EP 20: The Legal Process & Recovery Following a Serious Car Accident (Part 2)

Welcome to the catastrophic comeback podcast with American Injury Lawyer Clark speaks, helping you find hope, purpose and joy after a catastrophic injury.

So before Is this fair to say that before the before the accident, you were here, right? And then after the accident, you're here. And then after the surgery, you're here. Not as good as you were before, but better than you were after the accident? Or better,

but not Yeah,

not 100%.

I think he had said, I have 40% in this shoulder and 40% in the shoulder. So it's just as far as use. So

talk to me about the legal process is so the legal process. What's the time? What was the timeline like for you? Because, you know, a lot of people think that when they get into accidents, and really, you had your doubts about the process, from the very beginning, you were kind of concerned, hey, is this gonna be worth my time? Just gonna be worth am I gonna get anything out of this? It's just gonna be a waste of time. And you end up getting the shaft? Is that fair? That's

yeah, because? Yeah, I would think so. Because some people, and there are people that don't like you said, report it. But even if I had a fender bender, because you don't know, three months from now, you know, I report it. I could have an issue with my back. I mean, I was hit. So yeah, the back too. But just know, doesn't matter if it's a fender bender, because you don't know what's going to happen. Just if you have a fall on someone's property. And you know, you tell them when you make a report. It depends how, how a person, their body progresses the pain, I

guess prioritizing your health. And your body is what we tell people is like this, this body's got to last you a lifetime. So you got to make it a priority. Yeah, that's good. Yeah. So the timeline, what are the what was the timeline like for you?

To watch her? I couldn't do the things that I used to do. Let's see, I'm sorry. Go ahead. Continue. Even like just, you know, go into the shower, using the restroom. It was a chore. It was a chore. Let's

talk about the legal process. What was the timeline from beginning to end of your claim? Two years. Okay. And so, during that process, you know, what was it like for you just the legal process? So so. So what you're describing to me is that process was difficult, but was difficult because of the medical and physical challenges that you had in terms of your recovery process? Yes. What about the legal process? What how much was involved? From your point of view from the legal process? Well,

they would ask me questions, and they get reports and stuff like that. As I said, always, when things used to happen to me, and I don't, I'm not looking for anything, but just just take notice of what happened. And an ISIS, I know, it's a process. But it's like, well, if I didn't say anything, and then as you said, if I waited too long and stuff, but someone is, is involved in an accident, and whoever's at fault should be accountable for it. Okay, I could see if I was speeding, or if I was drunk, and you know, don't whatever, but I follow the rules. I, my life changed for me, he decided to go across and not pay attention to me. And he hit me in the back. And he and he must have to really be going fast, because I had told you an SUV and he had a car. So it for me to roll over Twitter. And when I rolled over, I was saying Hail Mary, because I thought I was I thought I was gonna die. Really?

Sure. Yeah, that's one thing that makes sense. I think I think people have different feelings about, you know, being involved in a case like this, but really, the way that law looks at it is the person responsible for causing damage should be the person who's responsible for paying for it. And that's why we all have insurance and are required to have insurance if we're going to operate a motor vehicle is because, you know, if we do cause harm, it makes sense that we would pay for it. Yes. You know, it's kind of like when you're when you're, you know, if you're trying to teach a child in school, or you're one of your own children or whatever, and you say we and, and you and your child throws a baseball through the neighbor's window, even if it's accidental, not purpose. It's like, you don't go to jail. You know, everybody makes mistakes. What's your response on the damage that you caused? Now, in terms of the legal process, did you have to go to court? Did you have to go to a trial? Did you have to do all that? Okay. And are you glad you didn't have to do that? Or is it what would you have rather been? How did your day in court?

I probably wouldn't want to have my day in court. But I think if I would have had it, like maybe two months after the accident, I think I would have been very bitter. I don't know if I could control what will come out of my mouth because I was angry. Because to me it was a senseless accident that should not have happened. Sure. Yeah, that's it. But now to think about it, yes. You know, things always have to take, you know, time and stuff. When Sorry. Good. And as I said he cording to the paperwork. He was 100% at fault. So sure. Oh, no, I would have been totally and then beginning No, they didn't do it. But forget, I would have been like a lunatic. Yeah. Well, so

a lot of people ask that they're like, Hey, why does it take so long to Why does it take two years? And and so? So I want to be able to answer for people who have that question, the recovery process that you're describing, we can't resolve your claim case. Too soon, because you don't have all your medical bills, you don't have all your medical records, you don't have all your medical reports, you don't have your future medical analysis, you don't have your ratings. So we can't do an economic analysis. And we can't do the things that quantify the value and build the value of your tool kit.

I mean, whatever you come up with is but you know, you can't even have like, god forbid somebody died, you can't put a value on like it's it ever whatever it turns out to be it is what it is.

Well, let me ask you that. So So you did not have to You did not end up going to court, or the benefits to not go into court? Or it reduces the times significantly, because we would have had to wait until the end of your treatment, all of your treatment, which was what how long did all that take six months, one surgery six months for another surgery and recovery? Maybe a year and a half? Yeah. So yeah, you almost see that even that process would have been a year and a half. By the time we got the medical records and all the other stuff together, probably pretty close to two years right there, then file a lawsuit, then discovery then depositions. And it probably would add another year and a half to this process.

Also going back to the World Trade Center, they were offering certain people, you know, money they bought from me, they actually offered me three times like 10 grand and I'm like, No, I give it to somebody else who needs it. Then I said to myself, well, if they haven't watched him again, I would take it, but I would give it to needy people like orphanages, for animals. I'm a sucker for animals and, you know, food banks and help people because I'm not in it for the money. I just want something, someone to be accountable, accountable for what happened. That's how I look at it. Well, let

me ask you this. So. So when we're representing a person under these circumstances, we were absolutely in it for the money. I mean, we are in it for the money in the sense that something was taken from you. It has a financial cost. And I want to get that money back for you. Right. So I want to get you every single dollar that I can get you because I know that you're going to have future medical bills you're going to have, you're not going to be able to do some of the things that you did before, you're going to have additional costs, you're going to have you're going to be do let me ask you this, even after the surgeries, do you still sometimes have pain in your shoulder? Oh, yeah. Does it still sometimes cause you to not be able to sleep? Well, at times it can. Are you still sometimes not able to do some of the things that you could do before? Oh?

Well, not well, I could do some things, but not as much as I as I normally can. Sure.

Yeah. Is it affect your driving at all?

No. I mean, I don't really die for like, just, you know, maybe to the store or around in a complex and stuff. But actually, I don't even drive a car anymore. I drive a golf cart now. So I won't even go on the streets anymore. So well.

So for me, that's why, you know, getting compensation for you is important. It's like something was taken from you. So we and we want to be able to get that back and, and try to make you whole and I can't if I if I could make your shoulders better. If I could take away the mental health aspect of this. I would, I can't the only thing that the law allows us to do is to get money to try to get to try to compensate you for those things,

you know, and I appreciate exactly what I received. But there's no amount of money in the world that can make someone hold again, because they're gonna have the injuries for the rest of their life. And like maybe it gets better. But then you know, when you when it rains, you know, you get the little stuff. As I said, I can do things, but I don't like overdo it. I mean, at least now, I mean, my husband just have to dress me when it first happened because you know, I couldn't do anything.

Let me ask you this part of our part of what we say in these cases when we're negotiating or when we're going in front of the jury. And this is something that's important to me. So my mother is older, she lives with us. She's, she's live with us until a couple of months ago actually. She's 86 she has Alzheimer's. And I think about it when I have when I deal with people who have permanent injuries. You know, right now you're in your you know, the surgery was effective. It did a good surgeon did his job. You're in a much better position. But have you thought about like, what, what happens when you're 86 years old? What is your physical condition? Or do you think your shoulders will be worse? is, you know what's going to happen? Now?

I have no idea it possibly could. Because you know, your body deteriorates. So I will usually don't get better with that. Right? Oh, you don't know.

So that's one of the things that we try to consider is like, Okay, now, your husband is able to help and Phil Yes, you know, and then, you know, you know, so if I think about it, in my own situation, if something like this happened to my family, and what if I, what if I go first, and my wife, then isn't, was injured in something like this, God forbid, you know, but then, and then nobody's there to do these things for her, you

lose your independence, like, I used to be very active, and, you know, going places, and I've lost some of my independence. I mean, my takes me around everywhere. So I mean, I'm happy to be here. But it's, it could have

been a lot worse, right? It could have been, it could have been. So one of the things is I look back, and you've given us permission to talk about these things. Normally, we would never talk about these things under any circumstances. But I appreciate you being here and talking about these things. And being open so that people can see kind of how this process works. From your perspective. One of the things that was interesting about your your case, and it's not necessarily just your case, but I think that's important is that is the fact that we were able to resolve your case without having to go to trial. And the way that we were able to do that is, is by even before we filed a complaint with the court, we were able to go get the expert opinions that we need. And so we were able to go to your physician and find out from your physician, what are the permanent impairment ratings that you would assign to this person, even after a complete recovery from the surgery? You know, and you said, in your shoulders, you had, you know, 40% here and in the 30%, there, my impression of your surgeon was that he did a great job. Would you agree?

Yes. And the fact is that when I first had the surgery, I mean, I couldn't even button a blouse. I mean, now I could do a lot more. I mean, there's some things I still can't do. I mean, I could, I won't be able to bowl or play tennis because of you know, my shoulders. I mean, I never made bowling, but there are still some limitations. But the pain, I could tolerate pain as much as I can. And, and I try not to let the injury itself stop me from doing things that I want to do, if possible. I mean, I'm sure there's things I won't be able to do. But I try not to let it get too much in my way if I can. Well, so

So this doctor did it to me, I thought he was super helpful, because he did such a great job of of quantifying the extent of your permanent injuries even after even after your even after your surgery. The other thing that the other expert that we we got an opinion for even from before is we an economist and this is an economist that we use a great deal because we know that he's been used by defense firms and plaintiffs firms. He's very reputable. He's a professor at a college professor. And he's he's done this for a long time, his opinion generally, are very hard to contradict, because they are very, you know, based in accepted legal and economic principles that are going to be hard to challenge, you know. And it also just makes common sense that these things, but anyway, he talked to you, what was that experience like?

Well, as I said, it, I found it strange, because I've never had anyone, you know, any accidents I've been in before if, like, talk to me, I know, I felt that he understood what I was going through. And he was very understanding. I mean, there's one point I think I got like a little choked up or something, you know, just rehashing it again, but I didn't find any of these questions invasive at all.

Did he? Was he able to quantify some economic loss that you hadn't thought of that you had not thought? I

probably did, but I don't remember. So.

Well, in fact, the let's see. recalculated total past lost income, the total loss of employer paid benefits, the loss of household production services, you know, in any has to combine that with future loss. And so he did what I thought was a very good and comprehensive report that was helpful from our perspective did what was your impression of that report? I

thought he was Jeff was very well, you know, I may have said it, in other words, but I know he made it, you know, more readable, you know, because I was definitely angry, you know.

So the other advantage of that is that because he has these credentials, He is a legally accepted expert in a courtroom. So when he gives that opinion, it can go to a jury versus if you or I give an economic opinion, we're not experts on that. So they can't, they're not gonna even hear that. So that's the reason for that. The combination of those two things of using those, those those experts, and during the preparation that we did saved time, risk and money, because we were able to resolve your case, before going to court without having to go to court, you indicated that you there might have been some benefit to you for going to court and sharing your sharing your story and having your day in court. Tell me about that. What is your what is your thinking there?

Well, I just Yeah, I just felt that I should be heard. And so you know, and just, you know, I don't know what kind of questions that you know, lawyers or whatever, but I would just say, you know, to me, honestly, the accident should have never happened. If the guy was paying attention, it wouldn't have happened. And I just wanted that to be known that and that he's actually 100% at fault. I mean, I have that from the police report. It's just I was just angry because he did something that was just so stupid. Where were you going that you had to like, go, I don't understand what you were going. It's like he was in a rush somewhere.

So you bring up an interesting point. Some people were afraid of that, you know, do I want I don't want to go into court. I knew lawyers will, you know, twist your words and try to confuse you and all these kinds of things? And can I share with you my perspective on that? Okay. You I would not have thought twice about going into court with you. And you know, why? Why? Because you're telling the truth. And there's no, there's no question. There's no fancy legal question. There's no legal argument that's going to get you to stand up and go, Yeah, you're right. I wouldn't hit No, you're right. It wasn't his fault. Yeah, my shoulders aren't hurt, I don't have these permanent injuries, I didn't have these two surgeries, I don't have these economic injury, that's not going to happen, because it's true. You know. And so when we, as we do represent honest, good people who are talking about how they were legitimately impacted by an accident, that was not their fault, it was someone else's fault. We don't think we don't worry about that at all. And I would never worry about that for a second in your case, because of the fact that you're a good person, you're an honest person, you're telling

the truth. Sometimes I'm too honest. And it gets me in trouble. Well, not in this situation.

You know, all honesty and authenticity is the key to operating.

As I say, you ask no questions, I'll tell you in a lie I, that's I've always been like that. And I even if we were like, one on one person, I would say, you know, I'm gonna say something, but I don't want to be offended. But you asked me a question. I'll answer it. Honestly, that's how I've always been.

I just don't want people to be concerned about these kinds of things, because they think that some fancy lawyer is going to cause them to get tripped up. And, and yeah, that's not good. I

was just, I guess I was just impatient. Because it was it was, and I know, it's a process. It was just me, I was more anxious. Like, it's been a long time. But it's not it wasn't on your site. It was just me myself, I was just impatient.

So if we had, you know, so, so if we had

gone to a trial, that would have added more time, substantially more time, a year and a half, two years, something like that. But you would have gotten to tell your story.

I if, if I could have been heard, yes. But, I mean, everything was worked out well on my end, and I was fine with that. But if it's if I did go to court, I would definitely tell everything that you know. And hopefully I didn't get you know, too fresh with them. But no, but as I said, No, I'm I'm very happy what you guys did is an end. And when I'm even happy about this, it's the guy was 100% at fault. So I don't know what happened to him. You know, I don't know if he got his I don't know. And I at this point, I really don't care. I'm just on on the road to you know, mending myself, hopefully getting back to the way I want, if not, at least, you know, a little bit a little more percentage wise, but

it is what do you feel like you're still you still may improve some physically from where you are now.

I'm hoping like, you know, like, let's say, I mean, let's say six months from now, you know, I want to go bowling. I haven't you know, I don't think so. I mean, you know, I can't really pick up everything's, but I can what I'm really happy about is that I can take care of myself now. I won't have to now he did a great job, my husband, but I don't like anybody doing anything for me. Because I've always always been an independent woman. I like doing things myself so I could dress myself now. I could shower myself. I could, you know, go shopping by myself. I don't need any help for anyone. And he's always gets annoyed with me because he tries to help me and I don't want I'm very independent. If I could do what I'll do It

does does the money that you recover from, from an accident like this, you know, you talked about you're not in it for the money. Does that help with independence? Does that help with regaining some of your independence? Yes. And if you had it to do over again, would you do the same thing that you did? Or would you do something differently?

I would do the same thing. Well, Linda,

thank you so much for being here. Thank you for joining me. Yeah. It's been very helpful to us. Thank you so much.

Welcome to the catastrophic comeback podcast with American Injury Lawyer Clark speaks, helping you find hope, purpose and joy after a catastrophic injury.

So before Is this fair to say that before the before the accident, you were here, right? And then after the accident, you're here. And then after the surgery, you're here. Not as good as you were before, but better than you were after the accident? Or better,

but not Yeah,

not 100%.

I think he had said, I have 40% in this shoulder and 40% in the shoulder. So it's just as far as use. So

talk to me about the legal process is so the legal process. What's the time? What was the timeline like for you? Because, you know, a lot of people think that when they get into accidents, and really, you had your doubts about the process, from the very beginning, you were kind of concerned, hey, is this gonna be worth my time? Just gonna be worth am I gonna get anything out of this? It's just gonna be a waste of time. And you end up getting the shaft? Is that fair? That's

yeah, because? Yeah, I would think so. Because some people, and there are people that don't like you said, report it. But even if I had a fender bender, because you don't know, three months from now, you know, I report it. I could have an issue with my back. I mean, I was hit. So yeah, the back too. But just know, doesn't matter if it's a fender bender, because you don't know what's going to happen. Just if you have a fall on someone's property. And you know, you tell them when you make a report. It depends how, how a person, their body progresses the pain, I

guess prioritizing your health. And your body is what we tell people is like this, this body's got to last you a lifetime. So you got to make it a priority. Yeah, that's good. Yeah. So the timeline, what are the what was the timeline like for you?

To watch her? I couldn't do the things that I used to do. Let's see, I'm sorry. Go ahead. Continue. Even like just, you know, go into the shower, using the restroom. It was a chore. It was a chore. Let's

talk about the legal process. What was the timeline from beginning to end of your claim? Two years. Okay. And so, during that process, you know, what was it like for you just the legal process? So so. So what you're describing to me is that process was difficult, but was difficult because of the medical and physical challenges that you had in terms of your recovery process? Yes. What about the legal process? What how much was involved? From your point of view from the legal process? Well,

they would ask me questions, and they get reports and stuff like that. As I said, always, when things used to happen to me, and I don't, I'm not looking for anything, but just just take notice of what happened. And an ISIS, I know, it's a process. But it's like, well, if I didn't say anything, and then as you said, if I waited too long and stuff, but someone is, is involved in an accident, and whoever's at fault should be accountable for it. Okay, I could see if I was speeding, or if I was drunk, and you know, don't whatever, but I follow the rules. I, my life changed for me, he decided to go across and not pay attention to me. And he hit me in the back. And he and he must have to really be going fast, because I had told you an SUV and he had a car. So it for me to roll over Twitter. And when I rolled over, I was saying Hail Mary, because I thought I was I thought I was gonna die. Really?

Sure. Yeah, that's one thing that makes sense. I think I think people have different feelings about, you know, being involved in a case like this, but really, the way that law looks at it is the person responsible for causing damage should be the person who's responsible for paying for it. And that's why we all have insurance and are required to have insurance if we're going to operate a motor vehicle is because, you know, if we do cause harm, it makes sense that we would pay for it. Yes. You know, it's kind of like when you're when you're, you know, if you're trying to teach a child in school, or you're one of your own children or whatever, and you say we and, and you and your child throws a baseball through the neighbor's window, even if it's accidental, not purpose. It's like, you don't go to jail. You know, everybody makes mistakes. What's your response on the damage that you caused? Now, in terms of the legal process, did you have to go to court? Did you have to go to a trial? Did you have to do all that? Okay. And are you glad you didn't have to do that? Or is it what would you have rather been? How did your day in court?

I probably wouldn't want to have my day in court. But I think if I would have had it, like maybe two months after the accident, I think I would have been very bitter. I don't know if I could control what will come out of my mouth because I was angry. Because to me it was a senseless accident that should not have happened. Sure. Yeah, that's it. But now to think about it, yes. You know, things always have to take, you know, time and stuff. When Sorry. Good. And as I said he cording to the paperwork. He was 100% at fault. So sure. Oh, no, I would have been totally and then beginning No, they didn't do it. But forget, I would have been like a lunatic. Yeah. Well, so

a lot of people ask that they're like, Hey, why does it take so long to Why does it take two years? And and so? So I want to be able to answer for people who have that question, the recovery process that you're describing, we can't resolve your claim case. Too soon, because you don't have all your medical bills, you don't have all your medical records, you don't have all your medical reports, you don't have your future medical analysis, you don't have your ratings. So we can't do an economic analysis. And we can't do the things that quantify the value and build the value of your tool kit.

I mean, whatever you come up with is but you know, you can't even have like, god forbid somebody died, you can't put a value on like it's it ever whatever it turns out to be it is what it is.

Well, let me ask you that. So So you did not have to You did not end up going to court, or the benefits to not go into court? Or it reduces the times significantly, because we would have had to wait until the end of your treatment, all of your treatment, which was what how long did all that take six months, one surgery six months for another surgery and recovery? Maybe a year and a half? Yeah. So yeah, you almost see that even that process would have been a year and a half. By the time we got the medical records and all the other stuff together, probably pretty close to two years right there, then file a lawsuit, then discovery then depositions. And it probably would add another year and a half to this process.

Also going back to the World Trade Center, they were offering certain people, you know, money they bought from me, they actually offered me three times like 10 grand and I'm like, No, I give it to somebody else who needs it. Then I said to myself, well, if they haven't watched him again, I would take it, but I would give it to needy people like orphanages, for animals. I'm a sucker for animals and, you know, food banks and help people because I'm not in it for the money. I just want something, someone to be accountable, accountable for what happened. That's how I look at it. Well, let

me ask you this. So. So when we're representing a person under these circumstances, we were absolutely in it for the money. I mean, we are in it for the money in the sense that something was taken from you. It has a financial cost. And I want to get that money back for you. Right. So I want to get you every single dollar that I can get you because I know that you're going to have future medical bills you're going to have, you're not going to be able to do some of the things that you did before, you're going to have additional costs, you're going to have you're going to be do let me ask you this, even after the surgeries, do you still sometimes have pain in your shoulder? Oh, yeah. Does it still sometimes cause you to not be able to sleep? Well, at times it can. Are you still sometimes not able to do some of the things that you could do before? Oh?

Well, not well, I could do some things, but not as much as I as I normally can. Sure.

Yeah. Is it affect your driving at all?

No. I mean, I don't really die for like, just, you know, maybe to the store or around in a complex and stuff. But actually, I don't even drive a car anymore. I drive a golf cart now. So I won't even go on the streets anymore. So well.

So for me, that's why, you know, getting compensation for you is important. It's like something was taken from you. So we and we want to be able to get that back and, and try to make you whole and I can't if I if I could make your shoulders better. If I could take away the mental health aspect of this. I would, I can't the only thing that the law allows us to do is to get money to try to get to try to compensate you for those things,

you know, and I appreciate exactly what I received. But there's no amount of money in the world that can make someone hold again, because they're gonna have the injuries for the rest of their life. And like maybe it gets better. But then you know, when you when it rains, you know, you get the little stuff. As I said, I can do things, but I don't like overdo it. I mean, at least now, I mean, my husband just have to dress me when it first happened because you know, I couldn't do anything.

Let me ask you this part of our part of what we say in these cases when we're negotiating or when we're going in front of the jury. And this is something that's important to me. So my mother is older, she lives with us. She's, she's live with us until a couple of months ago actually. She's 86 she has Alzheimer's. And I think about it when I have when I deal with people who have permanent injuries. You know, right now you're in your you know, the surgery was effective. It did a good surgeon did his job. You're in a much better position. But have you thought about like, what, what happens when you're 86 years old? What is your physical condition? Or do you think your shoulders will be worse? is, you know what's going to happen? Now?

I have no idea it possibly could. Because you know, your body deteriorates. So I will usually don't get better with that. Right? Oh, you don't know.

So that's one of the things that we try to consider is like, Okay, now, your husband is able to help and Phil Yes, you know, and then, you know, you know, so if I think about it, in my own situation, if something like this happened to my family, and what if I, what if I go first, and my wife, then isn't, was injured in something like this, God forbid, you know, but then, and then nobody's there to do these things for her, you

lose your independence, like, I used to be very active, and, you know, going places, and I've lost some of my independence. I mean, my takes me around everywhere. So I mean, I'm happy to be here. But it's, it could have

been a lot worse, right? It could have been, it could have been. So one of the things is I look back, and you've given us permission to talk about these things. Normally, we would never talk about these things under any circumstances. But I appreciate you being here and talking about these things. And being open so that people can see kind of how this process works. From your perspective. One of the things that was interesting about your your case, and it's not necessarily just your case, but I think that's important is that is the fact that we were able to resolve your case without having to go to trial. And the way that we were able to do that is, is by even before we filed a complaint with the court, we were able to go get the expert opinions that we need. And so we were able to go to your physician and find out from your physician, what are the permanent impairment ratings that you would assign to this person, even after a complete recovery from the surgery? You know, and you said, in your shoulders, you had, you know, 40% here and in the 30%, there, my impression of your surgeon was that he did a great job. Would you agree?

Yes. And the fact is that when I first had the surgery, I mean, I couldn't even button a blouse. I mean, now I could do a lot more. I mean, there's some things I still can't do. I mean, I could, I won't be able to bowl or play tennis because of you know, my shoulders. I mean, I never made bowling, but there are still some limitations. But the pain, I could tolerate pain as much as I can. And, and I try not to let the injury itself stop me from doing things that I want to do, if possible. I mean, I'm sure there's things I won't be able to do. But I try not to let it get too much in my way if I can. Well, so

So this doctor did it to me, I thought he was super helpful, because he did such a great job of of quantifying the extent of your permanent injuries even after even after your even after your surgery. The other thing that the other expert that we we got an opinion for even from before is we an economist and this is an economist that we use a great deal because we know that he's been used by defense firms and plaintiffs firms. He's very reputable. He's a professor at a college professor. And he's he's done this for a long time, his opinion generally, are very hard to contradict, because they are very, you know, based in accepted legal and economic principles that are going to be hard to challenge, you know. And it also just makes common sense that these things, but anyway, he talked to you, what was that experience like?

Well, as I said, it, I found it strange, because I've never had anyone, you know, any accidents I've been in before if, like, talk to me, I know, I felt that he understood what I was going through. And he was very understanding. I mean, there's one point I think I got like a little choked up or something, you know, just rehashing it again, but I didn't find any of these questions invasive at all.

Did he? Was he able to quantify some economic loss that you hadn't thought of that you had not thought? I

probably did, but I don't remember. So.

Well, in fact, the let's see. recalculated total past lost income, the total loss of employer paid benefits, the loss of household production services, you know, in any has to combine that with future loss. And so he did what I thought was a very good and comprehensive report that was helpful from our perspective did what was your impression of that report? I

thought he was Jeff was very well, you know, I may have said it, in other words, but I know he made it, you know, more readable, you know, because I was definitely angry, you know.

So the other advantage of that is that because he has these credentials, He is a legally accepted expert in a courtroom. So when he gives that opinion, it can go to a jury versus if you or I give an economic opinion, we're not experts on that. So they can't, they're not gonna even hear that. So that's the reason for that. The combination of those two things of using those, those those experts, and during the preparation that we did saved time, risk and money, because we were able to resolve your case, before going to court without having to go to court, you indicated that you there might have been some benefit to you for going to court and sharing your sharing your story and having your day in court. Tell me about that. What is your what is your thinking there?

Well, I just Yeah, I just felt that I should be heard. And so you know, and just, you know, I don't know what kind of questions that you know, lawyers or whatever, but I would just say, you know, to me, honestly, the accident should have never happened. If the guy was paying attention, it wouldn't have happened. And I just wanted that to be known that and that he's actually 100% at fault. I mean, I have that from the police report. It's just I was just angry because he did something that was just so stupid. Where were you going that you had to like, go, I don't understand what you were going. It's like he was in a rush somewhere.

So you bring up an interesting point. Some people were afraid of that, you know, do I want I don't want to go into court. I knew lawyers will, you know, twist your words and try to confuse you and all these kinds of things? And can I share with you my perspective on that? Okay. You I would not have thought twice about going into court with you. And you know, why? Why? Because you're telling the truth. And there's no, there's no question. There's no fancy legal question. There's no legal argument that's going to get you to stand up and go, Yeah, you're right. I wouldn't hit No, you're right. It wasn't his fault. Yeah, my shoulders aren't hurt, I don't have these permanent injuries, I didn't have these two surgeries, I don't have these economic injury, that's not going to happen, because it's true. You know. And so when we, as we do represent honest, good people who are talking about how they were legitimately impacted by an accident, that was not their fault, it was someone else's fault. We don't think we don't worry about that at all. And I would never worry about that for a second in your case, because of the fact that you're a good person, you're an honest person, you're telling

the truth. Sometimes I'm too honest. And it gets me in trouble. Well, not in this situation.

You know, all honesty and authenticity is the key to operating.

As I say, you ask no questions, I'll tell you in a lie I, that's I've always been like that. And I even if we were like, one on one person, I would say, you know, I'm gonna say something, but I don't want to be offended. But you asked me a question. I'll answer it. Honestly, that's how I've always been.

I just don't want people to be concerned about these kinds of things, because they think that some fancy lawyer is going to cause them to get tripped up. And, and yeah, that's not good. I

was just, I guess I was just impatient. Because it was it was, and I know, it's a process. It was just me, I was more anxious. Like, it's been a long time. But it's not it wasn't on your site. It was just me myself, I was just impatient.

So if we had, you know, so, so if we had

gone to a trial, that would have added more time, substantially more time, a year and a half, two years, something like that. But you would have gotten to tell your story.

I if, if I could have been heard, yes. But, I mean, everything was worked out well on my end, and I was fine with that. But if it's if I did go to court, I would definitely tell everything that you know. And hopefully I didn't get you know, too fresh with them. But no, but as I said, No, I'm I'm very happy what you guys did is an end. And when I'm even happy about this, it's the guy was 100% at fault. So I don't know what happened to him. You know, I don't know if he got his I don't know. And I at this point, I really don't care. I'm just on on the road to you know, mending myself, hopefully getting back to the way I want, if not, at least, you know, a little bit a little more percentage wise, but

it is what do you feel like you're still you still may improve some physically from where you are now.

I'm hoping like, you know, like, let's say, I mean, let's say six months from now, you know, I want to go bowling. I haven't you know, I don't think so. I mean, you know, I can't really pick up everything's, but I can what I'm really happy about is that I can take care of myself now. I won't have to now he did a great job, my husband, but I don't like anybody doing anything for me. Because I've always always been an independent woman. I like doing things myself so I could dress myself now. I could shower myself. I could, you know, go shopping by myself. I don't need any help for anyone. And he's always gets annoyed with me because he tries to help me and I don't want I'm very independent. If I could do what I'll do It

does does the money that you recover from, from an accident like this, you know, you talked about you're not in it for the money. Does that help with independence? Does that help with regaining some of your independence? Yes. And if you had it to do over again, would you do the same thing that you did? Or would you do something differently?

I would do the same thing. Well, Linda,

thank you so much for being here. Thank you for joining me. Yeah. It's been very helpful to us. Thank you so much.