“10 Shocking Facts About Car Crash Claims You Need to Know Now”
In the United States, car crashes are sadly an all-too-common reality. Over 2.5 million people are injured in car accidents every year, and more than 37,000 fatalities occur as a result of these accidents. To make matters worse, the aftermath of a car crash can be just as traumatic as the incident itself. Not only must victims deal with physical and emotional trauma, but they often feel overwhelmed by the financial burden that comes with filing a car crash claim.
Unfortunately, most people don’t realize that there are certain facts about car crash claims that can make the process easier and help them secure the compensation they deserve. Here are 10 shocking facts you need to know about car crash claims:
1. You don’t have to pay out of pocket for medical bills. Under most circumstances, you won’t have to pay for medical bills incurred from your injuries until after your case is settled.
2. You may be entitled to additional compensation beyond medical bills. Depending on the circumstances of your accident, you may be able to seek damages for lost wages due to time taken off of work or pain and suffering caused by your injuries.
3. Your insurance company may not always have your best interests in mind. While insurance companies are legally obligated to act in good faith when handling your claim, they may not always do so willingly or fairly. It’s important to understand that an insurance company’s primary goal is to minimize the amount of money it has to pay out in claims.
4. You may not be able to rely on police reports alone when filing a claim. Police reports can be useful evidence in determining fault in an accident, but they’re not always reliable and shouldn’t be relied on as a sole source of evidence when filing a claim.
5. An attorney can help protect you from being taken advantage of by insurance companies and other parties involved in the accident. Attorneys can provide invaluable guidance throughout the process and make sure that you receive fair compensation for your losses, even if it means going up against an insurance company or other party at fault for your accident.
6. Some attorneys offer free consultations and will take cases on a contingency-fee basis. This means that you’ll only need to pay legal fees if you win your case — otherwise, you won’t owe anything at all!
7. Statutes of limitation apply when filing a claim — meaning you have limited time to file a lawsuit after an accident has occurred or else risk having it thrown out of court altogether.
8. Most states have comparative negligence laws in place which could reduce your ability to collect damages depending on who was at fault for the accident (ex: if you’re found to be 40% responsible for an accident, then any damages awarded would be reduced by 40%).
9. The type of car you were driving can affect how much compensation you receive from an insurance company if you’re found not at fault for an accident; newer cars typically garner higher settlements than older models because they tend to have higher repair costs associated with them due to their age and condition at the time of the accident.
10. Many states require drivers to carry uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) in case they’re involved in an accident with someone who doesn’t have auto insurance or doesn’t have enough coverage to cover their losses (ex: if someone hits you with $50k worth of damage but only has $25k worth of coverage). This type of coverage helps protect drivers from being left without recourse after an uninsured driver causes an accident and can help them recoup damages when needed most — even when another driver is found at fault for the incident!
Knowing these facts about car crash claims is essential for anyone who has been involved in a motor vehicle collision — especially if they want to make sure that their rights are protected throughout the process and that they receive fair compensation for any losses incurred as a result of their ordeal! The smartest way to do this is by consulting with an experienced personal injury attorney who understands how these types of cases work and what steps need to be taken in order for victims to get justice for their situation!