First, the good news. The safety equipment now installed on most passenger vehicles manufactured in the last five years has dramatically reduced the number of serious injuries and fatalities caused by car and truck accidents.
The bad news is that those who are seriously injured in motor vehicle accidents are either in older cars unprotected by newer safety equipment, riding a motorcycle, or involved with larger vehicles such as 18-wheeler tractor-trailers. In all these cases, the chance of serious injury is multiplied.
When should you call a personal injury lawyer?
Today, the majority of car accidents result in property damage and a few bumps and bruises. Insurance companies are generally able to take care of these competently without the involvement of an attorney. However, if you receive injuries that affect the very quality of your life, you must contact an attorney as soon as possible. Here’s why.
Most people injured in a serious accident for the first time assume that their insurance companies will take care of them. Insurance companies, however, are in business to make money. Every time they pay out a lot of money for a serious injury, it cuts into their profits. That’s why claims adjusters may pressure accident victims to accept a check immediately, before the true dimensions of their injuries become known.
Better safe than sorry
If your insurance company is urging you to sign a release in exchange for a check while you are still in treatment for injuries, refuse to sign without contacting a lawyer first.
A personal injury attorney will evaluate your case without charge. If the attorney decides to represent you, there are generally no out-of-pocket expenses for attorneys’ fees. The attorney is paid a percentage of what you receive after your claim is resolved.
It’s better to be safe than sorry. Contact Hunt Valley, MD personal injury lawyer Gary Miles and find out for sure if you need an attorney to protect your right to full compensation. Call Huesman, Jones & Miles today at (443) 589-0150 or contact us online.
