Understanding the mistakes to avoid in a Pooler motorcycle accident case can greatly affect your legal outcome. After an accident, insurance adjusters, defense lawyers, and possibly a jury will look closely at everything you do.
Our experienced motorcycle wreck attorneys at Chattahoochee Injury Law can provide insight into your legal options and help you avoid common mistakes people often make after serious traffic accidents.
How you interact with insurance companies after the accident is critical, as their goals are often in direct conflict with yours. To avoid making any mistakes that could negatively affect your case, you should let our Pooler motorcycle accident attorneys handle communications with insurance companies.
Insurance adjusters are not neutral parties. Their job is to reduce the insurance company’s financial exposure, not ensure that you receive fair compensation. They typically contact you soon after the accident, offering assistance or an early settlement that is usually well below the actual value of your losses. Adjusters also often ask misleading questions designed to get you to say something that can be used to shift liability or minimize damages.
Another critical mistake is providing a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company without legal counsel. Georgia law does not require you to give a recorded statement to the opposing insurer. While an insurance company may say it is routine, it is often a tactic to get you to make inconsistent or damaging statements that can severely weaken your case. Decline to give a statement and say that you plan to hire a lawyer.
Your actions after the accident create a record that can either support or undermine your claim for damages. The following are some common errors to avoid in Pooler motorcycle crash cases.
Insurance companies often argue that delays in treatment suggest your injuries were not serious or were caused by something other than the crash. Under Ga. Code § 51-12-33, Georgia follows a modified comparative fault rule. If a delay in treatment is interpreted as contributing to the severity of your injuries, your compensation will likely be reduced. Prompt medical care not only protects your health but also creates documentation that links your injuries directly to the accident.
Posts, photos, or comments about the accident can be misinterpreted and used as evidence by the defense. For example, a photo from a social gathering can be used to argue that your injuries are not as serious as claimed. Courts regularly allow social media content to be introduced as evidence in civil cases, so it is best to avoid posting until your case is fully resolved.
The final stage of your claim involves decisions that have permanent financial consequences, and advice from our attorneys is critical.
Early settlement offers often appear generous but fail to account for future medical treatment, lost earning capacity, and non-economic damages. It is especially important to avoid making the mistake of accepting an early offer in Pooler motorcycle crash cases involving traumatic brain injuries or spinal trauma, as these conditions may not present immediately. Once you accept a settlement, you waive your right to pursue additional compensation, even if your condition worsens. Georgia courts strictly enforce settlement agreements, so you cannot reopen the case after a release is signed.
Chattahoochee Injury Law’s founding attorney, Ben Clary, has nearly 10 years of experience litigating injury cases, including complex motorcycle accidents throughout Georgia.
If you have questions about mistakes to avoid in a Pooler motorcycle accident case, our firm is ready to provide you with guidance. Contact us today and schedule a free case review to protect your rights and discuss potential compensation.
Understanding the mistakes to avoid in a Pooler motorcycle accident case can greatly affect your legal outcome. After an accident, insurance adjusters, defense lawyers, and possibly a jury will look closely at everything you do.
Our experienced motorcycle wreck attorneys at Chattahoochee Injury Law can provide insight into your legal options and help you avoid common mistakes people often make after serious traffic accidents.
How you interact with insurance companies after the accident is critical, as their goals are often in direct conflict with yours. To avoid making any mistakes that could negatively affect your case, you should let our Pooler motorcycle accident attorneys handle communications with insurance companies.
Insurance adjusters are not neutral parties. Their job is to reduce the insurance company’s financial exposure, not ensure that you receive fair compensation. They typically contact you soon after the accident, offering assistance or an early settlement that is usually well below the actual value of your losses. Adjusters also often ask misleading questions designed to get you to say something that can be used to shift liability or minimize damages.
Another critical mistake is providing a recorded statement to the at-fault driver’s insurance company without legal counsel. Georgia law does not require you to give a recorded statement to the opposing insurer. While an insurance company may say it is routine, it is often a tactic to get you to make inconsistent or damaging statements that can severely weaken your case. Decline to give a statement and say that you plan to hire a lawyer.
Your actions after the accident create a record that can either support or undermine your claim for damages. The following are some common errors to avoid in Pooler motorcycle crash cases.
Insurance companies often argue that delays in treatment suggest your injuries were not serious or were caused by something other than the crash. Under Ga. Code § 51-12-33, Georgia follows a modified comparative fault rule. If a delay in treatment is interpreted as contributing to the severity of your injuries, your compensation will likely be reduced. Prompt medical care not only protects your health but also creates documentation that links your injuries directly to the accident.
Posts, photos, or comments about the accident can be misinterpreted and used as evidence by the defense. For example, a photo from a social gathering can be used to argue that your injuries are not as serious as claimed. Courts regularly allow social media content to be introduced as evidence in civil cases, so it is best to avoid posting until your case is fully resolved.
The final stage of your claim involves decisions that have permanent financial consequences, and advice from our attorneys is critical.
Early settlement offers often appear generous but fail to account for future medical treatment, lost earning capacity, and non-economic damages. It is especially important to avoid making the mistake of accepting an early offer in Pooler motorcycle crash cases involving traumatic brain injuries or spinal trauma, as these conditions may not present immediately. Once you accept a settlement, you waive your right to pursue additional compensation, even if your condition worsens. Georgia courts strictly enforce settlement agreements, so you cannot reopen the case after a release is signed.
Chattahoochee Injury Law’s founding attorney, Ben Clary, has nearly 10 years of experience litigating injury cases, including complex motorcycle accidents throughout Georgia.
If you have questions about mistakes to avoid in a Pooler motorcycle accident case, our firm is ready to provide you with guidance. Contact us today and schedule a free case review to protect your rights and discuss potential compensation.