Why can’t I do what an attorney does after being hurt in a traffic accident ?
Friday, April 17th, 2009 at
1:07 pm
I see these commercials all day long that our local attorneys run, telling me that they can get me the most money for my accident,then they take 33%. That would be about 50k in my case. (that is, if they were to get me what they said they got someone in a similar case in one of their commercials.) Thats alot. It's no wonder they are called ambulance chasers. What are the odds if I try to do it myself?
Tagged with: ambulance chasers • attorneys • commercials • Money • odds
Filed under: car accident attorney
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Because you won't be taken seriously by the insurance adjustor.
All PI cases are different. Injuries, loss of work, long-term vs. short term disabilities; and, the list goes on. Attorneys know how to determine what a case is worth after all of this is taken into considerationl. Insurance adjustors, when dealing with individuals without an attorney, try to get them to settle prior to all of the information necessary to get a fair settlement is obtained.
In the long run it is always better to get an attorney. Even with paying fees you will get more than without one if the case has merit.
Not knowing a lot about your accident, I'd think that, if cause and fault is clear, the odds are good. Mostly what the atty does is prepare information and "grill the witness," which in a lot of car accidents never actually happens because the insurance co's choose to deal it out behind closed doors.
Well, since you have no idea what you are doing, it is reasonable to assume that the insurance company lawyers will make you a low offer and say that is their final offer. Then you will have to hire a lawyer for the trial, where they will state that you rejected an offer to settle.
You can certainly try. An insurer considering making an offer to settle will consider several factors including the likely result of a trial. As you do not present a viable threat at trial, you are likely to get a low-ball offer. You can counter that somewhat by letting the insurer know that if a trial becomes necessary then you will indeed be getting counsel. You can evaluate an offer by interviewing a couple lawyers (you don't have to hire them). Get their evaluation of the case. Deduct a bunch because they are inflating the value in order to get your business. Deduct another third for their share. Then try to settle it on your own.