7 Challenges to Expect After a Car Accident - Mazow

Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident is difficult on many levels. You and your family will undoubtedly face a number of challenges, from insurance companies who act in bad faith to doctors who are unwilling to go on record about your injuries.

Here are 7 challenges you’re likely to come across after a car accident and what you can do to protect your right to the compensation you deserve.

1. Medical Providers Not Linking Your Injuries Back to the Accident

Often, doctors don’t want to get in the middle of a potential legal battle and will avoid explicitly linking your injuries back to the accident in your medical records if possible. However, this gives the other side the opportunity to argue that your injuries were caused by something else.

2. Car Insurance Companies Acting in Bad Faith

Automobile insurance companies need to turn a profit, but that’s difficult to do if they’re paying out car accident claims every day. It’s their job to find any reason that a car accident claim can be denied or to delay the case as long as possible.

However, if you have a clear case and there’s no reasonable explanation for delays or a claim denial, your insurance company may be acting in bad faith.

3. Your Employer Pressuring You to Go Back to Work

If your injuries aren’t critical or life-threatening and you’re able to recover at home, you may find that you get some pressure from your employer about when you’ll be able to return to work.

In cases of injuries that aren’t visible, your employer may even suggest you’re completely fine to do your job. You should never return to work unless your doctor has determined that it is safe for you to go back and has specified under what conditions.

4. The Other Driver Wanting Handle the Accident Privately

In situations where there was mostly property damage to one or both vehicles involved in the collision, the other driver may attempt to handle the accident privately.

They may suggest paying you a lump sum up front without involving either of your insurance companies to avoid both of your rates going up. However, this is almost never in your best interest. It could cost you more in the future if it turns out your injuries are more severe than was originally thought – a common occurrence in motor vehicle collisions.

5. You Are Partially Blamed for the Accident

Often, defense attorneys for the other side will attempt to blame the accident victim wholly or partially for their own injuries. Your actions before, during, and after the collision will be heavily scrutinized to determine if any fault can be assigned to you.

For example, under comparative negligence laws, if you were speeding when a car turned out in front of you, the other side’s insurance company may try to say you were partially responsible. If a court determines you are 51% or more responsible for the accident, you may not be able to pursue restitution.

6. Your Insurance Rates May Go Up

Your car insurance rates may rise after being involved in a car accident, even if you weren’t at fault. The insurance company will carefully review your behavior before and during the accident to determine if you are an at-risk driver and may raise your rates accordingly.

7. You May Be Permanently Disabled

Depending on how severely you were injured, you may or may not be able to resume a normal life after the accident.

For many victims, accidents leave them with permanent limitations that prevent them from having a normal quality of life after the accident. After a near-fatal accident, for example, you may need someone to help you on a daily basis with tasks like eating, bathing, and dressing.

Let Mazow | McCullough, PC Handle Your Obstacles

When you’re facing multiple obstacles after being involved in a car accident caused by someone else, things can quickly get overwhelming. This impedes your healing and makes it more difficult for you to get back up on your feet after being injured.

At Mazow | McCullough, PC, we can help you handle the challenges ahead so you can focus on getting better – both mentally and physically. We’ll work with your motor vehicle insurance provider and other parties involved in the incident on your behalf so you can focus on getting better.