Unfortunately, Southern California has more auto, truck and other motor vehicle accidents than just about anywhere else in the country. This includes the busy freeways like the 10 freeway, 210 freeway, 60 freeway and other freeways that service traffic in West Covina, CA; Baldwin Park, CA; Ontario, CA; Rancho Cucamonga, CA; San Dimas, CA; Pomona, CA and Fontana, CA. It is important to remember the following after an auto or truck accident:
“I WAS JUST IN A CAR ACCIDENT- WHAT DO I DO NOW?”
Includes: “Do’s And Don’ts Of Accident Claims” and Answers to 11 Common Questions Which Reveal “Hidden Inside Secrets Insurance Companies Do Not Want You To Know!”
BONUS: Includes FREE Glove Box Accident Information Card To Keep In Case of An Accident
GRAPHIC
[CAR ACCIDENT PICTURE]
DO’S AND DON’TS IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT
Do NOT leave the accident scene.
Do NOT admit fault.
Do NOT talk to the insurance company of any other person involved in the accident without legal representation if you have been injured.
Do NOT act on the belief that you are not injured until a reasonable time has passed. (Injuries often do not surface until several days, or even weeks, later).
DO stop immediately, but safely.
DO call the Police immediately.
DO be sure to obtain the name, address, license number, phone number, registration number, and insurance information from all persons involved in the accident. (See Glove Box Accident Information Card At the End of this Brochure)
DO obtain the name, address, and phone number of all witnesses to the accident. See Glove Box Accident Information Card At the End of this Brochure)
DO notify your insurance company immediately (but do not give a recorded statement to them until you have obtained legal counsel).
DO protect your legal rights and obtain legal counsel immediately if you have been injured.
ANSWERS TO 11 COMMON QUESTIONS REGARDING ACCIDENT CLAIMS
I have just been
in an automobile accident, what is the first thing I should do?
First, call the Police by dialing 911.At the scene of the accident, be sure to obtain the name, address, license number and insurance information from the other drivers as well as the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of any witnesses. (See Glove Box Card At the End of This Brochure).
If you are injured in the accident, it is important to seek treatment immediately. Sometimes serious injuries do not cause immediate pain. If you experience even minor pain after an accident, you should see your doctor immediately.
An insurance
adjuster for the other driver just called me, and asked me to give a “tape recorded statement” about the accident. Whose side are they on?”
Not Yours! The other driver’s insurance company has two goals: (1) they want to protect the interest of the driver who caused you injury, and (2) they want to pay you
as little money as possible.
3. Am I obligated
to give the “tape recorded statement” that the insurance adjuster for the other driver is requesting?
Although the insurance adjuster who calls may give you the impression that you are obligated to give a statement, you are under no such obligation.
4. I have been
injured. Who will pay my medical bills?
If you have “medical payments coverage” in your auto insurance policy, you will be able to have your bills paid under that coverage. If you have health insurance, the health insurance should pay for your bills.
Your health insurer may file a lien on your case, so that you may be required to pay them from your settlement. However, your attorney can help you negotiate these liens and most health insurers will be reasonable in reducing their lien.
If you do not have health insurance or “medical payments coverage”, there are some doctors who will wait to have their bills paid after the case is settled under a “medical lien” agreement.
5. Who will pay for the damage to my car?
If you have purchased collision insurance, your insurance company will pay to have your car fixed or will pay you the value of the vehicle if it is deemed a “total loss.” If you are not at fault in the accident, your insurance company will seek to be reimbursed by the insurer of the driver at fault at which time they will reimburse you any deductible paid. If you do not have collision insurance, and you are not at fault, the insurer of the driver at fault should pay for your property damage.
6. Who will pay for a rental car while my car is being repaired?
Generally, once the insurance adjuster for the other driver has investigated the accident and determined that the other driver was at fault, the insurance company for the other driver will pay for a rental car while your car is being repaired.
7. Can I get money for my pain and suffering?
Upon convincing proof to the insurance company of your pain and suffering, you are entitled to compensation for these damages. Proving these damages is one of the most challenging aspects of the automobile accident claim, and often requires medical records, reports and other documentation. An attorney can advise you as to how much, in his opinion, such damages may be worth in your particular case.
8. The accident was a short time ago but, the insurance company is offering me money now. Should I take it?
Be very careful! Insurance companies make a profit by keeping money and investing it, not by paying it to injured victims. An early offer may not fully compensate you for your injuries, especially if you do not know yet the full extent of the injuries. Remember that, once you accept the offer of the insurance company and agree to settle, you waive any further claims for future medical care or treatment forever.
9. If I hire a lawyer, what will the lawyer do for me?
Your lawyer should help you find a doctor who is trained in treating patients with similar injuries; help you to have your car repaired; interview and obtain statements from all witnesses to the accident; research the law that applies to your case; preserve the evidence of your damages in a way that will be admissible in court if it is necessary to go to trial; advise you as toe the value of your claim through research as to settlements and verdicts of others cases similar to your own; prepare a detailed and convincing settlement proposal to present to the insurance company to obtain a fair settlement of your claim; and take your case to trial if its is necessary in order to obtain fair compensation for you.
10. If I hire a lawyer, how does he or she get paid?
Most attorneys will agree to take car accident cases on a contingent fee basis. This means that if you recover, the attorney will take a percentage of the total recovery in addition to any costs advanced.
11. I would like to talk to a lawyer, but I cannot afford one. What can I do?
All of my initial consultations are FREE! It will cost you nothing to meet with me and determine whether I can help you.
CALL ME:ATTORNEY STEVE SWEAT
(310) 623-3771
Or TOLL FREE:
1-866-229-0101
THIS BROCHURE PROVIDED AS A PUBLIC SERVICE:
GLOTZER & SWEAT, LLP
Includes: “Do’s And Don’ts Of Accident Claims” and Answers to 11 Common Questions Which Reveal “Hidden Inside Secrets Insurance Companies Do Not Want You To Know!”
BONUS: Includes FREE Glove Box Accident Information Card To Keep In Case of An Accident
GRAPHIC
[CAR ACCIDENT PICTURE]
DO’S AND DON’TS IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT
Do NOT leave the accident scene.
Do NOT admit fault.
Do NOT talk to the insurance company of any other person involved in the accident without legal representation if you have been injured.
Do NOT act on the belief that you are not injured until a reasonable time has passed. (Injuries often do not surface until several days, or even weeks, later).
DO stop immediately, but safely.
DO call the Police immediately.
DO be sure to obtain the name, address, license number, phone number, registration number, and insurance information from all persons involved in the accident. (See Glove Box Accident Information Card At the End of this Brochure)
DO obtain the name, address, and phone number of all witnesses to the accident. See Glove Box Accident Information Card At the End of this Brochure)
DO notify your insurance company immediately (but do not give a recorded statement to them until you have obtained legal counsel).
DO protect your legal rights and obtain legal counsel immediately if you have been injured.
ANSWERS TO 11 COMMON QUESTIONS REGARDING ACCIDENT CLAIMS
I have just been
in an automobile accident, what is the first thing I should do?
First, call the Police by dialing 911.At the scene of the accident, be sure to obtain the name, address, license number and insurance information from the other drivers as well as the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of any witnesses. (See Glove Box Card At the End of This Brochure).
If you are injured in the accident, it is important to seek treatment immediately. Sometimes serious injuries do not cause immediate pain. If you experience even minor pain after an accident, you should see your doctor immediately.
An insurance
adjuster for the other driver just called me, and asked me to give a “tape recorded statement” about the accident. Whose side are they on?”
Not Yours! The other driver’s insurance company has two goals: (1) they want to protect the interest of the driver who caused you injury, and (2) they want to pay you
as little money as possible.
3. Am I obligated
to give the “tape recorded statement” that the insurance adjuster for the other driver is requesting?
Although the insurance adjuster who calls may give you the impression that you are obligated to give a statement, you are under no such obligation.
4. I have been
injured. Who will pay my medical bills?
If you have “medical payments coverage” in your auto insurance policy, you will be able to have your bills paid under that coverage. If you have health insurance, the health insurance should pay for your bills.
Your health insurer may file a lien on your case, so that you may be required to pay them from your settlement. However, your attorney can help you negotiate these liens and most health insurers will be reasonable in reducing their lien.
If you do not have health insurance or “medical payments coverage”, there are some doctors who will wait to have their bills paid after the case is settled under a “medical lien” agreement.
5. Who will pay for the damage to my car?
If you have purchased collision insurance, your insurance company will pay to have your car fixed or will pay you the value of the vehicle if it is deemed a “total loss.” If you are not at fault in the accident, your insurance company will seek to be reimbursed by the insurer of the driver at fault at which time they will reimburse you any deductible paid. If you do not have collision insurance, and you are not at fault, the insurer of the driver at fault should pay for your property damage.
6. Who will pay for a rental car while my car is being repaired?
Generally, once the insurance adjuster for the other driver has investigated the accident and determined that the other driver was at fault, the insurance company for the other driver will pay for a rental car while your car is being repaired.
7. Can I get money for my pain and suffering?
Upon convincing proof to the insurance company of your pain and suffering, you are entitled to compensation for these damages. Proving these damages is one of the most challenging aspects of the automobile accident claim, and often requires medical records, reports and other documentation. An attorney can advise you as to how much, in his opinion, such damages may be worth in your particular case.
8. The accident was a short time ago but, the insurance company is offering me money now. Should I take it?
Be very careful! Insurance companies make a profit by keeping money and investing it, not by paying it to injured victims. An early offer may not fully compensate you for your injuries, especially if you do not know yet the full extent of the injuries. Remember that, once you accept the offer of the insurance company and agree to settle, you waive any further claims for future medical care or treatment forever.
9. If I hire a lawyer, what will the lawyer do for me?
Your lawyer should help you find a doctor who is trained in treating patients with similar injuries; help you to have your car repaired; interview and obtain statements from all witnesses to the accident; research the law that applies to your case; preserve the evidence of your damages in a way that will be admissible in court if it is necessary to go to trial; advise you as toe the value of your claim through research as to settlements and verdicts of others cases similar to your own; prepare a detailed and convincing settlement proposal to present to the insurance company to obtain a fair settlement of your claim; and take your case to trial if its is necessary in order to obtain fair compensation for you.
10. If I hire a lawyer, how does he or she get paid?
Most attorneys will agree to take car accident cases on a contingent fee basis. This means that if you recover, the attorney will take a percentage of the total recovery in addition to any costs advanced.
11. I would like to talk to a lawyer, but I cannot afford one. What can I do?
All of my initial consultations are FREE! It will cost you nothing to meet with me and determine whether I can help you.
CALL ME:ATTORNEY STEVE SWEAT
(310) 623-3771
Or TOLL FREE:
1-866-229-0101
THIS BROCHURE PROVIDED AS A PUBLIC SERVICE:
GLOTZER & SWEAT, LLP
100 N. Barranca Street Suite 250A, West Covina, CA
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