Lawyers don’t mention this because they haven’t been an accident victim, and don’t understand what victims experience. They have not walked in our shoes and tied our laces. You need a lawyer, like me, who has!
With 2024, we have had many holiday accidents from Thanksgiving through New Year’s. This led to an increase of parties, drinking, driving and accidents. Plan now for who you would call if this happens to you. Don’t plan to fail! Plan now for who you would call in an emergency!
When rear ended on the Santa Monica Freeway, on my way to court, I owned a prestigious 30 person PI Firm, widely considered a premier Accident Law Firm in Beverly Hills. I too was ignorant, of some of the things I learned as a victim.
Victims have to deal with tow-yards, body shops and remaining silent with the insurance company. SILENCE is important. It’s not what you say, but what the police/insurance company, THOUGHT you said. If you say something, you are locked into that statement. If your lawyer says it, s/he can say they must have misunderstood what you said.
Post-accident, like me, you wait in the doctor’s office and attend Physical Therapy- 3 times a week for months. What about x-rays and time spent in traffic and parking?
Lawyers have challenges with insurance company’s; getting a traffic accident report; dealing with car rental, repair and loss of wages issues. It’s important to find a competent doctor who knows how to write a Med/Legal Report.
As a teaching/faculty member/lecturer to the International College of Orthopedic Surgeons annual conference, I taught, “How to write a medical/legal report”, provided for the insurance company/court. Often, NOT taught in medical schools many local doctors attended and considered the most important factor in maximizing settlements.
Avoid TV/Billboard advertising lawyers with 800 numbers or numbers that are the same. Many like, Larry Parker and Jacoby and Meyers, are deceased or no longer practicing. Retain a “local” attorney, not some 1-800 no name lawyer from LA who advertises here.
They don’t know the local courts, judges, attorneys, court personnel. Nor do they want to drive from LA, for weeks, to the Indio Court. Insurance company’s “low ball” the out of town lawyer…who settle for little money.
An attorney, who hasn’t been an accident victim, doesn’t understand how the doctor’s advice, not to lift over 5-10 lbs, affects you. Victims consider the psychological effect on the child, who puts theirs arms in the air when they see you. If you don’t pick them up, will that cause psychological harm to the child, let alone you? The weight limitation, also affects your lifting luggage and groceries etc…so no trips or food?
A non-accident victim attorney doesn’t understand the physical/psychological damage, let alone sleep and nightmares encountered. Most don’t understand you don’t have to hit your head for a Traumatic Brain Injury… the most important factor for maximizing settlements.
While driving and hearing horns or brakes screeching, you may tighten your neck and shoulder muscles, afraid you were going to be hit again…as I did for months. Victims regularly look in the rear and side view mirrors, afraid of another accident. As a victim driving to LA courts, I exited the 10 Freeway, onto the stretch of road that parallels around La Brea. I didn’t want to drive on the freeway stretch where I was rear-ended.
Victim’s extra demands/stresses, put one on edge. Arriving home and asked “honey, did you have a good day?”… you too may be abrupt, saying “how the hell could I have had a good day? I’m in pain and I spent hours driving, parking and waiting in the doctor’s office.
You have responsibilities at work and may have to work late to catch up … or make less money. Of course, the insurance company will do everything possible to deny and delay fixing your car and settling. If they fix your car, or give you money, you will be able to get to doctor’s appointment and not lose money from work… that they will have to pay. They pressure you to settle for less now, rather than waiting for the home run.
The stressed out abruptness, with your wife and kids, causes other issues. Sometimes, even divorce, which itself will lead to more stress and financial challenges. There is no end to what one goes through after an auto accident …so retain a Top Tier local lawyer who has walked in your shoes and understands you may need an ortho and psychologist.
________________________________________________________________________
Dale Gribow’s distinguished 5 Star legal/philanthropic career warranted | 30+ Top Lawyer awards| 9 Man of the Year recognitions | 4 Dale Gribow Days |awarded “Mr. Charity”. Dale limits cases and personally answers calls, while maximizing PI recovery and minimizing DUI exposure.
