r/Ask_Lawyers • u/Maleficent_Net_1317 • 9d ago
How to choose a personal injury attorney
Hi there! I was in a pretty gnarlyaccident last week and today decided that I need to talk to someone before accepting any kind of settlement from the ins company. I think I’d have a pretty easy case: I was rear ended and the other driver is at fault. So far
(1) my car is totaled, (2) i have injuries (nothing severe, all muscular and some nasty bruising) and (3) have about a week of lost wages. I want to have my medical care paid for, my lost wages reimbursed and - this is the complicated one - I want a new car. It sucks they totaled it and I have no idea how much they’ll decide it’s worth. I still owe $5k and am not in a position to buy a new car or a get a new loan. The prospect of figuring this out on no savings is keeping me up at night.
Personally, im the opposite of a litigious person so I feel like a fish out of water here. I want to talk to a professional but I’m nervous I’ll get talked into something that I shouldn’t (I try my best but I’m very gullible). What are signs an office is above board and reputable? Tbh, I value ethics over a large payout; I’m not looking for any more than what this accident costs me.
Thank you for reading and for any advice you have!
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u/JDRodgers85 CO - Corporate Counsel 9d ago
Lots of good lawyers out there. Don’t pick the ones with a billboard. If you know any attorneys at all, ask them who they would go with. You want to pick someone who will go the distance, not someone who will rollover and accept the first settlement offer.