I Need a GOOD Lawyer

[SpeedyBolt]

My wife was in a real bad wreck this week involving a 18 wheeler and another car. It most likely totaled our F150 4X4. I'm not looking to screw prople but I just want to get a lawyer to make sure that she gets what she deserves for this. She is o.k. thank God but it was a very bad crash! Everybody but my wife was transported from the scene in an ambulance. Any help would be great.

Thanks,
Billy

[gbgary]

I just want to get a lawyer to make sure that she gets what she deserves for this. She is o.k.

glad she's ok!!!!! not sure what you mean since she is ok and i guess hasn't missed work. other than a new truck, what do you think she deserves? i'm not trying to be a dick or anything btw.

[SpeedyBolt]

glad she's ok!!!!! not sure what you mean since she is ok and i guess hasn't missed work. other than a new truck, what do you think she deserves? i'm not trying to be a dick or anything btw.

I just want a new truck and all of her doctor bills and stuff paid for.(She went to the doc this morning because of the air bag burn and all the bruising, basically just to make sure everything was o.k.) This has totally freaked her out. It was one hell of a wreck. The truck that caused the whole thing was a gravel hauler. Those guys never seem to care about anything and are always hualing ass everywhere. I just really want a lawyer to make sure eveything is going right. We have never had a wreck this bad in which it left us with a totaled vehicle. They know what needs to happen and plus things tend to happen a little faster when there is a lawyer involved.

[Wht95Lightning]

Talk to your insurance agent. He/She will be able to advise you and will tell you what you should do.

Glad your wife walked away.

[David N]

I just want a new truck and all of her doctor bills and stuff paid for.(She went to the doc this morning because of the air bag burn and all the bruising, basically just to make sure everything was o.k.) This has totally freaked her out. It was one hell of a wreck. The truck that caused the whole thing was a gravel hauler. Those guys never seem to care about anything and are always hualing ass everywhere. I just really want a lawyer to make sure eveything is going right. We have never had a wreck this bad in which it left us with a totaled vehicle. They know what needs to happen and plus things tend to happen a little faster when there is a lawyer involved.

A lawyer good or bad is going to cost you 25% to 40% of whatever $$ you get from the ins. company or you can pay the lawyer out of pocket as you go!!!most want $1500 to $3000 before doing anything.... unless the truckers ins. company is not doing the right thing you don't need a lawyer since your wife is not hurt bad....
just keep all you bills and missed work times and turn them in for payment and glad your wife is okay....

[gbgary]

I just want a new truck and all of her doctor bills and stuff paid for.

that's cool. don't forget the rental car if you have one. keep us informed. :tu:

[SILVER2000SVT]

A lawyer good or bad is going to cost you 25% to 40% of whatever $$ you get from the ins. company or you can pay the lawyer out of pocket as you go!!!most want $1500 to $3000 before doing anything.... unless the truckers ins. company is not doing the right thing you don't need a lawyer since your wife is not hurt bad....
just keep all you bills and missed work times and turn them in for payment and glad your wife is okay....

+1

Glad your wife is ok. But, unless you are just out to try and collect a lot of money from somebody, their insurance will probably take care of all your documented expenses and give you a little bit in addition. You have up to two years anyway after an accident. It's worth trying to take care of it the simple way first. If you find out that your wife has to continuely go to the doctor long term then you might want to consider talking to a lawyer.

And it's best not to let your insurance company know unless the other drivers insurance isn't willing to pay out. Your insurance will put a ding on your record even if it's not your fault.

[Sixpipes]

I would be patient and wait to get a proposed settlement from the truck company's insurance carrier. They should be more than fair if you are not represented by a lawyer. If you get a lawyer, plan on a long wait and probably a smaller settlement after the law firm extracts its fees. Since there was no serious injury, I think you'de be better off dealing directly with the insurance carrier. My $.02 :cool:

[SpeedyBolt]

Thanks guy's. Like I said I just really have never had to deal with this stuff before and just want to make sure everything is done right. I don't wan't to have this take any longer than it needs to. Guess we'll have to see what happens.

Thanks agian,
Billy

[Nick Tosie]

Give them a week or two to make payment and what not...if they start dicking around get a lawyer...we've been thru this twice with people running into a show truck we built (one was a semi that made an illegal right turn into the side of it, the other some 17 yr old w/o a lisc. was out in mommys insured f150, they wouldnt pay out cause he wasnt on the policy trucking company is not paying just b/c we're young (20) and think they can blow us off). Both they just kept giving us the run around. 1st accident was end of sept 2nd end of Oct. The stuff from the 18 wheeler accident in Oct is just getting started, had to get a lawyer due to injuries, etc no end in sight. We have to go to small claims court on the sept accident and thats not until may. Bottom line two people messed up a truck that was soposed to be shot for a paint company add the week after the 1st accident....ticks me off we're gonna go over 6 months before we see any money and a ton of hassle. If we were older I doubt we'd be doing this. But take my advice get a lawyer if you dont see some green or some paper work for it within a few weeks. A lawyer wont take the case after 30 days btw.

Nick

[my2002lightning]

Billy,

Very sorry to hear of you and you're wife's accident.:( Glad she seems to be somewhat well.:tu:

The legal/insurance experience isn't going to be pleasant, I can tell you.

Take care,

Ronald

[Tex Arcana]

Billy, too bad about the truck, good thing your wife isn't hurt.

Now, pay attention, this comes from alot of personal experience and a mother-in-law who was an insurance adjuster for over 25 years.

First off, when if comes to your mom's medical, do NOT apply those bills to your workplace medical. Use what is called "Personal Injury Protection", or PIP, which is a part of ALL insurances sold in Texas. You will either have a $2500 PIP, or a $5000 PIP, depending on how good your agent is. This is solely for paying your medical bills IMMEDIATELY after an accident. When you go to the doctor, you tell them right off you're applying the bills to your PIP, they'll know what to do next.

As for using PIP creating a "Ding" on your insurance history: it SHOULD NOT. State law prevents this. This is mainly meant to tide you over at the beginning of the process, immediately after the accident; after the negotiations begin later (up to 2 years as stated before), or after the PIP runs out, the OTHER insurance is supposed to pick up the tab at that point. If your insurance adjuster or agent says they'll ding you for using this, tell 'em you're turning them into the state board--that'll shut 'em up in a hurry.

Also note that Texas is the ONLY state where you can get paid TWICE for your medical expenses: once when PIP picks up the tab, and once when the other insurance company settles your claim, and pays you for your medical expenses.

Traditionally, an insurance settlement will end up in the vicinity of 2.5 times the amount of your medical, for pain and suffering. The replacement of the vehicle is a seperate issue, and not part of that final negotiation.

As for the truck: push for REPLACEMENT VALUE, not book value: since their insured forced you to replace the vehicle before its time, you will have to pay much higher than what you did pay to replace it; pick a nice high number (like what you would pay if you walked into the worst gouger's dealership, and paid top dollar for the truck), and work your way down toward a decent price. Remember that you will have to pay off the loan first, so make sure there's enough left over for a GOOD down payment (unless you have GAP insurance, which will pay off the truck in the event of an accident--at which point, you'll have $XX,XXX in CASH to buy a vehicle).

Stick to this script, and you'll come out decently. Vary from it, and YMMV massively.

Good luck, and if you have any questions, don't hesitate to call me. :tu:

[99WhiteBeast]

As for using PIP creating a "Ding" on your insurance history: it SHOULD NOT. State law prevents this. This is mainly meant to tide you over at the beginning of the process, immediately after the accident; after the negotiations begin later (up to 2 years as stated before), or after the PIP runs out, the OTHER insurance is supposed to pick up the tab at that point. If your insurance adjuster or agent says they'll ding you for using this, tell 'em you're turning them into the state board--that'll shut 'em up in a hurry.


I had a similar experience and used PIP. It is considered a claim and a claim is a factor in determining future rates- may or may not go up depending upon other claims on the policy (i.e. speeding tickets, past accidents or claims)

[SpeedyBolt]

Thanks guy's. We have just begun to get this thing started. The guy's insurance company is really being dicks about this thing. They still haven't gotten us a rental car yet and it's been a week to the day. I'm trying to be patient but it's starting to run out.

[dboat]

Thanks guy's. We have just begun to get this thing started. The guy's insurance company is really being dicks about this thing. They still haven't gotten us a rental car yet and it's been a week to the day. I'm trying to be patient but it's starting to run out.

Let them know you are going to call an atty if things dont get moving.. but do it in writing.. they dont like things being documented

[Nick Tosie]

They're doing the same thing they did to us...already starting the game playing. Document and get a lawyer.

Nick

[Silver_2000]

Thanks guy's. We have just begun to get this thing started. The guy's insurance company is really being dicks about this thing. They still haven't gotten us a rental car yet and it's been a week to the day. I'm trying to be patient but it's starting to run out.

Its up to you - if you feel they should get you a rental then GET ONE. And plan on getting the $$ back later - BUT if you only would get a rental if someone else was paying then dont - just go get an atty ...

Doug

[Tex Arcana]

Thanks guy's. We have just begun to get this thing started. The guy's insurance company is really being dicks about this thing. They still haven't gotten us a rental car yet and it's been a week to the day. I'm trying to be patient but it's starting to run out.

Don't be patient, PUSH the hell out of them, and threaten them with not only a lawyer, but the State Board. Document EVERYTHING, including your phone calls--I would strongly suggest you record all conversations with them, as well.
Just do NOT take them dragging their feet.