Know Your Rights If You Are In An Accident

Each year, millions of people are hurt in car and other accidents.  Unfortunately, many victims who don’t know their legal rights end up paying losses themselves or receiving much less than they’re entitled to receive. Knowing your rights can keep this from happening to you.  Here are important rights you should know if you’re in an accident.

• Right to fair compensation.  If you’re in an accident, you have the right to full compensation for your injuries and losses.  Generally, this means enough money to put you in as close to your position before the accident.  Thus, you can recover for many things, including lost wages, medical bills, costs to fix or replace damaged property, and pain and suffering.

Of course, just being in an accident does not automatically entitle you to money.  The other side must pay if they are legally at fault.  However, most states let you recover money  even if you are partly to blame.

• Right to consult your lawyer before answering questions.  After an accident, the other party or an insurance adjuster will likely ask you to describe what happened. You are not required to answer questions, and you should not say anything before consulting your lawyer. Insurance adjusters often ask questions seeking information to hurt your case and lower your claim’s value.  Don’t let this happen to you — decline to say anything until consulting your lawyer. 

• Right to good medical care. If you are in an accident, you have the right to choose your doctor. Don’t let the other side pressure you to see their doctor.  Select the doctor you trust will provide good care.

•  Right to decide whether to accept settlement offers.  It is your decision whether to accept any settlement offer.  If you’re in an accident, don’t let the other side or an insurance adjuster pressure you to accept a quick settlement just to end the matter.  This almost always results in receiving much less than you’re legally entitled to, as the full value of most claims usually is not known until weeks or even months after the accident.

The amount of money you recover after an accident can vary a lot depending on several factors, including whether you know your rights and whether you have a lawyer’s help.  If you have questions about these or your other rights in an accident, please call us.