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>>accidents they can happen at anytime
so what should you do if you're involved in one
Laura Mckinnon of Mckinnon Law Firm is with us this morning to answer that question
Laura thank you so much for being here
car accidents, quite scary
happened quite often as well
so when you do you find yourself in a car accident
what do you need to do
>>Well if it's an accident what you need to do first
is make sure the police are called
there's there's a real problem
and the insurance companies have a lot of special rules
that if there was not a police report
basically they're going to act like it didn't happen
>>So the first the first rule of thumb as soon as it's done
you get out of the car
you pick up the phone you call the police
When do you get a lawyer involved
>>You should get'em right away
because the adjusters are gonna be contacting you right away
and one of the first things they're going to do
is have you sign some paperwork
but quite frankly is not very good paperwork
they're going to be talking to your doctors
may be saying some bad things about you to do your doctors
and it's really something,
for one thing the law says you don't have to sign this paperwork
but these adjusters are trained go to seminars
to come across as your best friend
and quite frankly they're not
>>Which is why you say as a lawyer you can be there best friend,
you can handle things for them.
Obviously there's things that you should do when you find yourself in a car accident
like call the police,
What are the things you shouldn't do though?
>>You shouldn't do,
first off, let the adjuster take a recorded statement
second you really don't want to be making a lot of statements to the other driver
that's that's not good.
Certainly cooperate fully with the police,
do the right thing
It is very important that you not be so stoic that you refuse all medical treatment
if you need,
if you don't need it that's wonderful
but if you do the insurance companies computer systems
it's all computerized now
they will use it against you that you didn't get medical treatment,
that you didn't go to the emergency room
and that's not fair that their computers basically are saying
everything about your case.
>>Well it seems like you use a lot of common sense
when you are in a car accident,
but sometimes that's not always easy to do because you're in an accident,
your shaken up,
your little rattled,
so what happens, if you do you think you're hurt
because like you say, don't refuse medical treatment if you think you need it
It could come and backfire on you,
but where do you start?
>> I would suggest getting a hold of an attorney very quickly
like i said some of the things that happen early on,
will come back to haunt you for the entire rest of the claim
and are very significant
>>So as an attorney how can you hold the clients hand through something like this
right after an accident where do you start steering them in what direction
>>Ashley that's my job that's what I am suppose to do
I can reassure them,
have them stay away from some of the paperwork
have them do some things with me in the paperwork
deal with their doctors
and deal with the liability
deal with the people that get their car fixed
make sure they don't put the bad used parts on your car
make sure that you get a rental vehicle
most people don't know that there's a lot of no-fault coverage
whether its on your own car
or on the other vehicle that will pay you some lost wages
most people are very scared to let their own insurance company know
and what they don't realize is there's a state law saying
their premiums can't go up
so there's no reason to not let their insurance get involved
>> Now, there so many different facets of this of course,
you've got your medical,
you've got body shops,
you've got insurance,
so what's the hairiest thing that you deal with as you're trying to weed through an accident
>>One of the things at the very end
is you've got so many people there having what's called subrogation
which is a little complex,
but you've got the two insurance companies wanting money back from each other,
you've got medicare wanting money
you've got your group insurance,
now has a super lien and they get money back to reimburse them,
even before you get anything for your pain or your dysfunction
maybe you're not able to go back to work
and a lot of times,
if you don't have an attorney,
the sad thing is the person that's hurt
is the one at the bottom of the barrel.
>>And a lot of times it seems like being in a car accident
going through all of this,
it's a lot bigger than just what one person can handle
>>Exactly and the sad thing is
every other entity that you're talking about
they all have their lawyers
the insurance company does,
all those other insurance companies,
medicare,
it's, it's really sad that you get run over
because you didn't get the help that you need
>>So everyone else everyone else has a lawyer out there
you say you can help,
be their lawyer as well
because you say at your firm
you're always known for, no win no fee,
just that easy.
>>That easy
>>I like that,
well if you have any questions for Laura
you can always give her an email,
she's one of our five news experts
log on to 5Newsonline.com
click on the tab that says as seen on 5
then just click on our ask the expert
you'll find a link on her ask the expert page
you can email your questions straight to Laura
now there are law offices,
Mckinnon Lawfirm in Fayetteville, Fort Smith, and Russellville
call them toll free 888.558.8841
If you have more questions for Laura
or any of our 5 news legal experts
Just email them now Laura only practices
social security and disability,
car wrecks,
and workmans' comp
Laura thanks for being here this morning
>>Thank you Ashley
your welcome.
More 5 sunday morning coming up right after this