John from Riverside Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 might be able to give it.... Details....a couple of days ago I had just dropped my kids off for school and was on my way home to finish getting ready for work and head off to my job. Right as I was fixed to make a left hand turn onto my street (I was doing all the right things, had my turnsignal on, had my seatbelt on I hear the sound of screaching tires (from someone trying to break) and my Hyundai jolted violently like it had been hit with a grenade or something. The next thing I know my car is about 30 feet down the street from where I was an and pushed in from behind like a tin can......I try to turn my head to see what hit me but can because my kneck is very stiff.....but my arms and legs work so I get out of my car (took some doing as none of my car doors wanted to open.....and I see that a young girl (very young....I can see she is already crying on the phone to her mom that she had hit somebody) the front of her car is a mess....my hundai looks smashed beyond repair....I ask her if she is alright and then go back and sit down in my car.....even as I am doing this my back is starting to really hurt and my neck is killing me.... Call the wife...fire trucks, ambulance, police are all there quick....and they strap me down and send me to the hospital in an ambulance..... Emergency did not keep me....they did x rays but I had nothing broken.....they said that my pain was coming from neck and back trauma and that I needed to see my family doctor. OK now here is the wierd part...my wife calls my brother who says that it would be a good idea to talk to a lawyer immediatley. Now.....I am nervous around lawyer types and I am definatley not a "ambulance chaser" or asked for anything from anyone that I didn't think I earned....but I took his advice and saw someone in town. It was a total disaster as far as I am concerned....the guy was a sniviling little prick who was making fun of how fast I came to see him and pretty much insulted me through the whole consultation..... "you aren't hurt" "you aren't going to get rich off of this" etc etc etc Now....at the moment I am having time barely walking and my neck and back are killing me.....I am going to have to under heavy medication and go to physical therapy for a while.....WTF is this guy doing telling me I am not hurt? By that does he mean that my legs are not cut off or my face doesn't look like hamburger meat? And as for the second thing.....I NEVER WANTED TO GET RICH...I just wanted to know what my rights were and what I could expect to happen next with the insurance companies...was that too much to ask? Does anybody have any experience with this happening to them or work in the field.....I am not trying to take this families house our anything.....but the accident is going to screw up my life for the forseeable future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dean Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 You'll get more expert advice from others, John...but for what it's worth, here's what I think. First of all, like you, I am TOTALLY non-litigious and have screwed up by not seeing a lawyer. So, you should definitely see a lawyer, especially if you already have pain. #2. Go to another lawyer. This one sounds like an idiot. Since they get paid on contigency, this guy probably doesn't see a big enough payday with you. Try to get a recommendation from a friend, relative or colleague. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajzepp Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 This girl's insurance company is obligated to restore you to pre-accident condition (within reason), so I would definitely take the Dean's advce and get a non-ambulance chaser to handle things for you. You have to be pretty messed up to get much for pain and suffering these days (according to my lawyer), at least in Georgia. Hope everything works out for ya! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dib Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Dont worry, once the police report is logged you will be deluged by Lawyers. I had them calling me literally for weeks. Ambulance chasing bastages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Rich Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 might be able to give it.... Details....a couple of days ago I had just dropped my kids off for school and was on my way home to finish getting ready for work and head off to my job. Right as I was fixed to make a left hand turn onto my street (I was doing all the right things, had my turnsignal on, had my seatbelt on I hear the sound of screaching tires (from someone trying to break) and my Hyundai jolted violently like it had been hit with a grenade or something. The next thing I know my car is about 30 feet down the street from where I was an and pushed in from behind like a tin can......I try to turn my head to see what hit me but can because my kneck is very stiff.....but my arms and legs work so I get out of my car (took some doing as none of my car doors wanted to open.....and I see that a young girl (very young....I can see she is already crying on the phone to her mom that she had hit somebody) the front of her car is a mess....my hundai looks smashed beyond repair....I ask her if she is alright and then go back and sit down in my car.....even as I am doing this my back is starting to really hurt and my neck is killing me.... Call the wife...fire trucks, ambulance, police are all there quick....and they strap me down and send me to the hospital in an ambulance..... Emergency did not keep me....they did x rays but I had nothing broken.....they said that my pain was coming from neck and back trauma and that I needed to see my family doctor. OK now here is the wierd part...my wife calls my brother who says that it would be a good idea to talk to a lawyer immediatley. Now.....I am nervous around lawyer types and I am definatley not a "ambulance chaser" or asked for anything from anyone that I didn't think I earned....but I took his advice and saw someone in town. It was a total disaster as far as I am concerned....the guy was a sniviling little prick who was making fun of how fast I came to see him and pretty much insulted me through the whole consultation..... "you aren't hurt" "you aren't going to get rich off of this" etc etc etc Now....at the moment I am having time barely walking and my neck and back are killing me.....I am going to have to under heavy medication and go to physical therapy for a while.....WTF is this guy doing telling me I am not hurt? By that does he mean that my legs are not cut off or my face doesn't look like hamburger meat? And as for the second thing.....I NEVER WANTED TO GET RICH...I just wanted to know what my rights were and what I could expect to happen next with the insurance companies...was that too much to ask? Does anybody have any experience with this happening to them or work in the field.....I am not trying to take this families house our anything.....but the accident is going to screw up my life for the forseeable future. 758336[/snapback] Put it this way, Johnathan: it appears you were "more hurt" than I was when I had my accident back in 2000, and I got about $5,500.00 as a personal injury settlement. I also got about $12,500.00 in property damage (what they said the car was worth @ the time), which covered all but $2,500.00 of what I owed on the vehicle. Go see an attorney who has a clue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill from NYC Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 It also matters a great deal whether or not you will be able to go to work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Rich Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 It also matters a great deal whether or not you will be able to go to work. 758409[/snapback] Whichever quack doctor the attorney will send you to will say you can't go to work. When I had my accident, the attorney I hired sent me to a quack that said I was to stay home "indefinitely". All I had was some soreness in my knee (not a whole lot) and my neck (even less). I stayed out for maybe a few days to a week, but there was no way I was going to stay out longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted Striker Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 ...send me to the hospital in an ambulance... 758336[/snapback] The hospital! What is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mead107 Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 that is the first thing a lawyer will say is that if you are hurt , stay home . glad it was only you in the car . hope you feel better soon . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Movinon Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 I was in a minor accident at the end of July. I was rear-ended at low speed. Not hurt in the least bit. Her insurance covered the cost of damage to my tailgate. Interestingly enough, her insurance company called me two weeks ago and asked me if I was hurt. They said they wanted to compensate me and sent me a check for $300.00. Obviously they were trying to keep me from filing any future injury claims as a result of the accident. They were successful. In your case, I would caution you from accepting any money from her insurance company without a full medical evaluation and consultation with a “competent attorney.” Yeah, yeah, I know, that’s an oxymoron. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dib Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 The hospital! What is it? 758413[/snapback] It's a big building with sick people, but that's not important now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Rich Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Good one. If only they would use that in a movie... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just Jack Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Do you already have a lawyer, or dealt with one for things like house closings, or wills? Ask them for advice, or a recommendation if it's not their field. That's what I would do, rather than call one of the ones that advertises on TV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted Striker Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 ...If only they would use that in a movie... 758435[/snapback] Surely, you can't be serious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GG Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Dean's advice is very good. The problem with accidents like this, is even though you might be a little stiff right now, from the hit that your car (and you) took, it may take 6-12 months for your body to really react. Take care of the medical right now, before your back blows out "out of the blue" next year. You won't get rich from the legal action, but it will fund the next ten years' of physical therapy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartshan-83 Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Sorry to hear about that John....hope you recover quickly. I'm no legal expert....yet (I hope to be one someday soon), but in terms of seeking legal counsel, I can offer this advice. First, definitely talk to another lawyer. It only limits your options if you don't. Second, since it sounds like you don't have any lawyer relationships, talk to someone you trust (friend, family member, co-worker, etc.) and ask them if they have a lawyer that they feel has done right by them. I'm sure someone you know has had at least one good experience with an attorney that wasn't grimy and backhanded (hopefully ). Anyway, give that lawyer a call and give him a BRIEF run-down of your situation. If it is not his field (which it very well may not be), he should definitely be able to refer you to a colleague that is in personal injury. And if he is a decent guy (like hopefully your friend said) he will probably refer you to someone who isn't a POS. I say this because, like others have mentioned, there is no shortage of greedy lawyers you could look up in the phone book who just look at you like a paycheck. But if you can get a referral from someone you trust, it is: a. very unlikely that this lawyer will treat you like the guy you saw AND b. if he can't help you, it is unlikely that he will send you to someone who sucks because then it looks bad on him. So FWIW, thats what I would do. I feel you on your reaction to the lawyer you saw. I had an experience with a lawyer in college who I just called to consult about an underage drinking ticket I thought might have been unjust. The guy basically laughed at me and told me I was a stupid college kid who should just take my punishment. Dickhead. So good luck...hope it works out for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramius Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 i cant offer advice on the lawyer situation, but good to hear you are ok john. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dib Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Surely, you can't be serious. 758473[/snapback] I am and don't call me Shirley. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
/dev/null Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 I am and don't call me Shirley. 758599[/snapback] I haven't felt this awful since we saw that Ronald Reagan film Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDBillzFan Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Was the chick hot? Any pics? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
/dev/null Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Was the chick hot? Any pics? 758683[/snapback] i was wondering the same thing but thought it might be poor taste to ask. but since the topic has alread come up... is she hot? you said very young, as in legal young or jailbait ? sorry if this sounds crude, but i'm sitting here in the middle of a triopical storm with nothing else to do Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Benjamin Franklin Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Lawyer tells someone to sue: Dirtbag. Lawyer tells someone not to sue: Dirtbag. Crystal clear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R. Rich Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Lawyer: Dirtbag. Lawyer: Dirtbag. Crystal clear. 758808[/snapback] It is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meazza Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 might be able to give it.... Details....a couple of days ago I had just dropped my kids off for school and was on my way home to finish getting ready for work and head off to my job. Right as I was fixed to make a left hand turn onto my street (I was doing all the right things, had my turnsignal on, had my seatbelt on I hear the sound of screaching tires (from someone trying to break) and my Hyundai jolted violently like it had been hit with a grenade or something. The next thing I know my car is about 30 feet down the street from where I was an and pushed in from behind like a tin can......I try to turn my head to see what hit me but can because my kneck is very stiff.....but my arms and legs work so I get out of my car (took some doing as none of my car doors wanted to open.....and I see that a young girl (very young....I can see she is already crying on the phone to her mom that she had hit somebody) the front of her car is a mess....my hundai looks smashed beyond repair....I ask her if she is alright and then go back and sit down in my car.....even as I am doing this my back is starting to really hurt and my neck is killing me.... Call the wife...fire trucks, ambulance, police are all there quick....and they strap me down and send me to the hospital in an ambulance..... Emergency did not keep me....they did x rays but I had nothing broken.....they said that my pain was coming from neck and back trauma and that I needed to see my family doctor. OK now here is the wierd part...my wife calls my brother who says that it would be a good idea to talk to a lawyer immediatley. Now.....I am nervous around lawyer types and I am definatley not a "ambulance chaser" or asked for anything from anyone that I didn't think I earned....but I took his advice and saw someone in town. It was a total disaster as far as I am concerned....the guy was a sniviling little prick who was making fun of how fast I came to see him and pretty much insulted me through the whole consultation..... "you aren't hurt" "you aren't going to get rich off of this" etc etc etc Now....at the moment I am having time barely walking and my neck and back are killing me.....I am going to have to under heavy medication and go to physical therapy for a while.....WTF is this guy doing telling me I am not hurt? By that does he mean that my legs are not cut off or my face doesn't look like hamburger meat? And as for the second thing.....I NEVER WANTED TO GET RICH...I just wanted to know what my rights were and what I could expect to happen next with the insurance companies...was that too much to ask? Does anybody have any experience with this happening to them or work in the field.....I am not trying to take this families house our anything.....but the accident is going to screw up my life for the forseeable future. 758336[/snapback] I don't get it. Isn't there a government agency that covers this in the US? You have to sue the guy for a car accident??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
/dev/null Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 I don't get it. Isn't there a government agency that covers this in the US? You have to sue the guy for a car accident??? 758827[/snapback] no, its handled by insurance comapnies and lawyers (lizards vs rats) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meazza Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 no, its handled by insurance comapnies and lawyers (lizards vs rats) 758834[/snapback] oh in kanata, the saaq takes care of it and they are quite generous Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
/dev/null Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 ohin kanata, the saaq takes care of it and they are quite generous 758838[/snapback] sounds like your saaq is overfilled with love Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meazza Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 sounds like your saaq is overfilled with love 758842[/snapback] oh yes it is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussiew Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Get a "reputable" lawyer. You may need to sue to cover some long term damage depending how fast the person who hit you was going. I used to laught at the "Whiplash" term and when I was rear ended, I didn't get an attorney, I took pain pills for a while and had some physical therapy...but my back aches and neck aches lasted for about 8 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yall Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 I was in a bad wreck a year ago this weekend with a broken one of everything including my neck. I didn't even consider a lawyer. I didn't know that I needed one. My sister who was a claims adjuster had me get one, and it was the best move I ever made. Not just from a settlement point of view, but from the fact that while I was recovering (I needed a total of 3 surgeries on my neck and my right arm which was crushed/ripped in half) they took care of making sure I had what I needed from my doctors and insurance companies. You guys might chuckle, but I went with the Barnes firm. I actually had very little choice as the accident was in PA and my sister said I really needed a lawyer licesenced to proactice in both states. They were one of the few firms that had a guy on staff who fit the bill. I interviewd him (important thing to remember, you are hiring them, not visa versa) and he had mucho credentials, and was also attentive, polite, and seemed to be interested in my case. They have been nothing short of stella throught the whole ordeal. Always responsive. Phone calls returned within minutes, regular updates, and everytime I had a problem with the insurance companies, they would have it fixed in a matter of days. For example with my neck, I couldn't sleep in a bed. The insurance complay said they'd pay for a special chair. I didn't feel like blowing a grand on some special medical chair, and tried to same them money by getting something at rent a center, figuring I'd only be out of commision for a month or two (I was way off). Anyway, when I submitted the bill to the insurance company they balked, acting as though they never ok'ed such an expenditure. I called my attorney, they called my doctor who verified my neck was broken (and the g*ddam insurance complany knew d*mn well it was the whole time, as they paid for my surgeries and the neurosurgeon visit) and, viola! I got my check. I have nothing but good things to say about the Barnes firm. Just my 2 cents... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted September 1, 2006 Author Share Posted September 1, 2006 Thanks for the well wishes everyone.... I am at my job....sore as hell but who can afford to be away from work for more then a couple of days? I cant..... The plan right now is to get my act together and I may visit a lawyer a little later on...... I am just thankfull that my kids were not in the car as I had just dropped them off a few minutes earlier..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in San Diego Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Dean's advice is very good. The problem with accidents like this, is even though you might be a little stiff right now, from the hit that your car (and you) took, it may take 6-12 months for your body to really react. Take care of the medical right now, before your back blows out "out of the blue" next year. You won't get rich from the legal action, but it will fund the next ten years' of physical therapy. 758478[/snapback] This is true. I have a bad back from a motorcycle accident. It hurt at the time of the accident and cleared up in a week. About six months later, wham ! I could not walk or stand up. It has been bad ever since. I never saw a lawyer at the time, so I have nothing except back pain to show for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Posted September 1, 2006 Share Posted September 1, 2006 Glad you're OK for the most part John. I don't know anything about lawyers or the insurance racket, but if I were you I'd check further into this: and I see that a young girl (very young....I can see she is already crying on the phone to her mom that she had hit somebody) If the little snot was driving with a phone attached to her head and phone records can verify it, it might be of some help to your case. Cya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ExiledInIllinois Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 So FWIW, thats what I would do. I feel you on your reaction to the lawyer you saw. I had an experience with a lawyer in college who I just called to consult about an underage drinking ticket I thought might have been unjust. The guy basically laughed at me and told me I was a stupid college kid who should just take my punishment. Dickhead. 758522[/snapback] I just had to chime in on this Bart... No offense! How can an underage drinking tix be unjust?... You were either caught or not, doesn't even having alcohol mean guilt? Wouldn't it be more practical to just pay the nominal amount than fight it? Sorry for being a dickhead... Oh... Hope you feel better John! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevestojan Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 I am a claims adjuster (for property damage and BI), so I may be somewhat of a credible source... although I am hungover. On the majority of my claims, the average number of phone calls I get from an attny is 2 (from the attny's paralegal in most cases). I get maybe 1 or 2 letters, depending on the nature of the claim. I also get them to fax me over any medical bills (this is the real "grunt" work of what they do for you. If you feel like you would be capable of doing this, which anyone is, don't get a lawyer. If you feel like paying an attny 33% of whatever your settlement is, go ahead and call William Mattar (after all, you were "hurt in a car")... In a case like yours, which is a minor claim (please don't take offense to that, I'm just saying in context to claims I deal with), having an attny will make no difference in the payout - it actually rarely does... your injuries are your injuries, and have a price to them.. If you think you can be capable of calling an adjuster once a week, faxing over some medical bills and financial papers (for loss of income claim), save your money. If for whatever reason you do get an attny, ask friends who have used ones, DO NOT go with a billboard attny, these guys are laughed at within insurance companies. Oh, and one more benefit of going it alone: You get to talk to your adjuster. Adjusters won't talk to people who are attny reppd. Being able to talk to the adjuster, and explain just how much pain and suffering you've had can affect the outcome more than Bill Mattar saying "Broken leg. our of work 3 weeks. Loss of consortium." Good luck. Hope ya feel better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ajzepp Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 I am a claims adjuster (for property damage and BI), so I may be somewhat of a credible source... although I am hungover. 759728[/snapback] Most of us just assume that anyway, bro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erynthered Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 For Christ sakes, John, get an attorney. Don't listen to a !@#$ing claims adjuster. My best wishes on your health. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevestojan Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 For Christ sakes, John, get an attorney. Don't listen to a !@#$ing claims adjuster. My best wishes on your health. 759752[/snapback] Yeah, because I give a sh-- how much payout he gets. He should get an attny, if he wants to pay 33% of his settlement for the attny to fax a letter of rep, a handful of medical bills, and have his secratary call. BELIEVE me, as an adjuster, I MUCH prefer to deal with people who are attny rep'd. I would much rather deal with a lawyer than an emotional person who just went through an accident. I'm telling you, accident injury attny's are the most overpaid people on the planet. 33% of a settlement for approx. 30 minutes of real work. What a deal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erynthered Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 Yeah, because I give a sh-- how much payout he gets. He should get an attny, if he wants to pay 33% of his settlement for the attny to fax a letter of rep, a handful of medical bills, and have his secratary call. BELIEVE me, as an adjuster, I MUCH prefer to deal with people who are attny rep'd. I would much rather deal with a lawyer than an emotional person who just went through an accident. I'm telling you, accident injury attny's are the most overpaid people on the planet. 33% of a settlement for approx. 30 minutes of real work. What a deal. 759760[/snapback] I showed someone this post who has 18 years experience in the PI field. FYI - the attorney's contingency fee is ALWAYS negotiable! And another FYI, it does not take 30 minutes of time. The minimum amount of time to handle a file from start to finish involves many hours and the fee is generally well-earned after listening to the client whine for months, dealing with the property damage issue (for which the atty gets NO fee), dealing with the !@#$ claims adjusters who think all claims are fraudulent and rely upon stupid programs like colossus to place a value on a claim, making sure the client gets the appropriate medical care to properly document his/hers injury and last but not least trying to negotiate a reduction in the medical bills when the case is settled. I take specific exception to your take on the attorneys(and support staff) role in this type of case. I know how much time is spent because this is what I do for a living! Your one year of experience at Geico has really given you such a great insight on the inner workings of PI claims. I'm floored at your ignorance, but not surprised. Good luck John, my best to you and your family...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevestojan Posted September 2, 2006 Share Posted September 2, 2006 I showed someone this post who has 18 years experience in the PI field.Your one year of experience at Geico has really given you such a great insight on the inner workings of PI claims. I'm floored at your ignorance, but not surprised. Good luck John, my best to you and your family...... 759782[/snapback] In one year, I have received two promotions, and am now a senior level adjuster... I'm not really a moron, I just play one on TBD. And please let me know at what point in my career my advice will be worthy of your approval. What a shock that your buddy, who works in the field takes offense to my post. Instead of just calling me stupid, why not rebut my points? Why do you suggest getting an attorney for such a small claim? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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