Is it worth it?????

I was in a car accident 8 months ago in Honolulu Hawai'i. I am 18 years old. Our car hit a stationary tow truck which was parked on a corner in a dark tunnel, we saw the tow truck only before impact as he had no flares or flashing lights. I was thrown from the back seat into the front windsheild and had my forehead split open from the pressure of the impact. I now have a scar that runs from the top of my forehead to the top of my right eye (13cm). I have constant migraines and have cut back on work dramatically because I find it hard to function.

My family keep telling that I should obtain a lawyer and sue the Tow truck companies Insurance agency. I want to do this but my only reservation is that I might end up going through hell dealing with the case and I fear I might end up with only a small amount to pocket for all that I have been through and will go through for the rest of my life.

Do you think it is worth it? How much do you think I can make them payout?

Can you give me an answer?

Depends on what the seat belt laws are in Hawaii and how much of negligence, if any, can be attributed to the person driving.


go see a lawyer because many offer free consultations. it can't hurt to see what you might be facing. [url]www.attorneypages.com[/url]
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I am a law school graduate. What I offer is mere information, not to be construed as forming an attorney client relationship.

[wtd]

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Sounds like you might have something.

You probably should consult a lawyer, most will give a free initial consultation.
A 'face-to-face' would probably put the lawyer in a better position to evaluate the merits of your claim.

wtd
(Nope, I'm not a lawyer)

I have consulted with 2 lawyers and both refuse to tell me how much ( I am only looking for a VERY rough figure) I could settle for or sue for. They say they dont want to give me false hope. They were both rather eager to take the case though so I wondered about that. ( One of the them has sent me papers to sign and called me 3 times since)

One of the lawyers did tell me though that in Hawai'i they cannot hold it against a passenger in a car for not wearing a seatbelt when injured in an accident.

I simply want to know if its worth it because I know what its like to go through a court case and its hell.

First off 95% of cases NEVER EVER go to trial

So your chances are slim to none of that happening.....

What is most likely to happen is it might take 2 3 4 YEARS or more before you see any money becuse courts are clogged with cases it takes time for discovery of documents, and anlysing your injuries and then if the other side is close to losing their insurance etc, they will NOT be in a hurry to settle....

Or the other is they will offer you cash on the spot to go away....yet that will be a low ball amount take it or leave it, and once you agree to a settlemt you wont get anymore no matter how bad your injuries become later on in life.

I don't know much about the laws, but I do know someone who received a minor (1 inch) scar on his face for a silly accident in the parking lot of a convenience store that was his own fault and didn't even involve a vehicle. He wound up with a tidy sum.

My son, on the other hand, was hit on his bike by a car, driver at fault, and got a 1 inch scar on the back of his head...among other minor injuries. He received next to nothing for that scar. The attorney we spoke to said it's not on his face, etc.

I do know that you're stuck with that scar on your face for life (not to mention your headaches, etc) unless you choose cosmetic surgery, which of course would be expensive.

I'd definately persue it. (but that's my humble opinion)

My son was attacked by a dog at age two and received several facial scars. As was mentioned above, most settle and never go to court. It took the better part of a year for a settlement to be reached in or case, however, my only involvement was receiving updates in the mail from my attorney as to the status of things and what offers might be on the table, as well as his advice as to whether or not it was a good offer or one I should accept. Other than that, there were a couple visits to his office and that was all there was to it.

Once all was said and done, I was very pleased with how it all worked out and I would think it would be more than worth it for you to pursue a settlement as well. Just make sure you're real comfortable with your attorney of choice, and sit back and let him/her do his/her thing. I would think, like us, your participation would be very limited and since it is a facial scar and your residual pain is chronic, you may be looking at a relatively hefty sum somewhere down the road. Of course, the sooner you settle, the less you'll probably get (personally, I WOULDN'T EVEN CONSIDER settling for less than $25,000, with a stipulation that all future related medical bills be covered as well - $45,000 if not)

But like you were advised, don't get your hopes up (that's actually where the stress factor comes in). Just tell yourself that so long as after the attorney's cut you end up with anything over the $3,000 you were initially thinking of settling for (which is very likely), you'll actually ahead of the game.

Best of luck to you!!!