Gordon Ralph Levinson's Answers

Settling a Bodily Injury Claim (California)

Survey research over the last three years has now established that injury claims settle for an average of 50% higher when an attorney asserts the claim. It's a no-brainer. Get a lawyer.

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Ccan a lawyer take a fee out of a lein

Do you mean that your lawyer took a percentage of the reduction off of Medicare's lien as an additional fee? If that is the case, it is something I would never do. It may be that your attorney reserved the right to take additional fees for reducing liens in the retainer agreement with you. I have seen some lawyers do that, but my belief is that it is unethical. I believe that reducing the client's liens is something a competent personal injury lawyer is required to do, and the savings from...

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Why would I need a lawyer??

The reason you need counsel is that your damage claim will be disputed - not liability, which is clear and accepted - but damages. It would be smart of you to get counsel now, and not to wait until you are done treating. If you try to negotiate your own settlement before retaining counsel, the insurance company will set its range of settlement values and establish reserves for your claim within its value range. An attorney who you retain after the carrier sets reserves will not have an easy...

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Do I need a lawyer for car accident ?

Studies have now proved that claims asserted by attorneys settle for an average of 50% higher than the claims asserted by non-attorneys. It's a no-brainer. Get a lawyer!

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I was hit from behind - my car was totaled and I have neck/shoulder injury. Can I sue?

Believe it or not, your claim could be quite valuable - more than you would probably expect - depending on several factors. Your question left out crucial information, however. So in order to intelligently tally up your potential damage claim, I would need the answers to numerous other questions, such as were you transported from the scene in an ambulance? Did you go to the emergency room? Did you undergo any expensive diagnostics, such as an MRI or a CT scan? Have you followed up with...

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Do I need a car accident attorney?

Research has now established that claims asserted by attorneys settle for significantly higher dollar amounts than claims asserted by non-attorneys. There are so many factors that influence the value of an injury claim that it would be impossible to tell you the fair market value of your claim based on the limited information you provided above. I would be happy to offer you a free telephone consultation where I could ask you a series of short questions aimed at quickly determining whether it...

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Car accident in feb 5th, the hospital immediately filed a lien in their legal department. We want to tell them they overcharged.

Negotiating lien reductions in injury cases is an art form and has many nuances. I highly recommend you retain counsel.

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Driver exclusion was driving my car while i was in the car. Someone hit my car. Los Angele, Ca

The answer is "yes" as long as the at-fault driver was convicted of the DUI. Take a look at California Civil Code section 3333.4, subdivision (c). Also, your best bet is to retain counsel. Research studies have shown that claims involving attorneys settle for an average of 50% higher than claims not involving attorneys.

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Car accident, police report, not my fault, lower back and neck pain after the accident.

Get a lawyer. Research has shown that cases settle for an average of 50% higher when asserted by attorneys. It's a no-brainer. Get a lawyer.

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Do I need to file a motor vehicle claim with my own insurance company to recover pain and suffering?

The adjuster is referring to Proposition 213. The answer is "yes," you will have to get your carrier involved, but there will be no consequence to you, such as a premium increase. Under Proposition 213, all drivers must carry liability insurance. If you do not carry liability insurance, and if you are injured by someone else on the road, then you will only be eligible to recover economic damages, such as your lost wages, property damage and medical bills. If, on the other hand, you have...

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