Asked 5 months ago - Jackson, TN
FlagI was involved in a car accident and it was not my fault. I had back and neck injuries and a concussion.But I do not want to end up with nothing after the doctors and lawyers are paid.
Statistically, you could receive approximately 4 times more money than you would if you tried to deal with the insurance company yourself. Insurance companies are aware that you are not experienced in this matter, and they will try to convince you to accept the minimum amount for recovery. Most attorneys charge contingency fees (typically about 30 - 40%) and they will keep the bill collectors off your back for the duration of your case. It is the policy of most personal injury attorneys not to charge more for legal fees than you actually receive from the settlement / trial. It is just a matter of taking the time to look for a good attorney in your area (through client reviews or friends / family referrals). Good luck to you.
Attorneys who handle personal injuries/car accident cases typically take them on a contingency fee basis. This means they only get paid if and when they make a recovery for you. Out of that money, your medical bills should be paid, the attorney should be paid and you should receive the balance. If you hire a reputable attorney, there is no reason you should receive nothing after paying the doctors and lawyer. I do strongly suggest you talk to a lawyer before talking to the insurance company. Remember, the insurance company makes money by not paying you or paying you as little as possible. If you hire an attorney, it's in your best interest and the attorney's best interest to get you as much as possible since the attorney's fee is based on how much he recovers for you. Regardless, in Tennessee you have one year to either settle your claim or protect it from the Statute of Limitations by filing a lawsuit. If you wait beyond a year, your claim will likely be barred by law.
As a former insurance injury claim adjuster and now attorney, I whole heartily agree with the previous answers. There's a myth out there, that injury cases are easy to handle and you can effortlessly "do it yourself". Nothing could be further from the truth. Tennessee has one of the shortest statutes of limitations in the country. Also, you may have to deal with the subrogation interests of other insurance carriers. Often, there are doctor bills coming from doctors that you didn't even know saw you or participated in your care. So, I recommend you find a lawyer in your area today and stop trying to handle this on your own.
Yes. A concussion can suggest a very serious injury. I don't want to needlessly alarm you but a concussion is a form of mild traumatic brain injury (mtbi). Although I don't know if you blacked out, even if you didn't you may suffer symptoms that can affect your memory, behavior and mood. This happens because the brain can move within the skull during a collision. A good lawyer lawyer can advise you on the likely settlement value based on your injuries. It is important you get medical treatment and don't settle too early. Sometimes, it can take a while to determine if your concussion will have long-lasting effects. The insurance company will want you to settle early so they won't have to compensate you fairly later if you do have injuries. You are also welcome to check my profile on this website and see my blog on brain injuries for more information that may be useful to you.
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