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Q: I was in a car accident and I think I might have hurt my back, but I don’t want to bother ER staff during the pandemic for a minor injury. Should I just try to stick it out and hope it gets better?
A: During the global pandemic, it is without question that medical staff on the front lines have experienced inordinate stress and larger workloads than ever before. Your instinct to lighten the load by foregoing medical care after your accident is, however, a bit short-sighted. Only you know how hurt you really are, but if you think there’s a chance you suffered a serious injury, getting checked out sooner rather than later could actually work to ultimately lighten the load on medical professionals. If it really isn’t a serious injury, finding that out now would take a minimal amount of time in the emergency room. Conversely, if you are seriously injured but decide not to seek treatment, you will likely further your injury and you will eventually have no choice but to get care.
At that point, what could have been a short visit may turn into a much longer, more involved visit. Then, your initial instinct to lighten the load on medical professionals will be moot and your injury will be that much worse and harder to recover from because you waited. It is always in your best interest to seek medical care immediately following an accident if you think you were injured—this can prevent minor injuries from becoming more serious and provide the peace of mind necessary to relax and let your body heal after an accident. Not knowing is much more dangerous than the hypothetical toll your visit might take on emergency room staff. If you were in an auto accident and aren’t sure what steps to take regarding medical care, an experienced auto accident attorney can help you through the process.
Q: Do I need to report my accident to the police?
A: You might think a small accident is “no big deal.” The other driver might even give you his number and say he’ll pay for everything if you don’t involve the police. But what if the number he gave you doesn’t work? What if his insurance company doesn’t believe your side of the story? Without an official record of what happened, you may be left paying for damage from an accident that you didn’t cause.
Even if the other driver seems nice and admits fault, disputes may still come up. Calling the police to the scene of the accident is always the best first step. If you were already involved in an accident and didn’t call the police, you can still file your report in person at the police department. By creating an official record of what happened, you’re much more likely to reach a favorable resolution for your claim.
An experienced auto accident attorney can take the pressure of talking to the insurance company off your shoulders and resolve the claim more efficiently and with a better outcome than you’d likely ever get on your own. If you were involved in a car accident in which you were injured, it’s never too soon to talk to an attorney about your claim. Doing so as soon as possible can alleviate a lot of undue stress and ensure that you get the best possible outcome following your accident.
Q: What do I do if the person who hit me did not have car insurance?
A: An accident is stressful enough even when both parties have insurance. If the at-fault driver was also uninsured, a hard situation can become exponentially more complicated. That said, the fact that the other driver did not have insurance does not always mean you can’t get your bills paid or your car fixed. If you opted for uninsured motorist and collision coverage when you bought your own insurance, you may be able to have your expenses covered by your own insurance carrier. Even if you did not, there may be other options to pursue. A qualified auto accident attorney can walk you through the specifics of your situation and help you determine what the best option is, even if the at-fault driver didn’t have car insurance.
Zachary Belcher joined Nurenberg, Paris, Heller & McCarthy and ensures that every individual who contacts the firm receives outstanding service and support throughout the intake process.
Zack graduated from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in 2015 and has handled more than 500 injury cases for clients injured in automobile accidents. He understands the stressful and life-altering situations clients face before seeking a personal injury attorney.
Don’t let an auto accident consume your life. Let our Cleveland auto accident attorneys do the heavy lifting and purse the compensation you are owed for you injuries. Call us today at (216) 230 – 6352 or complete a free initial consultation form online.
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