I sometimes really think my lawyer isnt fighitng for my best interest. For example I have a accident case againts another driver that was at fault. I feel like I deserve much more then what the other insurance is supposibly offering me. I sometimes feel like the lawyer that represents you is out for his own money .... For example my lawyer might have made a side settlement with the other insurance company instead of me recieving a big chunk he would offer something small and keep a bigger commision for himself... Is this the way it usually is with lawyers? Or am I just making this stuff up because it seems like 99% of lawyers are crooks.
2007-12-10 05:41:25 · 12 answers · asked by LosAngelesAngels 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
It is always unfair to take your experience with one person and expand it to a whole group of individuals, whether it be lawyers, used car salesmen, women, Asians, or Catholics. You just can't classify a whole group of people by your experience with one member.
For instance, in cases like yours, the attorney generally gets the a % of whatever the recovery is, so it is to his advantage to get the most for you. As for doing a "side settlement" it just wouldn't happen. The insurance company could lose its insurance license if found to engage in this kind of activity--i.e. a bribe.
Insurance companies do try low-balling cases, mostly because the "tort reform"-ers have been so successful in making honest lawsuits seem like they are coming from frivolous lawsuit filers. So, they start low, and it takes a long time for you to get offered what you should have been in the first place.
Also, it could be that in the whole scheme of things, your case is not worth much money. If you don't have damages, then your case isn't worth very much. Do you have only property damage? Do you have personal injuries? If so, do you have proof the the injuries? Do you have medical bills that reflect the injuries? If you are claiming mental anguish, how are you putting a figure on that? What state is your lawsuit in?
All these factors and others come to play in answering whether or not your case is getting fair treatment.
** Note: This is a general discussion of the subject matter of your question and not legal advice. Local laws or your particular situation may change the general rules. For a specific answer to your question you should consult legal counsel with whom you can discuss all the facts of your case. **
2007-12-10 05:54:31 · answer #1 · answered by scottclear 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nope. They aren't alll like that. In fact their are very few like that and if they really are crooks, they will be disbarred and never able to practice law again. Your lawyer is not making side settlements. If he did, he would have to have your authorization anyway. Nothing can be officially settled with anyone until the client signs the release of all claims. And the insurance companies usually send the check in both the attorney and the clients name, so the bank won't cash it with out both signatures. Also, Lawyers are only allowed to take a specific amount out of a check based on the contingency agreement. If they are not abiding by these rules, turn them into the bar. But I doubt they are doing this and it could be easily disproved so I think you're just venting because you want more money and the insurance companies are being stingy. Trust me they are. It's the insurance companies that are the crooks! They take take take and then never want to give.
2007-12-10 05:50:18 · answer #2 · answered by Eisbär 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with Davidm7. What you claim is happening isn't very likely. There are lawyers out there who will take on a case ask you to put a payment down for their services and then do nothing in the least bit to help you.
They've decided early on that your case is weak. Or they have something better going on and you pay your $3500 down payment and they have some little legal aid look into the case. Wait several months and then report back to you that based on their research you really don't stand much of a chance. End of story.
You lose your money and they didn't do a damn thing for it.
I think you're wrong when you say 99% of lawyers are crooks. I think it's 99% of crooks are lawyers.
The old wolf in sheep clothing.
2007-12-10 05:56:58 · answer #3 · answered by fifthhorseman 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's just the 90% that make the other 10% look bad.
Actually, your are dealing with the worst of the bunch. I was in the reverse situation, being sued for an accident I caused. In order to avoid litigation my insurance company offered the other driver 2x what they normally settle for after their original offer was rejected by the other parties lawyer. You say you "feel" like you deserve more but settlements aren't based on "feelings". However, accident attorneys base their cases on just that very thing, rather than rationallity. In my case, the other driver couldn't provide any documentation to support his "feeling" that he deserved more. After 4 1/2 years, he agreed to settle for less than my insurance companies highest offer, and his attorney fees and commission ate up 60% of the total, so he got about 80% of the lowest offer my insuror had originally offered.
Ever wonder why insurance is so expensive? People like you and the attornies they hire.
2007-12-10 06:04:55 · answer #4 · answered by steve what 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You have one lawyer you're unhappy with and decide on that basis that 99% of all lawyers are crooks? It's hardly a statistical sample, is it?
Anyone in business is of course out for his own money... not just lawyers but accountants, bankers, retailers, taxi drivers, web designers etc etc. Even charity workers need money to live and eat.
And in every business there are people that get greedy or lazy or disinterested in their customers. Maybe your particular lawyer just got fed up with people who make sweeping generalisations without any sound evidence to back them up.
2007-12-10 05:45:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
What you are accusing your lawyer of (side compensation) is highly illegal and would cause hi9m to spend a long time in jail if caught. Do you have ANY evidence of this type of activity? Or are you only making it up because he is not able to get you the "big bucks"?
The more the lawyer gets you, the more he gets.
2007-12-10 05:46:24 · answer #6 · answered by davidmi711 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You "sometimes feel like the lawyer that represents you is out for his own money"...
Were you raised by wolves?
2007-12-10 05:44:55 · answer #7 · answered by whimsy 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
If you're a good, honest lawyer, you won't make much money, but people will repect you. Aaaa, but you won't be their lawyer. LOL
2007-12-10 05:45:14 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
they're greedy because your greedy, everybody is suing everybody, ya made this mess by wanting to get rich quick, they're just filling up supply for demand.
2007-12-10 05:50:18 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
lawyers are the same as estate agents ...crooks & swindlers, they sleep on a big pile of money at night..it keeps their conciences clear
2007-12-10 05:46:33 · answer #10 · answered by Hit the ground running 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋