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My boyfriend and I were in a bad car accident last night on South Blvd. and were hit by a drunk driver around 6:30, and were taken in an ambulance. I have severe neck/back injuries and he has neck injuries. We just moved recently so have no lawyer recommendations in Charlotte. Can anyone recommend a good lawyer we can call this morning? Please message me or leave a suggestion
Personal recommendation (please note - it says Kannapolis on that link, but his offices are located at 5309 Monroe Road, Suite C, Charlotte, North Carolina 28205)
Devin is an outstanding personal injury lawyer w/ a very impressive track record. He works hard on your behalf and one meeting w/ him will assure you that he is very astute as well as smooth in the courtroom, in case you can't come to a settlement. He is a terrific trial attorney!!!! So you have it all in one package.
You could wait and see if the other insurance company tenders limits. If the amount is high enough, it might be what you need and then some. If you haven't hired a lawyer, you get the entire amount. Unless the other driver has a lot of personal assets, it's often hard to get more than limits anyway (though it's possible).
You've got some time yet to see how things unfold.
Well, GirtTravels, as you know, I very much respect your legal knowledge . . . but my personal experience (and that of my friends) has been that insurance companies are going to lowball unless they know you have consulted a good attorney.
With a drunk driver being involved, perhaps the insurance company will be more apt to ante up from the onset. And I do realize that w/ the typical attorney fee being around 30% of the settlement . . . it could be financially more viable to take that lump sum than have to divide w/ an attorney. However, one statement that the defendant's team can use against the injured parties to build a case that they were somehow at fault . . . I dunno. I would rather have an attorney dealing w/ the insurance company from Day One. That shows seriousness of intent.
Plus, if the insurance company pushes for a quick settlement, the injured parties may not yet be aware of the longterm consequences of their injuries. I had a friend who was run off the road by an 18-wheeler and clearly - it was the truck driver's fault. The trucking company's insurance tried to push for a quick settlement . . . and my friend just wasn't sure. The figure looked equitable. But she wasn't sure about her injuries. Good thing she contacted an attorney and settlement was delayed (and ended up in court) b/c initially, it appeared her injuries were limited to cervical spine. Turns out, that bruised knee was the big problem. She will have to have a knee replacement eventually. The severity of that injury simply was not apparent 72 hours after the wreck.
Well, GirtTravels, as you know, I very much respect your legal knowledge . . . but my personal experience (and that of my friends) has been that insurance companies are going to lowball unless they know you have consulted a good attorney.
With a drunk driver being involved, perhaps the insurance company will be more apt to ante up from the onset. And I do realize that w/ the typical attorney fee being around 30% of the settlement . . . it could be financially more viable to take that lump sum than have to divide w/ an attorney. However, one statement that the defendant's team can use against the injured parties to build a case that they were somehow at fault . . . I dunno. I would rather have an attorney dealing w/ the insurance company from Day One. That shows seriousness of intent.
Plus, if the insurance company pushes for a quick settlement, the injured parties may not yet be aware of the longterm consequences of their injuries. I had a friend who was run off the road by an 18-wheeler and clearly - it was the truck driver's fault. The trucking company's insurance tried to push for a quick settlement . . . and my friend just wasn't sure. The figure looked equitable. But she wasn't sure about her injuries. Good thing she contacted an attorney and settlement was delayed (and ended up in court) b/c initially, it appeared her injuries were limited to cervical spine. Turns out, that bruised knee was the big problem. She will have to have a knee replacement eventually. The severity of that injury simply was not apparent 72 hours after the wreck.
I totally agree with everything you say - but if the insurance company offers limits right now, there is NOTHING else that can be gotten from the insurance company, ever, anyway. Then hire a lawyer to try to get more from the drunk driver if need be - but the lawyer only gets a cut of this last part, not the insurance settlement!
If the insurance company is not offering limits promptly - Get a lawyer!
I totally agree with everything you say - but if the insurance company offers limits right now, there is NOTHING else that can be gotten from the insurance company, ever, anyway. Then hire a lawyer to try to get more from the drunk driver if need be - but the lawyer only gets a cut of this last part, not the insurance settlement!
If the insurance company is not offering limits promptly - Get a lawyer!
****this is not legal advice****
Oh, yes, you are right and I apologize for not catching that you said "limits." That is very wise . . .
Most certainly, not legal advice from any of us . . . more like strategizing, LOL!!!!
You mean an insurance company can have aset limit or maximum that they will pay and thats it???
I believe there have been limitations set by law. Tort reform. Someone correct me, but I think that applies to settlements but not to court trials . . . ?????
ETA: or is that simply a limit on the insurance policy itself??? Like - policy is capped at $100,000 payout. ???
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