Many injured drivers and passengers hold misconceptions about car accident injury claims. A little bit of research can often prove these misconceptions false. For example, there is no guarantee of you receiving fair compensation, even when the other driver is at fault, and this is often because the insurance company is acting in bad faith and refusing to offer fair compensation or any compensation at all.

If you or a loved one sustained an injury in a collision, it is vital to contact a knowledgeable Silver Spring car accident lawyer at Goldberg Finnegan for help with your claim. We can answer any questions you have about preserving the value of your claim and clear up any misconceptions you may have heard about the claim process.

Below are some misconceptions about car accident injury claims in Maryland:

Compensation is Guaranteed for Your Injuries

Compensation is never a guarantee because you need proof that your injuries have a direct connection to the car accident. Even if the insurance company decides to award compensation, there is no guarantee it will fully compensate you for your damages.

There are several factors that can affect the amount of compensation you may be able to recover after a car accident. These could include whether or not the other driver was carrying liability insurance, whether you were partially at fault for the car accident, or whether or not you had uninsured motorist coverage at the time of the accident.

Insurance Companies Are Here to Help You

Many people believe that the insurance company is on their side after a car accident. However, insurance companies are for-profit companies, which means they do not want to pay out a large settlement for your injuries when you file a car accident injury claim, no matter the value of your damages.

After a car accident, an insurance adjuster will be assigned to review all factors in your case. This person works for the insurance company and will advise the carrier about the damages. He or she may try to shift the blame on you or trick you into making contradictory statements or accepting fault for the accident. The adjuster’s job is to pay out the least possible amount of compensation. This professional is not on the side of the injured person and will actively work against him or her.

A Police Report is Enough to Prove Liability

Even if you have the police report, it may not be enough to prove fault to the insurance company and recover fair financial compensation. The police report only covers the basics of the accident. You will need other important information not found in this report, such as:

  • Weather conditions at the time of the accident
  • Road conditions during the collision
  • Visibility on the road
  • Details of the damage to any vehicles
  • Damage to fixtures or structures
  • Traffic conditions before, during and after the crash
  • Road construction or crumbling roadways

Fault is Automatic in Rear-End Car Accident Cases

While it is true that many rear-end car accidents are attributed to the driver who was behind the first vehicle, fault is not necessarily automatic. There are various situations in which this general rule does not apply. For example, you may be found liable for the accident if you were driving at an unsafe speed, merging incorrectly in front of the other driver’s lane, or slammed on the breaks unexpectedly. Certain conditions and behaviors are considered when determining fault in a rear-end collision.

Legal Representation is Unaffordable

Many car accident victims worry about the cost of a lawyer and may think that acquiring legal representation is just not affordable. However, at our firm, our attorneys offer free consultations so that we can review your case and determine your legal options to see whether or not you are entitled to compensation for your injury.

If you decide to move forward, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means that we do not charge any upfront costs for our services unless you recover compensation for your case. In other words, we do not get paid unless you win.

Let Goldberg Finnegan Assist You Today

If you have been involved in a car accident, it is important to have a lawyer on your side. At Goldberg Finnegan, we will support you through this ordeal. We will explain the statute of limitations and how various factors can affect your claim. We can explain the range of compensation you could receive based on the damages you sustained and how evidence is a key element of your case. We can also communicate with the insurance company on your behalf to try to secure maximum compensation.

We will review your claim without obligation or any upfront fees. Our team is available over the phone or in person. You can also complete a case review form.