After someone has been injured in a car accident that was not their fault, they do have rights and should know what their rights are so they can get the help they need to financially recover from the accident. Whether the person suffered minor injuries or ones that are life-changing, they do have the following rights to help them with the aftermath of the car accident and the bills related to it.
Right to Legal Representation
Someone who has been hurt in an accident is able to work with a lawyer to get the compensation they need to cover all accident-related expenses. Often, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will try to get the person to give a statement without legal advice or will advise against talking to a lawyer. Do not listen to the other person’s insurance company, as they are only looking out for their own interests. Hire a lawyer to handle the case and let them handle all conversations with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
Right to Medical Care
If someone is injured in a car accident, they do have the right to seek healthcare for their injuries. The right to healthcare is something everyone shares, but the at-fault driver or their insurance company might try to talk the victim out of medical care if they don’t appear too injured. Unfortunately, the victim may be suffering from hidden injuries. Instead, they should seek medical care right away to make sure they are okay and to create a paper trail showing when any injuries occurred so it’s easy to show they were caused by the accident.
Right to Compensation for Injuries
Medical costs can be incredibly expensive for victims of a car accident, even if the injuries seem minor. If the person must stay in the hospital for a period of time, goes through surgery, or has life-threatening injuries, the medical costs can be incredibly high. Since the person did not cause the accident, they should not be held financially responsible for it. Instead, the person who caused the accident, or their insurance company, should pay these medical costs. Often, however, insurance companies will try to minimize what they should pay. That is where a lawyer can help, as they can work to make sure the victim receives compensation and that it covers all accident-related expenses.
Right to File a Lawsuit
The at-fault driver or their insurance company will often try to settle for the lowest amount possible and will strive to make sure the victim gets as little compensation as possible. Often, they’ll push for the victim to accept less than they’re owed, but victims do have another option. If negotiations aren’t working, it is possible to file a lawsuit and take the case to court. The victim’s lawyer will help prepare the case for trial, and then a judge can make a decision about the compensation.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, it is important for you to know and exercise your rights. You should not have to pay for everything out of pocket if you did not cause the accident. Instead, schedule a consultation with a lawyer as soon as possible to get more information about your rights and the help you need to uphold them as you deal with the accident.
