Part 2 of a 4 Part Series
How do you know who to retain? How do you not get run over by an Attorney and the Insurance Company? Most importantly, you have to understand that NATIONWIDE IS NOT ON YOUR SIDE; YOU ARE NOT IN GOOD HANDS and YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBOR WILL NOT GIVE YOU A PIECE OF THE ROCK.
Many lawyers are cautious when accepting an injury case, even when the victim has been hurt by someone else’s negligence, but has been talking to the insurance adjuster. That is because your lawyer will never know what was said, or what the adjuster THOUGHT s/he heard the V say.
Silence is Golden! I had a case with one of my best friends from Palm Desert, who went to his local doctor, rather than one I suggested. The nurse, when reading the doctor’s notes, thought it said he fell from a horse and hit his head. The doctor would not change his report and he said he would have to testify my client fell from a horse.
Accident cases are prime targets for manipulation and conjecture. How does a lawyer show that his client, who’s been in an accident, can’t do their job properly, and thus deserves thousands of dollars in compensation? Until now, lawyers have relied on doctors to observe someone for half an hour or so and give their, sometimes-biased opinion. Soon, they might also tap the wealth of quantifiable data provided by Fitness Trackers.
A law firm in Calgary is working on the first known personal injury case that will use activity data from a Fitbit to help show the effects of an accident on their client. Wearable devices could become a “black box” for the human body.
Case value depends on “What you ask?” Well, cases have different values for many reasons. Is Liability clear? Are damages computable? Was the treatment consistent after the accident or were there delays or breaks in treatment. Was there a Loss of Earnings? The court’s jurisdiction is also a factor? For instance a case in LA is worth more than a case in Riverside. This is because jury verdicts are higher in LA, probably because of the higher earnings. So a case in Beverly Hills might bring in more money than a case in South Central LA.
Though it may not be clear to all, LA juries are composed of more wealthy and liberal jurors, who do not hold back on verdicts. In addition, it is easier to get medical treatment on a lien in LA than here in the CV. Though not determinative, the more the Meds and Injuries, the more the case is worth. The “likeability” of your client is also a factor. Will the jury like the client? Does s/he have tattoos over their entire body or are they handsome or well known?
Unfortunately, Riverside County is the busiest county in all of California for Trials. The Indio Court is backed up because of COVID and because the Riverside DA will not enter into Plea Bargains/Deals, like they did in past years and criminal takes priority over civil. Thus accident cases trail behind thousands of criminal cases that are congesting the Indio courts.
“DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE OR TEXT AND GET A DUI OR ACCIDENT… CALL A TAXI, LYFT OR UBER….THEY ARE A LOT CHEAPER THAN CALLING ME”
DALE GRIBOW
Representing the Injured and Criminally Accused
“TOP LAWYER” – California’s Prestige Magazine, Palm Springs Life (PI/DUI) 2011-23
“TOP LAWYER” – Inland Empire Magazine
PERFECT 10.0 AVVO Peer Rating
AV RATING (The highest)
5 STAR
“DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE OR TEXT AND GET A DUI OR ACCIDENT… CALL A TAXI, LYFT OR UBER….THEY ARE A LOT CHEAPER THAN CALLING ME”
Ideas for future columns contact Dale Gribow 760-837-7500 or dale@dalegribowlaw.com.
