FAQs
Perhaps the most important thing for you to do after being involved in an accident is to contact your attorney. Your attorney will be able to protect your rights and make sure valuable evidence is not destroyed. After all, the insurance companies (even your own insurance company) are not on your side.
However, some general steps to follow at the accident scene are as follows:
Call the police – Even if there are no severe injuries, it is a good idea to call the police. However, especially in Las Vegas, the police will not always come to an accident scene unless the accident is severe/medical treatment is needed.
Exchange Information/Take Pictures – gather as much information from the other driver(s) as possible. This includes pictures of the other driver’s license, auto insurance card, and registration. You will also want to take photos of the damage to both your vehicle and the other vehicles involved in the accident (it’s also a good idea to take a picture of the other driver’s license plate).
Seek Medical Attention – You must seek medical attention as soon as possible. Please remember that injuries sustained in an accident are not always immediately apparent. Typically, you will begin to feel the most pain/discomfort in the week following the accident.
Report the Accident – While a claim will need to be opened with the at-fault driver’s auto insurance company (and your auto insurance company in most cases), it is highly recommended that you first retain the services of an attorney. You do not want the insurance companies taking advantage of you by taking something you said and twisting it in their favor.
You are never required to hire an attorney. However, when an attorney is involved, typically, your settlement will be more significant. Also, you will not have to worry about dealing with insurance companies, who know your lack of experience in these matters.
At Pomponio Injury Law, we will handle everything for you from day one, including free assistance with vehicle repair and aid in scheduling doctor appointments. Your primary focus should be feeling better and getting your life back on track – let us do the rest.
There is never a clear answer to these questions. Every case is different. However, a couple of factors include the severity of your injuries and the amount of auto insurance coverage available to you. Some patients can resolve this in just a few weeks, while other issues can take longer.
Regardless of the time frame, you can rest assured that Pomponio Injury Law will provide top-notch service to every client. Nick Pomponio oversees each case himself, from your initial consultation through settlement. Thus, there is no mediator. Doing so makes patients settle significantly quicker and for more significant amounts.
This is not an issue. You will never have to pay Pomponio Injury Law out of pocket, as we do not charge by the hour. We work on a contingency fee basis (we take a percentage of the total recovery). Thus, we do not get paid until you do!
While every case is different, just because your accident was minor does not mean you do not have a valid claim. Even in accidents involving a little impact, you may have sustained a severe/permanent injury to your spine.
If you lost consciousness or were dazed, even for a short period, you may have suffered a concussion or closed head injury. Thus, it is essential to contact an attorney as soon as possible to assess the facts better and help determine if pursuing your claim is in your best interest.
Do not let the lack of health insurance prevent you from seeking the necessary medical treatment. When you retain the services of an attorney, many medical providers will allow you to treat on a lien (meaning your medical bills will be paid upon the settlement of your case).
Thus, you must contact Pomponio Injury Law as soon as possible so that we may assist you in seeing the proper medical providers. Also, you must seek medical attention as quickly as possible to avoid any issues with the insurance companies who may attempt to claim that you were never injured in your accident since you did not seek medical attention.
Generally speaking, just because you received a citation or the other driver involved claims you are to blame does not necessarily mean you are 100% liable for the accident.
If you feel you are not at fault, you should contact an attorney as soon as possible. Pomponio Injury Law will be able to review the facts of your accident and even hire experts if needed to help prove the other driver was 100% at fault.
Even though you may want to wrap things up as soon as possible concerning your claim, it is rarely in your best interest to accept the insurance company’s first offer. This is because the insurance companies are well aware of your lack of experience and will purposely make a meager settlement offer in hopes you accept it.
Thus, it is in your best interest to contact an attorney as soon as possible so you can adequately be represented. Pomponio Injury Law will work to get you the maximum settlement amount possible in the shortest time. While it may take a little more time to wrap up your claim, you increase the likelihood of receiving a significantly larger settlement when you retain the services of an attorney.
Just because the at-fault driver has no insurance coverage does not mean you will be barred from recovering anything. Many people also carry UIM/UM (Underinsured/Uninsured) coverage or even PIP/MedPay (Personal Injury Protection/Medical Payment) coverage on their auto insurance policy.
Both of these types of insurance coverage are optional. People often do not even realize they have these types of coverage on their policies.
UIM/UM Coverage – If you have this type of coverage, your auto insurance company will provide coverage up to the amount you are insured for (in most cases) if the at-fault party has no insurance or is underinsured.
PIP/MedPay Coverage – This type of coverage will help pay for your medical bills (even if you are at fault for the accident). This type of coverage also provides coverage to you even if you are not in your vehicle at the time of the accident (Ex: you were hit by a car while crossing the street).
Pomponio Injury Law strongly advises our clients to carry the above forms of additional coverage, as they may save you if the at-fault party is not insured or underinsured. This is especially true considering the extra amount you will need to pay for said coverage is not as much as you think.
In Nevada, the answer is no. Under Nevada Revised Statute 687B.385, an insurance company cannot cancel, raise premiums, or refuse to renew your insurance policy if you make a claim when you are not at fault. It should be noted, however, that you must be less than 50% at fault for applying the above.
If you feel that your insurance company raised your premium illegally, you may want to make a complaint with the Nevada Division of Insurance. If you are unhappy with the outcome, you should potentially contact an attorney to pursue legal action potentially.
Assuming proper coverage on both your auto insurance and the at-fault party’s auto insurance policies, you typically have two options for getting your vehicle repaired. Each option has its pros and cons:
Repairs Made by Your Insurance – Typically, when you go through your insurance for vehicle repairs, the repair process will be able to begin right away. However, your insurance will typically require you to pay your deductible upfront (you will eventually get reimbursed later).
Repairs Made by At-Fault Party’s Insurance – While you will not need to pay a deductible, you will need to wait for the at-fault party’s insurance carrier to conduct their “investigation.” This may include speaking to their insured or reviewing a police report if available. This “investigation” process may cause delays in getting your vehicle repaired.
When it comes to getting your vehicle repaired, everyone wants it done as soon as possible. However, insurance companies are in no rush. You must contact an attorney as quickly as possible to help assist with repairs. However, unlike some other law firms, Pomponio Injury Law provides FREE assistance in getting your vehicle repaired promptly.
In addition to claiming your injuries/pain and suffering, you can make a claim based on your lost wages. Depending on the severity of your injuries, you may also be able to collect future lost wages in addition to past lost wages. Because of this, it is highly recommended that you contact an attorney as soon as possible to help assist in this process.
At Pomponio Injury Law, we assist in gathering the proper documentation to help prove your lost wages and make sure you are fully compensated for your loss.