Posted in Uncategorized
After you have suffered an accident, the very first people who contact you are usually representatives from the insurance companies involved. They often sound highly sympathetic, remarkably helpful, and thoroughly professional. You may be sore, stressed, and juggling repairs and doctor visits when the adjuster rings, calmly promising to “help”. However, it is essential to remember a fundamental and sobering truth in personal injury law: the insurance company is not, in fact, your advocate. Their primary, core goal is to minimize the payout on the claim, not to maximize your recovery or ensure your peace of mind. This is precisely why securing your own concentrated legal representation is the most critical step you can take immediately following an accident. Our West Orange, NJ personal injury lawyer is here to confirm: We represent you, the accident victim, not the insurance companies.
Why You Can’t Trust the Other Side’s Tactics
Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize payouts. They handle thousands of claims annually and are specialists at claim minimization. When they reach out to you, they are looking for specific information—such as recorded statements, signed documents, or inadvertent admissions—that they can strategically use against you.
Adjusters use “tricks of the trade”, such as mirroring your tone to seem friendly or pausing so you’ll keep talking, to guide the conversation in their favor. This is calculated to protect the company’s profits and chip away at your claim. They may:
- Downplay the severity of your injuries.
- Ask leading questions to get you to admit partial fault.
- Rushing you into a low settlement before you understand the full extent of your injuries.
- Ask, “Why did you wait so long?” to suggest your injuries are not severe enough, which can seriously impact your settlement amount.
A quick “statement” request sounds harmless at first, but a simple “I’m okay” can be twisted into proof you weren’t hurt. Even a short recorded call can affect what you recover under comparative fault rules. Furthermore, release forms may look routine but often include hidden clauses that let insurers dig into your medical history or make you give up future claims. You should never accept a settlement offer without consulting an experienced injury lawyer first.
The Power of Professional Advocacy and Aligned Goals
While you are certainly allowed to file an insurance claim entirely by yourself, a reputable personal injury lawyer brings essential experience to effectively counter the insurer’s aggressive tactics. Hiring a lawyer who knows your rights will allow you to get the maximum insurance claim possible.
Lawyers who concentrate only on personal injury cases quickly develop a specialized, respected relationship with the opposing parties. This professional respect ensures that your claim is taken seriously from the outset, often speeding up the negotiation process and helping achieve a quick and fair settlement. A concentrated attorney’s approach is consistently straightforward yet compassionate, focusing entirely on securing the best possible outcome for you. They use their knowledge—which is honed by continuous study and experience—to ensure that all aspects of your claim, including complex injuries like Catastrophic Injury or the sensitivity of Wrongful Death, are valued correctly and thoroughly.
Furthermore, working with us on a contingency fee basis means that our interests are fully and completely aligned with yours. We don’t charge you any fees unless we successfully recover money for you. This removes the financial burden, allowing you to focus completely on recovering from the accident. Our legal team at the Law Offices of David A. DiBrigida is committed to making sure that your justice and peace of mind are our foremost priorities.
