By Jose Leon | Thoughts on Innovation
With over 1 million residents, thousands of miles of municipal thoroughfare, and a natural proclivity toward collision — motorists of the Valley of the Sun could be left confused when a fender bender or major car accident strikes.
Immediately following the accident can be a critical moment for all involved, whereas more than 40,000 collisions are reported annually throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area. Experts estimate nearly 3% of all Arizona residents will be involved in some type of car accident over the next 12 months.
A lot of times we get into a car accident and think we can handle the claim since it seems simple and the claims representative with the insurance companies are friendly and cooperating.
What we don’t realize is that the insurance companies handling our claims have a goal to take our premiums when we buy insurance and then investigate a potential claim and minimize the amount of money they pay out. In essence, to create a profit since at the end of the day they are a business.
Why timing matters
The moments, days, and weeks following a car accident — no matter the severity — are critical for information gathering. Typically, an insurance company is sophisticated enough to secure information early with the intention to pay as little as possible. As an injured person, we typically don’t know the process and therefore can make many mistakes along the way that will make our case value lower and therefore less fair for us.
A qualified attorney focused on injury law is vital to recover the medical care we incur. A lawyer has the experience and knowledge to be able to help a person that is injured navigate the claims process and prevent any errors along the way. If necessary, we can also file a lawsuit to keep the insurance companies honest when handling and settling our claim. Our goal as personal injury attorneys is to get the best result from the insurance company and, more importantly for the injured person — get them the most money in their pocket.
What to do after a car accident
1. Get medical care: Your health is the most important issue when it comes to your auto accident. You should call the authorities after your accident so the proper medical professionals can be sent to help.
2. Call your attorney: Leon Law is available to take your call 24/7. You can’t predict when an accident will happen, so it’s important you have access to your lawyer at all times.
3. Contact your insurer: You’ll need to notify your car insurance company that you were in an accident. If another driver or third party was responsible for your accident, you should notify that individual’s insurance company that you plan to file a claim.
4. File the claim: Only talk about your vehicle (property damage) and refrain from talking about your injuries or treatment when you notify the insurance company. Let your attorney handle the injury claim so that you don’t provide them information they can use against you later.
You can learn more about Leon Law HERE or by calling: 480-269-1083. Today, the local law firm has three locations in Arizona:
- Phoenix: 20 E. Thomas Rd, Suite 2200, Phoenix AZ 85012
- Peoria: 16165 N. 83rd Ave, Suite 200, Peoria, AZ 85382
- Tucson: 1 South Church Ave Suite 1200 Tucson AZ 85701
Editor’s Note: Jose Leon is a father, husband, Scottsdale Charro and founder of Phoenix-based Leon Law.
