Three Myths about Auto Accident Compensation

Each person who has an auto accident may have a different experience with auto accident compensation.  Generalizations turn into myths and three common myths about auto accident compensation are busted below:

Myth One: You can get  auto accident compensation as long as the accident was not your fault.

Truth

If an accident is not your fault, the other driver’s insurance company should be responsible for the damages and injuries compensation. The problem, however, is that an insurance company will only pay as much as the policy limits allow, and then the at-fault driver would be responsible for making the difference from the policy limits and the actual cost of damages.  If the at-fault driver does not have the money to make up the difference though, the accident victim will be left to cover his own damages.

Myth Two: Insurance will cover all your costs once you pay your deductible.

Truth

Insurance companies will cover damages to your vehicle after determining what damage is directly related to the accident.  Insurance will also typically cover emergency medical treatment, ambulance charges, and initial medical care. The issue for insurance companies is often the ongoing care which some accident victims require.  After a few weeks of chiropractic care of physical therapy, an insurance company might decide that an accident victim “should” be healed and the insurance company can just stop paying the medical bills.  It often results in either a lawsuit or an arbitration with the insurance company fighting the accident victim over the necessity of the ongoing medical care.

Myth Three: You will be paid for your damages and injuries right after the accident.

Truth

Insurance companies typically pay for property damage fairly quickly after assessing the damage to the vehicle and determining the cost for repair. There may be differences of opinion as to the cost of the damage, but property damage is easier to assess than medical costs, lost wages, and replacement services.  Medical providers will send bills to the accident victim while the insurance company is processing the claim. The insurance company will often pay the medical provider directly and will sometimes negotiate a lower price for services rendered. That does not mean an accident victim will be reimbursed for all medical care provided or that an accident victim won’t have to fight with the insurance company to pay bills and costs.  Fighting with the insurance company for compensation following an accident can take anywhere from a few months to over a year depending on whether things can be handled in mediation, arbitration, or must go through the district court system.

Get Legal Help

Insurance companies typically hire in-house attorneys who are responsible for representing the insurance company.  The in-house attorneys are responsible for fighting false claims, and are also responsible for keeping payments to a minimum.  An experienced personal injury attorney can help an accident victim get the compensation for which he is entitled.