Many of our clients tell us that they need an early settlement for their personal injury or even for the wrongful death of a loved one. Others say that they want to get the best possible settlement without going to trial.These feelings are understandable, but a personal injury survivor whose primary goal is to avoid the courtroom has little chance of obtaining the recovery that he or she is entitled to receive.
Only when a plaintiff is prepared for trial is an insurance company or major corporation motivated to make a fair offer. That’s why the best recoveries occur “on the courthouse steps”, or in the courtroom, after jury selection, opening statement and our best witnesses have testified.
Our firm has a long and successful record of winning the best recoveries for our clients, and that is because of several factors.
First, we have a reputation for trying hard cases and winning big, like a judgment for $10.1 million for Rasheed Hilson after 15 days of trial. Insurance companies know how to keep score and one of the first things they do is evaluate the quality of lawyer bringing the case.
Second, we are always prepared for trial with state-of-the-art evidence. See our three computer simulations on YouTube for George Liu and Rasheed Hilson: driver’s view at 35 mph, driver’s view at 25 mph and what happens when a child is accelerated from zero to 35 mph.
The case of George Liu shows how fighting for what is right delivered an equitable conclusion in a difficult case of liability to a motorcyclist who had suffered an L-1 paraplegia.
Insurance companies routinely make lowball offers in the hope that an unsophisticated lawyer who does not try cases, i.e. a “settler” as opposed to a “fighter,” will convince a client not to go to trial and settle short.
The gigantic insurance company defending George Liu’s case refused to pay its #$30,000 policy limits and offered nothing until the day before trial, when $1 million was placed on the table. After the jury was selected, opening statements made and four witnesses testified, the offer increased until $4.5 million was accepted
Lowball offers and other bad faith behaviors are so common in the insurance industry that it’s almost impossible for a personal injury victim to get fair treatment without the help of a lawyer. The insurance companies have plenty of lawyers working for them. You should have one working for you.
The way to get the best recovery is to have an experienced personal injury lawyer pushing your case for trial.
Protect yourself by following these common sense first aid directives:
- If you’re injured in an accident, call a lawyer immediately.
- Even if you don’t think you’re injured, have a medical examination. This will give you documentation in case the effects of an injury are not recognized until later.
- Never talk to an insurance adjuster before you talk to a lawyer.
- Never sign anything before you talk to a lawyer.
- Never discuss your injuries with anyone but your physician and tell the whole truth, including all of your symptoms, all the time.
If we can help you, please call us at 1.888.777.1776 or email us.
Delay can result in the permanent loss of rights.
Call for a free and confidential personal injury consultation Monday through Friday 7 am to 9 pm Pacific; Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 9 pm Pacific.
No recovery: no fees, no costs.
Onward,
Richard Alexander
Find more like this: Auto Accident, Insurance Bad Faith, Personal Injury, Wrongful Death
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