Injured In An Accident? We Are Lexington Car Accident Attorneys Who Know How To Help
In a matter of seconds, a car accident can change the course of your entire life. The thought of hospital bills, insurance companies and a damaged vehicle can be overwhelming to anybody. You need an attorney who can help you understand how to move forward. Hicks & Funfsinn, PLLC, has helped clients throughout central and eastern Kentucky when they needed it most.
Our attorneys pride themselves on their honest guidance and fearless advocacy. As former insurance defense lawyers, we bring a unique perspective to personal injury cases. We can assess your case and present you with all of the available options. It’s normal to be uncertain about the future or not know where to start. We are here to help make the process easier.
Holding The Negligent Party Accountable
In any car accident case, it is important to determine who was at fault. Even if you were partially responsible, you still may be eligible for compensation. This includes medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In wrongful death cases, you also may be awarded funeral expenses. Regardless of the size of your accident and injury, we will fight for your rights every step of the way.
A necessary part of your case is gathering evidence, and we can help you do that. We will use this information when dealing with the insurance company. Insurance companies are notoriously difficult and often try to settle quickly while paying the smallest possible settlement. With our former insurance experience, we know how the system works and can fight for the best possible result.
What To Do After A Car Accident
An accident can leave you in a condition where you are not able to act in your own best interests or pursue the compensation you need to recover properly. When everything that you do leading up to the final settlement or compensation you receive can have negative or positive consequences, you need to make sure you are doing what you need to do to protect yourself. The first step in doing this is reaching out to a compassionate and skilled personal injury law firm.
While the best thing you can do for yourself is to get an experienced Kentucky attorney, like the ones you can find here at Hicks & Funfsinn Kentucky Lawyers, we want to offer you some advice on what you can do before you meet with us. Our lawyers have decades of experience in representing clients after their auto accidents, and we want to share our wisdom with you.
1. Act Smart And Be Thorough
The key to completing any of these steps is remaining calm. While even minor car accidents can be very jarring, keeping a level head will immediately set you up for success after an accident.
While you should be able to rely on your attorney to help you through most of your claims process, there are some actions you can take now to improve the outcome if your case. Here are some steps you can do before you even meet with us:
2. Bring In The Professionals
If you are still at the scene of the accident, always contact the police and reach out to medical professionals if they are needed. The police report that the police will provide you with is an excellent document to arm yourself with. Medical professionals will ensure you are not only getting the life-saving treatment you need, but calling them also establishes the first step in your recovery from your injuries.
3. Document The Scene
You can never take too many videos or pictures of your accident. Even footage of the surrounding environments can be beneficial to your cause, and your cellphone is your greatest tool for collecting this footage. You can also gather video or audio recordings of any witness testimony at the scene of the crash when it is the most accurate. You can also record a video of yourself recounting the events of the accident, including the location information, weather conditions, road conditions, and any environmental obstacles that may have been attributed to the accident.
4. Communicate With Everyone
Your first goal is to gather all important information from the other driver, such as contact information, insurance information, and even personal information like name and address. Also, reach out to any witnesses and record their testimony of what they saw at the scene. The quality of witness testimony diminishes overtime so the faster you act to collect this, the better.
5. Make Things Official
Insurance companies cannot begin tending to their responsibilities in their injury claim until they are aware of the accident. If you are able to do so at the scene of the accident, contact your insurance and report your accident. Otherwise, make sure you report it to them after you have received the medical treatment you need, or as soon as possible after that. Above all, never speak to the other driver’s insurance company without an attorney with you, even if they reach out to you with some “standard questions” about your accident.
6. Itemize Everything
Details are everything in a personal injury case. The more detailed you are about your injuries, the more equipped you will be to answer critical questions about your case. By keeping a detailed list of all the expenses that have come from your accident, you can help your attorney maximize the compensation you receive.
It is much easier to keep track of information as you receive it than try to find it weeks or months later, so be sure to keep information like police reports, medical reports, expenses tied to your injuries, pay information from your job, any correspondence with your employer about going on leave to recover, and anything else that may relate to your case.
While these steps aren’t everything that needs to be done before you collect a fair compensation, you will be thankful you took these steps while you had the chance to.
Types Of Injuries In Car Accidents And Their Impact On Victims
Car accidents can cause a wide variety of injuries, ranging from minor to life-altering. Some of these injuries may heal with time, while others can have long-term or even permanent effects on your health, mobility and ability to work. Understanding the severity and potential consequences of these injuries is crucial when pursuing compensation. The attorneys at Hicks & Funfsinn, PLLC, are here to help you navigate the legal process and secure the support you need.
Victims of car accidents can suffer from:
- Catastrophic injuries: These include severe injuries like amputations, extensive burns or multiple fractures, which often result in long-term disabilities and a need for lifelong medical care.
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries: These can cause ongoing pain, stiffness and reduced range of motion, potentially affecting your ability to work or perform daily tasks.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can cause partial or full paralysis, resulting in a loss of mobility or chronic pain that may require surgery or rehabilitation.
- Broken bones and fractures: Depending on the severity, these injuries may require surgery and prolonged recovery, impacting your physical abilities and ability to return to work.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): Ranging from concussions to more severe brain damage, TBIs can impact cognitive function, memory and behavior often leading to long-term or permanent disabilities.
For accident victims, these injuries can result in temporary or permanent loss of mobility, inability to return to work, and significant emotional distress. Medical bills and the cost of rehabilitation can quickly add up, leaving you and your family overwhelmed. Our attorneys understand how challenging this time can be, and we are committed to helping you pursue compensation for medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering.
With our extensive experience and background in insurance defense, we know how to effectively handle your case and advocate for your best interests every step of the way.
What Do I Do Next? Call Us Today For A Free Consultation
Even before you have completed all the steps we have suggested, reach out to us to schedule an initial consultation so we can begin preparing your case. We do not back down from the fight and only settle when it is best for you.
Contact us by calling 859.286.7840 or emailing us here. We have offices in Lexington and Harrodsburg and serve clients throughout central Kentucky. We are eager to take up your case and protect your future, so contact us today.