do I need a lawyer

by bette » Sun Dec 28, 2008 05:05 am
Posts: 1
Joined: 28 Dec 2008

was recently in a head on collison ..car came at me with frosted windows 55 MPH couldnt see out at all ..he told police at the scene that car was faulty ..at the time didnt feel to bad but now am in alot of pain ..insurance co is pushing for me to sign papers ..but I feel I am gonna need alot of medical visits ..can I get car replaced without signing any papers while insurance continues to pay med expenses ..or should I get a lawyer ? as you can tell I have never had an accident ..thanks

Total Comments: 5

Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 05:36 am Post Subject:

The injury claim and the property damage claim are two separate matters and not treated as the same. So you can "settle" one without settling the other. Most carriers won't ask you to sign a release for property damage but it's possible.

You don't need to settle the injury claim at this time. It's prudent for the carriers adjuster to make an offer and attempt to settle it as quickly as possible, though. But this may not be in your best interest.

Posted: Sun Dec 28, 2008 12:51 pm Post Subject:

You most certainly can take care of the car damage and not the injury in fact it's against the fair claims practices to combine them in ANY way...so go ahead and handle your vehicle repairs, tell them to call you back in a couple of months about the injury and if you are ready to settle then you will let them know..

it depends on what the papers are they want you to sign...what does it say? is it a Property Damage release? or most likely a medical authorization informatiohn release? If you'd post what the
'paper' is we would be better equiped to advise you on that...

Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 12:29 am Post Subject:

I would settle the property damage but wiat on the other. I hired an atty a couple months after my accident after finding out they were permanent. They really haven't done much for me yet besides make me do a lot of the running for papers and such. I would wait if you don't think your injuries are really really bad. You could more than likely handle this yourself and leave a lot more money in your own pocket.

Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 08:08 am Post Subject:

You could more than likely handle this yourself and leave a lot more money in your own pocket.


I don't think it would so easy! (No certainly not for everyone :) ) I guess its rather case specific.

If you'd post what the 'paper' is we would be better equiped to advise you on that...


So, the best thing is to go through the paper carefully and convey what all it demands..

Posted: Tue Jan 06, 2009 12:12 am Post Subject:

ANON, Of course you are right that it is case depending. I just can not see if the injuries turn out to be minor why the poster would want to pay an atty one third of their money. I have one and they are not doing much good for me at all. Not saying everyone would get an atty like this and my case is very complicated but like I said everyones isn't and the poster could put the extra money in their pocket.

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