Compensation?

Question

Insurance or laywer payout?
Not sure what to do at this stage.
Insurers are willing to compensate me for a fall.
Am getting conflicting advice.
Some say go to laywer for sure, insurance will rip me off.
Others say don't go to laywer as they will take a chunk of your compensation and you may be left with far less than the insurance offer.
In general which one do you think accept, laywer or insurer.

Answer 1

It depends on how badly you were hurt, and if you were partially at fault. If the injury was serious and likely to have ongoing medical issues, then you should probably get a lawyer. But they'll take a lot of the settlement, so if the amount is small and there aren't continuing problems, you're probably ahead to just settle yourself.

Answer 2

My mother developed epilepsy more than six months after getting hit on the head (the cover of one of those chuck wagon style vending trucks came loose). She did not get the person's information that caused the accident because she initially thought it was nothing until she suffered her first seizure. She then did not hire a lawyer to try to track down the person even though if she had down it as soon as she was diagnosed the lawyer probably would have been able to find the person. Also tonight I heard on the news that Mrs. Graham the wife of the Rev. Billy Graham died as a result of being bedridden due to arthritis from a fall more than 3 decades before.

The job of an adjustor is a balancing act of settling claims fairly for as little money as possible. Upon settling this claim with you, you would have to sign a full release of any and all claims for yourself and your heirs for all damages arising from this accident. You will not be able to go back to the till. My advice if they are immediately making you an offer--you have a claim which is possibly larger than you might think. Please make sure that you are fully released medically and then consult an attorney that is recommended by someone whose opinion you respect. Do not just pick an attorney that advertises. Also a lot of attorneys will negotiate their fee which ranges between 25 to 50% of the settlement offer. Obviously if the attorney does not have to work a lot given that the insurance company is already making an offer negotiate for the lower percentage. Consulting an attorney does not mean that you are obligated to use them unless you sign a retainer which spells out their fee, obligations, etc.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

It depends on the severity of the injury, and what type of treatment.

Liars generally take 33% plus expenses. Additionally, they are going to send you to their doctors to help build your case. These bills also come out of your settlement. If your injury was severe and you are not good at dealing with these types of matters, then liars can help protect you from the insurance company.

If your case is fairly minor, such as being sore for a few weeks or a clean break of an arm that has healed completely, then you are giving the attorney a good chuck of your settlement, and often you will end up with less than going it on your own.

If you have had any type of closed head injury, you might want to have a second option before you settle, with or without the help of a liar.

Answer 4

Judy worded it really well. Another thought is see what the insurance company has to offer, if at that point you do not like it and are not able to negotiate hire a lawyer.