If you read my legal column weekly, you know I recommend not getting matching tattoos on a first date, AND, not hiring a TV/Billboard PI Advertising Mill Lawyer. Your future self will thank you later.
Some advertise with slogans and jingles and many aren’t local. After all, you wouldn’t call an advertising brain surgeon, would you? Why would it be different if you needed a lawyer.
The Road To A Successful Result requires:
- Proving someone else was at fault, ie NEGLIGENT.
It also requires you not being partly at fault too. - What are your injuries, ie DAMAGES?
Your damages include your current and future medical bills, costs and Loss of Earnings. Lawyers want you to be hurt and not just negligent free, and of course medical treatment without delays and breaks in treatment. - Does the Defendant have insurance or do you have UM? If the defendant is not able to satisfy the judgment or you don’t have UM, you and your attorney will have devoted a great deal of time, effort, and resources for nothing.
- Is the Plaintiff SALEABLE to the jury?
Will a jury like you and dislike the defendant? Will jurors empathize with your situation? If you are dealing with a “bad” defendant – e.g., a drunk driver or an angry driver with a criminal record – the settlement value of your case rises. Some jurors will not like a witness with tats over his/her body, especially the neck and face. Clients should wear a long sleeve or turtleneck to cover arm and neck tats. Clients should be as courteous as possible within 5 miles of the courthouse, as the person you cut off may be a juror. Open doors and don’t walk on the grass if there is a sign warning you not to do so. If, on the other hand, you are dealing with a “good” defendant – a father who was momentarily distracted by his child in the backseat-then your case is more challenging. - ARE YOUR WITS CREDIBLE?
Your case is only as strong as your evidence, especially non family/friend wits. It is helpful if your treating doctor makes a good witness and knows how to write a good med/legal report. - WHO IS THE INSURANCE COMPANY?
The settlement value of your claim will be higher if you are dealing with a fair insurance company vs more conservative (i.e., tightfisted) carrier that Denies and Delays.
- WILL YOU HAVE TO FILE A LAWSUIT?
Just as some insurance carriers are more conservative than others, jurors in some counties and cities are more conservative than others. For instance, a case in the Indio Court is not worth as much as in the Santa Monica Court, where jury verdicts are higher. Most likely, it is because the people who are covered by that court are wealthier, coming from Beverly Hills, Westwood, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, and Malibu. An Indio Case is not worth as much as most LA Courts, where jury verdicts are higher. Likewise, in a criminal case the court location is crucial. The OJ case should have been filed in Santa Monica but because of recent earthquake damage, it had to be kicked downtown. Obviously, the jury pool was more favorable for OJ there, than Santa Monica. - IS THELAW ON YOUR SIDE?
If your lawyer can point to a case with facts similar to yours with a good result, that helps to increase the value. - HOW LONG AGO WAS YOUR ACCIDENT?
In general, the more time that has passed, the less inclined jurors will be to award significant damages…AND the less likely an attorney will want your case. This is particularly true if your injuries have largely healed and your daily life essentially has returned to normal by the time of the trial. In California, a lawsuit must be filed within 2 years. - WILL THE PLAINTIFF BE HELPFUL AND COOPERATIVE?
Will the client be a nice and cooperative client, or one that causes more aggravation than s/he is worth? Will the client take down their social media and avoid talking to the insurance company and others about the case?
*****5 Star Legal/Philanthropic Career *****
Google & Martindale/Avvo; the most respected national ratings publications for 150 years, conferred the highest PI/DUI ratings possible to DG, reflecting the confidential peer opinions of judges and attorneys. These warranted: 30+ Top Lawyer Awards | 9 Man of the Year | 4 Dale Gribow Days | Top 3 CV Power Couples | Mr. Charity- recognizing dozens of philanthropic awards.
________________________________________________________________________
Cut out this card!
GIVE THIS CARD TO ARRESTING OFFICER WITH LICENSE | REGISTRATION | INSURANCE
Upon the advice of attorney Dale Gribow, I exercise my right to remain silent until you contact him at 760.837.7500 or dale@dalegribowlaw.com. He advises, the VOLUNTARY FIELD SOBRIETY (FST) and BREATH TEST, at the scene, are OPTIONAL (unless one is on probation). Thus, I elect not to take them but want to cooperate and to take a BLOOD TEST.
Remain Silent! It’s not what you said, but what the insurance company/police, THOUGHT YOU SAID. They are NOT on Your Side; You are NOT in Good Hands and Your Friendly Neighbor will NOT give you a Piece of the Rock.
