Rear-ended, should I get a lawyer?

Question

I was rear-ended yesterday in a parking lot where the speed limit would typically be areound 15 mph. I was stopped (on a hill) with a car in front of me when I was rear-ended by a lady in a jeep going about 30 mph. Luckily, I didn't hit the car in front of me, but the person who hit me pushed me about 2 feet. The back hatch of my van is completely crushed, the drivers side back door is puched toward the front of my van and is not sitting flush with the rest of the van, and it looks as if she may have bent the frame. I was taken to the ER by ambulance because of excrutiating back pain and was told I strained the muscles and I have whiplash. I went back to the doctors today because the pain was worse and they suggested physical therapy. The woman who hit me acted very non-chalant about the accident and was even chuckling as she got out of her vehicle. Now I am in horrible pain and have no vehicle to drive and just wanted to see if I should hire a lawyer? Any suggestions?

Yes, there was a police report filed, and yes, my insurance company was notified. To the people who are giving me grief about wondering if I should get a lawyer, you must have a guilty conscience or something considering all you think I am after is money. I did call my insurance company and they said that I have two options, either I can go through them and pay my deductible, ya da ya da, or I can deal with the at fault parties insurance myself. I am just trying to get my car fixed, a rental, and my medical bills paid.

Answer 1

Sorry if this seems harsh, but what do you need a lawyer for? They can't do for you what you can't do for yourself. So what you have whiplash, be grateful for being alive...do you even know what whiplash is? It's a muscle sprain, same as when you have a crick in your neck from sleeping wrong. OF COURSE you're going to be sore the day after, that's how the body works and heals. As the ER doc told you, take it easy, take Advil or whatever they suggested, and in 6 to 8 weeks you'll be fine. If you're going to PT then that time frame will shorten. You're going to feel much worse before you start to feel better.

In the meantime, put in a claim with your insurance, and have your vehicle repaired. If you have rental car coverage then use it. If you don't have rental car coverage than too bad for you. Your options are these: mitigate your damage(s) or don't. Accidents are a fact of life and as inconvenient as they are you have to deal with it. Complaining isn't going to make the situation any better.

Answer 2

Why would you get a lawyer and give away 30% of your settlement when you dont even know if anything is going to go wrong?

Dont you think id be better to deal with the insurance company and get a lawyer IF and ONLY IF you feel you are being given the "runaround"

I understand that most of american are greedy pigs who run to lawyers b/c they see them all over commercials.. but come on.. give yourself more credit then that.. im sure your a smart girl who can handle this.

Lawyers get you NO MORE money then you would get without one. If anything.. they are easier to work with for insurance companies b/c they know that lawyers wont be completely unreasonable like uneducated customers. Not only that.. but youll end up with less b/c they will take part of your settlement.

Its funny.. sometimes i like to watch people run to lawyers thinking they won the lottery bv/c the lawyers talked them all up about how much money the would get... and i wont lie.. it gives me a little chuckle two years later when they get there settlement and end up with MAYBE 300-900 dollars for themselves when i would have easily given them 2000 within the first 4 months.

Answer 3

If you get a lawyer he/she/it will get 30 - 40% of your settlement. Despite popular belief a lawyer CANNOT get you policy limits or three times the cost of medical bills. Insurance companies deal with lawyers everyday and are not afraid of them. Your 'lawyer' will drag out treatments at a witch doctor chriopractor for months trying to build medical expenses, keep you broke and not bother to return your calls and then suddenly will decide to settle days (or even hours) before your court date for maybe 2% over the original offer from the insurance company. You will be well advised to attempt working with the insurance company if possible for a fair settlement. To the moron that stated the adjuster isn't your friend -- what do you think a lawyer is?? They work for themselves 100% of the time and do not care if you live, die or suffer. You are nothing but a cockroach to them.

Answer 4

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RE:
Rear-ended, should I get a lawyer?
I was rear-ended yesterday in a parking lot where the speed limit would typically be areound 15 mph. I was stopped (on a hill) with a car in front of me when I was rear-ended by a lady in a jeep going about 30 mph. Luckily, I didn't hit the car in front of me, but the person who hit me pushed...

Answer 5

Okay...was a police report filed? If not it could come down to a case of your word against that of the other driver. Also, if the other driver was ticketed that helps to indicate who really was at fault in the accident. At this point you may want to work through your insurance company to have them get the other driver's company to pay for repairs to your car and for your medical expenses. With a lawyer you could go for months without getting any money and then you have the expense of the lawyer. By dealing with your insurance company you let them do the hard work and still get your vehicle repaired.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

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RE :Rear-ended, should I get a lawyer?
I was rear-ended yesterday in a parking lot where the speed limit would typically be areound 15 mph. I was stopped (on a hill) with a car in front of me when I was rear-ended by a lady in a jeep going about 30 mph. Luckily, I didn't hit the car in front of me, but the person who hit me pushed me about 2 feet. The back hatch of my van is completely crushed, the drivers side back door is puched toward the front of my van and is not sitting flush with the rest of the van, and it looks as if she may have bent the frame. I was taken to the ER by ambulance because of excrutiating back pain and was told I strained the muscles and I have whiplash. I went back to the doctors today because the pain was worse and they suggested physical therapy. The woman who hit me acted very non-chalant about the accident and was even chuckling as she got out of her vehicle. Now I am in horrible pain and have no vehicle to drive and just wanted to see if I should hire a lawyer? Any suggestions?
Update: Yes, there was a police report filed, and yes, my insurance company was notified. To the people who are giving me grief about wondering if I should get a lawyer, you must have a guilty conscience or something considering all you think I am after is money. I did call my insurance company and they said that I have two options, either I can go through them and pay my deductible, ya da ya da, or I can deal with the at fault parties insurance myself. I am just trying to get my car fixed, a rental, and my medical bills paid.
1 following 11 answers

Answer 8

let your insurance company deal with first
if not satisfied, consult with a lawyer

Answer 9

Try to not get a lawyer...use a lawyer as a last resort.

Answer 10

Yes I think you should nip it in the bud, and hire a lawyer, if not go talk to one. The insurance company isnt your friend, and neither is the person who hit you, they dont want to work with you, they want you to go away. You need someone who can get things done, expecially if your injury causes you to miss work.