Question – I just got rear-ended. What should I do?: “I’ve never been in an accident. I need legal guidance on what I should do. I was rear-ended on the I-15 yesterday. I was able to get their insurance information and we called 911 immediately. The police did not come out. I took photos of the damage to my car and called the other persons insurance company and made a claim.
Anyways my neck and back are sore to the extent of feeling serious pain anytime I turn my body. I have good health insurance through my work but am hesitant to go to the doctors because I don’t have a lot of cash on hand. This is my first accident in my entire life and I’d appreciate any recommendations you have.”
Answer: “First off, I’m really happy you are okay. Rear-end accidents at high-speeds can oftentimes result in serious and/or catastrophic injuries. Let’s dissect this question a bit, starting from the beginning. Firstly, you are absolutely off to a great start by contacting an attorney for legal guidance. Here are my two-cents:
Do Not Trust the Insurance Companies
Many times accident victims try to navigate the complex world of insurance negotiations and claims filing alone which can actually hurt their personal injury claim in the long run. Insurance companies are notorious for offering quick, low-ball settlement offers in hopes accident victims will accept so they can close the case and move on. Although the allure of a fast settlement may seem optimal, these offers are usually significantly less than what you could actually be entitled to, so contacting an experienced personal injury attorney in Las Vegas, NV is highly recommended. As you’ve already initiated the claims process with their insurance company, I’d caution you in terms of providing information.
Do not elude to who you think caused the accident, do not go into detail about your injuries. If you are considering filing an injury claim, it is completely acceptable to tell them you are working with an attorney and you are not comfortable providing too much information. They will not argue with you on this, and if they do, they are acting in bad faith.
If You File a Personal Injury Claim, You Can Treat Your Injuries on a Lien
Now let’s move on to your hesitations regarding receiving medical treatment. In the State of Nevada (and I’d presume this to be the case nationwide, but you should consult with your local attorney) you can treat on an attorneys lien in the event you are injured due to negligence. In the case of a rear-end accident, any injuries you have will qualify for this arrangement. What this means is you pay nothing out-of-pocket and instead, your medical bills are collected on a lien. They are paid on the back-end of your case (out of your settlement money).
Any decent attorney will work to get your bills reduced so you receive the maximum amount of cash in your pocket. We do this on a daily basis at my law firm.
That said, it is imperative that you receive medical treatment immediately. You may think your injuries will heal on their own, but without proper diagnosis by a medical professional, your injuries could actually become worse and/or leave you with chronic pain.
We work with a network of doctors who are happy to treat our clients on a lien. Reach out to your local personal injury attorney to ask about treating on a lien. It is in your best interest!
Contact a Personal Injury Attorney in Las Vegas, Nevada
If you or a loved one have become injured in Las Vegas, Nevada due to the negligence of another person or entity, it is in your best interest to contact a qualified attorney if you wish to file a personal injury claim. At Brian Boyer Injury & Car Accident Lawyer Las Vegas, we have over a decade of securing maximum compensation for our clients. We have fought against insurance companies both big and small and have successfully recovered millions of dollars in compensation.
Our most recent victory? A $4.65M Motor Vehicle Accident jury verdict.
Call us at any time for a complimentary case review at 702-514-1414.
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