Legal Question in Personal Injury in Texas

Settlement Concerning Auto Accident

I was rear-ended at an off-ramp, m car was close to being totalled & I got a lawyer. My car was fixed at the expense of the other insurance company. I had back & neck injuries & I had PT, for which I had to use my vacation & sick days. I have 3 young kids so I could've used these days at other times during the year. I am not a money-grabber. I have never had a ticket or a wreck & I've worked since I was 13. My lawyer now wants me to settle for $7144. The breakdown will be: Attorney-$2381; Medical-$2788; Me-$1917. I don't feel that this law firm has done its best for me. I don't think I should be offered a huge amount but I feel like I'm getting ripped off & by my own attorney! My statute will run out 02/04 so I'm getting close to the end of my options. Can you tell me if this settlement offer sounds reasonable? If not, how can I defend myself against my own lawyer & what other options do I have? I would prefer not to go to court & risk being stuck with my medical bills. I was on my way to work, I had my blinker on while at an intersection that is very nasty, & the other driver slammed into me while I was at a complete stop & he was doing appx. 45 mph. Can you please help me? Thank you so much!


Asked on 11/24/03, 10:09 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Dan Street Street Law Firm

Re: Settlement Concerning Auto Accident

It is difficult to adjudge the value of your case accurately without further information, but the raw numbers themselves do not seem to be terribly out of line in these days of "tort reform." However, our firm has a policy of never taking a larger share of a settlement than the client gets, just as a matter of good will. Why don't you suggest to your lawyer that he/she pay the medical bills and then split the remainder with you 50/50? Also, your attorney should be able to get the doctors to reduce their bills significantly, perhaps as much as 50%.

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Answered on 11/24/03, 10:43 pm


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