Auto & Car Accidents

What to Do After a Car Accident

All of us drive as carefully as we can, yet accidents do happen. If you are involved in a car accident, remember this checklist:

1) Stop and render aid immediately to any injured person and/or seek prompt medical attention for yourself if you are injured.

2) Report the accident immediately to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

3) Be careful what you say! Statements made at the scene can later be used against you.

4) Promptly report the accident to your insurance company. Again, be careful what you say. A careless remark not based on fact can later be regretted.

5) Contact a lawyer to discuss your rights concerning the accident.

Following the above checklist can help uncomplicate a confusing and serious experience. For a free consultation concerning your personal injury case, please call  the Rockafellow Law Firm.

How Your Insurance Policy Can Help You

Many people involved in automobile accidents fail to realize that their own insurance policy can be used to pay medical bills. If you have uninsured motorist coverage, your insurance policy must pay your damages if the other driver is uninsured. By law, your company must offer you uninsured coverage.

Don't rely on the other driver to have a good insurance policy. Chances are he doesn't. For a small amount of money, you can buy yourself the protection that you need against irresponsible motorists.

Should you have any questions concerning interpretation of your auto insurance policy, please call the Rockafellow Law Firm. We will be glad to assist you, and our initial consultations are always at no charge.

Protection from the Underinsured Motorist

Arizona insurance companies must offer underinsured motorist coverage to their insured drivers. We recommend large policy limits for underinsured motorist coverage.

Insurance statistics indicate that approximately 30% of drivers in Arizona are uninsured, in spite of mandatory insurance laws.

Another 35% to 40% only buy the minimum coverage required of $15,000.00 per person. In today's world of rising medical expenses, $15,000.00 does not go very far.

You can insure yourself against such a disaster by purchasing additional underinsured motorist coverage. We recommend coverage of at least $100,000.00.

The Rockafellow Law Firm knows the ins and outs of insurance policies and can help you receive what is rightfully yours. If you have a question concerning your auto insurance or want to discuss your rights under your policy, please call the Rockafellow Law Firm. We will answer your questions at no charge.

Use Your Seatbelt!

Arizona law now requires that you wear a seatbelt. If you do not, you can receive a fine for nonuse. However, nonuse of a seatbelt can cost you more than a fine. If you are injured in an accident and your injury is made more serious by nonuse of a seatbelt, the amount of money that you can recover for your injuries will be reduced by the percentage that nonuse of a seatbelt contributed to your injury. By way of example, a head laceration will go completely uncompensated for if use of a seatbelt would have prevented that laceration.

The Rockafellow Law Firm brings you this message in the interest of safety. We encourage all drivers to buckle up for even the shortest trips.