Back injury/ lawyer need advice - Lateral-g Forums

garickman · #1 10-09-2012, 07:06 PM

For sure get a new attorney. I don't know Florida law but the injuries you are describing a worth far more than 10K. I don't know your age or what your plans are for the future, but take a fools advice and whatever you do, DO NOT give up your future medical benefits in regards to this injury. You will never know the on going effects of an injury like this, nor will you know if in the future they will have some type of treatment or surgery to correct it. It's hard not to accept cash when there are so many things you could do with it right now, but a few years down the road when the cash is long gone and you live your life everyday in pain, you will regret it.

carkrazy1987 · #2 10-09-2012, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by garickman

For sure get a new attorney. I don't know Florida law, the injuries you are describing a worth far more than 10K. I don't know your age or what your plans are for the future, but take a fools advice and whatever you do, DO NOT give up your future medical benefits in regards to this injury. You will never know the on going effects of an injury like this, nor will you know if in the future they will have some type of treatment or surgery to correct it. It's hard not to accept cash when there are so many things you could do with it right now, but a few years down the road when the cash is long gone and you live your life everyday in pain, you will regret it.

I just turned 25. It looks like i will be stuck being a tech for a while. The accident ruined my chances to be a police officer. I haven't settle on anything yet amd i don think i will thats why i asked for the advise of others. I figured 100 brains is usually better then mine, and experience definitely helps too.

**clill** · #3 10-09-2012, 07:18 PM

Do not settle. The amount they have offered is a drop in the bucket compared to the possible health issues you might have in the future due to this. Get another attorney.

bdahlg68 · #4 10-09-2012, 08:00 PM

Insurance company wants to go to court less than you do. Trust me, they did the same to my brother. Play hard ball. Find out the limit of his insurance coverage and demand it. Yes this will take a long time. Yes they will low ball you. Yes they will threaten to go to court. Yes they will tell you the injuries were pre existing. They may do lots more things you don't like. But I don't see why you shouldn't be multiplying that number by 10 or 20. Get a new lawyer that believes in this. Most should offer a free consultation to listen to your case and should be confident in winning.

'64 Droptop · #5 10-09-2012, 09:47 PM

If you have to have surgery it will eat up that amount real fast. I've had two surgeries and the last one cost in the $10,000 range. Than you have to figure out how much pay you will be out also.

**Flash68** · #6 10-09-2012, 11:01 PM

What's the other party's insurance limits?

carkrazy1987 · #7 10-10-2012, 05:10 AM

I know the docs are gonna be expensive. I know i have a bunch of bills already. I know the limit on his ins is high. It was a company van kn the clock(big name company). I cant give specific details. They maybe watching

**Stuart Adams** · #8 10-10-2012, 01:14 PM

The best advice I could offer would be to get the best representation you can afford. You have been permanently altered, money don't fix that, but you also can't put a price on health. If you make 100 K a year for example and now can only work part time at 50 K then times the 50 by the number of years till 65 and start with that number and go up.

Make the lawyer work for you, or kick him to the curb. At the end of the day his back won't hurt, so think of you period.

Andrew · #9 10-10-2012, 02:17 PM

I've got to agree with the others, time for a new lawyer. I bet the insurance company gave him more then the payout he mentioned to tell you that...

All jokes aside I'm very sorry to hear how this has affected you. A similar incident happened to my father 40 years ago. To this day it still bothers him all the time. He has never been able to play sports or be very active, it has also affected his work as a machinist. He can still do it but in pain a lot of time.

When you wrote a 10k pay out I almost laughed at how pathetic a number that is for what you are and will be dealing with in the future. If it was me and I did go to court and for whatever reason lost I would be more satisfied I tried then taking such a joke of an offer.

The fact that you were in such good shape and rode your bike 20 miles a day is a testament to the fact that being a tech had no negative impact on your health up until the accident. Start with that and build from there.

Good luck, I really hope you make out alright with it.

**Bryan O** · #10 10-10-2012, 07:26 PM

You would be wise to hire a pi ASAP. Uncover all the assets of the person who hit you. You should have had this information already. Do not sign any docs letting the perp walk from any future civil suit.

Regarding insurance payouts, your lawyer must be clueless/incompetent. I'd find a new one. There are formulas for these types of accidents and the insurance companies know precisely how much they will lose in court. If things are as you described, your settlement should be a heck of a lot more than $10K. Apparently your lawyer does not know what the insurance company knows. Not good for you. They are playing him (and you by default) for a fool.

I'm not a lawyer but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night.

I also lost an eye in a similar accident and received WAAAAAYYYYY more than $10K.

Now you know where my name "The Patch" comes from.