If you have been injured in a car accident, you likely have many questions. At Austin Bradley Law Office, we provide answers and solutions to car accident victims every day. Below is a list of questions we repeatedly receive from our clients who have been injured in car accidents:
1. Who is responsible for my medical bills?
The car insurance company for the at-fault driver is legally responsible for paying your medical bills. Keep in mind, however, that they will not simply pay your medical bills as they become due. Instead, the settlement or judgment you receive in your case should include an amount necessary to pay your medical bills. While your case is pending, your health insurer might refuse to pay medical bills it believes resulted from the car accident. Even if your health insurance company pays the bills while your case is pending, they may seek reimbursement from the settlement proceeds. An experienced car accident attorney can help simplify and solve the process of getting your medical bills paid, and may even be able to negotiate a discount on your behalf.
2. Do I get paid for time I missed from work?
If you lost money because your injury physically prevented you from performing your job, you are entitled to be compensated for your lost wages. Most insurance company require strict proof of your lost hours and wages. A good car accident attorney will know what documentation is needed and how to get it.
3. Who pays to fix my car after an accident?
The insurance company for the driver that caused the collision is required to pay for your car. If you have full coverage, you can also elect to have your insurance company pay to fix or replace your car. Your insurance will then seek reimbursement from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Once your insurance company has been paid back, you should get reimbursed for any deductible you paid.
4. Do I have to give a statement?
You are not required to (nor should you) give a statement to the other driver’s insurance company. You are required to notify your insurance company of a car accident, however, you should hire a lawyer before you give a statement to your insurance company. Insurance companies are in the business of denying claims, not paying them. Everything you say before you hire a lawyer can and will be held against you if the insurance company attempts to deny or devalue your claim.
5. How Much Does a Car Accident Attorney Cost?
Car accident attorneys take on clients on a “contingency fee” basis. This means that you do not pay them anything unless they recover money on your behalf. In the even of a recovery, the car accident attorney’s fee will be a percentage of the total amount recovered.
If you have any additional unanswered questions, or would simply like to take advantage of our free consultation, please call our office at (417) 385-1338. We look forward to hearing from you.
