By Marc Oxman, Esq.
Oops, you’ve had an automobile accident. You’re injured. Your car is damaged. Who do you turn to?
If you have automobile insurance, notify your agent or the company immediately. Take full advantage of your policy. After all, you’ve paid for it. Following are some of the benefits to which you may be entitled:
Liability coverage – If you are sued as a result of the accident, your insurance company is required to provide you with legal representation, free of charge. In the event that the other party(s) prove that the accident was your fault, your insurance company is required to pay any judgment or settlement up to the limits of your coverage.
No-fault coverage – Regardless of whether the accident was your fault, your insurance company is required to pay for your medical expenses, and a portion of your lost earnings. The company will provide you with a no-fault application in which you will list the names and addresses of all your medical providers; and employment information.
Property damage coverage – The company is obligated to repair your vehicle or, at their option, pay you the market value of the vehicle.
Supplemental uninsured/underinsured coverage – If you are seriously injured due to the negligence of another, you are covered by the limits of your own policy if the other party has no insurance or limited insurance.
Each of the above coverages require a fuller explanation than the space here allows. If you have a serious injury, or an injury that may become serious, immediately call a lawyer that is skilled in automobile accident litigation. Don’t make any statements, written or verbal; don’t fill out any forms; don’t talk to any insurance company representatives. Leave all of this in the hands of your lawyer.
Finally, if you were a pedestrian, or a passenger in another vehicle, and have sustained serious injuries, call your lawyer. She or he can best see to it that your insurance company meets its obligations to you, and that you are provided with maximum protection in the event that your insurance coverage is insufficient to cover your potential losses.
If you have a personal injury case yourself, your lawyer will represent you on a contingency basis. That means she or he will take a percentage (usually one-third) of your recovery, if you are successful. If not, the lawyer gets nothing. When you hire a lawyer, she or he will guide you through the entire legal process, including any and all issues involving your insurance coverage.
This article is written by a member of the Oxman Law Group, PLLC (www.oxmanlaw.com). Any comments or inquiries are welcome and can be directed to Marc Oxman at 914-422-3900 or moxman@oxmanlaw.com.
