Mistake # 1: Best Not to Sign Any Documents Until You Speak With a Lawyer

Do not give in to pressure to sign anything shortly after an accident that relinquishes your right to make a claim in exchange for a sum of money when you are hurt and unsure of the full extent of your injuries. Once you sign such a document you will be forever barred from making any further claims and the insurance company will be released from any liability, no matter how badly you are injured or whatever happens in the future.

Consumer Beware: The greatest danger is that there is no law on the books that protects you, the accident victim, or prohibits the insurance company from settling for the lowest amount possible as long as you agree by signing the release, and sadly that bell cannot be unrung, even if your bodily injury case is actually worth potentially thousands of dollars and they pay you $500.00. Because insurance companies know that injuries generally become worse before they become better, they want to close the books as soon as possible on you before small cases
can become big cases. Many injured folks do not realize until it is too late that they have also given up their rights to make a claim for pain and suffering for their bodily injuries when the full extent of their injuries are not yet known. IF you have any questions about your motorcycle accident, Andrew S. Prince is here to help you and he will be happy to speak to you at no charge or obligation to inform you of your legal rights and options. The best advice is never to sign a release or other accident paperwork without consulting a lawyer like Andrew S. Prince.

Mistake # 2: Do Not Give a Statement to the Other Insurance Company

It happens often. Shortly after an accident, the injured party receives a telephone call from the at-fault insurance company adjuster who seems friendly and nice enough and wants to talk to you before they can help you. The adjusters are very skilled at their job and can lull you into a false sense of security when they say “before we can take care of everything we need to find out more about the facts of the accident so I just need to take your recorded statement.” The insurance adjuster is not your friend and you are under no obligation to give a statement. Remember, an insurance company is a business for profit and questions will be worded in a manner that will cause you to be more inclined to make a statement against your own interests. There are many other dangers in giving a recorded statement at such a vulnerable time since you will be “locked-in” to anything said even if you inadvertently made a misstatement about fault or if you failed to claim all areas of your body which were injured, as most of us tend to only focus on the injury that is most painful at that moment. Worse yet is that the statement will be transcribed and will be used against you in settlement negotiations or in court later on. Nothing good will ever come of it and it will only hurt you.

Mistake # 3: Failing to Seek Medical Treatment Promptly for Injuries

It is very important that if you feel as though you are injured you should seek medical treatment with a visit to the emergency room or your physician as soon as possible after your accident. It is a mistake to try to “tough it out” and hope it will just go away with more time as you could have something serious going on beneath the surface, or if you plan on making a claim. The insurance company will use a delay in treatment against you in their attempt to deny or minimize your claims with the assertion that “if you waited for weeks to get the treatment you could not be badly hurt.” Please take care to mention everything that is bothering you on your first visit, big or small. It is common that injured people tend to focus on the most painful parts and neglect to mention the other areas which may become more noticeable later on. If the injury is not initially documented the insurance company will take the position it was not caused by the accident. Do not settle for less than you deserve. Insurance companies have trial lawyers. Shouldn’t you have an experienced personal injury trial lawyer on your side? Obtain the benefits that a seasoned trial lawyer can provide you. Call Andrew S. Prince anytime at (800) 832-6529 or (732) 388-5454. You can also email him at aprinceesq@aol.com. There is never a charge for a consultation.

Contact A Jersey City Personal Injury Lawyer to Discuss Your Motorcycle Accident Case in New Jersey

Did you or a loved one sustain serious injuries due to a motorcycle accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. Personal injury attorney, Andrew Prince Esq. represents clients injured because of a motorcycle accident in Jersey City, Clifton, Trenton, Union City, and throughout New Jersey. Call (908) 304-9187 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 136 Central Avenue, Clark, New Jersey 07066, as well as an office in West New York, NY.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.