When an auto accident occurs the insurance company that insures the other driver is usually the first to respond to the accident scene. Motor vehicle insurance policies require that the insured immediately contact their insurance company. The reason for that policy requirement is to give the insurance company the opportunity to have its adjuster investigate the scene promptly in the hopes that the injured will settle the case before he or she has a chance to hire a car accident lawyer. 

The insurance company adjuster will often discourage you from hiring a personal injury attorney. The adjuster knows that in a high percentage of cases, the injured person will accept a settlement that is extremely low, especially when the injured person wants money immediately. 

For example, we recently had a case where a young lady came into our office to see if we thought the settlement of $7,500 was a fair settlement offered by the insurance company.  She sustained a 4-inch cut in a collision with the insurance company's insured vehicle.  She was treated at the hospital on the day of the accident and released. She returned to the hospital later that day with vaginal bleeding and was concerned because she was 19 weeks pregnant. The insurance company convinced her that this was not related to the accident because the membrane tear was something that just occurs in some pregnancies.  The baby was still alive after the accident, but died about 3 months later, which the insurance company also said was further evidence that it was not related because the baby would have died at the time of the accident if the accident itself was the cause. 

When we took the case, we hired a pathologist who examined the pathology slides and found that the death of the baby was from the accident. Her OB doctor was also of the same opinion. The insurance company fought it but when they hired an expert, his opinion was the same as our doctors.We settled the case for the full limits of insurance of $100,000, plus we obtained an additional $25,000 from her insurance company under the underinsured portion. 

If you have been injured in any type of accident, you should speak with a member of our office to learn more about your right to compensation. Contact McGuire Law, PLC today and learn how we can help.   

Most people don't have any idea what their auto coverage entails until they are in an car accident, but then it is too late to correct it. Some people want the cheapest coverage which is a mistake. For just an extra few dollars a month, you could have very good coverage. What makes it difficult is that often the insurance agent does not understand all aspects of auto insurance or he is not interested in taking the time to carefully explain why you should have good coverage. Since good coverage does not cost much more than bad coverage, there is very little commission for the agent. A good agent will take the time if you ask him to explain your coverage and what you need.

Let's look at an example. You are driving your car with your daughter as a passenger when another vehicle pulls out in front of you on the highway and you and your daughter end up in the hospital for two weeks and have medical bills of $150,000 each. You lost time at work, had pain and suffering, and other damages. Your case is worth $275,000 and your daughter's is worth $200,000 if settled or tried. You go to an attorney and he submits a settlement demand to the other driver's  insurance company. ABC Insurance company informs your lawyer that the driver only carried $25,000 liability limits. Your attorney checks with your insurance company to see if the underinsured portion of your policy will pick up the rest. The uninsured/underinsured portion of your coverage protects you and your passengers if someone runs into you who has no insurance or not enough insurance. Your very own insurance company tells your lawyer that you only have $50,000 underinsured coverage. That means you will receive $75,000 total for your claim and lose out on $200,000. That also means your daughter will receive $75,000 total for her claim and lose out on $125,000.  For $4.00 a month more, you could have had coverage that would have paid your claim in full ($275,000) and your daughter's claim in full ($200,000). This situation would make you sick if you learned you were grossly underinsured after the auto accident, especially when you learned that you and your daughter could have been fully protected if only you had spend a few dollars more.   

If you have any questions about your insurance policy, it's important to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Send me a copy of your declaration page from your insurance company and I will get back to you at no charge. Don't hesitate to contact our office in regards to your matter today.