
After a Car Accident, Should I Call an Attorney before an Insurance Agency or Vice Versa?
Posted In: Auto Accidents, Personal InjuryIf you were involved in a serious auto accident and suffered a significant bodily injury, your mind is likely inundated with an array of important questions. Is my car totaled? Can I afford the out-of-pocket costs for my medical care? Will I be forced to miss time from work? Should I call a personal injury lawyer or call my insurance company?
These are important questions that deserve answers. When it comes to contacting your insurance company or contacting an injury attorney about the accident, the answer is to contact both. You need to report the collision to your own automobile insurance company so they are made aware of the accident. You should also contact an experienced and knowledgeable car accident lawyer to discuss your legal options. A personal injury lawyer can also help answer many of the questions described above.
Financial Restitution You Can Pursue Through a Car Accident Injury Claim
One way to ensure you are properly compensated for the medical expenses, lost wages, and other harms and losses incurred as a result of the car accident is to file a personal injury claim. In most car accident cases, you are able to pursue financial restitution for medical expenses related to the care you received as a result of the collision. This generally includes:
- Emergency transportation;
- Care while in the ER;
- Physical therapy;
- Surgeries
Along with medical expenses, you can pursue reimbursement for your lost wages. If you are unable to go back to work for an extended period or you are left partially or permanently disabled, you can seek compensation for disability payments as well.
In addition to medical bills and lost wages, you can pursue “noneconomic” damages, also known as pain and suffering. These are the harms and losses that are not easily calculable. They are related to the inconvenience, embarrassment, and diminution in the quality of life, along with the actual pain and related suffering you experienced.
Along with financial restitution for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, you can also seek a financial recovery for the cost to repair or replace personal property that was damaged in the car accident.
Do Not Forget to File a Motor Vehicle Crash Operator Report
As mentioned, you should contact your insurance company to report the accident and speak to an auto accident lawyer to discuss your legal options. You should also know that, under Massachusetts law (specifically M.G.L. Chapter 90, Section 26) if you were involved in an automobile accident that resulted in bodily injury, death, or over $1,000 worth of property damage, you are legally obligated to file a Motor Vehicle Crash Operator report within five days of the collision. Please note that you to file this report even if the police arrived at the scene of the wreck. When you complete this report, you also need to send a copy of the report to the police department in the jurisdiction where the collision occurred- you should consult an attorney prior to filling this out.
Now is the Time for Action – Contact an Experienced and Skilled Worcester, MA Car Accident Attorney
After a serious auto accident, there are numerous actions that need to be taken and entities contacted. If you are feeling overwhelmed and need help, contact Eden Rafferty today. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys possesses over eight decades of collective experience in the field of personal injury law. We also have an impressive track record when it comes to achieving positive outcomes for individuals and families who have been harmed in car wrecks and other serious accidents. Contact us for a free consultation today.