos and medical bills.
