New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania Auto and Trucking Accident Lawyers – FAQs

If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, you may be unsure about what to do next. At Locks Law, our New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based auto, trucking, and car accident lawyers understand that many of our clients find the post-accident process confusing and frustrating. Whether you've been involved in a motor vehicle accident or you simply want to stay informed in the event of an accident in the future, our auto accident attorneys have compiled the following list of frequently asked questions for your convenience. If you have a question that isn't presented below, or you would like to schedule a free legal consultation, contact the personal injury lawyers of Locks Law today.

• What should I do after an accident?
• What if I believe I'm at fault?
• What if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured?
• What compensation can I obtain?
• Should I hire a lawyer?
• How much does legal counsel cost?

What should I do after an accident?

Immediately after a motor vehicle accident has occurred, you should first determine that everyone involved is safe. If anyone requires medical attention, you should call an ambulance. Exchange information with the involved parties, including insurance and driver license information, and if necessary contact the authorities. If there is any doubt whether law enforcement should be contacted, you should know that the law generally requires that the police are called if there are serious injuries or vehicles are substantially damaged. Police officers can document the scene, take down your statement of the incident and file an accident report. If there is property damage or any injuries involved, contact your insurance agency and notify them of the accident.

To learn more, visit our "What to Do after an Auto Accident" page, or contact Locks Law.

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What if I believe I'm at fault?

It is important to never sign an admission of guilt or verbally assume guilt. Motor vehicle accidents often cause confusion and anxiety that can make it difficult to accurately determine exactly who was at fault. As someone who was involved in the accident, you may not be the best qualified person to determine how it happened, as the quickness in which the accident occurs and the emotions involved can often cloud your judgment. Law enforcement officials, insurance agents, and if necessary, forensic analysts working with Locks Law can conduct a thorough accident investigation and reconstruction to deduce which party or parties were at fault. Our lawyers can advise you on these issues.

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What if the other driver is uninsured or underinsured?

In instances where an uninsured driver or underinsured driver causes an accident, it can be very difficult to obtain financial compensation. If possible, the personal assets of the at-fault party can be used to pay for damages, though in many instances, uninsured drivers have few assets. If the uninsured driver is a dependent of another policy holder, it may be possible to seek compensation from that individual's insurance policy. Additionally, many insurance companies offer uninsured motorist coverage. If you have uninsured coverage, your insurance provider may be obligated to pay you for damages that you are unable to obtain from the liable parties. You may also be able to recover underinsured motorist coverage if the at-fault driver has inadequate insurance to cover your injuries and you have covered yourself with uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage through your own insurance policy.

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What compensation can I obtain?

If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, you may be able to obtain compensation for any property damage, medical costs, loss of wages, and pain and suffering that may have occurred. The liable parties or their insurance companies are responsible for providing compensation for any damages you may have suffered in accord with the laws of your state. In many states, your medical bills and wage loss will be the responsibility of your own insurance carrier regardless of fault.  This is the “no-fault” portion of automobile insurance coverage. The negligent driver can be compelled to pay through his insurance company for your pain and suffering, and uncovered wage losses and medical bills.  Generally, it is advisable to retain a lawyer before you attempt to negotiate with an insurance company as it is a common practice to “lowball” unrepresented people and to settle their claims for much less than their actual value.  Please feel free to contact Locks Law to schedule a free case review. At our Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New York, or New Jersey offices, one of our auto, trucking, and car accident lawyers can help you obtain just and fair financial compensation for your injuries.

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Should I hire a lawyer?

A legal representative can help you obtain the financial compensation you deserve if you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident or a loved one has suffered wrongful death. Insurance company underwriters often attempt to minimize the amount of monetary compensation they provide to individuals in order to maximize the company's profits. An aggressive, experienced, and knowledgeable lawyer can help you receive just and fair compensation to cover your injuries. We can file a suit against negligent drivers and thereby their insurance companies if necessary to obtain fair and just compensation for your injuries. If you are in need of legal counsel, the attorneys at Locks Law can help.

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How much does legal counsel cost?

At Locks Law, our New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based auto, trucking and car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. We offer to represent our clients based on a percentage of the amount recovered for them.  If we obtain financial compensation for you, we will take a percentage of the award as payment for our legal counsel, but if we do not recover damages for you, you do not owe any legal fees. We understand that many people cannot afford the hourly fees that many lawyers charge for counsel and are pleased to offer our clients more accessible service. Contact Locks Law today to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys.

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Contact Locks Law to Learn More about Auto Accident Claims

If you have additional questions about your rights after a motor vehicle accident, contact our law offices today. Serving New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, our auto, trucking, and car accident lawyers can answer your questions or schedule a free consultation for you.

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