I just think this is disgusting...

[iwrbnd]

About a month ago my son was in a car accident. Since then everyone has been getting phone calls and letters from lawyers trying to get them to sue. Maybe it's the American way but I just think it's disgusting. Sorry but I just had to get that off my chest!

It's one thing to be wronged and have the right to sue but it's another thing to be talked into it. One lawyer said "You know you can sue them and get a lot of money." That just makes me sad.

The letters say they got the info from public police records. I guess the rumor about "ambulance chasing" is true.

Makes me never want to drive again!

 

[TnTsParty]

This is nothing new - they have been doing it forever it seems. Some people have no morals and will "chase" ambulances

 

[Darsa]

I couldn't agree with you more... and I work with lawyers and my paycheck is generated by them!

The whole entitlement thing really bugs the heck outta me; "it doesn't matter whose fault it is, as long as I get some money out of it" is also something that raises my blood pressure.

I've spoken with several people looking for attorneys because they were three sheets to the wind, tripped on their way out of the bar TO GO TO THEIR CAR, and want to sue the bar. My thoughts: "Uh, scuze me, but since when do people over 21 require a babysitter by law? You *DO* have a brain in your head, no matter how hard you make it to believe that, you really should learn to use it"... but of course I never say this stuff; I just send 'em along to a lawyer.

 

[Jennasis]

I got them the day after I got a speeding ticket. That's what those lawyers do. They head to the police station, ask for the public records of the days arrests/accidents/citations and then send out form letters hoping to snag a needy client. Just toss 'em and ignore them.

 

[Huggles]

About a month ago my son was in a car accident. Since then everyone has been getting phone calls and letters from lawyers trying to get them to sue. Maybe it's the American way but I just think it's disgusting. Sorry but I just had to get that off my chest!

It's one thing to be wronged and have the right to sue but it's another thing to be talked into it. One lawyer said "You know you can sue them and get a lot of money." That just makes me sad.

The letters say they got the info from public police records. I guess the rumor about "ambulance chasing" is true.

Makes me never want to drive again!

Unfortunately some people see it as a way to get lots of money and never have to work hard again ( usually tho' I believe the lawyers are the ones who come off best). They don't think about how their pursuit of 'easy' money means that premiums will go up for the rest of us to cover all these compensation cases. Also, because the premiums go up, a lot of other drivers decide to drive uninsured which causes even more problems for those hit by the uninsured drivers.

You know, I get really fed up paying through the nose for things just because I follow the law.

 

[allison443]

About a month ago my son was in a car accident. Since then everyone has been getting phone calls and letters from lawyers trying to get them to sue. Maybe it's the American way but I just think it's disgusting. Sorry but I just had to get that off my chest!

It's one thing to be wronged and have the right to sue but it's another thing to be talked into it. One lawyer said "You know you can sue them and get a lot of money." That just makes me sad.

The letters say they got the info from public police records. I guess the rumor about "ambulance chasing" is true.

Makes me never want to drive again!

Attorney advertising (which is what these letters fall under) is regulated on a state by state basis. I know my state and the other state I lived in do not allow phone calls. That would be very annoying! The letters, just throw them out. I do know people that have gotten letters after receiving a traffic ticket, and some of them ended up using a local lawyer they got letters from, so I guess they work to some extent.

However, I remember you posting about your son's accident. Wasn't one of his passengers airlifted to a hospital for treatment of his injuries? Hopefully everyone was okay, but if someone sues you, try not to worry too much, you have insurance, that's what you paid premiums for all these years!

I know it is stressful (for me anyway) having teen drivers. I recommend an umbrella policy!

 

[iwrbnd]

I'm glad I'm not the only one that feels this way! And I have to say everyone has been throwing the letters away. So, I guess not all Americans are "sue happy"!

 

[amez]

The same thing happened earlier this year to us. The school bus my kids were riding on rear ended a car-A lawyer sent us a letter by the end of the week asking if we wanted to sue. I was furious that some stranger was able to get my young children's names and address.

 

[cabanafrau]

Unfortunately some people see it as a way to get lots of money and never have to work hard again ( usually tho' I believe the lawyers are the ones who come off best). They don't think about how their pursuit of 'easy' money means that premiums will go up for the rest of us to cover all these compensation cases. Also, because the premiums go up, a lot of other drivers decide to drive uninsured which causes even more problems for those hit by the uninsured drivers.

You know, I get really fed up paying through the nose for things just because I follow the law.

Not to be nit-picky, but you are incorrect when you state "usually the lawyers come out best".

The lawyers ALWAYS come out best. Just did a settlement yesterday in which someone was seriously & permanently injured in an accident, will never work again. He received what you might think is a hefty, six-figure settlement, approx. 1/4 million. Then you realize he's a middle-aged man who is healthy except for injuries, which will not shorten his lifespan. He needs daily assistance and care, which can be provided by family, thank goodness. However, that means they lose work-time, but they can be compensated out of the settlement.

Oh, forgot the cherry on the sundae -- attys got just under half the settlement to cover their fees. Made me very sad to realize this man is okay for the very short-term. Then what?

 

[allison443]

Not to be nit-picky, but you are incorrect when you state "usually the lawyers come out best".

The lawyers ALWAYS come out best. Just did a settlement yesterday in which someone was seriously & permanently injured in an accident, will never work again. He received what you might think is a hefty, six-figure settlement, approx. 1/4 million. Then you realize he's a middle-aged man who is healthy except for injuries, which will not shorten his lifespan. He needs daily assistance and care, which can be provided by family, thank goodness. However, that means they lose work-time, but they can be compensated out of the settlement.

Oh, forgot the cherry on the sundae -- attys got just under half the settlement to cover their fees. Made me very sad to realize this man is okay for the very short-term. Then what?

$250,000 is a terribly inadequate settlement for a person who can never work again and has a normal life expectancy. Perhaps there were factors in that particular case such as questionable liability, limited funds available for settlement, etc?

That said, I though lawyers' fees were generally limited to 1/3. That is the fee part. Did the "almost half" include reimbursement for expenses, and possibly a medical lien? If that's just fees that seems high.

 

[Robinrs]

I was in a 5 car accident some years ago and a lawyer jumped out of his car on the expressway, handed me his card and his phone and said "Call Me! You were CREAMED!"

 

[iwrbnd]

Attorney advertising (which is what these letters fall under) is regulated on a state by state basis. I know my state and the other state I lived in do not allow phone calls. That would be very annoying! The letters, just throw them out. I do know people that have gotten letters after receiving a traffic ticket, and some of them ended up using a local lawyer they got letters from, so I guess they work to some extent.

However, I remember you posting about your son's accident. Wasn't one of his passengers airlifted to a hospital for treatment of his injuries? Hopefully everyone was okay, but if someone sues you, try not to worry too much, you have insurance, that's what you paid premiums for all these years!

I know it is stressful (for me anyway) having teen drivers. I recommend an umbrella policy!

Yes, one child was air-lifted to the hospital. He had a bruised lung and a broken arm. It could have been much worse and we are all thankful he's okay. He's the only one that was hurt and the only one that didn't have his seatbelt on. We're fortunate because nobody is sueing us. Our insurance is paying for everybody's medical (the other kids had cautionary scans and x-rays). And we do have umbrella insurance, it's the only way I can sleep at night!

I'm glad we have the right to sue, I just wish people would use more common sense on when it's appropriate! Do other countries have this problem?

 

[bdoyledimou]

Back in 2001, my mother had a 23 year old woman JUMP IN FRONT OF HER CAR while holding her baby.

My mother was driving slow (about 15 MPH due to the weather) and was able to slow down even further but still hit the woman.

Baby was fine, the woman ended up with a broken hip.

the woman was diagnosed with PPD (Post Partum Depression) and my mother was cleared of any criminal negligence, but the woman sued her 6 months later for TEN MILLION DOLLARS!!!!!

The woman claimed that due to the pain of the broken hip, she became a witch (with a capitol B) and her boyfriend left her (and the baby). Since he was "soon to be a famous rap star" she figured that she had lost his income, and now my mom had to pay.

It actually went through the courts for 8 years! (the woman kept firing her lawyers when they told her to get a grip on reality) and finally last year it was all over and done with... with the woman being fined $2500 and my mom being off scott free.

 

[Kurby]

we live in Canada and suing is just not done here.


well it is but really only if it's major major like death and not nearly to the extend as the US


it's amazing that people slip and sue, crash and sue, break a nail and sue.

i know you guys have the right to sue over everything but surely there should be some kind of punishment for wasting the courts time if you bring a frivolous case to court that just gets thrown out.

not saying your son's accident is in that category but shouldn't that be your choice not having it shoved down your throat.

we see commercials all the time - hurt in a car call..... neighbour's music too loud call..... kids down the block egged your house call.....

 

[cabanafrau]

$250,000 is a terribly inadequate settlement for a person who can never work again and has a normal life expectancy. Perhaps there were factors in that particular case such as questionable liability, limited funds available for settlement, etc?

That said, I though lawyers' fees were generally limited to 1/3. That is the fee part. Did the "almost half" include reimbursement for expenses, and possibly a medical lien? If that's just fees that seems high.

Incredibly inadequate, yes. Entirely the norm, absolutely. There were no mitigating factors diminishing the Plaintiff's damages(speeding, drinking, recklessness, etc.) -- except for the four, count them, four insurance companies involved. Yes indeed, the lawyers take was nearly 50-percent. Expenses & other charges will be applied to the Plaintiff's award. Hard to believe, but 100-percent true.

It's hard to see this going on, but it's much, much worse when dealing w/ those who are completely incapacitated, tube-fed, etc. & the insurance companies start kicking & whining about this or that being necessary expenses. I don't know how those who make those decisions look at themselves in the mirror or sleep at night.

 

[SandrA9810]

I don't get why lawyers can make police problems go away. If I get a 150$ speeding ticket, why do I want to pay out the nose for some lawyer to take it away. It's my own stupid fault for getting the ticket, it's my own responsibility for paying it.

I know some one now that got a DUI. And he's going the whole lawyer thing, paying out the nose for it. Just so he can get a lesser sentence. The worst part of it all, he actually made it home that night before going back out and getting himself arrested. And yet he doesn't want to take the responsibility for what he did. Thankfully there was no accident.

 

[Kurby]

and there in lies the problem

why should a drunk driver (caused an accident or not) be able to plead to a lesser charge?

do avoid court costs with a trial? so they'd rather let a drunk driver off with a slap on the wrist to do it again because why not they weren't punished.

oh 2 months no licence - 6 months - 12 months big deal.

the fact that they didn't cause a major accident or kill someone is just pure luck nothing more

if they didn't allow pleading to certain cases there wouldn't be lengthy trials and huge lawyer fees.

it's not like it was driving drunk was an accident it was

 

[kaytieeldr]

The letters say they got the info from public police records. I guess the rumor about "ambulance chasing" is true.

Really? Because the one at-fault accident I had, we both had the same insurance company. Dented bumpers only, late afternoon, no police. I called the insurance company the next day to report it, I asked if I needed to file a police report and was told no... and I STILL got those lawyer letters!

I don't have the slightest idea what they were going to do for me. Waiting in line at a stop sign, I was sure the car in front of me had proceeded, so I stopped watching it and started looking for a break in the traffic so I could go. Oops. She was still there. What's a personal injury lawyer going to do for me, especially with no inju... oh, wait. I have this tightness in my torso, it's been almost a month and a half now... anybody think I can blame it on a two year old accident? Get me a lawyer - quick!

 

[kaytieeldr]

it's not like it was driving drunk was an accident it was

In today's philosophy of 'not my fault', of COURSE it was an accident. "I didn't realize I was driving, your Honor"

My favorite non-story is the time my ex and I left a bar in my car with, naturally, me driving. There were several police cars in the parking lot - it was close to closing time - and one followed us all the way to the town border. Poor, poor police officers unable to make an arrest. I don't drink. Well, except on vacation . I most definitely don't drive and drink!

 

[Jennasis]

In today's philosophy of 'not my fault', of COURSE it was an accident. "I didn't realize I was driving, your Honor"

My favorite non-story is the time my ex and I left a bar in my car with, naturally, me driving. There were several police cars in the parking lot - it was close to closing time - and one followed us all the way to the town border. Poor, poor police officers unable to make an arrest. I don't drink. Well, except on vacation . I most definitely don't drive and drink!

Happened to me once too. They pulled me over and I was laughing at them that they pulled over the only non-drinker in the bar, and if they waited just a few more minutes they'd be able to nab some one who was drinking. They were annoyed at me.