In the moments after an accident has occurred you may be disoriented or in a heightened emotional state. This is not the time to be making any type of formal statement to an insurance adjuster about the incident. In my book What every Injured Victim in Washington State Must know to avoid getting Ripped Off!, I discuss this as one of the common blunders that can destroy your accident settlement. You can find my book at www.cunnanelaw.com.

The insurance adjuster will want to get you to make your statement as soon as possible, not to help you but to increase the probability of you making mistakes that will decrease the settlement amount they need to pay. Simple statements such as “I’m Fine,” after an accident can be interpreted to mean that you were not seriously injured and therefore are not entitled to compensation.  Even the common courtesy of saying you’re sorry could mean that you have admitted guilt or fault for the accident while your intention could be that you are sorry the event occurred.

It is important to remember even in a heightened emotional state that the insurance company is not necessarily your friend. They are a business and their profits are based on paying out as little as possible for your claim. It is during these stressful times that legal representation can be most effectively used to protect you and your insurance claim.

The Cunnane Law Office has provided this content for informational purposes only.  You should refer your questions to a personal injury attorney.

www.cunnanelaw.com

The coming of a new year brings a welcome discounts on used cars. Before you sign the paperwork there are a few things you should check out to ensure you start 2015 with a gem instead of a lemon.

History of the vehicle.

There are multiple online resources where you can get a detailed report of the history of the vehicle.  Be sure to note any collisions and to forward this information to a mechanic you trust to ensure that the repairs were done properly.  This information also gives you some ground to stand on when negotiating the price of the vehicle.

Inspection by licensed mechanic you trust!

Hire a good mechanic to inspect the vehicle before you purchase it. They will be able to give you a clearer picture on what maintenance or repairs are currently needed or may come up in the future. If the repairs are minor enough you may even be able to deduct their cost from the final price of the vehicle with some negotiation.

Is the price far for that model?

A quick check of Kelly Blue Book www.kbb.com can give you a rough estimate of the true value of the vehicle. The discounts you see could actually be specific to that dealer and not a true reflection of the value of the vehicle. Alternatively, if the price seems too good to be true, be weary as it could be the result of a known or suspected mechanical issue.

Having a properly maintained and functioning vehicle can mitigate the possibility of you being found at fault in the event of a motor vehicle accident.

The Cunnane Law Office has provided this content for informational purposes only.  You should refer your questions to a personal injury attorney.

www.cunnanelaw.com

With a collective sigh of relief the holiday season has passed and with it hopefully came some fond memories spent with family.  Before you post your precious moment onto social media, consider who may be viewing those photos.

When around family we often find ourselves doing more than we might normally do under normal circumstances. It would be perfectly human to want to carry your child or play a game with them even while injured to preserve their holiday spirit. If you have an active claim and you post a picture of you playing with your children or grand children it may appear that you are not indeed injured or in pain. This information can then be used against you and could diminish your claim amount.

We believe you should refrain from any activity that could further aggravate your injury however we do understand wanting to do more for the sake of your family. Protect yourself and don’t let your act of selflessness compromise your insurance claim.

The Cunnane Law Office has provided this content for informational purposes only.  You should refer your questions to a personal injury attorney.

www.cunnanelaw.com