Just Go Ahead and Call… August 7, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in Personal Groth.Tags: insurance settlement, property damage, wisconsin personal injury, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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When you are the victim of a motorcycle, car or truck accident and need a vehicle don’t be shy about getting a rental.
I do NOT recommend you give a statement to the at-fault insurance company. I do recommend you get the claim number and telephone number for the at-fault insurance company’s adjuster. Then call Hertz, Enterprise or the local rental company in your area. Tell the rental company you’re the victim of a motor vehicle collision and give them the claim number and ajduster’s telephone number. The rental company will then confirm this info and, more often than not, put you into a rental on the spot.
I almost always handle the property damage settlement for free. I get paid from the bodily injury (pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wage and mileage etc) portion of the claim.
If you call soon after the collision I’ll be happy to guide you in the right direction.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Marinette, Two Rivers, Janesville and Wauwatosa.
P.D. F/U May 7, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in Personal Groth.Tags: auto accident, property damage, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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Just a quick follow-up on my Property Damage post. Keep the at-fault insurance company honest when it come to the estimate for your motor vehicle damage. Take your damaged car to a few different body shops and get estimates. If your car is considered a “total loss” be sure to check out www.carmax.com, www.autotrader.com, www.kbb.com or www.nada.com for comparable values. Look to the “private party” value instead of the “trade in” value. “Trade in” value takes into consideration refinishing etc. and will affect the value.
This info applies to car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents and any other vehicles out there. It never hurts to get a second (or third) opinion.
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Waukesha, Peshtigo, Beloit and Janesville.
No Fee on P.D.? May 6, 2008
Posted by Attorney Jonathan Groth in FAQ Personal Injury, Personal Groth.Tags: attorneys fees, auto accident, motorcycle accident, personal injury, property damage, Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney
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I was asked a few minutes ago about the fees I charge. In general, personal injury lawyers get paid from a “bodily injury” settlement or verdict.
I should explain. Insurance companies deal with two sides of an auto accident/motorcycle accident etc. BI=Bodily Injury and PD=Property Damage.
Personal injury attorney’s fees are based on the recovery obtained for the client. Because it is a percentage of the recovery, the more the attorney recovers for the client the more the attorney gets paid. It’s the reason we’ll try as hard as possible to get as much as the law will allow.
We almost never charge a fee from the PD side of the case. In general, be wary of the law firm that states they take a fee from BI and PD settlements. In my opinion, a personal injury lawyer should take a fee from the property damage settlement only in the most unique and very rare situations.
So, if you are unlucky enough to get into a car accident, motorcycle accident or other personal injury be sure to interview lawyers and ask, “Fee on P.D.?”
Jon Groth is a Wisconsin Personal Injury Attorney handling cases throughout Wisconsin and most recently in Pleasant Prairie, Stevens Point, Minocqua and St. Nazianz.
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