What kind of lawyer do I need? (2 Viewers)

[Senor Schmutzig]

My son was in an accident a few months ago and rear-ended a pickup truck at an intersection going 10-15 mph. No damage to the truck, the guy already had a brace on his wrist.

We just got a letter from our insurance company indicating that the victim is requesting the maximum amount allowed by our liability policy ($50k/person). The insurance company is handling it, for now, but in their letter they mention that we could (should?) consult our personal attorney if we would like. I don’t have a personal attorney and wouldn’t necessarily know how to find one other than just picking up the phone and calling some. What type of attorneys are out there that would help in this case? A personal injury defense attorney or insurance coverage attorney, because that’s what AI told me? Do I even need to lawyer up at this point or let the insurance company (State Farm) deal with it for now?

I won’t get into the particulars, but I’m calling BS on his guy and his ridiculous request for $50k.

 

[The Z Machine]

Not a lawyer.

I would wait until there's some sort of legal action that state farm isn't handling. Until then there's not much that an attorney can do IMO.

 

[Idiot Boxer]

You would need a PI defense attorney, if it comes to that.

The amount of damage you describe shouldn't exceed your coverage here, but what they're referencing is in the event they go after you for any excess recovery. I wouldn't contact a lawyer just yet, but I'd try to keep close tabs on the progress through your insurer.

 

[SaintsInDome2006]

My son was in an accident a few months ago and rear-ended a pickup truck at an intersection going 10-15 mph. No damage to the truck, the guy already had a brace on his wrist.

Seriously, I’d ask a friend. Find a solo practitioner who will give you a free consultation or a cheap one (<$100). Ask people you like & trust, even if it’s someone who did a will or something like that. Avoid personal injury lawyers (in this situation), you’re in a defense posture. You just need someone to stand in front in case they blame your son (& IMO the insurer will take care of it all). Good luck, be positive, it’ll probably be fine, this is why you pay for insurance.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

My son was in an accident a few months ago and rear-ended a pickup truck at an intersection going 10-15 mph. No damage to the truck, the guy already had a brace on his wrist.

We just got a letter from our insurance company indicating that the victim is requesting the maximum amount allowed by our liability policy ($50k/person). The insurance company is handling it, for now, but in their letter they mention that we could (should?) consult our personal attorney if we would like. I don’t have a personal attorney and wouldn’t necessarily know how to find one other than just picking up the phone and calling some. What type of attorneys are out there that would help in this case? A personal injury defense attorney or insurance coverage attorney, because that’s what AI told me? Do I even need to lawyer up at this point or let the insurance company (State Farm) deal with it for now?

I won’t get into the particulars, but I’m calling BS on his guy and his ridiculous request for $50k.

Your insurance company will have a lawyer represent you - the other party is really suing your insurance company through you.

 

[Zow]

You would need a PI defense attorney, if it comes to that.

The amount of damage you describe shouldn't exceed your coverage here, but what they're referencing is in the event they go after you for any excess recovery. I wouldn't contact a lawyer just yet, but I'd try to keep close tabs on the progress through your insurer.

This.

 

[titusbramble]

Your insurance should handle this for you

 

[Brunell4MVP]

My son was in an accident a few months ago and rear-ended a pickup truck at an intersection going 10-15 mph. No damage to the truck, the guy already had a brace on his wrist.

We just got a letter from our insurance company indicating that the victim is requesting the maximum amount allowed by our liability policy ($50k/person). The insurance company is handling it, for now, but in their letter they mention that we could (should?) consult our personal attorney if we would like. I don’t have a personal attorney and wouldn’t necessarily know how to find one other than just picking up the phone and calling some. What type of attorneys are out there that would help in this case? A personal injury defense attorney or insurance coverage attorney, because that’s what AI told me? Do I even need to lawyer up at this point or let the insurance company (State Farm) deal with it for now?

I won’t get into the particulars, but I’m calling BS on his guy and his ridiculous request for $50k.

I'm no lawyer expert. But I did have a sit down with my insurance agent last week about all our policies. She said everyone ALWAYS sues for the maximum personal liability under the policy. ALWAYS. As long as they don't exceed that amount, I'd let the insurance company handle it. They will settle for some amount.

 

[urbanhack]

drive around and look for the billboards with attorneys on them and call the first one.

 

[Senor Schmutzig]

drive around and look for the billboards with attorneys on them and call the first one.

I saw one for a guy named Saul recently. Thoughts?

 

[-fish-]

Your insurance company is just informing you that something in the letter they sent you may be considered legal advice, so they're obligated to advise you to consult personal counsel, since they aren't your attorney and aren't intending to provide you advice. If they settle this thing, you and your son should get a release. If not and it ends up in an actual lawsuit, your insurer should assign counsel to you.

I can't really see why you would need an attorney at this point.

Quite a few of the letters I send end with something like, "Should you have any questions or concerns relating to any of the information provided in this correspondence, I encourage you to consult with independent counsel." That doesn't mean they need it. I'm just making it clear that I don't represent them and I'm not providing them legal advice.

 

[-fish-]

My son was in an accident a few months ago and rear-ended a pickup truck at an intersection going 10-15 mph. No damage to the truck, the guy already had a brace on his wrist.

We just got a letter from our insurance company indicating that the victim is requesting the maximum amount allowed by our liability policy ($50k/person). The insurance company is handling it, for now, but in their letter they mention that we could (should?) consult our personal attorney if we would like. I don’t have a personal attorney and wouldn’t necessarily know how to find one other than just picking up the phone and calling some. What type of attorneys are out there that would help in this case? A personal injury defense attorney or insurance coverage attorney, because that’s what AI told me? Do I even need to lawyer up at this point or let the insurance company (State Farm) deal with it for now?

I won’t get into the particulars, but I’m calling BS on his guy and his ridiculous request for $50k.

I'm no lawyer expert. But I did have a sit down with my insurance agent last week about all our policies. She said everyone ALWAYS sues for the maximum personal liability under the policy. ALWAYS. As long as they don't exceed that amount, I'd let the insurance company handle it. They will settle for some amount.

This isn't even close to being true.

 

[fatness]

Not a lawyer.

I would wait until there's some sort of legal action that state farm isn't handling. Until then there's not much that an attorney can do IMO.

I'd follow this advice. My wife was going down a narrow city street awhile back when a motorized bike flew out of a cross alley with a stop sign, slammed into her fender, flew across her hood, landed in the street, and just laid in the street claiming he was injured. He may or may not have been.

We got a letter from an intimidating-sounding lawyer with an intimidating-sounding law firm stating what information they expected us to retain for discovery and stating they were going to need to seize all our electronic devices. She copied the letter to State Farm, who said "don't talk to that lawyer, we'll handle it" and then sent their accident investigator out to the site where they could easily see the guy's story about a 4-way stop was a lie. He had (and ran) a stop sign on the alley. There was no stop sign on the street my wife was on. Less than a week later we got another letter from Intimidator, Esq. saying she was no longer representing the lying bike rider.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

Not a lawyer.

I would wait until there's some sort of legal action that state farm isn't handling. Until then there's not much that an attorney can do IMO.

I'd follow this advice. My wife was going down a narrow city street awhile back when a motorized bike flew out of a cross alley with a stop sign, slammed into her fender, flew across her hood, landed in the street, and just laid in the street claiming he was injured. He may or may not have been.

We got a letter from an intimidating-sounding lawyer with an intimidating-sounding law firm stating what information they expected us to retain for discovery and stating they were going to need to seize all our electronic devices. She copied the letter to State Farm, who said "don't talk to that lawyer, we'll handle it" and then sent their accident investigator out to the site where they could easily see the guy's story about a 4-way stop was a lie. He had (and ran) a stop sign on the alley. There was no stop sign on the street my wife was on. Less than a week later we got another letter from Intimidator, Esq. saying she was no longer representing the lying bike rider.

What goes unaccounted for is the stress that you and the Mrs. had to endure between those letters.

 

[Mister CIA]

drive around and look for the billboards with attorneys on them and call the first one.

I saw one for a guy named Saul recently. Thoughts?

It's all good man.

 

[fatness]

Not a lawyer.

I would wait until there's some sort of legal action that state farm isn't handling. Until then there's not much that an attorney can do IMO.

I'd follow this advice. My wife was going down a narrow city street awhile back when a motorized bike flew out of a cross alley with a stop sign, slammed into her fender, flew across her hood, landed in the street, and just laid in the street claiming he was injured. He may or may not have been.

We got a letter from an intimidating-sounding lawyer with an intimidating-sounding law firm stating what information they expected us to retain for discovery and stating they were going to need to seize all our electronic devices. She copied the letter to State Farm, who said "don't talk to that lawyer, we'll handle it" and then sent their accident investigator out to the site where they could easily see the guy's story about a 4-way stop was a lie. He had (and ran) a stop sign on the alley. There was no stop sign on the street my wife was on. Less than a week later we got another letter from Intimidator, Esq. saying she was no longer representing the lying bike rider.

What goes unaccounted for is the stress that you and the Mrs. had to endure between those letters.

To their credit, State Farm kept her advised and calm more than I could have.