|
First, sorry to hear about your mom. I hope she's feeling better and isn't in too much pain.
Assuming that the other driver had insurance, you do not need a lawyer at this point. If you haven't already, make contact with that company and tell them the extent of the injuries. Tell them that you're avoiding involving your attorney at this point (do NOT tell them that you don't have one under any circumstances - claims people see it as a potential sign of weakness). Make sure they have a record of the accident. If they don't have a record, contact the other driver to find out why (don't contact them for any other reason at this point).
You'll probably be asked to submit medical bills, etc. to prove the validity of the claim, but honestly, that shouldn't be tough to do from your description of the injuries.
If (and I mean if) the insurance company won't settle or give you what you think is a fair amount, that's when you get an attorney involved. Generally speaking, attorneys do get higher settlement amounts but it comes at a big price. Typically, they ask for 1/3 of whatever they can get for you. In real dollars to you, it would almost certainly mean less money in your mom's pocket at the end of the day. You may find a more scrupulous one who will work for less, but those are few and far between.
Should you decide that hiring an attorney is the best course of action, the best way to find a good one in your area is to ask around. The highest-priced one is not necessarily the best one. If you know of a non-litigating attorney willing to help out, they may be able to steer you in the right direction. The guys that advertise in the paper and on TV are usually out to screw you as much as they are the insurance companies.
If you need any help deciphering any of the insurance jargon or figuring your way through the claims process, let me know. I do liability insurance all day every day.
Good luck!
__________________
"They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - B. Franklin
"There ought to be limits to freedom." - George W. Bush
"We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo
|