The Egg Harbor Township, NJ-based D’Amato Law Firm has seen many clients denied their maximum compensation due to poor past decisions. The firm compiled a guide with suggestions to avoid limiting the award amounts in verdicts, should one become injured by the negligence of another.
Egg Harbor Township, United States - March 6, 2021 /PressCable/ —
With 100 years of combined experience representing clients who have been injured due to the negligence of others, the legal team at the D’Amato Law Firm, based in Egg Harbor Township, NJ, has seen many clients denied their maximum compensation due to poor past decisions. In an effort to ensure that the same fate doesn’t befall others in the future, the firm has compiled a guide with suggestions aimed at keeping the public from limiting the amounts that could be awarded in a verdict, should they become a victim injured by the negligence of another.
“This all started when I wrote an article in a local publication entitled, ‘What my clients wish they knew before they got hurt’,” says Alexa D’Amato Barrera, Esq., one of the principals of the firm. “The article included some advice for simple actions one can take to be fully compensated for injuries that were not one’s own fault. The article was well received, and several people reached out to thank me and to say that they had taken my advice.”
The resulting guide is used by D’Amato Barrera; her father and the firm’s founder, Paul D’Amato; and partner Steven Van Natten. It is available at https://damatolawfirm.com/.
Several of the topics in the guide are insurance-based. According to D’Amato Barerra, many clients have made decisions about insurance coverages to give them the cheapest payments on their premiums, but these same decisions may hurt them should they suffer devastating, life-altering injuries.
An example of the kinds of recommendations included, is an entry labeled, “Is your life or leg only worth $15,000? Don’t insure it like it is.” D’Amato Barrera explains that she has had four cases in the last six months where her client suffered, and the person that caused it had no insurance or only had $15,000 in liability coverage. Unfortunately, these same clients had also purchased the cheapest insurance. D’Amato Barrera points out that, if the person that injures you does not have any assets, there is no money to go after other than through insurance.
“Let’s face it, most people do not own their house or car and are living month to month. You cannot get blood from a stone,” says D’Amato Barrera. “Call up your insurance agent RIGHT NOW and max out on the insurance that covers you if you are hurt.”
D’Amato Barrera says to do insurance agents do with their own insurance. “When it comes to auto insurance, for example, most insurance agents have maxed out their own personal liability and UNINSURED/UNDERINSURED motorist coverage with their auto insurance company AND their homeowners,” she advises. “Why don’t you? At the very least, get a quote right now. You’re worth it and so is your family.”
Another entry is labeled, “If you own your car, insure it!,” and pertains to keeping collision or comprehensive coverage on one’s policy. These coverages are mandatory if a bank owns the vehicle (and the driver leases or makes loan payments on the car), but when the vehicle is owned by the driver, these coverages are often dropped to save money on premium payments. “Whatever the value of your vehicle is, you’ll get back if it’s insured,” says D’Amato Barrera. “I represent the victim, so they’re surprised when the assailant’s car insurance does not want to pay them full value. It’s an insurance company we’re dealing with. They love their money and are not going to let go of it willingly. If they have an out, they will take it.”
Illustrating this point, D’Amato Barrera describes what happened when one of her client’s was driving straight when a dump truck pulled left in front of her. The negligent driver’s insurance company was only willing to offer her 25 percent of the value of her car because the driver of the dump truck said she was going too slow. She advises clients to insure your car if you own it.
Another “no brainer” decision is choosing the NO Limitation/Full Tort option when insuring one’s vehicle, the attorney says. If you don’t choose this option, you will limit your right to sue. It might cost a few more bucks, but it’s well worth ensuring you can collect the full compensation you deserve if you’ve gotten hurt in an accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence.
For those who have Medicare or Medicaid or pay into your health insurance from your paycheck, you CANNOT have health primary for your auto insurance, says D’Amato Barrera. PIP (Personal Injury Protection) is the part of your auto insurance that pays your medical bills in an auto accident. “Take my word for it, call your auto insurance company and switch to PIP primary option now to avoid charges and a hassle for yourself later,” she says.
The D’Amato Law Firm also advises clients to “Document when you’re down.” In New Jersey you are not able to sue someone just because you were hurt on their property. Depending on the nature of why you were there, you, the victim, must prove that there was a dangerous condition, says D’Amato Berrera.
“I know the last thing you’re thinking about when you get hurt is about suing someone, but take a picture or video,” she says. “If you are seriously injured and do not have the presence of mind to do so, ask someone to do it for you. If you call my office and say you do not know how you were injured, we will not be able to represent you.”
The D’Amato law firm offers the guide to limiting victimization for free to clients upon consultation.
The D’Amato Law Firm’s attorneys are proud to be personal injury trial attorneys representing catastrophically injured victims. It is a team effort with law partners, Paul D’Amato, Alexa D’Amato Barrera and Stephen Van Natten, and the entire staff. All the hard work they put in now truly pays off when they are able to resolve a client’s claim successfully. For more information visit https://damatolawfirm.com/ or call 609-926-3300.
Contact Info:
Name: Alexa D'Amato
Email: Send Email
Organization: D'Amato Law Firm
Address: 2900 Fire Rd, Suite 200, Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234, United States
Website: https://damatolawfirm.com/
Source: PressCable
Release ID: 88999948
