Personal Injury Settlement: Requesting advice

You need an attorney yesterday. Until a qualified personal injury attorney looks over what you signed it is hard to suggest an answer. By agreeing to take the property damage settlement there may be language about "any and all claims" that an attorney needs to review.

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Georgia law allows you to separate your claim for personal injury and property damage, so you have not damaged your right to recover for personal injury. It would have been advisable to hire an attorney before giving a statement to the insurance company, but this is not fatally damaging. Yes, you should hire an attorney. The following link, while written with brain and spinal cord injury survivors in mind, contains some good general advice about hiring an attorney that is applicable to your situation. Let me know if I can provide any other assistance.

It is always possible to damage your personal injury case when you deal directly with the insurance company without first consulting with an attorney. Insurance companies take recorded statements in order to use them against you. It is never to your advantage to give one. Additionally, as Mr. Brinkmeier has stated, the property damage check or release could contain wording that may damage your case. You should consult with an attorney right away.

Steven I. Goldman
GOLDMAN & ASSOCIATES
The Equitable Bldg. - Suite 2020
100 Peachtree Street, N.W.
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 577-9555
(404) 577-9556 (fax)
Steve@GoldmanLawAtlanta.com
www.GoldmanLawAtlanta.com

Since I don't know the contents of the statement or other details, I can't say how much you could have hurt your case, but, it is real critical to see a lawyer as soon as possible to minimize the damage and determine if you have a good case. Feel free to call me if my office could assist you.

As I am not licensed in your state, I can only give you general information. I would suggest that you contact a personal injury attorney in your area and see whether or not the attorney is in a position to undertake your representation. Generally I never permit a client to give any statement to the adverse insurance carrier pre-suit. They will always try to use the statement against you at some later time. However, that is water under the bridge at this point. You do have a right to a copy of the statement, which I am sure they probably have not provided to you. I would suggest you retain an attorney and have the attorney request a copy for you.

In the interim, if you have not already done so, you should take photographs of your damaged car and clear photographs of any of your injuries, such as the surgical scar from the ORIF. Remember, the insurance carrier is not your friend nor your good neighbor. The sole goal of an insurance company is to pay you nothing or as little as possible on your claim.

I would recommend you hire an attorney as soon as possible.

The car my 17 yr old daughter was driving was hit by another car (pulled out onto the main rd). The ticket was strong-detailed it being the other persons' fault. Emergency room right after, ...burn on her arm from airbag, stiff neck, sore, etc. Headaches real bad--possible post concussion--headaches are gone. The day after accident she started experiencing 'heart flutters'....Within a couple of days she was in ER diagnosed with 'PVC's' ...Due to 'stress'...They were strong and consistent. By week's end--they were gone. Had no PVC's since that time. Diagnosis: Resulted from Accident -- due to stress/fear brought on by it. Scar on forearm from airbag. What is case worth? Please help.