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I'm trying to work out a settlement with the auto-insurance company over an injury that happened last December. They're offering $3,500, but we want $5,000. I was wondering how much it would cost them in legal fees, and lawyer costs if we were to bring this to court. It could help in our bartering if we know they'll be saving money just settling. Thanks.

2007-12-17 08:37:39 · 7 answers · asked by Eidolon P 1 in Business & Finance Insurance

7 answers

Some insurance companies consider a lawyer's fees the cost of doing business. So they don't really give that consideration when they value a claim.

They also know that if you hire a lawyer and sue - you will have to pay your lawyer 1/2 of your settlement plus expenses - a smart adjuster will point it out to you that to you. Be careful trying to ague that the insurance company should give you more because you are saving them legal fees -the company can use that argument back against you. Because if you hire a lawyer - you have to pay him as well.

2007-12-17 12:24:10 · answer #1 · answered by Boots 7 · 0 0

Lawyers for insurance companies charge around $125 an hour for work they do. You will have to pay 1/3 of any settlement you get to an attorney. How long have you been in negotiations?? Is there come compromise between the $3500 the insurance company is offering and the $5000 you want?? The insurance company may want to go to court as they may feel they will prevail at a hearing and you will get nothing at all. If you case is weak, the insurance company could prevail. Especially if you had some negligence in the injury such as not wearing a seat belt or you were on your cell phone. Keep discussing settlement with the adjuster, being persistent can sometimes get the result you want.

2007-12-17 08:58:28 · answer #2 · answered by Don Drapers woman 6 · 0 0

Your insurance company pays you for your damages and then subrogates from the other company to regain this amount if you were not at fault. This usually goes on behind the scenes and an insured is typically not aware of it. Some insurance companies will surcharge you or raise your rates for a not at fault accident. Are you sure your company is charging you for an at fault accident and not a not at fault accident? I would check with your agent on this. If the police report does not show the other person at fault I don't see how you could sue them.

2016-04-10 04:42:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

The fact is that insurance companies can always out-lawyer claimants. Realistically, you'll be better off to settle, but perhaps you can counter-offer for something in between.

2007-12-17 09:20:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

I had a client once that was in your shoes.

He wanted $10,000 and the company offered $8000.

It went back and forth, back and forth and finally, he said "Well, I'll get an attorney.!!"

The company paid the $10000 - HIS attorney got $4000 and HE got $6000..........

You make the call....

Good luck and I hope this helps!

2007-12-17 09:47:40 · answer #5 · answered by Insuranceman 6 · 0 0

They already have lawyers on the payroll, so it doesn't really cost them anything extra.

2007-12-17 08:47:45 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

It's not costing them ANYTHING in legal fees - they have staff attorneys to take care of it.

2007-12-17 13:06:09 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous 7 · 1 0

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