The Importance of Consulting an Attorney Immediately after an Automobile Accident
When you’ve sustained an injury because of the carelessness or negligence of another motorist, it’s customary to contact your insurance provider to help cover your losses. In states like New Jersey, with its no-fault auto insurance laws, you are required to work directly through your own insurance provider. Don’t be surprised, either, if your insurer comes to you pretty quickly and offers you a certain amount of money to resolve your claim. They may tell you that they’ve thoroughly investigated the accident and determined that that’s the full amount of your coverage. In some instances, they may simply send you a check.
Before you sign anything, including the check, you want to consult with an attorney. Why? Because insurance companies are for-profit entities, and they make their money by minimizing the amount they pay for claims. Accordingly, they may offer you significantly less than your claim is worth (or than you’ll actually incur in losses). Once you’ve accepted the settlement, you may have waived the right to compensation for any further losses.
With an attorney, it works the other way around. Your attorney has a vested interest in maximizing your recovery, as he or she will typically receive a percentage of whatever you recover. Both the insurance company and your attorney will have a much better idea of the total potential losses than you will. The insurer, though, has no incentive to disclose to you that some of your injuries may take weeks or even months to heal, and can severely hamper your life in the interim. Your lawyer, though, will know what to expect and can make certain that any potential settlement takes into account all potential losses.
Contact Our Office
At the Cintron Firm, LLC, we bring more than 14 years of experience individuals who have suffered any type of personal injury. To set up an appointment, contact our office at 201-791-1333 or (201) 535-0323 or send us an e-mail.