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DON'T TRY TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE IF YOU ARE INJURED
If you are
injured in an accident, do not try to get out of the car unless the
car is in a position of danger or there is a risk of fire. Ask someone
at the scene to call an ambulance for you or call yourself from your
cell phone.
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ACCEPT MEDICAL HELP (UNLESS YOU ARE CERTAIN YOU ARE NOT INJURED)
If
you are not sure whether you are injured but emergency personnel
recommend that you go to the hospital, follow their advice. The
immediate physiological effects of the stress of the accident may mask
pain or injuries that should be promptly evaluated and treated.
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CALL THE POLICE
You should always call the police. This is especially
important if you are injured. Call the police even if the other party
admits fault and/or asks you not to call the police. Often, the police
officer will become an important witness if the party at fault changes
their story or denies responsibility later.
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AVOID MAKING MISLEADING STATEMENTS
Many people feel awkward after an
accident, and try to reassure the party at fault for the accident that
they are not really hurt or that the other party was not really at
fault. If you are injured, do not do this. Such statements can be used
against you in later litigation.
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OBTAIN FOLLOW-UP MEDICAL CARE
Many people feel fairly normal after an
accident but experience symptoms of serious neck or back injuries after
they get home or the following day. If this happens to you, you should
seek treatment for your symptoms as soon as possible from your doctor or
a hospital emergency room.
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DON'T AVOID MEDICAL TREATMENT DUE TO CONCERNS ABOUT BILLS
If you have
motor vehicle insurance, your insurance company will pay the bills for
any accident related medical treatment up to your limits of coverage.
However it is important that you seek treatment for your injuries even
if you do not have automobile or health insurance. The hospital
emergency room cannot turn an injured patient away because they do not
have insurance. Your lawyer can then identify the insurance company that
should be responsible for your medical bills.
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CONTACT SHAFFER
LAW FIRM AT 1-800-879-4LAW
If you are injured in
an accident that is not your fault, you should get an attorney as soon
as possible. Call Shaffer Law Firm 24-hours a day. An attorney can
return your call even if your accident happens over the weekend. If the
attorneys are called promptly, we are often able
to photograph the accident scene, the vehicles, and your injuries,
preserving this important evidence for trial.
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In addition, we will advise you with regard to any statements
requested by any insurance company (including your own insurance
carrier). We can also answer important questions you might have about
expenses and the damage to your car.
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DON'T GIVE ANY STATEMENTS TO INSURANCE COMPANIES
You should not give a live or recorded statement to any insurance
company (including your own insurance company) or sign any documents if
you are thinking about obtaining an attorney to represent you. We answer any immediate questions you have
when you call. Therefore, we have an opportunity to review any
documents you are being asked to sign promptly so that your insurance
claim is not delayed.
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ADVISE YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY THAT THE ACCIDENT HAPPENED
If you are
even partly at fault for causing the accident, your auto insurance
company will provide you with a defense attorney if you are sued. A
defense attorney represents you with regard to claims made against you
by someone else involved in the accident. A defense attorney does not
represent you with regard to any claims you might have because of your
injuries.
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It is often
appropriate for an accident victim to be represented by two attorneys -
a defense attorney chosen by his/her insurance company and a plaintiff's
attorney chosen by the accident victim. We only represent accident victims in their claims. We do not
do any work for insurance companies.
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If you are not going to retain a plaintiff's attorney to represent
your interests then you should contact your insurance company as soon as
possible after the accident so that they can get the important
information about the claim.
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If you are injured and retain
us to represent you
we will contact your insurance company on your behalf and will notify
them of the accident.
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CALL SHAFFER LAW
FIRM EVEN IF YOU SELECT LIMITED TORT INSURANCE
Many Pennsylvanians are choosing limited tort insurance in order to
reduce their insurance premiums. (Selecting the Limited Tort option is
almost always a bad idea. The loss of important rights to seek a
recovery if you are injured is not worth the few dollars in reduced
premiums. If you have selected limited tort you should seriously
consider changing that selection.)
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The basic idea behind limited tort insurance is that you cannot sue
the person at fault for an accident unless you are seriously injured.
However, there is a list of exclusions to limited tort which will allow
you to sue even if you chose the limited tort coverage. Therefore, if
you are injured in a motor vehicle accident, you should check with
Shaffer Law Firm to find out whether any of these exceptions might apply
that would allow you to be compensated for your injury.
