Q: Why won't my lawyer tell me what my case is worth so I know if I even want him as a lawyer ?
Hired a lawyer two months ago because I was rear ended at a high speed. My passenger was injured as was I. We both had whiplash, I have c4 c5 injury, and torn rotator cuff. She had a concussion. She hired the same lawyer. Anyway, the lawyer will not tell us WHAT OUR CASE IS EVEN WORTH. They keep sending us to sketchy doctors and even sketchier physical therapy sessions. All the while, they still will not tell us what our case is worth. They are just racking up medical bills. I'm afraid the lawyer will take my entire settlement and I need advice. I've tried to ask him and he blows me off and says " no way to tell until after you are MMI". I refuse to accept this answer.
Additional detail - I do not have medical insurance. So the lawyer is working with " TriMed" to get me sent to doctors and PT. Nobody will tell me how much my medical bills are. I even ask the PT place, and they tell me to ask my lawyer because they can't give me my medical records. It's ridiculous!
A:
It sounds like you have serious injuries. The value of your case may depend on the amount of insurance that is available. Over half of drivers in Alabama have no insurance or the bare minimum of $25,000.
Your lawyer is correct that it’s impossible to know the value of a personal injury case early on. First, the lawyer needs to know the extent of your injuries, whether you will need surgery, whether you will make a full recovery, and also how much insurance is available.
If you have concerns, you should tell your lawyer about the concerns. You can always seek a second opinion or find a new lawyer. However, your current attorney may be entitled to an attorney’s lien, so making a decision sooner than later may be wise.
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