We all should forgive an at fault driver for an accident, because it is just that… an accident and not an intentional act. However, everyone would agree that the accident victim deserves to be fairly compensated for their pain and suffering. To get fair compensation, follow these tips:
- STOP and take pictures with your cell phone of both cars, injuries, license and insurance info.
- Call the police even if no injuries.
- DO NOT TALK to anyone without your lawyer’s permission…it’s evidence. It’s not what you say but what the other party THOUGHT THEY HEARD YOU SAY. Get the other driver’s license and Insurance info. Also TAKE DOWN YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA. The insurance companies watch your Facebook and Twitter posts, which may show you playing sports or talking about a vacation. This arguably suggests you are OK and do not need medical treatment and that you are able to lift your luggage.
- Get medical attention asap by ambulance to the Hospital or Urgent Care… even if no apparent injuries:
Many Victims do not realize the severity of an injury and don’t seek immediate treatment. Later they realize the pain they are experiencing is accident related. Some victims don’t take an ambulance because they have to pick up their kids or they are concerned about the hospital and ambulance costs.
- DON’T give the hospital YOUR insurance/Medicare/ Medicaid information. Let your lawyer deal with it:
Once Medicare/Medicaid is notified it takes 6-12 months to get them to respond to lien payment information. In addition there is a new law that the only medical bills that can be considered by the jury are those not paid by any insurance or Medicare/ Medicaid. If Eisenhower charges $50,000 and they have an arrangement with Medicare etc. to accept $9,000 as payment in full and the patient is then responsible for $1,000 we can only submit $1,000 for the jury to consider. A few years ago that $50,000 medical bill would result in a $150,000 settlement offer. If $1,000 is all the Victim has to pay we will get settlement offers of $2500 to $3500.
- Contact a Lawyer immediately:
If no attorney, the insurance company can contact you to get a statement. Your lawyer will never know what you said or what the adjuster/investigator thought he heard you say. With a lawyer there is less of a chance for a “mistake”.
- Let your lawyer assist in obtaining medical care on a lien with a doctor that knows how to write a medical report. The doctor’s report is almost as important as the injuries the doctor writes down. Ordering Physical Therapy rather than having you sit in a hot bath is crucial too. A lawyer should urge you to list all injuries from the top of your head to the bottom of your toes and to take that list to each doctor’s appointment. All that information should be shared with each medical provider. Arm you doctor with ALL your medical complaints
- Go to your lawyer’s body shop.
- Purchase high insurance limits including UM.
- Follow instructions and agree to go to trial when necessary. Do not sign anything. The paper you sign could be a release…or just an authorization to obtain your medical records. Do not trust the adjuster who says if you have further problems they will take care of it.
DALE GRIBOW
REPRESENTING THE INJURED AND CRIMINALLY ACCUSED
“TOP LAWYER” – California’s Prestige Magazine, Palm Springs Life (PI/DUI) 2011-19
“TOP LAWYER” – Inland Empire Magazine 2016- 2019
PERFECT 10.0 AVVO Peer Rating
“DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE OR TEXT AND GET A DUI OR ACCIDENT. CALL A TAXI, LYFT OR UBER. THEY ARE A LOT CHEAPER THAN CALLING ME”. SO DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER.
ARTICLE IDEAS? DALE GRIBOW 760-837-7500/dale@dalegribowlaw.com.
