If you have been involved in an automobile collision through no fault of your own, you are entitled to various forms of compensation. You have a right to have all of your medical bills paid, to have your vehicle repaired, and to receive compensation of wages you may have lost as a result of this automobile collision. You also have a right to be compensated for what you have gone through in the form of pain and suffering, emotional distress, and what we refer to as lost established course of life. This is best accomplished with the help of an attorney, and the right attorney makes all the difference.
The Law Office of Bradley J. Hill is experienced in taking the necessary steps to make you whole again. These steps include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Getting your medical bills paid
- Making certain you receive compensation for any lost wages you may suffer
- Reaching an appropriate settlement of your claim with the insurance company
- If the insurance company refuses to comply with any of the above steps, The Law Office of Bradley J. Hill is qualified to take appropriate legal action against the insurance company.
Automobile Accident FAQ
If I have been in an automobile accident, what should I do?
The first and most important thing to address when you have been in an automobile accident is whether everyone is physically fine. Some injuries can take days to develop. For this reason, if you have been in an automobile collision, make completely certain that any injuries have been addressed by a healthcare provider. This should be done even before contacting your own insurance carrier. Once it has been determined that everyone is physically well, you will need to contact your insurance provider. Even if the accident is not your fault, you will need to contact your own insurance company and notify your insurance company that you have been involved in an automobile collision. If this accident is not your fault, the insurance company is prevented from increasing your rates. You should never be afraid to contact your own insurance company regardless of who was at fault in an automobile collision.
Either your insurance company or the other party's insurance company may ask you to make a recorded statement. It is highly recommended that you contact an attorney prior to making such a statement. Every stage in this process is important and you may, unknowingly, say things that are detrimental to you in the future. For this reason, contacting an attorney prior to making a recorded statement is absolutely critical.
How will my medical bills be paid?
If you have been involved in an automobile collision and it is reasonably clear that the other person is at fault, that person’s insurance company should pay for all of your medical bills prior to settling your case. Although it may seem strange, we highly recommend that you have all medical bills associated with an automobile collision paid by your health insurance carrier first. Under the contract that you entered into with your health insurance provider, that health insurance company is obligated to pay for all medical bills. You will be in a much better position in dealing with other insurance carriers, including your own, if all of your medical bills have been paid. If you do not have health insurance, we strongly encourage you to contact your automobile insurance carrier to have some of your medical bills paid through the medical pay portion of your insurance policy.
How are my lost wages to be paid?
As with medical bills, if it is reasonably clear that another person was at fault in your automobile collision, the other person’s insurance company is obligated to pay for your lost wages prior to settling your claim. These lost wages must be paid as they are incurred. In other words, if you typically receive a pay check every two weeks, the insurance carrier is obligated to pay for your lost wages every two weeks. They are obligated to pay the gross amount, rather than the net amount that you receive after taxes.
How long does this process take?
Determining when your automobile accident case is ready to be settled depends on how long it takes you to fully recover. In some instances, it may take two to three years. In other instances, it may take one to two months to understand the extent of injuries sustained by you or your family members. However, one thing is certain, cases tend to move much faster and people receive relief faster when attorneys are involved.