Legal Question in Personal Injury in California
About 1 � mo ago I was rear ended while driving home in the carpool lanes w my wife, I saw this lady driving -by herself- behind me for several miles, traffic was stop n go that�s why I noticed her, but speed build up a bit and then stop, which I did, but she didn�t as consequence of the impact my car was pretty damage and I suffer lots of pain to my hip/knee/leg and elbow. I call CHP did my statement and left. I visited a chiropractor I know due to the pain. He recommended an attorney he works with, everything was going well, I started treatment, my insurance Co. declare my car total loss and pay for it�but all of the sudden a paralegal from my attorney�s office call me and said that the received the police report (after 1 1/2mo!) and that it doesn�t look for me. The lady who hit me lied to the cop and he believed her! She said that she was driving on the regular lanes when �someone� hit her from the side causing her to cross into the carpool lanes bumping into me. The cop names it as a hit and run with apparently not fault from her (?) According to the paralegal it will be my word against hers and to make the long story short �I have no case� even though I didn�t do any thing wrong!
is that right?
6 Answers from Attorneys
There are at least two things you can do on this. 1st is have your attorney get photos of the other car and any damage estimates for it. See if the damage confirms her version or yours if her version is confirmed, you next step would be to file a uninsured motorist claim with your own insurance company for the hit and run accident.
Don't you get to talk to the attorney? If not, fire him.
If you got hit from behind in this situation, it is automatically her fault.
Best,
Daniel Bakondi, Esq.
415-450-0424
The Law Office of Daniel Bakondi, APLC
870 Market Street, Suite 1161
San Francisco CA 94102
http://www.danielbakondi.com
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The police report is not admissible at trial for any reason.
My firm handles car accident cases all over the State of California. You may call me for a free consultation at 800-816-1529 x. 1.
My website is located at www.thepersonalinjury.com .
Did you see the police report? If not, write your attorney a letter demanding to see your own police report within the next few days. The police report is part of your files, and you should be able to obtain it, if only to present it to another attorney for a second opinion. I agree with Mr. Kuhn's assessment. Even though the police report may be inadmissible, chances are the lady in the car behind you will testify to the same matters that are contained in the police report. It would be nice if you were able to show that she is not entirely truthful in her version of the events.
As has been stated, you need to look at the police report and photos of the alleged damage to the car that rear ended your car to see if it has recent damage from the "phantom" hit and run vehicle.Why are you only communicating with the attorney's paralegal and not the attorney? I have handled personal injury cases for many years and before that I was a claims person in charge of training all claims reps, supervisors and managers nationwide for one of the largest insurance companies so I know both sides (especially how the insurance carriers evaluate and negotiate).
The rear ending vehicle is usually at fault but that is not always the case, (if it was also rear ended and forced into your car it may have no liabiltiy), but still that rear ending party may just be lying as you suggest. That's why the evidence has to be evaluated. You may have an uninsured motorist claim if the facts turn out that a third car was involved. I would be glad to give a no charge consultation if you are interested. I hope this helps. Bob (818) 222-2433