Posted on Monday, August 29th, 2016 at 5:08 pm
Have you been injured in a Sacramento motorcycle crash? Are you out of work because a reckless driver pulled out in front of your motorcycle? Are you facing thousands of dollars in expensive medical treatments because of a distracted driver? Is the insurance company for the other driver pressuring you to settle your motorcycle crash claim?
If you are injured in a motorcycle crash, it is important to understand your legal rights regarding compensation for your injuries. It is also important to know what to avoid when dealing with a motorcycle crash claim. Our Sacramento motorcycle crash attorneys can help. We understand you may be worried about how you will pay an attorney for help. Do not let this fear keep you from seeking the legal help that you need to protect your rights.
Call Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 to schedule a free, no obligation consultation with a motorcycle accident attorney. The visit is free but the information you learn can make a huge difference in the amount of your settlement claim.
Three Things That Can Hurt Your Motorcycle Crash Claim
If you have not decided whether to hire an attorney to represent you in your motorcycle crash case, you need to be aware of three things that could potentially hurt your case even if you decide to hire an attorney at a later date.
Providing a Statement to the Insurance Company
Insurance adjusters love accident victims who represent themselves because adjusters believe they can “trick” them into providing information that can hurt their case. An insurance adjuster may contact you within days after an accident to discuss the accident and your injuries. You are not obligated to provide any statements or discuss your injuries until you have completely recovered and you are ready to negotiate a settlement. However, the insurance adjuster may push you to make a statement or to discuss the accident. If you do so, you could make a huge mistake that will hurt your chance of recovering full compensation for your claim.
When you are in pain and in shock after a crash, you may not be fully aware of what you are saying. At this time, anything you say could be held against you later in the case, even if you were taking medication for pain or you were still confused because of the shock of the crash. Even if you do not say anything that hurts your case, you could be misquoted. It can be very difficult to prove that you did not say something or you meant something different when you made a statement. Avoid speaking with the insurance company until you have consulted with an attorney.
Signing a Release
Signing a release of any type can hurt your case. For example, if you sign a medical release that gives the insurance company complete access to your medical records, the company may try to use something it finds in your medical history to argue your current injury is not related to the motorcycle crash. If you sign a waiver or release, you may not catch what is written in the fine print. The fine print may release the parties from any future liability. If you discover an injury that was unknown at the time you signed the release, you are barred from pursuing another claim.
It is always safer to have an experienced motorcycle crash attorney review any document before you sign it. The insurance adjuster will not explain the fine print. It is not his job because the company does not represent you. An attorney has YOUR best interest as his top priority.
Do Not Destroy Evidence
It is natural to want to repair your motorcycle as soon as possible following a collision. However, making repairs may destroy key evidence that you need to prove the other driver was at fault. Furthermore, repairing your motorcycle before you settle the property damage portion of your case can hurt your claim. Once the repairs are made, you have no evidence of the property damage. The insurance company can argue that you overpaid for the repairs and deny the claim. If you must repair your motorcycle before you settle the claim, thoroughly document the damage before making any repairs. Take photographs and obtain at least three independent evaluations and estimates of the damages.
You Do Not Need To Handle An Accident Claim Alone
We believe everyone is entitled to have experienced legal counsel; therefore, we accept most cases on a contingency fee basis. In other words, we are not paid until we recover compensation on your behalf. You do not need to worry about how you will pay for an attorney.
To learn more, call the Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 or chat with a representative on our website to schedule a free case evaluation.
