Teens and OC Motorcycle Accidents: Be Careful What You Say
In many cases, the other driver’s insurance company is out to pay victims as little as possible for their injuries and may use tricky tactics to get you to accidentally wreck your motorcycle accident claim. Even experienced adults are sometimes tricked into saying or doing something that hurts their claims later on, and a shaken teen after his first accident may be especially at risk.
While you should always be honest about your injuries, you do need to be careful to protect yourself. Make sure your teen knows that the other driver’s insurance company may not have his best interests at heart, and that it’s important to watch:
- What you say at the accident scene. Limit conversation with the other driver at the scene of the accident. Get her information, but realize that even simple statements, like “I’m sorry,” or “I’m fine,” can make it difficult to get a fair personal injury settlement later on.
- What you say to the insurance company. The other driver’s insurance company may try to get your teen to give up his or her rights or say something that can eventually be used to wreck your claim to fair compensation—even if they seem very friendly or concerned at first.
- What you say online. Insurance companies are not above using your Facebook and other online posts against you. Even posts that aren’t directly related to the accident could be used against you and your teen. For example, a simple picture of your teen smiling at a party after the accident could be used as evidence that his recovery is not as difficult or serious as your claim.
If you or your teen have been injured in an OC motorcycle accident, please contact Russell & Lazarus at 1-(949) 851-0222. In a completely free and confidential initial case review, a Newport Beach motorcycle accident attorney can evaluate your options and provide clear and valuable guidance.