Top 3 Myths About Auto Accidents
When it comes to both car accidents and car accident lawsuits, there are quite a few misconceptions that are widely believed. Whether you have been in an auto accident or you know someone who has been, it's important to understand the facts. Read on for three popular myths that many people erroneously believe.
1. If you feel okay after a car accident, you are not seriously injured.
If you are in an auto accident, you will likely be brought to the emergency room, whether or not you are having pain or other symptoms of serious injury. The doctors at the ER will look you over, take a few x-rays and, assuming nothing serious is found, let you go home. While this can be a major relief, it's important to understand that your symptoms might not show up for quite some time; it can take weeks or even months for injuries to become apparent.
A prime example is in the case of whiplash. Your neck is not broken, thankfully, but you can still have injuries to the soft tissues (muscles and ligaments) in the area. These do not show up on a x-ray, and you might not have anything other than mild soreness for several days. In time, though, you might experience numbness or tingling in one arm or frequent headaches. If this is the case, be sure to report it to your auto accident lawyer and your doctor, as it might indicate an injury that needs treatment.
2. If you are in pain, you will get a large settlement.
If you did not cause the car accident, it's understandable that you want the responsible party's insurance company to compensate you for your pain and suffering. Unfortunately, in some cases, this is not extremely likely. First, it depends on your state's laws. If you are in a no-fault state, your own insurance company might be footing the majority of the bill, and you might not be allowed to sue the driver or their insurance company for additional funds.
Additionally, because there have been fraudulent cases with people claiming to be in pain when they are not, auto insurance companies and their lawyers are not necessarily eager to pay for pain and suffering. It's important that if you are having pain after a car accident, you stay in touch with your attorney and also with your doctors. Make sure that they are documenting each of your visits, and do not hesitate to go back to the doctor if your pain is not resolved. Keep your attorney in the loop if you experience more pain or need invasive or additional procedures done as a result of a car accident.
3. A car accident will make your auto insurance rates go up.
Some people are hesitant to report accidents, damage and injuries to their insurance companies because they are afraid that their rates will go up. If you were at fault in the accident, this might happen. Still, not reporting it in a timely manner can cause the insurance company to fight paying your claims. It also might be illegal to neglect to file a report promptly in your state.
If you were not at fault, your insurance rates cannot go up. Even if you live in a no-fault state and your insurance company had to pay for your medical treatment, lost work and other expenses, if the other person caused the accident, your rates should stay the same. If you have questions about whether a rate increase after an accident is legal, this is something to speak to your attorney about.
Being in an auto accident is stressful and can be a painful ordeal. If you are in an accident and aren't sure what to do, contacting a car accident lawyer as soon as possible can get the process moving in the direction you need it to go in order to get the treatment and settlement that you deserve. For more information read more here.
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