Put simply, a car accident involves any type of incident that involves a vehicle hitting either another vehicle, person, or property. Whether it happens due to reckless driving, lack of attention, driving under the influence, or poor road conditions, the consequences are similar for those involved in the accident. Usually, police will come to the scene and file a report to determine who was at fault, what caused the accident, and how severe the accident was.
Injuries caused by car accidents can vary from bruises to fractures, soft tissue injures, and whiplashes. In more severe cases, it can lead to lifelong trauma that may require the victim to need medical assistance for the rest of their lives.
By now, most people already know that if they have been the victim of a car accident, they can file a claim to get compensation. Still, there are many misconceptions that prevail when it comes to car accidents, preventing many victims from receiving the help they need and claim what is rightfully theirs.
This is what we are here to talk about today, to shed some light on the matter and get people to understand what they should and should not do when it comes to car accidents and injury claims. So, without further ado, below are some of the most common misconceptions people have about car accident claims, together with the facts that contradict them.
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It’s no problem to leave the scene if the accident is minor
Some people believe that if the crash was not severe, there is no problem in leaving the scene. This is wrong, and you could e facing serious consequences if you flee the accident site without reporting the accident to the police.
If you are the driver and you have injured a person or damaged someone else’s property due to the accident, you must immediately stop and share your details with the persons involved. If you are not able to determine who owns the property you have damaged, then you must call the police and report the accident so that they can handle the rest.
If you are the victim of a car accident, then the more reasons not to leave the scene of the accident. Make sure you get the make, model, and car plate number, as well as the names of the others involved in the accident. Car accident victims are entitled to compensation, so you will need these details afterwards.
Insurers will take care of everything, so I don’t need a lawyer
Many people are under the impression that playing their auto insurance premium means the insurance company will automatically become their best friend when it comes to being involved in an accident. This could not be farther from the truth, especially if you have suffered an injury.
Car insurance companies often only choose to deal with vehicle and property damage and may even refuse to pursue a claim because it might take too much resources to get it resolved. This could leave you with extensive car repairs on your hand and some medical bills to top things up.
Your best bet, if you have been involved in a car accident and you want to claim compensation, is to contact a reputable personal injury lawyer. Look for an attorney that has experience involving car accidents and knows exactly what to do to help you receive the justice you deserve.
I don’t need to see a doctor if I don’t have any visible wounds
Just because there are no visible injuries on yourself after a car accident, it does not mean you should not seek medical assistance immediately. Car accidents can result in spinal cord injuries, internal injuries or other health complications that take some time to manifest and can even be fatal if you don’t receive proper help. Brain injuries and bone injuries can be difficult to spot without proper medical testing, and the severity of these injuries can increase over time.
Even if you don’t feel anything notable after the crash, you should be going to a doctor right away and request a full physical evaluation. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, and even something that feels like a small bruise can evolve into something more severe. What’s more, if you don’t receive a proper diagnosis for your injuries, you won’t be able to file for compensation even if the injuries turn out to affect you in the future.
Anyone who files a car accident claim gets compensated
This is a misconception many people in the UK believe. Just because you were not at fault for the accident does not mean you will automatically receive compensation just by filing a claim. If and how much compensation your will receive depends a lot on the circumstances regarding the accident, including the type of injuries you have suffered.
Your best bet at receiving compensation is hiring a reputable personal injury attorney who knows what to do in this situation. They will guide you through all the necessary steps and advise you on how to act to receive what is rightfully yours. Be sure to contact a lawyer as soon as possible because personal injury claims can only be filed during the first three years since the accident, and your chance of receiving compensation decrease significantly the more time passes by.
Hiring a personal injury lawyer is expensive
We are saving the biggest misconception on this list for last. The amount of people that believe hiring a personal injury lawyer is expensive and not worth the hassle is bigger than you could imagine. This could not be farther from the truth, as you can even end up paying nothing to the attorney if your case is a strong one. Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingent fee basis, meaning you won’t need to pay anything to them unless they win the case. When this happens, attorney fees will represent a percentage of the claim and will be deducted from the money you receive, so you don’t need to take a penny out of your pocket upfront.
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