Important Medical Evaluation after an Accident

Saturday, June 13th, 2009

Accidents can happen anytime. However, most people don’t think of seeking medical treatment right away following an accident. This is true especially if they don’t have any visible signs of injury. Insurance companies know this, that’s why they attempt to record a statement right away after the accident. Then, they would use that statement to argue that you are not injured seriously.

The biggest mistake that people make is to dismiss medical care when they’re involved in an accident. Oftentimes, this is difficult because you have to deal with many concerns such as rental expenses, towing bills, car repairs, and reporting the accident to the insurance companies.

However, even if everything looks fine outside, meaning, you don’t have apparent lacerations, bruises, cuts, or fractures, you could still sustain permanent and significant injury in the accident. For example, you can have a spinal disc injury and even a traumatic brain injury (TBI) several days or weeks after the accident.

TBI’s are caused when there’s a forced impact causing a “ricocheting” effect between skull and brain. Even with a minor, moderate impact and seatbelt on, you could still sustain TBI and brain bleeding when your skull and brain collides.

Tags: accidents, Injury, insurance companies, medical treatment, spinal disc injury, traumatic brain injury
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Dealing with Insurance Companies

Wednesday, May 20th, 2009

Make sure that your interests and legal rights are fully protected if you’re involved in motor vehicle accidents. Typically, these auto accident claims are handled through insurance companies. Therefore, it’s wise to maintain appropriate communication with your insurance carrier after the accident and receive the maximum compensation amount you’re eligible to claim.

Here is the process of dealing with your insurance company after an auto accident:

• *Notify the police – file a police report
• *Gather evidence – take photos of your injury, damaged vehicle, and accident scene if possible
• *Know your coverage – review and understand your policy
• *Contact an insurance company representative– call your insurance agent after the accident or injury
• *Be honest – state all the facts; if not, it may invalidate your claim
• *Take notes – jot down the name and job title of the person that you’ve spoken with. Write down details of your conversation with the insurance company representatives.
• *Submit formal demand letter – determine the worth of your claim including the injuries you suffered, lost income, medical treatment needed, etc. This part is best done with the help of an experienced and qualified personal injury attorney.
• *Negotiate – don’t accept first estimate because the initial appraisal will most likely be low.
• *Get legal advice – Remember that you don’t need to sign any waivers, releases, or final payment checks until you’ve consulted a personal injury attorney who will protect your legal rights.

Tags: attorney, auto accident claims, insurance companies, personal injury attorney
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