Common Misconceptions About Car Accident Claims in Nebraska: Insights from Ben Knowles

Car accident victims often believe they understand how the claims process works, but misconceptions can cost them thousands of dollars in compensation. From underestimating when legal help is necessary to misunderstanding how insurance companies operate, these false beliefs can derail even seemingly straightforward claims.

At Knowles Law Firm, we have seen how these misconceptions affect Nebraska accident victims firsthand. With decades of experience helping families navigate personal injury claims, we want to share insights into the most damaging myths that can compromise your case and your recovery.

Misconception: Minor Accidents Don’t Need Legal Representation

Many people assume they can handle their own claim if the accident seems minor or if they feel relatively okay immediately afterward. This thinking often overlooks the complexity that develops once medical treatment begins.

When someone has visited an emergency room and plans to seek follow-up care, this typically is the threshold where the case will require significantly more time, effort, and legal knowledge than most people are prepared to handle on their own.

The reality is that even seemingly minor accidents create complications most people don’t anticipate. Multiple medical bills will result from emergency room visits and subsequent treatment. Health insurance companies become involved, creating additional administrative complexity. Additionally, individuals often miss work to attend medical appointments, which impacts their income and requires proper documentation for compensation claims.

This is when legal representation becomes essential. At this point, we strongly encourage accident victims to allow an attorney to manage these complex matters so they can focus entirely on their medical treatment and recovery. We handle all the paperwork, medical bills, records, and communications with insurance companies.

Misconception: Insurance Companies Will Treat You Fairly Without a Lawyer

Perhaps the most costly misconception is believing insurance companies have your best interests at heart. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts, and they often take advantage of unrepresented claimants.

Insurance companies carefully assess claimants’ financial situations. When they determine someone faces financial pressure—whether from being without transportation or working a job with tight margins—they strategically present early settlement offers, knowing the person may accept less than their claim’s true value.

This creates a dangerous dynamic where your financial vulnerability becomes leverage against you. We strongly advise against discussing monetary amounts, settlements, or financial hardship with insurance adjusters.

Early settlement offers often contain problematic language that limits your recovery. Insurance companies may present what appears to be a generous early settlement, such as offering to pay up to $10,000 for medical bills incurred within three months that are ‘reasonable and necessary.’ However, they retain complete discretion to determine what constitutes reasonable and necessary treatment, effectively giving them veto power over your medical care.

Misconception: Medical Bills Will Immediately Damage Your Credit

The fear of medical debt affecting credit scores drives many accident victims to accept inadequate settlements or avoid necessary medical treatment. However, recent legal protections provide more breathing room than most people realize.

Recent federal legislation has created important protections for consumers. Medical providers cannot report debt to credit agencies for up to one year from the date of service, giving accident victims time to pursue proper treatment and develop their legal case without immediate credit consequences.

This protection means you have time to pursue proper medical treatment and allows your car accident case to develop without the immediate pressure of credit damage. When collection notices do arrive, legal representation provides additional leverage. Medical collection companies operate slowly and typically require four to six weeks to respond to attorney correspondence, which provides additional time to resolve claims properly.

Misconception: It’s Too Late if You’ve Already Talked to the Insurance Company

Many people believe they’ve compromised their case by speaking with insurance companies or providing recorded statements. While attorney involvement before these conversations is preferable, options often remain available.

As long as claimants haven’t signed settlement documents or made verbal agreements, we can typically still provide effective representation. However, we warn about emerging tactics: Some insurance companies now seek verbal settlement agreements over the phone, asking claimants to acknowledge and accept specific amounts during recorded calls. These verbal agreements can be just as binding as written documents.

Modern technology adds complexity to accident investigations that requires professional handling. Distracted driving, particularly texting while driving, has become a significant factor in accident frequency. These cases often involve digital evidence that requires proper legal procedures to preserve and present effectively.

Contact Knowles Law Firm for Professional Representation

Don’t let misconceptions about the claims process cost you the compensation you deserve. At Knowles Law Firm, we have 55 years of experience helping Nebraska families navigate complex accident claims and have obtained multi-million dollar settlements for our clients. We understand how insurance companies operate and what it takes to build strong cases that achieve fair results. As a family firm, our reputation and success directly impact our family’s well-being, which is why we emphasize exceptional client service and personal attention to every case, maintaining laser focus on ensuring our clients achieve complete satisfaction with their legal representation.

When you choose Knowles Law Firm, you get experienced attorneys who will protect your rights from day one and handle all communications with insurance companies so you can focus on your recovery. Learn more about our firm and our 55-year commitment to Nebraska families. Call us today at (402) 431-9000 or complete our contact form to schedule your free consultation.