Car Crash Lawyer

WEBVTT 00:00:03.378 --> 00:00:07.597 If you've been involved in a car accident, there are a few steps that you should take 00:00:07.680 --> 00:00:10.520 to make sure that your rights are adequately protected. 00:00:11.080 --> 00:00:14.387 First and foremost, number one, if you've been injured, 00:00:14.470 --> 00:00:17.278 it's important to make sure that both yourself and anyone else 00:00:17.361 --> 00:00:20.520 that's involved in that accident with you, such as your passengers, is safe. 00:00:20.840 --> 00:00:23.353 The second most important thing when you've been involved 00:00:23.436 --> 00:00:27.560 in a car accident is to document, document, document. 00:00:28.040 --> 00:00:32.282 Make sure that you're exchanging insurance information with every other vehicle 00:00:32.365 --> 00:00:34.400 that was involved in that accident. 00:00:34.920 --> 00:00:38.547 Make sure that you're calling the police and that the police are coming out 00:00:38.747 --> 00:00:40.840 to the scene of the accident and making a report. 00:00:41.080 --> 00:00:46.280 It's important to create hard evidence that will to report your case later on. 00:00:46.760 --> 00:00:50.175 The next thing that's very important to do following a car accident 00:00:50.267 --> 00:00:52.400 is to contact your own insurance. 00:00:52.760 --> 00:00:55.938 A lot of times, following accidents, the other insurance company 00:00:56.027 --> 00:00:57.400 is going to attempt to call you. 00:00:57.680 --> 00:00:58.917 They're going to act friendly. 00:00:59.000 --> 00:01:01.400 They're going to say they want to take a recorded statement. 00:01:01.600 --> 00:01:04.113 Just know that nothing good is going to come from you 00:01:04.220 --> 00:01:05.760 giving that recorded statement. 00:01:06.000 --> 00:01:09.892 Know that everything you say can and will be used against you. 00:01:09.975 --> 00:01:12.977 So it's important that you contact your own insurance company 00:01:13.061 --> 00:01:14.560 and do not speak with the others. 00:01:15.240 --> 00:01:17.354 One of the questions that I'm often asked is, 00:01:17.440 --> 00:01:19.760 "Do I need a lawyer following this car accident?" 00:01:20.360 --> 00:01:23.520 My answer may be, "Maybe not." 00:01:23.760 --> 00:01:26.535 But if you want to get the best results for yourself, 00:01:26.735 --> 00:01:29.074 a lawyer is always going to be able to do that for you. 00:01:29.520 --> 00:01:33.480 Remember, insurance companies are not looking out for your best interest. 00:01:33.720 --> 00:01:37.477 They're not looking out to make sure that you get the appropriate amount 00:01:37.560 --> 00:01:39.320 of compensation for your injuries. 00:01:39.840 --> 00:01:43.628 A lawyer is going to be able to help you navigate that insurance situation 00:01:43.795 --> 00:01:47.882 and help you get around those adjusters and get around their pitfalls to make sure 00:01:47.965 --> 00:01:49.967 that you're maximizing the value of your claim. 00:01:50.320 --> 00:01:52.805 Another common question that I see from time to time is, 00:01:52.888 --> 00:01:55.471 what do I do when the other driver doesn't have insurance? 00:01:55.680 --> 00:01:58.908 Well, it's important to note that you may have coverage 00:01:58.991 --> 00:02:03.480 under your own insurance policy called uninsured motorist coverage. 00:02:03.640 --> 00:02:06.544 What that allows you to do is when you're involved in an accident 00:02:06.647 --> 00:02:08.899 with someone who didn't have insurance, 00:02:09.191 --> 00:02:12.560 you have a path to recovery through your own insurance. 00:02:13.200 --> 00:02:15.655 A question I also see from time to time is, 00:02:15.738 --> 00:02:18.991 "Okay, I filed a lawsuit. Does this mean I have to go to trial?" 00:02:19.200 --> 00:02:20.720 The answer is no. 00:02:21.400 --> 00:02:25.157 There are a lot of times that trial is the only way that you can get 00:02:25.240 --> 00:02:28.800 the resolution that you need, but that doesn't happen all the time. 00:02:29.000 --> 00:02:31.995 There are very many cases that take alternative pathways 00:02:32.195 --> 00:02:34.480 and alternative forms of dispute resolution. 00:02:34.760 --> 00:02:36.756 Here at Cochran Douglas, we have handled 00:02:36.839 --> 00:02:39.360 hundreds upon hundreds of car accident cases. 00:02:39.600 --> 00:02:43.680 Just know that whatever your goals are, we are here to help you reach those goals.