what do u guys think of this car

[DonCorleone 10+ year member]

If maintained properly, like any car they will last, but I know of several people who own auto shops and all of them will vouch that japanese cars will last longer. Now, if you can find an old Benz with a turbo diesel, those cars are built solid, just as long as it doesnt have any issues. That engine will last a long time as well.

I cant argue with that, but with the price of diesel now days youd be eating it later.

 

[fuster 10+ year member]

Hello, 1mtx1:

Those are legitimate questions. Ask your attorney, because I am not licensed in your state and NY may be different than here in WA. As I previously stated, please read carefully the written fee agreement your attorney had you sign. That answers your questions regarding how he/she gets paid and what they will take from your net recovery proceeds. What I stated regarding fee percentage with or without trial is a generalization and your lawyer can take more or less depending on your fee agreement.

I will tell you that here in Washington, if you want to go after parents for the tort committed by a minor, which I assume is the case here, your limit against them is not very much (last I recall, it was $3,000). Traditional law says parents' liability for the wrongful acts of their children is limited. Each state enacts their version of this. Some do not allow any monetary recovery. Of course, this works a hardship on the victim, especially if we are talking about the minor committing a crime against someone, but in such a case the criminal court can order that the minor pay restitution. (you may want to make sure you attend any traffic heaings for this driver and have some input to the prosecutor and/or the court). My guess is that New York probably has some dollar limit, and it may be more generous than our state because tort judgments in New York tend on the average to be higher than in Washington state, especially in certain districts (again, talk to your lawyer).

I would highly recommend that you find out where this person is being prosecuted for the traffic violation and show up for hearings. Prosecutors often rely on the person just admitting they did it and paying a fine; therefore they do not subpoena witnesses. That person could show up on a contested calendar and get the ticket dismissed because the prosecutor has no live witnesses and any statements in the police report by witnesses is rendered heresay and inadmissible. I know this may be time consuming, but you can go to the court and ask them for a copy of the docket of the case, and they will give you a print out of the schedule of hearings (which can, however, be changed, so get updates) and you can also give written notice to the prosecutor that you want to be notified of all hearings.

You can sue for more than the policy limits on the case. You may want to discuss this first with your lawyer. The economics of it may not work out on paper. However, check your insurance policy. I hope you had Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage (everyone reading this should make sure they have this coverage; if not ADD it now). That coverage will pick up anything over what their policy limits do not pay. You must first prove value of your case, and again this must occurr after your medical professionals release you from all treatment.

 

[JimJ 5,000+ posts]

I cant argue with that, but with the price of diesel now days youd be eating it later.

Diesel engines are incredibly flexible, with minor modifications you can burn 100%, filtered vegetable oil //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

If I had a garage and about $2k extra, I'd be getting one of those Merc turbodiesel wagons and running it on waste veggie oil. Costs about $3k in parts to do the conversion.

 

[1rockford1 5,000+ posts]

Fuster thank you i will speak with my lawyer and ask if there is any way to get more. I would be so pissed if i get like 5,000 at the end of this. i might cry or hurt some one

 

[donpisto 5,000+ posts]

I second the suggestion that you buy Certified Pre-Owned from a factory dealer.
Your injury claim will not settle until you are released by all of your treating medical professionals (including physical therapy, etc.). You must reach a point of "maximum medical improvement". That won't be any time soon to get a medical professional to render that opinion. You will first receive the property claim settlement, which should come after both insurance adjusters evaluate the car for repair.

Lawyers cannot guarantee an outcome. I hate it when clients go out shopping for things thinking a number is going to materialize, before all medical care is completed and evaluations are made for present and future medical condition. Don't fixate on that number, you may not get it. (yes, I am an attorney, but I am not going to evaluate your claim for value so don't ask) The attorney is going to take at least 1/3 (more if the case goes to trial or alternative dispute resolution) plus costs. Read your fee agreement carefully. My math on that 25 grand comes out a little different than yours.

Get your car now, don't wait until you are released by your doctors. That will take some time (probably at least a year) before you are released. Once you settle, you waive any further claim for compensation. Buy what you can afford, not what you hope you will get on your personal injury claim. Go to a Honda or Nissan dealer and look at a Certified Pre-Owned Vehicle. May not be glamorous, but you won't be going in the hole trying to keep up with repairs on it.

I'll vouch for this info, not because you are an attorney, but because the lawyers do take a good chunk which usually leaves the client with 25 - 35% of total. It took me a little over a year to get my money as well. I called every few weeks and each time I was told that it's still in process. Basically, since I was getting about 45% of the total, the lawyer wanted to get as much as he could out of it, and I don't blame him.

Speaking on behalf of my administrative experience, when it comes to paperwork, sometimes it gets put on the backburner, and not by choice at times. Even if you are given a certain date, expect it to be a little longer. Also, I wouldn't go looking for a car that needs repairs, you don't know what problems that will cause in the long run and what other issues which are not evident at the time.

 

[donpisto 5,000+ posts]

Also, in regards to your insurance premium, if you are not at fault for the accidents, you do not need to worry. I have been in several myself in my 8 years of driving; two of which were my fault. The first one doesn't count anymore since it was 8 years ago, but my most recent one will. I have been in 2 not at fault accidents within the past 3 years, which is the period my insurance company looks at for both accidents and tickets.

 

[1rockford1 5,000+ posts]

wow thanks guys for your help. im just tryin to get back on the road. I do thank you u guys for your help and lookin out and tellin me whats up with the cars i have posted in here.