Car Accident
Personal injury claims result from a variety of causes. Most bodily injuries however occur as the result of a car accident. Unfortunately, most of us have been affected by a motor vehicle collision.
Many victims of a motor vehicle collision believe the negligent party's insurance must compensate you for the damage. It may not be that simple. An insurance company first determines if the policy covers what happened. If there is coverage, the insurance company pays only if it agrees to pay or a court orders it to pay.
Despite advertisements of public service, insurance companies operate to make a profit. A profit is made when the money coming in (premiums) exceeds the money going out (claims). You deal with an "agent" to purchase your insurance. However, you deal with an "adjuster" when a claim is made. When you are injured and the collision was not your fault, contact an attorney with experience.
If you have accident-related injuries, you should consult an attorney who is experienced in handling accident-related injury cases. Most attorneys who pracatice personal injury law are willing to consult with you about accident-related injuries for free. If you retain them to represent you, they will generally work on a contingency fee basis, which means the lawyer will earn a fee only if a settlement is obtained.
Medical and Auto Insurance
A variety of sources may be available through which you may recover medical expenses. First, if you have a medical insurance plan (through work or otherwise), that coverage will, in most instances, apply. Additionally, a standard coverage that is available on most automobile policies is medical payments coverage. If you have medical payments coverage under your own policy, it generally covers you to have your medical bills reimbursed, up to the specified policy limits for you or anyone in your car, who was injured in an accident. These payments are made regardless of who was at fault.
If the other driver was at fault but was uninsured, you can proceed under your own uninsured motorist coverage to have your insurance company handle your accident-related medical bills. If the other party has liability insurance, that insurance company will be responsible for your medical payments. In some instances, an insurance company will require you to pay your medical bills and then will it will re-imburse you.
An attorney experienced in handling personal injury will help determine the best way to proceed with your claim. Injury laws can be complex. For instance, North Carolina currently has a contributory negligence law. If an insurance company can prove you were in any way at fault, no matter how small, the other party's insurance company will refuse to accept responsibility for your injuries. An attorney who understands contributory negligence can negotiate on your behalf.
The North Carolina Department of Insurance offers an online Consumer's Guide to Automobile Insurance that covers the basics of automobile insurance coverage, discusses how insurance rates are determined and provides various insurance tips.
TestimonialsMartha's Story
One afternoon, when Martha was driving home from her job as a Durham county school librarian, her car was struck by a large work truck. Even though the truck was speeding and the impact caused considerable damage to her car and even caused her seat to collapse, the insurance company for the work truck disputed responsibility for her injuries and refused to make a fair settlement offer. Bruce and Robbie's Story
A dump truck that was leaking clear hydraulic fluid was left parked in
the exit lane of the Durham Freeway. Robbie drove around the curve
with no chance to see the dump truck until she was already on the
hydraulic fluid spilled over the road. She slid uncontrollably into
the dump truck, colliding into the truck. more > |
