If you have been involved in a New York auto accident, you should NEVER, EVER take your legal advice from the insurance adjuster for the other driver.
The Ziff Law Firm’s “Accident and Car Crash FAQs” answers many important questions about handling insurance companies in the aftermath of a car accident.
In all of your dealings with the other driver’s insurance company, never forget that it is their JOB to pay you NOTHING or as LITTLE as possible.
Three reasons to beware the “friendly” insurance adjuster
It’s not unusual for an insurance adjuster to offer a tiny settlement, seemingly out of the goodness of the company’s heart. He may say something such as, “Sorry, but you don’t have a serious injury as required under New York state law. However, since we feel bad about what happened to you, so we are willing to pay you $500.″ This is wrong, improper and even illegal for this adjuster to do this.
- He’s not YOUR lawyer (he’s not even a lawyer AT ALL) so it’s completely improper for him to be giving legal advice to you.
- At the time this offer may be made, it is often way too early to tell whether you will have a serious injury or not. Many people don’t know the full extent of their injuries until months after a car crash.
- Do you TRULY believe the insurance company wants to pay you $500 because they feel bad? No way. They are paying you $500 because they want your signature on a Release.
How a Release gets the insurance company off the hook
A Release is a legally binding document that says you are giving up ALL rights (both past and future) in exchange for the money. Once you sign it , your case is gone FOREVER – even if it soon turns out that you need surgery….. even if you begin to have serious health problems that disable you from work…. even if you suffer a complication from the injuries you suffered in the accident.
Bottom-line advice
You need YOUR OWN ATTORNEY to give you proper advice about whether you should settle your case or not.
If you are in doubt, e-mail me or call 800-ZIFFLAW. After discussing your case, I can tell you if what you are being offered is fair. Don’t worry, asking for advice does not obligate you to hire us. We won’t give you a hard sell, but we will help you figure out whether the insurance company is trying to take advantage of you or not.
Thanks for reading,
Jim
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James B. Reed, Esq.
Personal Injury & Malpractice Attorney
Ziff Law Firm, LLP
303 William St., Elmira, NY 14902
Tel. (607) 733-8866 Fax. (607) 732-6062
Toll Free 1-800-943-3529
mailto:jreed@zifflaw.com http://www.zifflaw.com
