i had a car accident and i am not at fault..its a rear end collision, the reason i got an attorney is to the fact tha none of the insurances involve have contacted me and its been a week since the accident .i am in major back pain. a representative of the attorney said it would be 33% ..i received a letter that indicates 40% of( 1/3) with my signature. Is this too much should i get another lawyer..i am in los angeles.??is this ok rate?? please i dont want to get screwed!!!..
2007-11-01 20:23:56 · 11 answers · asked by minie 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Insurance & Registration
Sorry Dear....
You got an attorney. You are going to get screwed no matter what.
Just because you're hurt doesn't mean you need an attorney. The attorney is not going to FIX your hurt. You are nothing more than a pay day to them.
You REALLY can talk to the insurance company yourself.
California has VERY strict insurance regulations. Why don't you call the department of insurance to ask any questions you might have. They will tell you the truth and not steal your money like the attorney is doing.
Who wants to just GIVE money away.
Uuugh - I could go on about how the attorney is going to charge you for things that the insurance company would have done for free (as part of their investigation/evaluation) or how you are going to get charged for every phone call and every stamp and every anything else but.....
I HOPE you get the picture.
Hope you're feeling better soon.
~jifr!
PS - um...CA also has VERY strict guidelines on how long an insurance company has to acknowledge your claim.
............have you even MADE a claim? People don't just contact you out of the blue. What if the person at fault did not even tell their insurance company about you?!
And........since you've now retained a blood sucking attorney - you're NOT going to hear from the insurance company. They will only talk to your attorney (unless the attorney ALLOWS them to talk to you)
again...could go on and on but...looks like you're going to have a lot on your hands
2007-11-02 02:00:11 · answer #1 · answered by Jifr 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well if none of the insurance companies are calling you, why didn't you call the insurance company rather than run to a lawyer? Yes 40% is absurd. Majority of attorneys will only charge 33.3%.
Were you injured in the accident? and was it serious? If so then maybe you should go with a different atty for a lower fee. However if there were minimal to no injuries or only vehicle damage, why would you want to pay an attorney almost half of your recoveries when you can do the same thing they do, call and bug the insurance companies
2007-11-02 05:19:47 · answer #2 · answered by ♥ Uwish ♥ 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As mentioned, the typical charge is 33% and I think at least some states even have laws about this. However, an attorney usually ups that to 40% (plus expenses) when suit is filed. Review the paperwork sent you and see if the 40% is only charged under this condition. If there is no mention of 33%... _run_ away from this attorney! Nothing like getting screwed from your own attorney. Even if the attorney agrees to lower the rate to 33%, I'd still seek other representation. If he/she is willing to tell you the charge is 33% and then tried to slide 40% in on the contract, what does that tell you about the person who is going to protect _you_ in this situation.
2007-11-02 04:07:55 · answer #3 · answered by Todd C 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's funny, because my sis is an attorney, and she talks about that.
It's a high rate. But one week isn't very much time AT ALL. So you jumped on this, really fast.
I think if you read the contract carefully, you'll find out that even if you fire him, you're going to owe him 40% of the settlement, if you signed for it. So you'll pay him 40%, and the next guy 33%, and you'll get . . . 27%.
Read the contract.
2007-11-02 02:24:26 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Forty percent is about average for a lawyer but it is, of course too much. That said you won't find a good lawyer to do it for any less I don't think. The main thing you need to be sure he does, aside from monetary damages is that you are covered for future medical problems as a direct result of this accident. He can do this and then whatever cash you get won't go for medical bills later on. Good luck.
2007-11-01 20:36:58 · answer #5 · answered by Robert P 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At Ledger Law Firm You will not be charged up front, related to car accident.
we specialize in all forms of car accident attorney Newport Beach. We will walk with you every step of the way and you will never feel stranded or left alone.
2016-04-13 00:52:13 · answer #6 · answered by lipipuspa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah sound too steep. Sounds like you found the lawyer off an add on TV saying he specializes in getting you your money.
2007-11-01 20:33:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
40% is way to much and you are right about the 33% so get anouther Attorney
2007-11-01 20:49:19 · answer #8 · answered by doc_holliday1863 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yea sounds a little steep. Insurance companies suck, my girlfriend was in a accident a month ago and they barely got back to her a few days ago... don't tell the insurance companies until you talk to your lawyer or get one.
2007-11-01 20:47:04 · answer #9 · answered by Carlos 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes. unless he is doing a "group" lawsuit. get another atty. only top percent for any accident lawsuit is 10-14% trial atty.'s are more if criminal. or realstate. almost all states have a legal cost to what they can charge for cases involving autos. check with your state board .P.S. you're getting screwed ---sign nothing. and very important--- get a sober friend to be with you during your period of recovery!!!!
2007-11-01 20:53:53 · answer #10 · answered by speck323 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋