Legal Question in Personal Injury in Georgia
Insurance Company ignores accident victim
In October, 2003, while househunting in Georgia,I was a back seat passenger in a personal auto driven by our real estate agent. There was an accident in which she was not at fault, the other car was ticketed and there were 3 witnesses (I have all info on these witnesses). I was injured and the driver at fault had Progressive Insurance in Georgia (we were here from our home in Las Vegas, because my husband was being transferred to GA in Nov, 2003.) To make a long story short, Progressive Insurance will not return any calls, letters, etc. I was taken by ambulance to the hospital with injuries and I do have medical bills from the incident. I did not want to file a law suit I only wanted a fair settlement from the Insurance company. They purposely did not return calls and letters so the statue of limitations would run out. Now I'm stuck with the bills and this I feel is very unethical. I am a young woman, but disabled and can't afford these bills and it was not my fault. (I was a passenger!) Anything I can do to have this company take care of this matter that is their customer's and their liability?
Thanks for the help.
ML-Atlanta, GA
5 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Insurance Company ignores accident victim
You appear to need a lawyer (and should have done that right away). It may not be too late now. NEVER try to settle direct with any insurer yourself. Insurers often try hard not to pay people who represent themselves, and, even when they do, may pay less than you may get with counsel. You may or may not need to sue, but you need a lawyer.
The statute of limitations in Georgia is two years in most tort cases, so if you're correct on the date, it still is possible to proceed now.
If you wish our office to review your case, call us at 404-768-3509 and we will do an initial consultation for no charge. It will help for us to see you medical bills and the accident report. Our number is 404-768-3509. We have limited hours this week, so if you get our voice mail please leave a message and we'll get back to you. I can't say from your post what can or should be done, but once we sit down with you, we certainly could advise you.
Re: Insurance Company ignores accident victim
FIRST LET ME TELL YOU HOW SORRY I AM TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR UNFORTUNATE SITUATION. NOBODY SHOULD BE TREATED THE WAY YOU HAVE BEEN BY LIBERTY MUTUAL IN THIS MATTER. UNFORTUNATELY LIBERTY MUTUAL DOES CONDUCT ITSELF THIS WAY OFTEN. YOU WILL NOT GET ANYWHERE WITH THAT OUTFIT WITHOUT AN ATTORNEY. THERE IS A TWO YEAR STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS IN GA FOR THIS TYPE OF INCIDENT-- MEANING YOUR CASE MUST BE SETTLED OR A LAWSUIT FILED WITHIN TWO YEARS OF THE INCIDENT OR YOUR CLAIM AGAINST THE DEFENDANT DRIVER AND HIS INSURER(LIBERTY MUTUAL) WILL BE BARRED.I THINK LIBERTY MUTUAL IS TRYING TO STRING THINGS ALONG UNTIL THE STATUTE RUNS- THEN YOU WILL BE OUT OF LUCK.SO YOU NEED TO ACT AS QUICKLY AS YOU CAN TO SECURE THE SERVICES OF AN ATTORNEY WHO KNOWS HOW TO HANDLE THIS TYPE OF CASE. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO OTHER TYPES OF COMPENSATION THAT YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TOLD ABOUT.FIRST A CAREFUL EXAMINATION MUST BE MADE OF YOUR OWN INSURANCE TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY COVERAGES THAT WOULD BE OF HELP SUCH AS MED-PAY OR UM.ALSO DO YOU HAVE A DISABILITY POLICY THAT WOULD PAY IF YOU CANNOT WORK? HOW ABOUT CREDIT DISABILITY INSURANCE WHICH PAYS BILLS (CAR NOTES, HOUSE PAYMENTS,ETC.)WHEN YOU CANNOT WORK? ALSO, HAVE YOU APPLIED FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY? IT SEEMS TO ME YOU NEED SOMEONE WHO KNOWS ABOUT THIS STUFF TO LOOK AT EVERYTHING.
Re: Insurance Company ignores accident victim
I would be happy to discuss your case with you to determine if I can help. My office number is 404.352.3400.
Re: Insurance Company ignores accident victim
There are several insurance companies who use this tactic. The best way to deal with them is to retain an attorney and file suit.
Re: Insurance Company ignores accident victim
About why the insurance company has ignored you, I can only speculate, but this is sometimes the way an insurer will choose to deal with an individual who is representing his or her self.
There are many reasons why you should seek representation. The primary one has to do with the fact that if your disabilities are a result of the collision, your claim is significant.
I would be pleased to review your claim on a no obligation basis. If you elect to have my firm handle your claim, it will be done on a contingency basis.
Please call 770-607-5300.
Jim Hough
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