Nashville Car Accident Frequently Asked Questions

Posted in Car Accident on November 19, 2017

Nashville Car Accident Frequently Asked Questions

At Matt Hardin Law, our Nashville auto accident attorneys know that car crash victims have many questions after accidents. The hours, days, and weeks after crashes can be a confusing, frustrating, and painful time, especially when victims feel like they’re in the dark about their injuries, their chances of returning to work, and whether they’ll be eligible to receive money from the insurance company for their medical bills and lost wages.

It’s our goal to help victims throughout the mid-state area get answers to their questions and feel more in control of their journey to recovery and to compensation. We have three decades of experience fighting for the rights of people who were injured through no fault of their own, and we know how important it is to keep victims not only up to date on the progress we’re making on their cases, but also on the legal process itself.

If you or someone you love was injured in an auto accident, the information provided below can be a helpful resource to you as you move forward with your injury claim. In addition to learning as much as possible about your next steps, you can also maximize your chances of getting full compensation by calling us right away. The sooner we take on your claim, the more likely it is that we’ll be able to collect evidence that the insurance company simply can’t ignore. Contact us today by dialing (615) 200-1111 or filling out a free online form.

What should I do at the accident scene? You can begin protecting your health and your rights to compensation before you even leave the accident scene by taking these steps:

• Call 911. Getting in touch with a 911 dispatcher should be your first move. Never assume that someone else has already called 911. Tell the dispatcher where the crash occurred, how many vehicles were involved, and the severity of injuries.
• Get medical treatment. You can be treated by emergency medical personnel at the accident scene or in an ambulance on the way to a hospital. If you decline medical treatment at the scene, be sure to visit a doctor’s office or emergency room as soon as possible. In addition to ruling out internal injuries, it will also create a medical record of the accident and the injuries you suffered during it.
• Cooperate with police. Shortly after you call 911, a police officer will be dispatched to the accident scene. Be cooperative with him or her and answer questions truthfully. However, you should never admit fault for the accident, and you should never leave the scene without getting permission.
• Get contact information from witnesses and other drivers. If you’re able to do so, speak with any witnesses and other drivers who were involved in the crash. Get their names, phone numbers, and email addresses, and make sure to get the other driver’s insurance details. That information can be invaluable when it’s time to build your injury claim.

Why do I need an attorney to represent me? You can still receive compensation for an accident that wasn’t your fault without calling a law firm. However, your chances of getting any money are low, as insurance companies have teams of adjusters whose sole job is to reduce or deny payments to victims like you. Fighting for the money you deserve without an experienced legal advocate on your side is often a losing battle, and even if you’re approved for compensation, it will likely be a “lowball” offer that isn’t enough to cover your accident-related expenses.

With our experienced Nashville car accident lawyers on your side, you won’t have to worry about filling out paperwork, collecting medical and police records, and submitting documents on time. You also won’t have to worry about negotiating with the insurance company. We’ll handle all the hard work on your behalf while you rest and focus on getting better.

What can I get compensation for after the accident? Auto accidents aren’t just painful and disabling, they’re also expensive. A single ambulance ride to the hospital can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars, and everything from prescription medications to emergency surgeries to overnight stays can quickly add up. Many families face financial ruin after auto accidents—especially when their loved ones are too hurt to go back to work for the foreseeable future.

At Matt Hardin Law, we know how disruptive car accidents can be for families. That’s why we fight to get compensation for all accident-related expenses, including:

• Medical bills – For many auto accident victims, medical bills aren’t a one-time thing. They may need future surgeries, extensive physical rehabilitation, and medications to control pain and other complications. Their medical care may even be lifelong, which can add up to amounts that most families simply can’t afford. Our legal team calculates both the current and future medical expenses of auto accident victims, and we make sure the insurance company knows how much money they deserve.
• Lost wages – Missing one day or one week of work can be catastrophic for many families, especially if they’re living paycheck to paycheck. Auto accidents have the potential to put victims out of work for months, years, or even the rest of their lives. Insurance companies rarely factor that into their initial settlement offers to victims, leaving them in a difficult situation shortly after they receive compensation. We’ll find out how much the accident will cost you in future wages, including expected salary raises.
• Pain and suffering – Not all losses incurred during auto accidents can be calculated with dollar signs. Many victims suffer from chronic pain or lost mobility, making it difficult or impossible for them to have the same quality of life they did before their accidents. Others must go on without loved ones who lost their lives during their accidents. We’ll make sure the insurance company knows how much the accident affected you personally, including all the physical and mental pain it caused.Will I have to go to court? Our goal is to reach a quick and fair agreement with the insurance company that both avoids a trial and gets our clients the full compensation they deserve. But in some instances, insurance companies simply refuse to pay our clients the money they need for their accident-related expenses. When that happens, we won’t hesitate to take cases to trial as we fight for the best outcome for victims like you.

If your auto accident case goes to trial, you may be required to go to court. But you won’t have to go alone. The legal team at Matt Hardin Law will not only prepare you for your day in court, but we’ll also be at your side in the court room. It’s our job to answer the tough questions and make sure your case is well-researched, well-prepared, and well-rehearsed long before it’s heard at trial.