Legal Question in Personal Injury in Texas

Rearended and his ins. only pays 20k

I was reaerended 12/6/2004 by a person who had been drinking.My med bills or 60k over what his ins. policy covers.My lawyer doesnt want to file a suit against him or the company he is working for.He was in a company vehichle at the time.1st question is who do i have to sue to get the med bills reimbursed and for pain and suffering.And the 2nd ? can i change lawyers since mine is doing nothing to help out at all.I had to proivide public records on the guy and the lawyer has not even returned my calls in 3 weeks.


Asked on 10/31/05, 3:53 pm

3 Answers from Attorneys

Dan Street Street Law Firm

Re: Rearended and his ins. only pays 20k

When an employee is driving a company car, the company insurance policy on that car is "primary" and should pay first. Any policy on the driver would be "secondary" and would pay after the primary policy is exhausted. Also, if the employee is "in the course and scope" of his employment at the time of the accident, his employer may be liable for his negligence. This could possibly invoke a very large liability policy and could also subject the company assets to exposure in your lawsuit. As to changing lawyers, I always advise clients to first make an appointment with their lawyer, express your concerns and wishes, and give their lawyer an opportunity to correct whatever problems have come between you and him (or her). Many times disagreements can be resolved by straightforward communication. If you cannot resolve your differences, you do have the legal right to change attorneys. Ask to be released from your contract. If your lawyer refuses, demand a copy of your file. (An attorney by law cannot refuse to give you a copy of your file at no cost to you.) Then you can take your file to another attorney. Your new attorney will come to an agreement with your previous attorney regarding attorney's fees. You will only have to pay one attorney. Your new attorney will split the fee with your old attorney. I wish you the best of luck in your case. If you cannot resolve your differences with your current attorney, I would be happy to help you with your case.

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Answered on 10/31/05, 11:20 pm
James Grissom Law Office of James P. Grissom

Re: Rearended and his ins. only pays 20k

if his company has insurance (and they should have on the vehicle or on him as a driver) then you should be able to collect on both policies. Call me if you wish to discuss your options further.

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Answered on 10/31/05, 3:58 pm
Charles White Charles G. White

Re: Rearended and his ins. only pays 20k

I assume that you already have hired a lawyer and agreed to pay him a contingent fee. You may have ended up with a lawyer who is a "settlor only." If he will not heed your immediate request to file suit, you first should request a mutual termination of representation. If he also refuses to do that, you may want to contact the state bar association to file a grievance. He cannot refuse to represent you in a proper way, and at the same time refuse to release from you the employment agreement. What you have described seems like a good case with more than minimal liability coverage, and that diligent lawyers would be climbing all over themselves to represent you.

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Answered on 10/31/05, 5:47 pm


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