Top 3 Car Accident Myths

Car accidents happen far too often, and post-accident mistakes can hurt your ability to secure fair compensation. Incorrect information may lead to disputes with insurance companies and affect your ability to receive fair compensation. Ryan & Rouse is dedicated to helping clients understand the claims process related to car accidents by providing the truth about the top three car crash myths:

Myth 1: You Don’t Need to Collect Evidence at the Scene If You’re Not at Fault

Some might believe that if the other party appears obviously at fault, then there’s no need to gather evidence at the accident scene. This is not true. Even when fault seems clear, disputes can arise later, and evidence from the wreck scene may be essential to proving your personal injury claim. For example, the other party may apologize at the car accident site, but may later tell his insurance company a different story which could result in an insurance claim denial.

Photos and videos of the accident scene, of damage to the vehicles, and road conditions can be evidence and proof of what happened. Likewise, witness contact information and statements or recordings can confirm what really happened and help your case. Failing to gather this evidence can leave you exposed if the other driver later denies liability or if the insurance company disputes the extent of your injuries.

Myth 2: The At-Fault Driver’s Insurance Will Pay for My Expenses

Most car accident victims assume that the at-fault driver’s insurance will cover all their expenses—from the rental car costs to out-of-pocket medical expenses. However, the at-fault driver’s insurance policy may have coverage limits that do not fully cover severe personal injuries or your other losses, and it’s possible that the at-fault driver does not have insurance at all, which makes recovering adequate compensation especially challenging.

The personal injury lawyers at Ryan & Rouse work with clients to find all possible avenues for compensation. This may include the uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance coverage on your own car if the at-fault driver’s policy is insufficient. We look at every option to maximize the compensation that our clients need for medical expenses, pain and suffering, property damage, and other losses.

Myth 3: I Can Handle the Claim and Don’t Need a Personal Injury Lawyer

Filing a car accident claim may seem simple and straightforward, but many unknown pitfalls exist, especially when it comes to collecting evidence and negotiating with insurance adjusters. For example, insurance companies may try to take advantage of your inexperience with car accident claims by making a quick, low settlement offer to resolve a case in the days or weeks after a car accident. After receiving such an offer, many car wreck victims might believe that they don’t need to hire a personal injury lawyer. However, initial settlement offers could ultimately leave you with much less than you’re entitled and, months after the crash, you may be left with lingering pain or additional medical bills that aren’t covered. Without legal guidance, you may miss important requirements, accept a low settlement, or unknowingly say something that could hurt your case.

At Ryan & Rouse, we know that handling a claim by yourself can be overwhelming, especially when you’re dealing with injuries, pain, and financial loss. We help clients avoid mistakes and maximize their personal injury recovery by accounting for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future financial needs.

Contact Aaron Ryan and Taylor Rouse today for a free personal injury consultation.