I had a car accident two years ago as a result I have problem with my back, but I got a lawyer to sue the party insurance responsible for the accident. My concern is why is it taken so long to settle the case, should it been taken so long for a settlement. How I should address my lawyer about when is the case going to be settle.
2006-07-17 06:43:46 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
well, anytime you sue someone else it can and usually will take a very long time....b/c they don't want to pay and they will jump through hoops so they don't have to.
just ask your lawyer if there has been any progress in your case. that way you aren't being crabby about it and it sounds professional.
explain to him/her that you were unaware it would take so long and ask for more info. most people, if you explain that you aren't familiar with something will be more than glad to fill you in on the details. so, act interested and ask questions and a good attorney would answer them.
if you get a brush off, then start looking for a new attorney. remember, you are ultimately paying them...so if you have questions they should get answers.
take care.
2006-07-17 06:52:34 · answer #1 · answered by joey322 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope you haven't been misinformed / misled by your lawyer.
Settlement is a form of resolution to a lawsuit. Most civil cases in this country (particularly involving insurance) settle.
However, there's no guarantee that it will. If you're asking for a ton of money, or if the facts of the case are unusual in some way, then the insurance company may choose not to settle.
Even if they do intend to settle, the only thing hastening that process will be the possibility of the trial coming up (it would have to settle, if at all, before the trial ends). In some jurisdictions in the U.S. it can takes 3 or 4 years to get a trial on the calendar to go to court. I've worked on cases which dragged on for 7 or 8 years before finally settling.
One possible recourse -- file a "bad faith' claim against the insurance for refusal to settle or recognize the claim. You can recover attorneys fees and punitive damages from them if you win that lawsuit, and bad faith claims usually seem to wake the companies up. You might mention it to your dirty blood sucking plaintiff's lawyer next time.
2006-07-17 06:57:02 · answer #2 · answered by DemonOly 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was involved in a car accident (not my fault) in 2000. I retained a lawyer to represent me.
My lawsuit wasn't settled until 2003. I would call my lawyer about once a week (sometimes more) to find out what was going on with my case.
2006-07-17 08:22:01 · answer #3 · answered by Michelle O 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is in the best interest of the insurance company not to pay you for a long while. They are charging the other party in your case higher fees, which is going into investments to gain them more cash. They are also hiring PI's to prove that you are not truly injured, and therefore do not need the cash.
The best way to approach your lawyer?
"Hey, Mr. Lawyer... what is going on with my case, and why don't I have my cash, yet?"
2006-07-17 06:48:54 · answer #4 · answered by Bradly S 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No well not if your down with the chiropractor... i have to tell you most chiropractor dont mean a thing in the court room so i would scratch that out and in it was minor they offer you a deal with medical bills or 2000 dollors you can get 8500 right off the bat and thats it... now if you didnt do that and your lawyer is fighting it could take two years my uncle just finaly finished, he was hurt bad and they only where going to give him 5000 cash
2006-07-17 07:24:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just ask your lawyer, you're paying him to help you, and he's not if he's not answering your questions. It can take a long time to settle cases, but you should know what's going on.
2006-07-17 06:48:19 · answer #6 · answered by smartsassysabrina 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋