Many people get in car accidents at
some point, but there are many myths you read about these accidents online.
Below are some of the most common ones, and remember to talk to your best
auto accident lawyer if you are in an accident.
First, many people believe car
accident laws are the same in every state. But that isn’t true. For example,
many states follow a ‘fault’ system for car accidents. This means the liable
driver is usually responsible for your injuries and damages. You need the best auto accident lawyer to prove this.
But other states have a no-fault
standard, such as Oregon. This means each driver pays for their own damages up
to a certain amount. You are required to have PIP or personal injury protection
insurance in Oregon that covers the first few thousand dollars of damages for
each driver.
However, if your damages are more
than your PIP coverage, you can still sue the other driver. The differences in
car accident laws for each state means you may need to approach your case
differently.
Second, some drivers think it’s
always best to let the insurance companies figure out who is to blame and keep
attorneys out of it. Remember that both insurance companies are profit-driven
and aren’t necessarily looking out for your interests.
If you have serious injuries and
damages, you should always bring in the best auto accident lawyer to
represent you. You will always end up getting a better settlement even after
you factor in the legal fees.
Third, don’t believe that it doesn’t
matter which personal injury attorney you hire. Many attorneys say they have
personal injury experience but some are much more experienced and skilled than
others. Some attorneys may be most familiar with slip and fall cases and only
occasionally handle car accident cases.
Also, some attorneys may always
settle and not go to court. It always helps to work with an attorney with a
reputation of going to court and winning. The insurance company knows they are
dealing with a skilled attorney and will be more likely to offer a fair
settlement.
Fourth, don’t think that if you don’t
sue right away, you can’t. As long as it’s within the statute of limitations
for your state, you can always sue. It’s best to do it as soon as you can
because crucial evidence that bolsters your case may be hard to find. Also,
witness memories may fade.
Some accident victims may decide to
sue after they find out they have longer-term injuries than they first thought.
Those injuries can be very expensive, so they may decide they need financial
compensation to handle them.
Car accidents can lead to serious
injuries, and it’s important to know what you are getting into as far as a
settlement or lawsuit. Keep these myths in mind so you don’t go into your case
with false impressions.
