Auto/Vehicle Accidents
Managing an auto accident claim is often complicated and may require experienced legal guidance.
The first concerns are generally about car damage and rental, initial medical expenses and lost wages. You may have to consider using your own auto, health or disability insurance until your claim is settled. If you do use your own coverage you may be required to sign “subrogation” forms or “release of information” forms. There are pros and cons to using your own insurance and each case has its own requirements.
What if the other driver does not have insurance or is under-insured? The professionals at The Law Offices of Blake R. Maislin LLC can help find other ways to pay for your claim. For example, generally the insurance covering the at-fault vehicle is “primary” and the driver’s insurance is “secondary.” You can also look to your own policies or those of your household for coverage.
What type of doctor should you see? There may be different types of healthcare professionals that an insurance company would find more convincing. And what about timing? Does it matter if you do not go to the emergency room immediately following your accident? While there is no exact science, these questions do have answers on a case-by-case basis.
Is the person who was ticketed for the accident always the responsible party? Surprisingly, not necessarily. Usually responding police do not witness the accident and their opinions therefore do not enter into evidence because they are based upon hearsay (they hear the story of the accident from the drivers, then they say it again within their crash report or testimony.)
What should you determine as the dollar value of your claim? Some things to consider are level of car damage, emergency room treatment, length of treatment, lost wages and permanency of injury.
These are only a few examples of the questions that may arise in an auto accident claim and every case has strengths and weaknesses. The Law Offices of Blake R. Maislin LLC can help you navigate the process and protect your interests.
