In car accident trying to figure things out

so a few months ago i was in olved in a car accident wich resulted in me having a broken finger, i went to a lawyer asked for advice but thought he was asking too much. Now i am waiting for my case to get settled and i have a question for all you guys and gals. If you have ever been in an accident and settled without an attorney how did you go about it, and did you settle for a small amount or large amount? How hard is it for me to settle for a large amount since i have been out of work for a few months due to the accident and i made decent money.

 

Was the wreck your fault? Was it single or multi car? Do you have disability coverage? How much was the lawyer wanting? Did he only collect if he won something? Did you have full coverage?

At minimum medical, rental car, car repair, lost wages and maybe pain and suffering if you were not at fault.

 

I was in an accident (not at fault) and had a broken rib. Dealt directly with the adjuster for the at fault insurance company. Got a decent amount but not major money.

That being said, unless you're a surgeon, why would a broken finger keep you out of work for a few months?

 

I work in construction and constantly using my hands and being a dominant right handed person i need my thumb. And also the company i was working for could not have me work and be a liability because i wouldnt be able to do my job 100%.

The wreck was not my fault, it was a single vehicle accident, and i have SDI. The autorny wanted 1/3 of what i would get. He would only collect if we won. Also the car was totaled and had to go out and buy a new vehicle.

 

It was a complete mess when the accident happen. It was my GFs car the girl that hit us failed to yield, called the cops and found out there was a loaded weapon in the other vehicle the girl didnt have proof of insurance and never showed proof of liscence. Throught the process our car insurance has been great, but as for the other persons insurance they have contacted me three times. Once to ask what hapen and the next time to say they were trying to figuer out who the driver was. Thats when i told them the driver was the sister of the owner of the vehicle and since he was in China they couldnt contact him to make sure she had permission to drive the vehicle. And the final time they contact me was to tell me to give them more time to go through everything. O and by the way that loaded weapon was given back to the driver unloaded, wich really surprised me.

 

Damn dude sounds f'ed up.

I think 1/3 is at or maybe less than the going rate for a lawyer from what I've seen/heard. Not sure if he/she/shim could get you enough more to justify it but, who knows.

Just out of interest were you driving your womans car or was she?

So, if your SDI is like a mine it's not 100% pay and may have a delay before it kicks in...??

I'd def go for lost wages, medical ect. and I'd get a lawyer if you think there's any chance of ongoing issues.

So, is your GFs coverage paying? Who would you sue? I mean your womans insurance or the the other driver and their insurance?

 

Lol i was driving my girls car. I even tried to swerve to miss the other girl but she never even tried to slow down or miss us. Well my SDI is covering some but like you said not 100% of it. I need to get my wage loses and im not suing anyone persay but the other girls insurance has to reimburse me but from what i hear is that when they try to reimburse you they try and lo-ball you. I know how mich work i have missed and exactly how much i should be making. As for the medical here in cali its stupid because the way it works for me is i pay out of pocket for all my docs visits and then my gurls car insurance reimburse me, but then when the other girls insurance pays me i have to pay back my girls insurance from the medical payment that i received from tje other girls insurance.
Im sorry for all the mixup some of you might be having this is a first time for me thats why im asking for some advice or a few pointers.

 

Not sure how the insurance company will play it. They could offer you a lump sum for missed wages and pain and suffering (we'll assume the crashed car and medical is covered) but, the wage part is clearly defined so I would tell them you want a seperate offer for the pain and suffering man.

Of course the insurance companies are pros at what to offer (and what they think you'll take and what they can defend in court) and it's all about stock holder return so they will offer you as little as they can.

Keep track of everything man and I'd have it all when it comes to getting an offer if you're not gonna have a lawyer. I guess even if you do get a lawyer he'll want it too.

 

O yea i have all the doctor bills and so on and im been told they will low ball me an offer. I know they are pros at what they do thats why im not 100% sure if i should still go at it alone or get an attourney now.

 

Craziest think for me was that she had a loaded weapon. I couldnt believe it when she got the gun back. Specially since its in California.

 

Hmm...

Maybe wait for their offer and tell them you want to talk to a lawyer then? Maybe then take it to a lawyer and see if he thinks he can beat it (first lawyer visit is free right?)

Don't know man.

See if others chim in...

 

What kind of gun? Cali is a "may issue" state for CCW right?

 

A freind of mine sent me to a lawyer he seemed like a great guy and he said i had a strong case so hopefully they give me an offer i am ok with otherwise i will tell them im going with a lawyer and take it from there.
It would be cool if someone else chimed in on this though.

 

Well from what i saw it looked like a 9mm, officers at the scene took it out unloaded it (one in the chamber) and handed it back to her. Im not sure if it is but what i found surprising is that they gave it to her and she didnt have a DL all she had was a student visa on her at the time.

 

So, not a US citizen? What was she driving? Does California issue permits to CCWs non-citizens? I mean I know I've heard the offer non-citizens stuff other states do not but...

 

hm, she's prolly a princess from some rich country hence the LEO's were easy on her, who knows. anyways get a lawyer and let them take care of your case, 1/3 is the norm (here in CA), that means a split for you, your lawyer and the hospital fees.

 

I highly doubt they do specially here in cali. Cali is the hardest on gun laws hence why i was surpised.

 

Yea im sure that is the norm i have seen a few lawyers but one was way too pushy the guy my freind recommended was cool and proffeaional so if they lo-ball me i will get a lawyer

 

This thread.

 

Thank you this is very helpfull. Im sorry about your accident though.
As far as the other insurance they have taken fault but have yet to cantact me further. They havent even contact my works HR office.