There are other lawyers and then there is Brian Wilson. You want Brian.
I was standing next to the obliterated mess of what moments before had been the rear half of a nice car. I'd stopped for a line of traffic ahead, waiting for a car to turn, when a guy driving a large cargo van decided playing with an electronic device was more important than hitting his brakes. Being... hit at 55mph not only ripped the back of my car apart, it shoved my vehicle forward hard enough to smash my car into the pickup truck in front of me. My trunk lid was peeled back like a sardine can and everything I needed for my business trip was out in the January weather. My neck was on fire, I was dazed, and I was trying to call all the necessary people to make sure all my various responsibilities were covered. I don't remember much of the minutes shortly after the impact. I remember the flashing lights of a fire truck and broken glass cutting my hands, being told I'd need to get x-rays, knowing the car was totaled with no idea how I'd replace it. It was a mess.
Somewhere in the midst of all that noise I called my father. And somewhere in that brief conversation after explaining what I knew of what happened and that I was hurt but still needed to get to work to cover my assignments my dad said something that I can't thank him enough for. He said: “You need to call Brian.”
My dad has known Attorney Brian Wilson for several years; they met and struck up a friendship at the Y while working out. In those conversations my dad had come to trust Brian and now, he was telling me I should too. He's never been more right.
I wish I could say that, since the driver who caused the accident admitted his mistake, all the insurance companies involved got in line and paid up and within a month or two everything was back to normal. Instead what followed was several months of pain, missed work, physical therapy, and a bare-knuckle brawl to get the insurance company to pay what was due. It honestly has been one of the most frustrating times in my life, which of course affected the lives of my wife and children.
But there was one bright spot: I had Brian. Brian walked us through everything from my first phone call. He prepared us for what lay ahead... the hounding by the ambulance-chasing lawyers that will promise you the moon and stars, the fight with insurance companies, the importance of documentation, all the medical forms and insurance forms.... it went on and on. But Brian was on top of it. I cannot imagine attempting that process on our own. I would never advise anyone to even consider it. It was brutal.
Brian was patient and understanding with our hundreds of questions and emails and phone calls. He addressed our concerns. He helped us to worry less and focus on taking it day at a time. And when the insurance company tried again and again to give us the runaround, he fought for us with the intensity of a junkyard dog. I would hate to be up against him in negotiations or in court.
Eventually, after lots of back-and-forth with companies who only saw us a number, Brian got us the right deal at the right time. Physical therapy was over. The car was paid for and replaced. And the settlement check came. Brian did that. I can't say enough about this guy. I consider him a friend.
At the end of the day, Brian Wilson helped us, saved us from mistakes and untold grief, fought hard to get us a fair settlement and make the insurance companies make things right. If you're ever standing next to a destroyed car like I was, with fire trucks and flashing lights, hands bloodied from broken glass, pain in your neck and ribs all out-of-sorts from the impact, dazed and wondering what on earth to do next.... get medical attention first. Then call Brian. He'll take good care of you through the whole process. I can attest to that.
Dan Warner
Security Director
Maxwell Investigations
Owner/Operator
Stonebridge Weapons Training