Are you wondering what do if you are in a car accident in Louisville or the surrounding counties? The most important thing I can tell you if you have been involved in a car accident, even a minor fender bender, is it is important to have a thorough medical examination within 48 hours of the accident – even if you think you feel fine.
Many people don’t realize they have been injured at all. It surprises many people to learn the body has a way of covering things which might actually be wrong, and many injuries can take weeks or months to present actual symptoms. Today you may not feel any symptoms or might be just a little sore. In three weeks you may not be able to get out of bed. If you don’t see a doctor within 48 hours of any motor vehicle collision your otherwise valid personal injury claim can be dismissed by the insurance company.
My name is John Schmidt, and after 25 years of experience as an injury attorney serving accident victims in Jefferson, Bullitt, Hardin, Spencer, Shelby and Oldham counties I can tell you, it is not in your interest to speak directly with insurance representatives, even your own, without talking to me first.
Insurance adjusters come across as very natural and friendly. They are anything but. The insurance adjuster has just one job: Get you to accept the lowest possible settlement amount in your case. They know how to ask simple questions that lead you to say things that will absolutely be used against you down the road.
It doesn’t cost you anything to call me for a substantive and free consultation at (502) 509-1490. You don’t want to talk to any insurance representative until we discuss what has happened and how to handle these crucial first phone calls. I’ll also help you to learn what to do if you are in a car accident in Louisville or surrounding communities, what information you’re going to need to gather and how the process of a personal injury claim works.
Injuries are Often Hidden At First After a Car Accident
Many injuries are often hidden at first after a car accident. Did you realize that brain injuries occur even if there is no concussion? You may not realize you had even bumped your head, but the forces in a car accident can twist you in all directions causing your head to impact the headrest, frame, side panel, window, door, dashboard or steering wheel.
You don’t have to lose consciousness or have an air bag deploy to suffer a head or brain injury that can take weeks or even months to present any symptoms. The good news is there are now examination strategies and blood tests that can tell the doctor if there is any potential harm to your brain due to the forces associated with the accident.
Your neck and spine actually do a good job of masking injuries after a car accident. There are little pads known as “discs” between the vertebra in your neck and back. The forces in even a minor impact can cause micro-tears in these discs that are actually fluid-filled pads. It can take weeks or even months for enough fluid to leak out of these tears and all of the sudden you are unable to move and in serious pain.
If you do not visit the ER, an urgent care facility or visit your primary physician within 48 hours of the accident you will likely lose your ability to file and recover for your expenses from an injury claim. The insurance company will say “you did not even go to the doctor after the car accident, so you can’t prove these injuries are a result of the accident. You’ve gotten hurt since the accident and are just trying to take advantage of the claim.” While nothing could be further from the truth, unfortunately the insurance company is often able to deny an otherwise legal and valid personal injury claim.
Do you know what to do if you are in a car accident in Louisville? If you or someone you love has been in any type of motor vehicle collision you need the advice and counsel of an experienced Louisville area personal injury attorney. We invite you to contact us via e-mail, schedule an appointment or call us today at (502) 509-1490 to get the important advice and counsel required to protect your personal injury claim and achieve full and fair compensation for having to endure and recover from your injuries.
