Delayed Settlement Offer Communication

Summary

The user was involved in a car accident in Maryland and was rear-ended by an unlicensed driver. The drivers insurance company accepted responsibility and made a settlement offer of $9,000. However, the users attorney failed to inform them about the offer until months later. The user rejected the offer, considering it too low, and the attorney made a counteroffer. The user is now considering filing a complaint against the attorney for professional misconduct. The user has incurred $7,500 in medical expenses due to the accident.

Full Conversation

I was rear ended in a car accident by a nine licensed driver his insurance company took responsibility my lawyer sent a demand letter a offer was made and my lawyer never told me until months later
What state did the accident occur in? This will help me provide you with the specific rules and regulations applicable to your situation.
maryland
What was the offer made by the insurance company?

In Maryland, attorneys are required to promptly inform clients about any settlement offers.
*,*
In Maryland, if your attorney fails to inform you about a settlement offer, it could be considered a breach of professional conduct. Have you discussed this with your attorney?
Not yet I wanted to know my rights
What is the name of your attorney's law firm? This will help me provide you with the specific rules and regulations applicable to your situation.
Richard Winelander
What is the nature of your injuries and the impact on your life due to the accident?

In Maryland, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is three years.
soft tissue and whiplash
What is the extent of your medical expenses and loss of income due to the accident? In Maryland, you can claim these in a personal injury lawsuit.
*,*
What is the date of the accident? This will help determine if you're within the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Maryland.
September *,*
What is the date when you were informed about the settlement offer by your attorney?
September * *
Did you accept the settlement offer or do you wish to pursue further legal action?
no
What is your reason for not accepting the settlement offer?
to low
What is your expected settlement amount? In Maryland, you have the right to reject a settlement offer if it doesn't meet your expectations.
?
What is the total amount you believe would adequately cover your medical expenses, loss of income, and pain and suffering?
*,*
What steps have you taken since discovering the delayed communication of the settlement offer?
I did not accept the offer. I feel betrayed and lied to
What actions have you taken against your attorney for not informing you about the settlement offer promptly?
none I wanted to know my rights
What is the current status of your case?
my lawyer made a counter offer
What was the amount of the counter offer made by your lawyer?
i don’t know
What was the response of the insurance company to your lawyer's counter offer?
no response yet
What is the date when your lawyer made the counter offer?
September *, *
What is the name and contact details of the insurance company handling your case?
State Farm
What is the name and contact details of your lawyer?
Richard Winelander
What is the exact amount of your medical bills and any other expenses related to the accident?
*,*
What is the name and contact details of the adjuster handling your case at State Farm?
I don’t know
Could you please provide the date when you first hired your attorney?
September *,*
What is the current status of your health and are you still undergoing treatment for your injuries?
September6 *
What is the current status of your health and are you still undergoing treatment for your injuries?
I completed physical therapy November *
What is the current status of your health after completing the physical therapy?
ok
What is the current status of your case with the insurance company after your lawyer made the counter offer?
nothing yet
What is the name and contact details of the court handling your case?
i don’t know
Do you have any documentation or written communication about the settlement offer from your attorney or the insurance company?
no
What is the nature of your communication with your attorney? Is it through emails, phone calls, or in-person meetings?
phone
What was the last thing your attorney communicated to you regarding your case?
that he made a counter offer
What was the amount of the counter offer your attorney made?
I don’t know
Have you asked your attorney about the amount of the counter offer he made?
no
Why haven't you asked your attorney about the amount of the counter offer he made?
I was afraid
What exactly are you afraid of? It's important to have open communication with your attorney to understand your case better.
I feel rushed and intimidated
What actions or behaviors from your attorney have made you feel rushed and intimidated?
being lied to about the settlement offer I asked many times have you heard anything and he kept saying no and that was a lie
Have you considered filing a complaint against your attorney for professional misconduct?
yes
What is the name of the local bar association in your area?
not sure
What is the name of the insurance adjuster handling your case?
I don’t know
What is the name of the court where your case is being handled?
Baltimore County
What is the current status of your health after the accident and the completion of your physical therapy?
Should I hire a new lawyer
Before deciding to hire a new lawyer, have you communicated your concerns and dissatisfaction with your current lawyer?
no
Why haven't you communicated your concerns and dissatisfaction with your current lawyer? It's important to have open communication for a successful attorney-client relationship.
i wanted to know my rights
What is the nature of your communication with your attorney? Is it through emails, phone calls, or in-person meetings?
phone
What is the nature of your dissatisfaction with your current lawyer?
lied to
What specific information did your lawyer withhold from you?
withhol information about my case
What specific information about your case did your lawyer withhold from you?
settlement offer
What is the date when you first learned about the settlement offer?
September *, *
What is the date when the settlement offer was initially made by the insurance company?
Months ago
What is the exact date when the settlement offer was initially made by the insurance company?
i don’t know
When did you last communicate with your attorney?
September * *
What was the content of your last communication with your attorney on September *, *?
that he made a counter offer
What was the amount of the counter offer your attorney made to the insurance company?
I don’t know
When did your attorney inform you about the initial settlement offer from the insurance company?