Auto Accidents - To Sue or Not to Sue?

I had been job hunting all day and had one more interview to go to before I was to meet my husband for dinner. I wanted to complete my busy day. So off I went to my next destination.

I got about half way there when I noticed a concrete truck in the oncoming lane in front of me. He swerved into my lane. I figured he had plenty of time to see me and turn back. But as time when on it was clear. I had to do something or get hit head on by him. I swerved as hard as I could away from the truck but it was too late. He hit the entire left side of the S-10 Pickup truck that I was driving. The tires were all flattened, and the bed of the little truck was completely up in the air.

I was knocked out for about 30 seconds. When I came to I knew I was hurt. My jaw was very swollen. I had glass In my eyelids and arms and various bumps and bruises. As well as a broken nose. I also bit the inside of my mouth during impact. The ambulance and my husband arrived shortly there after. The paramedics strapped me to a board and quickly transported me to the hospital.

I remember laying in the emergency room crying. They strapped my neck down, and glass was embedded in my chin under the strap. It was extremely painful. I told my husband it was unfair that this should happen to me and I wondered what to do.? I decided to call a lawyer.

Most people fall into this. You need to only view a local television channel in your area to see non stop commercials about how you need a lawyer for any type of injury. I found out this is not necessarily true. I wish I would have never hired one.

After the accident a friend of my husbands, that was working nearby took photos of the truck. It was my responsibility to get all doctors reports of my injuries. As well as jobs lost because of the accident. I got all this information for my lawyer. Then I was told to wait.

I waited almost a year and finally got back in touch with him. Eventually an offer was made by the concrete trucks Insurance company. It was very low. So I asked my lawyer why?.

After talking with him I realized he had actually down played my injuries. He had not mentioned my broken nose. When I bit the inside of my cheek I had to get oral surgery to correct the problem. That also was not mentioned in the report.

I decided to cut my losses and accept the offer. I really did not feel like I had any other choice, without waiting for another year. I reluctantly also had to pay the lawyer. For basically doing nothing. He down played my injuries and went for the easiest way out. Plenty of lawyers do this.

About six months later my sister-in-law got into a similar accident as mine. She had bumps bruises and glass shards too. She knew what I had been through. So she decided to speak directly with the insurance company. Telling them what happened and about her injuries. After a few days they came back and made her an offer. She received 5000 more dollars then I did. I did a search on my lawyer. I found out he rarely made any court appearances.

I learned some very helpful things going through this experience.

Do not depend on anyone for photos or medical documents concerning your accident. If you are unable to get them yourself, have a friend or relative do it for you. Explain all problems you are having since the accident with your doctor. Make sure you have medical documents as proof. Just in case you do have to go to court.

Talk to the insurance company. Let them make an offer. If you do not think its fair, then go hire a lawyer. You should also keep in mind that if you do have to go to court, it might take years. A quick settlement might be better, if theres only a minimal difference in money, than what you expected.

If you do hire a lawyer you have to search around. Find out as much information as you can about him/her. Does the lawyer have a record of actually going to trial, or does most of his/her cases get settled out of court.? There are plenty of websites that rate lawyers. They list them in your area and specify what they specialize in.

When It comes to an auto accident sadly the question is not if, but when. I never thought such a thing would happen to me, and I wish I knew then what I know now.