BEFORE YOU TALK TO THE POLICE OR ADJUSTER, HIRE AN ATTORNEY OR SIGN AWAY FUTURE COMPENSATION DUE YOU, ASK FOR A “FREE STRATEGY ANALYSIS CONSULTATION.” GRIBOW WILL HONESTLY TELL YOU IF YOU NEED A LAWYER, AND IF NOT, HE WILL DIRECT YOU.
REMEMBER, SILENCE IS GOLDEN & HANDCUFFS ARE SILVER… SO, SHUT UP! DON’T TALK TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY, WITHOUT YOUR LAWYER’S PERMISSION. IT’S NOT ALWAYS WHAT YOU SAID, BUT “WHAT THEY THOUGHT YOU SAID.”
I ADVICE CLIENTS: EXPLAIN YOU WOULD BE HAPPY TO TALK, HOWEVER, ATTORNEY GRIBOW, SAID TO CALL HIM FOR PERMISSION. LET ME CALL DALE GRIBOW 760 837 7500 NOW FOR HIS OK…THAT WAY THE LAWYER IS THE BAD GUY, AND NOT YOU.
Summer is ending, the floods have left us, and we will soon have more snowbirds and tourists arriving… and that means accidents are waiting to happen. Avoid these pitfalls.
- Purchase Uninsured Motorist Insurance (UM) or Underinsured Motorist Insurance (UIM):
Insurance isn’t just to protect a victim, it protects you, when another is uninsured and at fault. Insurance agents try to sell you more coverage than you need, but maybe not with auto. To make a sale s/he “forgets” to explain UM etc, so that the quote is lower. UM/UIM are optional supplements to your basic policy.
Though all drivers are required to have insurance, many in the CV don’t have a license, insurance or minimal coverage, and you only collect from your UM coverage.
- Don’t Talk at the scene or to the Defendant’s adjuster:
All statement may be admitted into evidence, so choose your words carefully, as the other person may be recording with their phone.
- See a doctor Asap:
The insurance company will examine the timeliness and delays of your treatment. Gaps in treatment, and missed doctor’s appointments, are viewed with suspicion. If injured, Call 911 and take an ambulance to the ER.
- Don’t go Pro Per:
“The Insurance Company, is “Not on Your Side”; “You are Not in Good Hands” and “Your Friendly Neighbor” Will Not Give You a Piece of the Rock.” So, don’t let the insurance company run you over too! Don’t call some 1 800 No Name Non Local Attorney. You deserve Sound legal advice, not Soundbites! I advise readers of my weekly legal column, to only hire a local AV PI Lawyer, who has also been an accident victim, like Gribow. He has “walked in your shoes!” and understands what you are, and will be, going through.”
- Cooperate with your attorney:
Follow and be candid with your lawyers. Disaster is when something negative comes out during trial…in front of the jury. Some clients are hesitant to disclose all details about their medical history to their lawyer, because they feel this will hurt their case. Don’t make this mistake.
- Gather ALL evidence:
Use your phone to get the insurance info, license, registration, statements from all parties/wits, as well as pictures of the property damage, scene and injuries. With time, evidence disappears, and memories fade. Continue taking photos, as your treatment progresses.
- Don’t Trust Insurance Companies:
Once an accident claim is submitted, insurance adjusters contact the drivers and injured parties, to obtain recorded statements or written reports from them. The initial adjusters are friendly and sweet. The following adjusters hope to use these statements against YOU, as the claim progresses and most clients are unaware of this. Never give a recorded statement, let alone talk to an adjuster without your lawyers ok.
- Lying:
Be honest, as one lie can ruin your case.
Dale Gribow (760 837-7500), is a distinguished Palm Desert Trial Attorney, awarded Top Lawyer by: PS Life, Inland Empire Magazine, Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent (an honor bestowed upon the highest tier of lawyers in the USA and recognized as the most respected national legal rating publication, reflecting the confidential opinions of Judges and Attorneys), Avvo, Google, Attorney of the Year, Ca-Top 100 Lawyers etc. He applies over 35 years of expertise protecting the rights of Accident (PI) and DUI clients.
Ideas for future columns: (760) 837 7500…dale@dalegribowlaw.com
