Glendale, CA asked in Car Accidents for California

Q: Are there lawyers out there who will take my non-injury property damage case using a contingency fee agreement?

Recently I was part of a 6-car accident. It was a domino-style rear-ending in which I was the 5th car in a line of 6 cars. The 1st car that initiated the rear-endings was clearly at fault. I didn't have collision coverage at the time, and that person's insurance company does not want to pay for the damage to my car and the car I hit in front of me (the 5th and 6th cars). They say that the damage to those two cars was more severe ($12,000) and therefore must have been part of a separate accident. They sent me a denial letter and won't speak to me anymore. The lawyers that I've spoken to said that they don't take cases that don't involve bodily injuries. What's the best route to take if I want legal assistance but don't want to pay a per-hour legal fee?

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2 Lawyer Answers
Dale S. Gribow
Dale S. Gribow
Answered
  • Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Palm Desert, CA
  • Licensed in California

A: more info needed.

possibly not that clear if ins co is denying.

however, they always deny and delay.

if a lawyer handled it on a contingency and collected $12,500 for property damage s/he would take 1/3 and again you would not have enough money to fix the car.

your best bet may be small claims.

Peter N. Munsing
Peter N. Munsing
Answered
  • Personal Injury Lawyer
  • Wyomissing, PA

A: You do it yourself. First, if you have collision go through that and let them have the headaches.

If not,--get damage estimates. Submit them to all vehicles possibly involved. As to those that don't want to talk to you, file a complaint with the insurance commissioner, as most states require companies to promptly and fairly take care of this.

I assume you have the full police report. If not, then get it.

As far as their argument, assuming you have substantial rear end damage, that would dispose of it. How could you have a separate crash and yet have significant rear end damage?

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