Carthage, located in Jasper County, Missouri, has a population of more than 14,000. Nicknamed “America’s Maple Leaf City,” Carthage is the county seat of Jasper County. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, car accidents remain the leading cause of death in the United States for people between the ages of 8 and 34.
One thing that even very experienced drivers overlook is the fact that anyone can be a victim of a car accident and they are not always caused by the negligence of other drivers. Many accidents are the result of roadway hazards. If you happen to be one of the unfortunate Carthage citizens who is injured in an accident, our Carthage car accident attorney is ready to help you.
Carthage Roadways and Traffic
Recently, there has been unanticipated bridge work on Highway 96 (also referred to as Route 66) east of Carthage. This work has disrupted traffic into Carthage. The Missouri Department of Transportation began working on the bridge in mid-August 2017 and has detoured all large-vehicle traffic to Interstate 44. Unfortunately, this bridge work is not anticipated to be completed until November.
Be careful what you say at the accident scene
Whether it’s admitting liability in some way or saying the accident was not your fault, it is always a bad idea to say anything that relates to liability. The best advice is to say as little as possible until you have spoken to your car accident attorney.
When you report the accident to your insurance company, which you are required to do within a certain period of time, only give them the acts and nothing more. Insurance companies are not on your side. Their job is to try to pay as little as possible on your claim, so don’t stray beyond the basic facts. Be sure to let them know that you were injured and you intend to seek medical treatment. Beyond that, let your car accident attorney do the talking.
Carefully consider settlement offers
Another common mistake in car accident cases is settling too soon. You are not required to accept the first settlement offer an insurance company makes to you. In fact, it is wise in most cases not to. If you settle too soon, you run the risk of limiting your recovery because all of your losses may not be known. Right after the accident, your physical injuries are not always known because it can take days or weeks for pain and injuries to manifest themselves. Carthage accident attorneys know when to reject a settlement offer and how to negotiate for the compensation you deserve.
Don’t sign any waivers
In addition to attempting to limit your settlement amount, car insurance companies often pressure car accident victims into signing a waiver. The purpose of a waiver is to get you to accept a check while agreeing you won’t file a lawsuit for your claims. If you sign a waiver or release you are forfeiting your legal right to recover for your injuries. You should not sign a release until you are sure you are satisfied with your settlement, so do not be afraid to speak to your attorney first and let them review the waiver or release. Once you sign, it’s too late.
What Can the Cottrell Law Office do for you?
An accident attorney at the Cottrell Law Office will get you the results you deserve. As our case results reflect, we have obtained verdicts or settlements in car accident cases ranging from 100,000 to more than 300,000 in Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. We handle more than car accidents, though. We also handle accidents involving commercial trucks, motorcycles, defective vehicles, pedestrian collisions, and other types of accident cases. With more than 29 years of experience, we are dedicated to putting that experience to work to provide you with top-quality service and zealous legal representation.
Advice about what to do after a car accident
If you have been involved in a car accident, contacting a car accident lawyer in Bella Vista as soon as possible is important in order to obtain the compensation you deserve. When the time comes to file your claim, there are several common mistakes that you need to avoid. The Cottrell Law Office is here to help you avoid those mistakes.
If you have questions regarding car accidents or any other personal injury matters in Arkansas or Missouri, please contact the Cottrell Law Office for a free consultation. You can contact us either online or by calling us toll-free at 800-364-8305.