5 Myths About Car Accidents

Being in any type of car accident is daunting. You are concerned about whether you or anyone else is hurt. You hope you can at least drive your car home and wonder if it can ever be fixed. Your immediate plans are disrupted. You thought it couldn’t happen to you, but it did. Now, it is important that you not get caught up in believing some of the myths that surround car accidents.

1. You can work it out with the other driver. This may be the biggest myth of all. Whatever you say may be used against you. In North Carolina, if you were one bit at fault, you lose your right to collect damages even if the other party was 99 percent at fault. Avoid making even an inference that you were at fault. Instead, consult a personal injury lawyer who will know what to do.
2. You cannot sue later for your injuries unless you immediately knew you were hurt and obtained medical treatment. It is true that insurers will fight harder to deny your claim if you waited more than 72 hours to seek medical care. On the other hand, many injuries, like whiplash or a concussion, do not show up for days or even weeks after an accident. An experienced personal injury attorney will know how to overcome this obstacle.
3. The police report will say which driver caused the accident. The police report will describe what happened and even note whether any driver was given a citation. But, it is only one tool, along with witness statements, photos, your own recollection of what happened and other evidence, that insurers and courts use to determine fault.
4. Just turn it over to the insurance companies and you will be fine. Although an insurance adjuster may act like your friend, adjusters work for the insurance company, not for you. Their job requires them to save money for their company. Do not speak to the insurance adjuster for the other driver. Your answers to questions could be misinterpreted as admitting fault, when in fact, you were not in any way responsible for what happened.
5. You do not need an attorney and can settle this yourself. This may be true if the damage was truly minimal and the other party immediately agrees it was his or her fault. But, if the damage was extensive, there is a chance you or anyone in your car was injured, or there is a dispute about who was at fault, you need an attorney on your side willing to fight for you so that you receive all the compensation to which you are legally entitled.

If you were injured in a car accident, contact one of our attorneys at Campbell & Associates for a free consultation.