It’s hard to get back to “normal” life following a serious Maryland auto accident. You may still be without a vehicle. You may be annoyed by numerous phone calls from a pushy insurance agent. If you were injured, you may be struggling to fit in all those doctor appointments. You may even be unable to work for several weeks due to your injury.
If this sounds like your situation, don’t be discouraged. You have the right to:
- See the police report regarding your accident.
- Decline to talk to the other person’s insurance company.
- Leave work for a doctor’s appointment.
- Take a leave of absence from work.
Check the records
Police reports are public records and therefore must be available to anyone who requests them. Sensitive information may be blacked out. However, the report will still give you a good picture of how the accident occurred, who was at fault, and if any criminal charges were made. This will make a difference in the compensation you could receive for any injuries you got in the accident.
Keep quiet
The other person’s insurance company may call and ask you to give a recorded statement, but you are not actually required to talk to them at all — a fact they will not voluntarily tell you. It’s best to refer their calls to your Maryland car accident lawyer. Contrary to what they may say, declining to talk to them will not damage your ability to receive compensation.
The doctor comes first
If you’ve been seriously injured in a Maryland car accident, it’s important that you get the medical treatment you need. That may very well require seeing a doctor or specialist during working hours. You are within your rights to take time off work for a doctor’s appointment, even multiple appointments, without penalty.
Your job is safe
Employers have guidelines in place for employees who need to take an extended leave of absence from work due to a family emergency, illness, or injury. If you follow these guidelines, your job should still be available to you when you are able to return to work. Your employer does not have the right to fire you when you can’t come to work due to a Maryland auto accident injury.
Get help!
Finally, you also have the right to hire a Maryland car accident lawyer to represent you following a serious accident in which you were injured. At Nickelsporn & Lundin we go above and beyond to make sure you get the legal and medical help you need. To learn more, call our experienced Maryland car accident attorneys at 1-800-875-9700, or fill out our online form.