You’ve Been in a Crash….Now What?

An automobile accident can be a traumatic and terrifying experience.  One moment you’re driving down the road headed to your destination. The next you’re in shock and feeling like your life has been turned upside down.

Last year alone, there were 126,845 motor vehicle crashes in Arizona. Over 30% of these accidents resulted in injuries and 68.93% caused property damage.  At $15,000 per bodily injury and $10,000 for property damage, Arizona’s minimum automobile insurance policy limits are among the lowest in the United States and have remain unchanged since 1972. Medical costs and car prices, on the other hand, have skyrocketed in the last 45 years.  If you’re in an accident with someone who is underinsured or worse, not insured at all, trying to recover exorbitant medical expenses and costs to repair or replace your vehicle could be a nightmare.

So, what should you do if you have been involved in a crash? First, it’s a good idea to seek medical attention right away. You might not be in any physical pain immediately after an accident, but that doesn’t mean you’re not hurt. Injuries from an automobile accident might not be evident for days or even weeks after the accident, especially if you’ve suffered soft tissue injuries — damage to muscles, ligaments and tendons. A common type of soft tissue injury as a result of a car crash is whiplash, which affects muscles and ligaments in the neck and upper back.

A medical professional will examine you and evaluate whether you’ve sustained any serious injuries. In addition, they will document your care. This provides evidence that you promptly sought medical attention which can aid you later on in recuperating damages.

Before you leave the accident scene, make sure you get an accident information card with complete information about the other driver(s) involved in the accident that includes their insurance information.  If you have a phone that takes photos, take some of the accident scene.

Next, contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to evaluate your options. At Hymson Goldstein Pantiliat & Lohr, our experienced personal injury attorneys will:

• Investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident and gather evidence to prove liability;
• Accurately estimate the potential monetary amount of your claim;
• Negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf;
• Represent your financial and legal rights.

Examples of our personal injury case results include:

• $500,000 settlement for a client injured in a motorcycle accident;
• $110,000 settlement for a client involved in a motor vehicle accident; and,
• $100,000 settlement for a client injured in a bicycle accident.

The physical and financial aftermath of an accident can be devastating. Hymson Goldstein Pantiliat & Lohr’s personal injury attorneys can help you with your claim to ensure you are compensated fairly for losses suffered, such as medical expenses, property damages, lost income, and pain and suffering.

The information contained herein is general information not legal advice. E-mailing attorneys from this website does NOT establish an attorney/client relationship.  A formal attorney/client relationship begins after a conflicts check and engagement agreement are signed.