Hands Off

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Brown Leather Wallet Using Blue Steel Clap

One aspect of my motorcycle accident that I never really talk about involves money. My lawyer initially said that my case had the potential for a substantial payout. The other driver was completely at fault, she had insurance, and I had a multitude of injuries. Several of those injuries involve lifelong complications and care. I pay monthly for doctor visits and medicines that are all directly related to injuries sustained through the accident, and I have been told that I will require further surgery in the future. Financial compensation time right? Wrong.

I had medical bills from the initial care that made the available insurance coverage amounts seem like pennies in a jar. The problem was twofold: (1) The insurance companies granted payments that included the maximum amount of coverage for which they had agreed to pay within the policies. They did not hesitate at all to pay the full amounts, but their “good faith” payments involved everything for which they had contracted to pay. As a result, there was a chance that I could have lost a lawsuit against them, which would have left me in a position of financial liability and ruin that would reach beyond the medical bills. I could have been countersued by the insurance companies in return for all of the costs related to their defense. (2) The person who caused the accident didn’t have enough money personally to make a lawsuit against her worth the time and effort. I could have gotten something, but not nearly enough to justify the fight.

My lawyer is a very skilled legal professional, and an even better humanitarian. According to contract she was due to be paid 30% plus expenses. Instead, she offered to drop every fee while seeking to mediate with everyone to whom I owed money. She worked tirelessly for over four years and settled every medical bill. She did all of the work pro bono through the kindness of her heart and freed me from a great deal of debt. If the bills had not been settled, I would have had to declare personal bankruptcy to protect myself financially. Did I mention that the total debt for my original care came to roughly a million dollars? Yeah.

I had a meeting with the lawyer today in order to sign the forms necessary to finalize this financial ordeal. As of today I officially do not owe anything to anyone in regard to this accident. I feel as though a great burden has been lifted from my shoulders and I am thankful to God for leading my wife to hire this lawyer when I was still in the hospital lying in bed and drugged beyond reality. God has used the talent and skills of a very compassionate lawyer to free His unworthy servant from a great financial liability, and I am thankful.


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