Getting into any type of car accident can be intimidating and scary, but it can be even more frustrating when you are involved in an accident with a government vehicle, driven by a government employee, and caused by their negligence or recklessness. Trying to seek compensation from the insurance company representing the government agency that the driver is associated with can be stressful, but when you have an attorney who is representing your case then you won’t need to worry about the process and fighting for the money that you are rightfully entitled to.
Hiring an attorney can seem like an unnecessary step when the accident seems to be straightforward, but the reality is that no matter how cut-and-dry an accident may seem, and no matter how clearly the other driver is at fault, the insurance company will take every opportunity to limit the amount that you ultimately receive as a settlement. The insurance company leverages the fact that you will be preoccupied with focusing on your recovery, and likely overwhelmed by the short-term costs that are mounting as you try to get your life back on track.
Contact Balkin Law Group Injury Lawyers, LLP For a Free Initial Consultation
The discomfort that you will be experiencing is what the insurance company relies on to convince you to accept their first offer, but you can be certain that your attorney will fight for a payment that you are entitled to. The reality is that trying to take on a massive company with years or decades of experience settling personal injury claims for well below the amount that the claimant deserves is hard enough, and if you are trying to focus on recovering from your injuries at the same time then the insurance agent that you are working with will take advantage of this situation.
The team at Balkin Law Group Injury Lawyers, LLP have years of experience taking on the insurance companies on behalf of our personal injury clients, and we will be happy to do the same for you. Take advantage of our free initial consultation today so that we can discuss the specifics of your accident, the options that we see as fitting for your case, and how we can help you move forward with the confidence that you need in order to give all of your attention to your recovery and getting your life back on track.
What To Do After an Accident With a Government Vehicle
If you have been in an accident with a government official, it can be intimidating to know what to do following the accident in order to protect your own nterests. The reality is that you should treat an accident with a government official the exact same way as you would any other accident, prioritizing your safety and health over anything else, and making sure that you take the steps that will help your attorney fight for what you deserve later on.
Call 911
It might feel strange to call 911 if you have been in an accident with a government vehicle, but it is extremely important that a police officer arrives to the scene to gather information and complete an accident report. Just because the other driver is a government employee does not mean that they should be trusted to provide accurate information about the crash after the fact, especially if they are the driver who caused the accident. Without a report, the story tends to shift once you are dealing with the insurance claim, and suddenly it becomes your word against theirs.
Get Medical Attention
After calling 911, the EMTs will arrive alongside the firefighters and police, and you should get a full examination from them so that they can establish initial documentation about your injuries. Depending on the severity of your injuries, they may suggest that you take an ambulance to the emergency room so that you can get the care that you need. However, if you are able to leave the scene of the accident on your own, you will still need to see your own doctor.
Visit Your Doctor Immediately
Seeing your primary care physician is equally important, both for the fact that you need medical attention, and that you have legal documentation that proves your injuries. If you have injuries in your insurance claim without clear evidence, the insurance company will refuse to pay for these damages. Through every step of your recovery process, it is important that you gather evidence to prove your claim.
Hire an Attorney
It might seem like the next step is to file an insurance claim, but the reality is that you will benefit the most from having an attorney representing your case from the start. As previously mentioned, the moment that you make your first contact with the insurance company is when they will jump into action to find every possible reason to limit your settlement, but instead of worrying about every statement that you make, you can focus on your recovery without needing to continuously question whether or not you are handling the claim process appropriately.