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4 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury and Insurance Defense for New York on
Q: Motorcycle accident in NYC bicycle lane; offered insurance settlement less than medical costs.

I was riding my Suzuki motorcycle in a NYC bicycle lane when another driver turned left in front of me, causing an accident. He claimed he couldn’t see me due to two lanes of cars. I suffered multiple fractures in my foot/ankle and had surgery, with medical bills exceeding $25,000. The other... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Feb 19, 2025

I'm sorry about your accident. More information is needed for a meaningful analysis, but it looks like you are currently represented. That would place your attorney in the best position to know the important details of the file needed to make a sound decision. As my colleague correctly... View More

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4 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury and Insurance Defense for New York on
Q: Motorcycle accident in NYC bicycle lane; offered insurance settlement less than medical costs.

I was riding my Suzuki motorcycle in a NYC bicycle lane when another driver turned left in front of me, causing an accident. He claimed he couldn’t see me due to two lanes of cars. I suffered multiple fractures in my foot/ankle and had surgery, with medical bills exceeding $25,000. The other... View More

Stephen Bilkis
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answered on Mar 12, 2025

I'm sorry to hear about the accident and the injuries you’ve sustained. In New York, when you’re involved in an accident, especially one where liability is contested, there are several factors to consider when deciding whether to accept an insurance settlement or pursue a lawsuit. Based on... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents, Products Liability and Insurance Defense for Texas on
Q: Airbags and seatbelts failed in 2022 Subaru Ascent wreck, next steps?

I was involved in a wreck while driving my 2022 Subaru Ascent Onyx Edition. During the accident, the airbags didn't deploy, and the seatbelts failed to lock. I've contacted the manufacturer, and they advised me to inform my insurance company. I would like to know what steps I should take... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Feb 18, 2025

If you were injured, you can file a products liability case, more specifically a “crashworthiness” case against the manufacturer together with a personal injury motor vehicle accident (MVA) case against any other at fault driver. The trier of fact will apportion responsibility for your bodily... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Insurance Defense and Personal Injury for California on
Q: Should I get a lawyer after minor injuries in an Uber accident?

I was riding in an Uber car when it was involved in an accident, resulting in some minor scrapes and bruises. The police were involved, but I didn't provide a statement as I wasn't driving. I didn't seek hospital treatment due to the minor nature of my injuries, and I'm unsure... View More

Patrick William Steinfeld
Patrick William Steinfeld
answered on Feb 17, 2025

On the one hand... if you didn't understand Uber's "communication" you should probably consult with a lawyer. On the other hand... if your injuries are so minor that you didn't seek medical attention, then the value of your claim is minimal. Uber will probably make a... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury and Insurance Defense for Alabama on
Q: Should I hire my own lawyer for Uber accident injuries in Alabama?

I was injured in an Uber accident where I was a passenger. I've talked to Uber and the police about the incident. The Uber driver is hospitalized, and I have undergone a CAT scan for my injuries. Should I hire my own lawyer to handle my case, or will Uber take care of it through their insurance?

Mitchell G. Lattof Jr
Mitchell G. Lattof Jr
answered on Feb 17, 2025

You certainly have the right to handle it yourself through Uber's insurance, however most attorneys would recommend that you at least consult with a lawyer to make sure that your rights are best protected and that you recover everything that you're entitled to for your injuries. There are... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury and Insurance Defense for Alabama on
Q: Should I hire my own lawyer for Uber accident injuries in Alabama?

I was injured in an Uber accident where I was a passenger. I've talked to Uber and the police about the incident. The Uber driver is hospitalized, and I have undergone a CAT scan for my injuries. Should I hire my own lawyer to handle my case, or will Uber take care of it through their insurance?

William Vann Burkett
William Vann Burkett
answered on Feb 17, 2025

You should absolutely consult with a personal injury attorney before proceeding with your claim alone. You should not rely upon Uber or their insurance company to act for your best interest. You should also not rely upon your own insurance company to act for your best interest. Personal injury... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Insurance Defense for New York on
Q: My insurance claim was denied by at fault not sure what I should do

She slammed her door onto my passenger door leaving a dent/scratch the dashcam could not capture her doing that just the sound but it did get video of her pulling in and out of the spot next to me I took pictures of my door and the edge of her door where you can see a little bit of my white paint... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Feb 14, 2025

I'm sorry this happened to you. One option is pursuing it in court; another (depending on your coverage) could be handling through your own carrier as a first-party claim. Although your account of events is credible, it looks like the carrier recognizes the difficulty in proving the claim and... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Insurance Defense for New York on
Q: My insurance claim was denied by at fault not sure what I should do

She slammed her door onto my passenger door leaving a dent/scratch the dashcam could not capture her doing that just the sound but it did get video of her pulling in and out of the spot next to me I took pictures of my door and the edge of her door where you can see a little bit of my white paint... View More

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Feb 14, 2025

Really depends on what type of insurance coverage you have. As my colleague correctly advised, if you have collision coverage, you could file a claim with your own carrier. Absent such coverage, however, your only other option would be to bring a lawsuit against the owner / operator of the other... View More

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5 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury and Insurance Defense for California on
Q: Should I give a statement to other driver's insurer after a rear-end accident?

I was rear-ended about a week ago on I-5 during a traffic jam, which resulted in back pain. I have received medication and might need therapy, according to my doctor. The other driver's insurance company contacted me to give a statement about the accident. Should I provide the statement to them?

Adam  Kocaj
Adam Kocaj pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 13, 2025

No, you should not give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company without speaking to an attorney first. Insurance adjusters may use your words against you to reduce or deny your claim. Instead, you can provide basic information (date, location of the accident) but avoid... View More

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5 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Personal Injury and Insurance Defense for California on
Q: Should I give a statement to other driver's insurer after a rear-end accident?

I was rear-ended about a week ago on I-5 during a traffic jam, which resulted in back pain. I have received medication and might need therapy, according to my doctor. The other driver's insurance company contacted me to give a statement about the accident. Should I provide the statement to them?

Samer  Habbas
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Samer Habbas pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Feb 13, 2025

It’s generally not advisable to give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company without first consulting an attorney. Insurance adjusters often look for ways to minimize their company’s liability and may use your words against you to reduce or deny your claim.

If you...
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2 Answers | Asked in Insurance Defense and Wrongful Death for California on
Q: Can a different insurance company take the amount I received from the at failt drivers ins. Out of the settlement

My parents died in an accident we were in abs their insurance wants to take the settlement amount I received from the at fault driver out of their settlement they are saying the driver was underinsured that’s why. It is for a wrongful death settlement they said it’s the law they have to take... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Feb 11, 2025

If you have a wrongful death case, and you don't have an attorney, you are being foolish. If you have an attorney, ask him this question. If you are making a claim against your parents underinsured motorist coverage, then yes, amounts paid by the at fault driver's insurance are... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith, Insurance Defense, Products Liability and Small Claims for California on
Q: I am inquiring about an attorney that practices with Insurance for vehicles. Possibly a pro bono or sliding scale

I was involved in an accident last year and I was not at fault. I have a police report and have notified the other party's insurance however they have not been helpful. I have called and left multiple messages but it's almost a year and I have not received no call in return. Since the... View More

William John Light
William John Light
answered on Jan 26, 2025

The insurance company for the other driver owes you nothing until you get a judgment against its insured. If your car was damaged, get estimates for repair and for rental car during the period of repair. You can also contact a car appraiser to get an estimate of the diminution in value to the the... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Insurance Defense for Massachusetts on
Q: Good morning I was in a car accident, i did not sustain much physical damage, Yet I was not able to use the bathroom.

For about a week and when I decided to go and give it a push It was painful and I started bleeding, mind you I do not have any prior problems healthy all around, that lasted for about 5 months I had a terrible pcp and I had to see another DR, the first did not help, my lawyer told me that it's... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jan 15, 2025

A Massachusetts attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for a week. I'm sorry about your accident and the ordeal it has caused you. As far as those things you added to the car, PD adjusters do not always consider them. That would be the adjuster's call and the... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith, Insurance Defense, Personal Injury and Traffic Tickets for New York on
Q: More than 1 year later I get a Hereby summoned by hit a pedestrian, Should I report to my insurance or get a lawyer too

A pedestrian crossed the street several feet away from the crosswalk during a heavy rain, I called 911 but the pedestrian wanted to leave and I didn't let him and I told him he had to wait because I called for attention, the firefighters arrived and asked him if he felt anything, he said no... View More

Jonathan R. Ratchik
Jonathan R. Ratchik
answered on Jan 6, 2025

As my colleague correctly advised, report this matter to the insurance company you had at the time of the incident. It will perform its own investigation of the occurrence, assign counsel to defend you in the lawsuit and pay any judgment entered against you up to the limits of your liability... View More

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3 Answers | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith, Insurance Defense, Personal Injury and Traffic Tickets for New York on
Q: More than 1 year later I get a Hereby summoned by hit a pedestrian, Should I report to my insurance or get a lawyer too

A pedestrian crossed the street several feet away from the crosswalk during a heavy rain, I called 911 but the pedestrian wanted to leave and I didn't let him and I told him he had to wait because I called for attention, the firefighters arrived and asked him if he felt anything, he said no... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jan 5, 2025

You should let your insurance carrier handle the response. Make a copy of the summons and complaint and give the original to the insurance carrier with whom you had a policy in effect at the time of the accident. Do this immediately, as there is a short time window in which to respond. Keep a copy... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury, Agricultural Law and Insurance Defense for Texas on
Q: I live on a 3000 acre "Ranch Themed Community" in Kerrville Tx. The ranch assets are collectively owned by the residents

One asset is a horse trail riding operation which has been run on the ranch for 5 decades. The recent HOA board of directors has placed a moratorium on trail rides contending an equine liability / injury lawsuit judgment could be collectively enforced against all the residents of the ranch. The... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Dec 26, 2024

Ordinarily, to the extent any judgment isn't covered by insurance, it would be satisfied from assets of the HOA. If an HOA does not have the funds to cover a debt or judgment, the HOA typically would then make a special assessment against its members to pay the debt or judgment.

Mind...
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1 Answer | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith, Insurance Defense and Contracts for New York on
Q: Can I do anything about an agent at my car insurance company lying about coverage?

When I renewed my car insurance policy, I was told that some optional add-ons were not optional and I had to accept. I found out a day later that she lied and it was not true. Now the company is saying it can be fixed by the agent but they're making it EXTREMELY difficult. I'm on my 6th... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Dec 8, 2024

This looks like something that could be remedied without attorneys. You could try to continue to work with their customer service to get the options you want. If the first person you spoke with was inexperienced and provided incorrect information, it's possible you may have to pay whatever... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Car Accidents, Traffic Tickets and Insurance Defense for California on
Q: How much trouble am i in for falling asleep while diving, running a red light and causing a collision?

No one was hurt although the minivan spun several times it had to be towed away. It was a family on vacation and the minivan belongs to a rental company. I have no information from them and don't know what do I do? Also my car is a salvage title with no insurance and no registration but I do... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 23, 2024

It could depend on how aggressively the other side's attorney and authorities want to press those issues. If the other side chooses to bring a case, it could depend on how it would be handled. Some plaintiff attorneys assess an accident case in a matter-of-fact approach, seeing it solely in... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Insurance Bad Faith and Insurance Defense for California on
Q: My grandma purchased from national life in 1986. She’s paid twice what the policy is worth. Should she still be paying?

She feels like she has been completely miss lead. We already filled a complaint with the department of insurance and are waiting for them to investigate.

Adam Stoddard
Adam Stoddard
answered on Nov 15, 2024

It really depends on what the insurance policy and terms say. Your grandma's relationship with National Life is contractual. If she is paying a monthly or annual premium to keep the policy active, if she stops paying, she may no longer be able to receive the benefits of the policy. You should... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Car Accidents and Insurance Defense for Colorado on
Q: I was in a car accident and my insurance had lapsed and I had no knowledge of it due to mail not being received.

Other person filed claim. Should I try to settle this with the person directly before getting a lawyer?

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Nov 1, 2024

A Colorado attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. Your question about involving an attorney - it's an individual decision. If your matter involves only moderate property damage, there are no injuries, and you and the other side agree on fault, you could save... View More

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