Every attorney who has worked traffic collision cases has heard the dismissive explanation “it was an accident — I don’t know what I want to do.” It’s the well-meaning victim embarrassed to ask a lawyer to push for justice for what others might inaccurately deem an innocent mistake.
This isn’t uncommon. Many of us have experienced what might be considered a minor accident at some point in our lives and understand the emphasis on “accident” in the term car accident. But an accident is an avoidable circumstance. It wasn’t’ avoided because someone failed to follow the rules of the road. Responsibility needs to be taken.
It’s also important to remember if you’re in a car accident, you will likely never even see the other (at-fault) driver again. In most cases, it’s their insurance company who will be fighting to withhold justice from you.
The Insurance Companies Are Not Your Friends
Odds are the first call you receive after an accident will be from an insurance company. Depending on the circumstances, it may be the other driver’s, or it may be your own. While you generally do have an obligation to cooperate with your own insurance company, you have no legal obligation to discuss the accident with any insurance company before consulting a lawyer.
Even if both you and the other driver are covered by seemingly reputable insurance companies, you should always remember that insurance companies are primarily concerned with their own bottom line. Enlisting the counsel of an attorney provides you an advocate to deal with the insurance companies fiercely, and often, more successfully.
Other Drivers May Not Even Have Insurance
If the other driver doesn’t have car insurance, your options to receive recompense for financial harms and your pain becomes limited. Clearly, the other driver should not have been on the road uninsured. Unfortunately, uninsured drivers are out there, often responsible for traffic crashes they can’t pay for.
If the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance, you will likely find that making a claim against your own insurance becomes the only viable option. While you can pursue the at fault driver, it is likely that they will not be able to pay your damages. If you do pursue an uninsured motorist with your own company, you can generally rest assured that your company will pursue reimbursement from the at-fault party. This ensures that you have access to compensation and the bad apple doesn’t get away with their negligence.
You Need an Expert
Car accidents, even the most minor ones, are scary in the moment, and the aftermath can be complicated. Don’t make it more complicated by going it alone. Let us fight for you.
