Legal Question in Personal Injury in California

I was rear-ended on 7-18-98, while stopped at a traffic light.

I was injured when my car was rear-ended on 7-18-98. Damage to my car was $783.00 for which AAA has paid me. I was hurt but the AAA agent insisted that my injury is minor and that compensation is based upon the amount of property damage. Is that true? I am in treatment for whiplash. I was pernamently disabled with Post-Polio Syndrome prior to the accident and I am concerned about future physical problems. Should I get a lawyer?


Asked on 8/08/98, 9:57 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

John Hayes The John Hayes Law Offices

Re: I was rear-ended

AAA is notorious for trying to get people to settle

for next to nothing. Unless your AAA agent is a

doctor I doubt she or he knows how badly you were

hurt regardless of how little your property damage

was. I suggest you get a lawyer right away. I have

over ten years of experience in personal injury and

I would be happy to talk to you about your case

free of charge. You can contact me at 805-546-9909

or email me at [email protected] and leave your name and

phone number and I will call you at your convenience.

If you do have a preexisting condition that was agravated

by the accident and a doctor will testify to that

fact you have a great case for future medical bills

as well as pain and suffering damages. Just so you know you have only

until 7-18-99 to either settle with AAA or file a lawsuit.

If you don't call me please call someone I don't want

AAA taking advantage of you and leaving you with

medical bills you may already have and possible future

medical bills. You can ask any attorney AAA is only

out to settle for the least amount of money they think

it will take to get you to go away. I hope to hear from you soon.

Good luck if I don't hear from you, but please talk to someone

soon.

Sincerely,

John Hayes, Esq.

John Hayes

The John Hayes Law Offices

P.O. Box 3003


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Answered on 1/18/99, 11:20 pm
Michael Scott Kelly, Jackson & Christianson, LLP

YES! Talk to a lawyer.

You can ALWAYS talk to a lawyer about things like this -- often for free.

Your post is unclear as to whether AAA was YOUR insurer, or the insurer

for the party that rear-ended you. Also, you don't say whether the AAA

representative had you sign anything when you settled

the property damage claim. I wouldn't take the AAA

representative's medical advice on whether you'd suffered

a "minor" injury -- is he/she a doctor? Nor would

I accept his/her advice on your legal rights, either.

Talk to a lawyer.

Michael Scott

Michael P. Scott, Attorney at Law

P.O. Box 1218


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Answered on 12/07/98, 3:01 pm


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