Laguna Niguel Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

In a perfect world, all motorists would follow traffic laws and behave responsibly. Unfortunately, many drivers make a habit out of texting, speeding, and engaging in other reckless behaviors. If you were injured in a collision through the fault of another person, our motorcycle accident attorneys in Laguna Niguel can help you pursue the compensation needed to cover all associated damages. We are proud to offer aggressive and compassionate representation to personal injury victims and their families. For a free case assessment, call 1-800-GO-HARRIS.

Can I Use Social Media During the Claims Process?

After sustaining a serious injury, you might want to hop onto Facebook or Twitter and air your frustrations. But those online rants could cost you in the long run, giving rise to otherwise avoidable disputes that may delay the resolution of your case, reduce your damages award, or prevent you from recovering any compensation at all. While it’s advised to deactivate your social media accounts while your claim is pending, we understand that it’s not always possible to go completely off the grid. Here are a few steps you can take to avoid compromising your case the next time you’re on social media:

• Go Private: Most social media platforms now offer the option to set your account to private. Essentially, this means that only those in your social media circles will be able to see your posts and pictures. However, this doesn’t mean the insurance company won’t be able to gain access to this information. For instance, a friend or a follower may share a post, or you might inadvertently accept a friend request from someone associated with the insurance company. The defense may also file a discovery request to gain access to the posts on your social media accounts.

• Don’t Post About Your Claim, Accident, or Injuries: Discussing the claims process, your injuries, or how the accident happened can affect your chances of winning the case. For instance, if you write about your behaviors leading up to the accident, that content might be used to dispute liability.

• Ask Friends Not to Tag You in Pictures: You should never post pictures of yourself on social media after sustaining a personal injury (at least not until your claim is resolved). These seemingly harmless images can be used as evidence to argue that your injuries are not that serious or that you are failing to mitigate the damages. For example, if you’re photographed having fun at a party a few weeks after the accident, the insurance company may assert that you are exaggerating your physical pain or that you are disobeying your doctor’s orders. In the same vein, you should tell your friends not to tag you in pictures as investigators may come across these images when looking at your social media activity. Sites such as Facebook have settings to disable tags to give you an added layer of privacy.

How Much Is My Case Worth?

Our motorcycle accident attorneys in Laguna Niguel believe in practicing with integrity. That means we would never guarantee you a specific outcome or settlement amount no matter the apparent strength of your case; however, we can perform a thorough investigation and use our extensive knowledge and experience to approximate a fair settlement value. Here are questions we may ask when estimating what your claim is potentially worth:

• Were You Partially Liable? In some situations, the defendant is entirely responsible for causing the accident that led to the plaintiff’s injuries. As a result, the defendant would most likely be held liable for 100 percent of the plaintiff’s damages. Sometimes, though, the plaintiff’s own negligence contributed to the accident. For example, if you were breaking the speed limit, you might be held at least partially liable, which could reduce your award of damages.

• How Serious Are Your Injuries? Typically, severe or permanent injuries warrant a larger financial recovery than minor conditions due to the added medical costs and pain and suffering.

• Did You Miss Work Due to Your Injuries? If you were unable to return to work due to your injuries, you may be able to recover compensation for these lost earnings. If your injuries prevent you from returning to work entirely or reduce your income-earning capacity, you may be entitled to compensation for future loss of earnings.

• What Is the Extent of Your Non-Economic Damages? Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of life enjoyment are subjective, but their impact is still very real. Our Laguna Niguel motorcycle accident attorneys can assess your case to determine whether non-economic damages may be recoverable. We can then approximate a fair value of such damages.

Set up a Free Case Review with a Laguna Niguel Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Contact us today at 1-800-GO-HARRIS or send us a message to set up a free consultation. Our phoneline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.