Why won’t the insurance company pay me what I’m owed? If the other driver was at fault, why do I have to pay my own medical bills? Who pays for my rental car after my car was totaled? We answer questions like these and many more in our personal injury FAQs. If your question is not covered here, give us a call at 985-590-6182.
What Are The Top Reasons People Delay Calling Us After Their Car Wreck?
It is not uncommon for us to get a call from a new client whose car crash happened a few months earlier. When asked why they waited so long to call, we get a few common responses:
I Expected The Claims Process To Be Straightforward:
From all the insurance company commercials on TV, you would think that the insurance claims process after a wreck should be straightforward. You almost expect an insurance adjuster to appear out of nowhere, write you a check for your car, get you a rental ASAP, and take care of everything. But in reality, that’s now what happens.
Instead, you find yourself with a wrecked car and the insurance company is not in any rush to get you a rental. You don’t know who is going to pay your medical bills and the insurance adjuster who originally told you not to worry, won’t answer your calls.
With thousands of claims to handle, the truth is that you are just one more claim number to the insurance company. If you don’t have your own advocate who is willing to fight for you, this can be a very frustrating experience.
I Didn’t Think My Case Was Big Enough To Need A Lawyer:
At Flattmann Law, we handle all types of wreck cases, big and small. Unlike those TV lawyers, we are here for you even if your wreck didn’t involve “a company vehicle,” “big truck,” or “catastrophic injuries.”
With our free consultations, we even tell people if we think they can handle their own case and give them a few pointers to help them along the way.
I Thought My Pain Would Get Better:
We represent honest, hard-working people who don’t make a habit of complaining. It is not uncommon for our client to tell us that they waited to go to the doctor because they were hoping the pain would go away on its own. When it didn’t, they knew something was wrong.
The insurance company is not going to give you advice about your injuries. In fact, they are going to throw the question back on you and tell you that “you need to get whatever medical attention you need.” But what does that mean? How does health insurance work in a car wreck situation, and who pays the bills? These are all questions we can help answer at Flattmann Law.
Are You Frustrated With The Insurance Claims Process After Your Car Wreck ?
Are you frustrated with the insurance claims process after you were involved in a car wreck, contact us online or call our Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today.
Flattmann Law serves clients on the Northshore, including Covington, Mandeville, Abita Springs, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Folsom, Madisonville, Goodbee, Hammond, Lacombe, Pearl River, and Slidell.
Should I Hire An Attorney For A Car Wreck Claim?
A lot of people don’t think that their car wreck is worth hiring an attorney over. Maybe their injuries “aren’t that bad,” they don’t think the insurance claims process will be difficult, or they just don’t like the idea of hiring a lawyer for a simple wreck.
I’m asked that question (“is it worth hiring you for my car wreck claim”) all the time, even by close friends and family. Honestly, it is a little awkward, because, while I don’t want to sound self-serving, but at the same time, I know the complications and traps that arise during an insurance claim and want to protect my friends and family. So, my answer is always the same: “Let’s have a free consultation and you can decide from there…no pressure.” And guess what? After going over the ins and outs of their car wreck claim, they usually decide that hiring us is the right way to go.
I can’t speak for all law firms, but at Flattmann Law, we promise:
No Hassle, Fast Consultations:
There is no reason that a free consultation should cause anxiety! Our consultations can be as simple as a 10-minute phone call, zoom call, or meeting at our office. It’s up to you.
When you call us, we will get general information from you about the accident, what happened, if there were injuries, the extent of car damage, etc. During a quick phone call, we can usually tell you if hiring an attorney is a good idea for your case.
No Pressure To Hire Us, Ever:
We will never hassle you or pressure you into hiring our firm. After our consultation, if you think you can handle the insurance claim on your own, no problem! We will even tell you our honest opinion of whether your claim rises to the point of “needing an attorney.”
We Are Still There For You, Even If You Don’t Hire Us:
We believe in providing outstanding service to our community. Even if you decide not to hire us, if we can answer some of your questions and help you succeed on your insurance claim, we are happy to do so.
Interested in a FREE, CONFIDENTAL, NO-PRESSURE Call About Your Car Wreck?
Have you been in a car wreck and are interested in a FREE, CONFIDENTAL, NO-PRESSUE Consultation contact us online or call our Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today.
Flattmann Law serves clients on the Northshore, including Covington, Mandeville, Abita Springs, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Folsom, Madisonville, Goodbee, Hammond, Lacombe, Pearl River, and Slidell.
What Is Your Average Response Time For Returning Client Calls?
At Flattmann Law, we pride ourselves on communication. Our clients are kept updated during every step of their case and know that we are always there if they have any questions or concerns.
When our clients call us, they can usually get answers to their questions instantly. If they do have to leave a message during normal business hours, their call is typically returned within an hour if not sooner.
We also know that being in an accident and having an injury claim is a stressful situation. That’s why keeping our clients up to date is so important to us. We feel that by doing so, we can reassure our clients that their claims are being handled the right way and take away at least some of the anxiety.
We also know that our clients are busy and don’t always have the time to talk during the workday. That’s why we often return calls after hours and on weekends, especially when we know that it would help our client feel better to get their questions answered.
Do You Want An Attorney That Will Exceed Your Expectations?
If you want an attorney that will exceed your expectations contact us online or call our Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today.
Flattmann Law serves clients on the Northshore, including Covington, Mandeville, Abita Springs, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Folsom, Madisonville, Goodbee, Hammond, Lacombe, Pearl River, and Slidell.
How Does Flattmann Law Handle Car Wreck Death Cases With Compassion?
Over the past 20 years, we’ve represented many families grieving with the loss of a loved one in a traffic accident. I’m always humbled when these families choose our law firm to help them with such an emotionally charged matter and we do everything we can to balance outstanding legal advocacy with empathy and respect for the family.
Compassion and Communication:
Throughout the case, from the moment of our initial consultation through resolution, we understand the magnitude of the family’s loss and work to identify the best way we can represent them, with the most respect for their loved one.
Communication is always important to us because we want our clients to have peace of mind that their case is being handled efficiently and effectively. When a death is involved, we work with the family to strike a balance between communication and providing space for grieving. However, clear expectations and timelines are set so that our clients are not overwhelmed by unexpected tasks.
Respect for the Deceased:
To the extent the family feels comfortable, we want to understand who the decedent was as a person, just as if we were representing them directly. Such appreciation helps us present the family’s real losses to the insurance company, who would rather view it as just another claim number.
At the pace of the family, we talk about their loved one, look through photos and videos, and get to know them. At trial or mediation, we often present slideshows and videos, showing the deceased person for who they really were and emphasizing the true loss suffered by the family.
Evaluation and Expectations:
In any case we handle, the hardest part is converting pain and suffering to dollars and cents. But in civil law, monetary compensation is the only relief we have available. In a death case, this process is even more difficult.
However, at the appropriate time, we work with our clients to form a reasonable expectation of legal compensation. We understand that every case is different and that every person is unique. That’s why we go through a lengthy process of evaluating our clients’ claims based on the circumstances of their case.
We know that our clients have a lot to deal with after the loss of a loved one. That’s why we do everything we can to make the legal process a little easier.
Are You Are Dealing With The Incredible Loss Of A Loved One After A Vehicle Accident?
If you are dealing with the incredible loss of a loved one after a vehicle accident contact us online or call our Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today.
Flattmann Law serves clients on the Northshore, including Covington, Mandeville, Abita Springs, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Folsom, Madisonville, Goodbee, Hammond, Lacombe, Pearl River, and Slidell.
What Are The Leading Causes Of Traffic Deaths?
In the US, motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death. Think about that! Crashes kill over 120 people every day. (U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention)
We talk a lot about the many causes of car accidents and how to help avoid them. Lots of things lead to wrecks, such as distracted driving, speeding, impaired driving, not following traffic signals, inexperience, fatigue, reckless behavior, weather conditions, etc. But if we had to narrow it down to the leading 3 causes of traffic accident deaths, what would they be?
Impaired Driving (Alcohol and Drugs):
According to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA), 13,524 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths in 2022. Alcohol impairment played a factor in about 30% of traffic fatalities.
Speeding:
According to the National Safety Council, speeding was a factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities in 2022, killing 12,151 people. Driving too fast, combined with other factors, like unfavorable weather conditions is a deadly combination. Speeding drastically reduces reaction times and increases the severity of collisions.
Distracted Driving:
Distracted driving includes a lot of things: talking or texting on the phone, eating, reaching in the back seat, adjusting the radio, etc. According to the NHTSA, cell phone use alone contributed to 3,308 motor vehicle deaths in 2022!
Have You Been Injured In A Car Wreck Involving Impaired Driving, Speeding, Or Distracted Driving?
If you have been injured in a car wreck involving an impaired driving, speeding or distracted driving contact us online or call our Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. Flattmann Law serves clients on the Northshore, including Covington, Mandeville, Abita Springs, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Folsom, Madisonville, Goodbee, Hammond, Lacombe, Pearl River, and Slidell.
I Went To the Hospital After My Wreck But Seem To Be Okay. Do I Still Have A Claim?
Contrary to what the TV lawyers want you to believe, not everyone suffers serious injuries in a car accident. Sometimes you may just want to go to the hospital to get checked out and make sure everything is okay.
But even in those circumstances, you still need to be aware of your rights and responsibilities and how going to the hospital affects your personal injury claim.
The Bills Are Coming (More Than Just One!):
If you go to the hospital following a wreck, you will usually receive bills from several different providers. First, the Hospital charges you for an Emergency Room visit (ie. St. Tammany Parish Hospital).
Second, the actual ER doctor who treated you is sometimes independent from the hospital and you may receive a bill from his or her physician group (ie. St. Tammany ER Physicians).
You may even receive separate bills from the radiologist and any other specialists who see you in the ER, such as orthopedists.
Did you take the ambulance to the ER? If the answer is “yes,” look out for a bill from the ambulance service (ie. Acadian Ambulance).
One of the most common mistakes people make when settling their personal injury claim on their own is not accounting for EVERY medical bill they incurred. This is usually because when they receive the hospital bill, they think it covers everything. Then, when the other bills start coming in after they settled, it is too late and the bills are their responsibility.
Your Health Insurer Wants Their Money Back:
We encourage our clients to use their health insurance for medical expenses, even if they are the result of a car wreck. Doing this greatly reduces the cost of medical expenses and more importantly, the chance of you ending up owing more in medical expenses than there is available liability insurance coverage.
However, when you use your health insurance for medical treatment related to a wreck, your health insurer may have a right to reimbursement out of any settlement proceeds. This is your responsibility. You don’t want to settle your personal injury claim without knowing how much you are responsible for repaying to your health insurer. Failing to properly reimburse your health insurance company can lead to personal liability and being dropped from coverage due to noncompliance. When you have Medicare or Medicaid and are in a wreck, making sure to properly comply with their reporting requirements is extremely important.
Don’t Rush To Settle:
Even if everything checks out fine for you at the ER, don’t be in a rush to settle your personal injury claim with the insurance company. Remember that your personal injury claim is separate from the claim for your car repairs (your property damage claim).
Even if you are feeling okay after leaving the Emergency Room, things can change quickly. Due to adrenalin wearing off, it is not uncommon for soreness and aches and pain to gradually come on in the days following a wreck. Even if you were feeling fine immediately after a wreck, you may wake up the next day with tremendous soreness.
Between making sure to account for all of the medical bills and making sure you don’t have any residual injuries, why we suggest waiting at least several weeks before even considering the settlement of your claims with the insurance company.
Have You Been Injured In A Car Wreck And Went To The Emergency Room And Have Questions About Medical Bills, Health Insurance Or Other Concerns?
If you have been injured in a car wreck and you went to the ER after a wreck and have questions about medical bills, health insurance, or other concerns contact us online or call our Covington office directly at 985.590.6182 to schedule your free consultation today. Flattmann Law serves clients on the Northshore, including Covington, Mandeville, Abita Springs, Bogalusa, Franklinton, Folsom, Madisonville, Goodbee, Hammond, Lacombe, Pearl River, and Slidell.