Car accident, new here

Hi everyone,

I'm an international student in North Carolina and I was recently involved in a car accident.

The other driver ran a red light and hit my car pretty hard. The police told me that all the witnesses confirmed that the other driver was at fault and that he would be cited for running the red light, and that's what will be in the police report.

Right now I don't have a car because of the accident of course, and I'm pretty banged up. I already went to urgent care and they checked me out, I'm having pain in my arm, leg, and head.

Since I'm new here, I don't really understand how insurance works in the US. I do have my own car insurance, but I'm also not sure if it's worth it to get a lawyer, or if it's better to just deal with the insurance companies directly.

The other driver has insurance, and I filed my claim with the insurance company yesterday (we both use GEICO).

From what I've been reading, I understand that I can make a claim for the car, my kids car sears (good thing I was driving alone) and the days I missed work, and for anything medical related to the accident.

Some people have told me that I might be entitled to a rental car, but I don't know how to find out about that.

Specifically, I have a few questions:

• Is it worth it to consult with a lawyer in my situation?
  • How do I know if I'm entitled to a rental car while the process goes?
  • What other types of compensation can I claim for, considering my injuries and missed work?

Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance for your help!