To help with a personal injury case where my son was hit by a car on Saturday? I'm waiting patiently for the accident report, the police said it would be ready and mailed on Monday but I haven't recieved it yet.
We're not suing the lady yet, just going to try and settle with the insurance company first.
Should I contact a lawyer immediately? Should I go to the p.d. and ask for the police report? I'm am clueless as to what I should do first!
2006-08-15 11:39:12 · 11 answers · asked by Carla N 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
BTW: he does have some pretty bad lacerations, a broken collar bone, and broken rib. He's in bad pain and I can't work for at least a week now.
And I will not recieve any medicals bills because he is covered by medicaid, all bills go straight to them. But if possible I'd like to have the insurance co. pay the bills.. at least most of them.
2006-08-15 11:56:16 · update #1
God I hate to say this but here goes-- Before you speak to the insurance company it would be in your best interest to consult with an attorney-- If not you my sign your life away without even knowing it--and you never know whats going to happen down the road with your son--this could effect him for the rest of his life............
God Bless
2006-08-15 11:50:48 · answer #1 · answered by ibelieve 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Talk to the insurance company for the driver first. You don't say how hard your son was hit, so I guess he wasn't injured too badly. A lawyer will take at least 1/3 of whatever you get, and you don't necessarily get more money if you hire one.
The insurance adjuster may make you a pretty good offer right away, or after you get your medical bills totaled up. In addition, there may be a really limited amount of coverage, so they may just offer it up. It's as low as 10k in some states, and you don't get to take that and still sue the driver.
Don't expect much if he's just got bruises though, and any settlement over about 5k will go into a trust account for him so you can't touch it. He gets it when he's 18. FYI - I'm assuming he was hit by a car, not that he was in a car that was hit.
2006-08-15 18:44:10 · answer #2 · answered by Catspaw 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just going out a on a limb here, I'll suggest that if the insurance company is State Farm.... you may want to shop for a lawyer.
Our son was T-boned by an older woman making a left turn into his lane, back in April. State Farm was her insurance company and they are still not paying the small cost of the value of his car which was totalled. Trying to say it was partly his fault.
Everybody we talk to about it says that State Farm ALWAYS does that.... refuses to pay claims. And we know 3 other people who have had the same problem. One person we know was sued because she had State Farm and she admitted it was her fault but they still would not pay.
Don't wait too long. Get pictures of everything possible. You may have to take them to court like we will have to do.
2006-08-15 18:47:57 · answer #3 · answered by mia2kl2002 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In my experience ;lawyers are a waste of money.
I would proceed in the following order.
1)Contact the woman, and ask her how much she is prepared to pay, and does she want to do it orivately, or through her insurance company.
2)If that brings nothing, then contact her insurance company, and tell tyhem you are claiming for twenty million pounds. That will make them move, and start to take an interest.
3)Get copies of everything that you can from the police station, and if you have as yet had no luck, then contact a lawyer who is prepared to work on a commission basis.
When you claim for your son's damages, you must think of all possibilities in the future. My father used to be a claims investigator, and every claim included 'a loss of sexual competence' It's worth a lot of money, and impossible to disprove.
2006-08-21 23:55:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The insurance companies will screw you as much as the can. Yours or theirs makes no difference. Both are out to pay as little as they can get away with. Get a lawyer that specializes in accident claims. Sign NOTHING until reviewed by a lawyer AND explained by him/her.
2006-08-23 16:27:37 · answer #5 · answered by chief8166 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would contact the lawyer immediately, they will take care of getting the police reports.
2006-08-15 18:46:29 · answer #6 · answered by mischa 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should start with an attorney. Statements made to investigators before you have an attorney could come back to haunt you when they are used against you in depositions and in court. Also, do you know how to develop helpful evidence?
2006-08-15 18:47:03 · answer #7 · answered by sochiswim 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to the district clerks office.. read the personal injuries suits and see which lawyer wins the most cases.. then call him or her. every thing is free.
2006-08-22 17:33:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lawyers can be real dogs. Try recover your loses from the insurance company.
2006-08-15 19:14:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get a lawyer! Don't go by this board: you have too much at stake and the clock is ticking. .
2006-08-23 16:35:18 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋